EP2567902A1 - Device for applying labels to containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) comprises a palette (3), which has a surface area provided with an adhesive agent or a solvent. A label is temporarily arranged on the surface area. The palette has a palette body and an adhesive element attached to the palette body. The surface area is arranged on front side of the adhesive element, where the adhesive agent or solvent is supplied through rear side of the adhesive element for the surface area. A label supply unit (2) with a rotary distributor is provided for supplying a predetermined amount of adhesive agent or solvent to the palette. An independent claim is included for a method for applying a label on a container.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for applying a label to a container, in particular a labeling device comprising at least one pallet, wherein the at least one pallet comprises a surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent and on which a label, in particular temporarily, is arranged can.

Such devices are known in the art, for example for labeling containers, such as bottles. In this case, first a surface area of a pallet is provided with an adhesive, typically with a glue. This is usually done by passing the surface area past a rotating glue roller on the outer surface of which the glue is provided. Then, a label is taken over by a supply device in such a way that the label temporarily sticks to the pallet. This will transfer part of the adhesive to the back of the label.

A gripper then removes the label from the surface area of the pallet and then transfers the glued-coated label to the container to be labeled. Such devices are for example from the DE 35 42 848 or the DE 100 45 960 known.

For high-performance labeling machines with several labeling units, central glue supply devices are also in use. Such central glue supply facilities are for example from the WO 2009/036869 or the DE 295 19 876 known.

In the above systems, however, it is always necessary to provide the surface area of the pallet on which the label is to be placed directly, ie from the front, with the adhesive, for example with the aid of the glue roller mentioned. However, such a structure requires a lot of space and usually has a high glue consumption.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for applying a label to a container.

The invention provides a device for applying a label to a container, in particular a labeling device, comprising at least one pallet, wherein the at least one pallet comprises a surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent and on which a label, in particular temporarily, is arranged can be, characterized in that
the at least one pallet comprises a pallet body and an adhesive element connected thereto, wherein the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent is arranged on one side of the adhesive element and wherein the adhesive and / or solvent is provided for the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent can be supplied via another side of the adhesive element.

By allowing the adhesive and / or solvent to be supplied through a side other than that to which the adhesive and / or solvent and the label are to be placed, the device can be made simpler and more compact. For example, can be dispensed with a glue roller.

In other words, the adhesive and / or solvent can be supplied via the pallet itself to the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent.

In particular, the at least one pallet, in particular the adhesive element of the at least one pallet, can be designed such that an adhesive and / or solvent can be passed at least partially through the adhesive element.

The device for applying a label to a container may in particular be a labeling device or a labeling unit. The device may in particular be a labeling device in the food industry, in particular in the beverage industry. The device may also be part of a labeling device.

Labels within the meaning of the invention may also be labels, security labels or the like. Labels may be in particular printed paper or plastic blanks or Stanniolzuschnitte. The labels may in particular include logos, images, text and / or relief-like structures.

Containers may be, for example, bottles, cans, ampoules or other packaging. In particular, bottles can be glass or plastic bottles, for example PET (polyethylene terephthalate) slugs. The containers can, for example, be guided past the device for applying a label by means of a turntable.

With the aid of the device, in particular several labels can be applied to one or more containers. In particular, one or more labels can be applied to each container. For example, several labels may be vertically offset on a container to be ordered. For example, for a bottle, a belly label for the bottle belly and a neck label for the bottleneck may be provided.

The adhesive may be glue, in particular cold glue or hot glue. The solvent may be, for example, an organic solvent. The solvent may serve to activate an adhesive layer already disposed on a label. In other words, a label may include a solvent activatable adhesive layer. When the label is placed on the adhesive surface area, the adhesive layer may be activated by the solvent. Thereafter, the label can be applied to a container. In this case, therefore, can be dispensed with an additional glue application by the device.

The organic solvent may, for example, alcohols (methanol, ethanol, propanols, butanols, octanols, cyclohexanol), glycols (ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol), ethers and glycol ethers (diethyl ether, dibutyl ether, anisole, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, mono-, di-, tri-, Polyethylene glycol ethers), ketones (acetone, butanone, cyclohexanone), esters (acetic esters, glycol esters), amides and other nitrogen compounds (dimethylformamide, pyridine, N-methylpyrrolidone, acetonitrile), sulfur compounds (carbon disulfide, dimethylsulfoxide, sulfolane), nitro - Compounds (nitrobenzene), halogenated hydrocarbons (dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, tri-, tetrachloroethene, 1,2-dichloroethane, chlorofluorocarbons) and / or hydrocarbons (gasolines, petroleum ethers, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, decalin, terpene solvents, benzene, toluene, xylenes ) or consist of.

Also