DEVICE FOR DISPENSING LABELS, SUCH AS SELF-ADHESIVE LABELS, ON OBJECTS

• US 20090126866A1
• Filed: 10/24/2008
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KHS GmbH (Salzgitter AG)
• Original Assignee: KHS GmbH (Salzgitter AG)
• Inventors: STENNER, Holger, PUTZER, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 8,460,499 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/235
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/0081 Means for forming a label web buffer, e.g. label web loop
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/1869 and being transferred directly from the backing strip onto the article
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/42 Label feed control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/17 Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1768 Means simultaneously conveying plural articles from a single source and serially presenting them to an assembly station

Abstract

A device for dispensing labels, in particular self-adhesive labels, on objects. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Claims

1. A labeling machine being configured to label plastic beverage bottles with a wraparound label, said labeling machine comprising:

a rotor being configured and disposed to transport plastic beverage bottles;

a labeling arrangement being configured and disposed to apply wraparound labels to plastic beverage bottles in said rotor;

said labeling arrangement comprising;

a first roll receptacle being configured and disposed to hold a supply roll of labeling material, which labeling material comprises labels and a backing material on which labels are disposed;

a storage chamber being configured and disposed to receive labeling material from said first roll receptacle;

a first feed unit being disposed adjacent said storage arrangement being configured to receive labeling material from said storage chamber and to advance labeling material in a direction of transport at a first predetermined speed;

a second feed unit being configured and disposed to receive labeling material from said first feed unit and to advance labeling material in a direction of transport at a second predetermined speed, which second predetermined speed is faster than the first predetermined speed;

a dispenser being disposed adjacent said second feed unit and being configured and disposed to separate labels from backing material and apply labels to plastic beverage bottles;

a third feed unit being configured and disposed to receive backing material from said dispenser and to advance backing material in a direction of transport at a third predetermined speed, which third predetermined speed is faster than the second predetermined speed;

at least one sensor being configured and disposed to sense flapping and flutter of backing material as it advances through said labeling machine; and

a second roll receptacle being configured and disposed to receive backing material from said third feed unit;

said second feed unit being configured to move at the second predetermined speed to pull on a section of labeling material between said first feed unit and said second feed unit in order to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of labeling material between said first feed unit and said second feed unit; and

said third feed unit being configured to move at the third predetermined speed to pull on a section of backing material between said dispenser and said third feed unit in order to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of backing material between said dispenser and said third feed unit.

2. The labeling machine according to claim 1, wherein:

said first feed unit comprises at least two rollers, between which labeling material is fed;

said at least two rollers of said first feed unit comprises a first roller;

said first roller of said first feed unit is configured to be driven in rotation at a first predetermined speed to advance labeling material to said second feed unit;

said second feed unit comprises at least two rollers, between which labeling material is fed;

said at least two rollers of said second feed unit comprises a first roller;

said first roller of said second feed unit is configured to be driven in rotation at a second predetermined speed to advance labeling material to said dispenser;

said third feed unit comprises at least two rollers, between which backing material is fed;

said at least two rollers of said third feed unit comprises a first roller;

said first roller of said third feed unit is configured to be driven in rotation at a third predetermined speed to advance back a material to said second roll receptacle;

said first roller of said first feed unit and said first roller of said second feed unit are configured to be driven in rotation synchronously at different speeds; and

said first roller of said third feed unit is configured to be driven in rotation synchronously with said first feed unit and said second feed unit at a different speed.

3. The labeling machine according to claim 2, wherein:

said storage chamber is configured to produce a substantially mass-less loop of labeling material;

said first feed unit is configured to provide a pulling force sufficiently strong to provide resistance to the pulling force of said second feed unit to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of labeling material between said first feed unit and said second feed unit yet sufficiently weak to minimize damage or tearing of the labeling material; and

said second feed unit is configured to provide a pulling force sufficiently strong to provide resistance to the pulling force of said third feed unit to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of labeling material between said second feed unit and said third feed unit yet sufficiently weak to minimize damage or tearing of the backing material.

4. The labeling machine according to claim 3 including a control system and a beverage bottling plant, wherein the first predetermined speed of said first roller of said first feed unit is configured to be adjusted with said control system in order to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of labeling material;

the third predetermined speed of said first roller of said third feed unit is configured to be adjusted with said control system in order to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of backing material;

said first roller of said first feed unit and said first roller of said second feed unit are configured to be driven in reverse to advance labeling material in a direction opposite of the direction of transport;

said first roller of said third unit is configured to be driven in reverse to advance backing material in a direction opposite of the direction of transport; and

said labeling machine is configured to label plastic beverage bottles in a beverage bottling plant.

5. A labeling machine being configured to label containers with a label, said labeling machine comprising:

a rotor being configured and disposed to transport containers;

a labeling arrangement being configured and disposed to apply labels to containers in said rotor;

said labeling arrangement comprising;

a first roll receptacle being configured and disposed to hold a supply roll of labeling material, which labeling material comprises labels and a backing material on which labels are disposed;

a storage chamber being configured and disposed to receive labeling material from said first roll receptacle;

a first feed unit being disposed adjacent said storage arrangement being configured to receive labeling material from said storage chamber and to advance labeling material in a direction of transport at a first predetermined speed;

a second feed unit being configured and disposed to receive labeling material from said first feed unit and to advance labeling material in a direction of transport at a second predetermined speed, which second predetermined speed is faster than the first predetermined speed;

a dispenser being disposed adjacent said second feed unit and being configured and disposed to separate labels from backing material and apply labels to containers;

a third feed unit being configured and disposed to receive backing material from said dispenser and to advance backing material in a direction of transport at a third predetermined speed, which third predetermined speed is faster than the second predetermined speed;

at least one sensor being configured and disposed to sense flapping and flutter of backing material as it advances through said labeling machine; and

a second roll receptacle being configured and disposed to receive backing material from said third feed unit;

said second feed unit being configured to move at the second predetermined speed to pull on a section of labeling material between said first feed unit and said second feed unit in order to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of labeling material between said first feed unit and said second feed unit; and

said third feed unit being configured to move at the third predetermined speed to pull on a section of backing material between said dispenser and said third feed unit in order to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of backing material between said dispenser and said third feed unit.

6. The labeling machine according to claim 5, wherein:

said first feed unit comprises at least two rollers, between which labeling material is fed;

said at least two rollers of said first feed unit comprises a first roller;

said first roller of said first feed unit is configured to be driven in rotation at a first predetermined speed to advance labeling material to said second feed unit;

said second feed unit comprises at least two rollers, between which labeling material is fed;

said at least two rollers of said second feed unit comprises a first roller;

said first roller of said second feed unit is configured to be driven in rotation at a second predetermined speed to advance labeling material to said dispenser;

said third feed unit comprises at least two rollers, between which backing material is fed;

said at least two rollers of said third feed unit comprises a first roller; and

said first roller of said third feed unit is configured to be driven in rotation at a third predetermined speed to advance back a material to said second roll receptacle.

7. The labeling machine according to claim 6, wherein:

said first roller of said first feed unit and said first roller of said second feed unit are configured to be driven in rotation synchronously at different speeds; and

said first roller of said third feed unit is configured to be driven in rotation synchronously with said first feed unit and said second feed unit at a different speed.

8. The labeling machine according to claim 7, wherein said storage chamber is configured to produce a substantially mass-less loop of labeling material.

9. The labeling machine according to claim 8, wherein:

said first feed unit is configured to provide a pulling force sufficiently strong to provide resistance to the pulling force of said second feed unit to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of labeling material between said first feed unit and said second feed unit yet sufficiently weak to minimize damage or tearing of the labeling material; and

said second feed unit is configured to provide a pulling force sufficiently strong to provide resistance to the pulling force of said third feed unit to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of labeling material between said second feed unit and said third feed unit yet sufficiently weak to minimize damage or tearing of the backing material.

10. The labeling machine according to claim 9 including a control system, wherein the first predetermined speed of said first roller of said first feed unit is configured to be adjusted with said control system in order to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of labeling material;

and

the third predetermined speed of said first roller of said third feed unit is configured to be adjusted with said control system in order to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of backing material.

11. The labeling machine according to claim 10, wherein:

said first roller of said first feed unit and said first roller of said second feed unit are configured to be driven in reverse to advance labeling material in a direction opposite of the direction of transport; and

said first roller of said third unit is configured to be driven in reverse to advance backing material in a direction opposite of the direction of transport.

12. The labeling machine according to claim 11 with a beverage bottling plant, wherein said labeling machine is configured to label plastic beverage bottles in a beverage bottling plant.

13. A method for operating a labeling machine configured to label containers with a label, said labeling machine comprising:

a rotor being configured and disposed to transport containers;

a labeling arrangement being configured and disposed to apply labels to containers in said rotor;

said labeling arrangement comprising;

a first roll receptacle being configured and disposed to hold a supply roll of labeling material, which labeling material comprises labels and a backing material on which labels are disposed;

a storage chamber being configured and disposed to receive labeling material from said first roll receptacle;

a first feed unit being disposed adjacent said storage arrangement being configured to receive labeling material from said storage chamber and to advance labeling material at a first predetermined speed;

a second feed unit being configured and disposed to receive labeling material from said first feed unit and to advance labeling material at a second predetermined speed, which second predetermined speed is faster than the first predetermined speed;

a dispenser being disposed adjacent said second feed unit and being configured and disposed to separate labels from backing material and apply labels to containers;

a third feed unit being configured and disposed to receive backing material from said dispenser and to advance backing material at a third predetermined speed, which third predetermined speed is faster than the second predetermined speed;

at least one sensor being configured and disposed to sense flapping and flutter of backing material as it advances through said labeling machine; and

a second roll receptacle being configured and disposed to receive backing material from said third feed unit;

said second feed unit being configured to move at the second predetermined speed to pull on a section of labeling material between said first feed unit and said second feed unit in order to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of labeling material between said first feed unit and said second feed unit; and

said third feed unit being configured to move at the third predetermined speed to pull on a section of backing material between said dispenser and said third feed unit in order to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of backing material between said dispenser and said third feed unit;

said method comprising the steps of;

mounting a supply roll of labeling material on said first roll receptacle;

feeding labeling material from said first roll receptacle through said storage arrangement to said first feed unit;

advancing labeling material through said first feed unit at the first predetermined speed to you said second feed unit in order to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of labeling material between said first roll receptacle and said first feed unit;

advancing labeling material through said second feed unit at the second predetermined speed to said dispenser in order to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of labeling material between said first feed unit and said dispenser;

separating labels from backing material and applying labels to containers with said dispenser;

advancing backing material from said dispenser to said third feed unit;

advancing backing material through said third feed unit at the third predetermined speed to said second roll receptacle in order to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of backing material between said dispenser and said third feed unit;

sensing flapping and flutter of backing material with said at least one sensor.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein:

said first feed unit comprises at least two rollers, between which labeling material is fed;

said at least two rollers of said first feed unit comprises a first roller;

said first roller of said first feed unit is configured to be driven in rotation at a first predetermined speed to advance labeling material to said second feed unit;

said second feed unit comprises at least two rollers, between which labeling material is fed;

said at least two rollers of said second feed unit comprises a first roller;

said first roller of said second feed unit is configured to be driven in rotation at a second predetermined speed to advance labeling material to said dispenser;

said third feed unit comprises at least two rollers, between which backing material is fed;

said at least two rollers of said third feed unit comprises a first roller; and

said first roller of said third feed unit is configured to be driven in rotation at a third predetermined speed to advance back a material to said second roll receptacle.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein:

driving said first roller of said first feed unit and said first roller of said second feed unit in rotation synchronously at different speeds; and

driving said first roller of said third feed unit in rotation synchronously with said first feed unit and said second feed unit at a different speed.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said method further comprises the step of producing a substantially mass-less loop of labeling material with said storage chamber.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

providing a pulling force sufficiently strong to provide resistance to the pulling force of said second feed unit to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of labeling material between said first feed unit and said second feed unit with said first feed unit yet sufficiently weak to minimize damage or tearing of the labeling material; and

providing a pulling force sufficiently strong to provide resistance to the pulling force of said third feed unit to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of labeling material between said second feed unit and said third feed unit with said second unit yet sufficiently weak to minimize damage or tearing of the backing material.

18. The method according to claim 17 including a control system, wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

adjusting the first predetermined speed of said first roller of said first feed unit with said control system in order to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of labeling material; and

adjusting the third predetermined speed of said first roller of said third feed unit with said control system in order to generate a tension force sufficient to minimize flapping or flutter of backing material.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein:

driving said first roller of said first feed unit and said first roller of said second feed unit in reverse to advance labeling material in a direction opposite of the direction of transport; and

driving said first roller of said third unit in reverse to advance backing material in a direction opposite of the direction of transport.

20. The method according to claim 19 with a plant, wherein said method further comprises the step of labeling containers with said labeling machine in a plant.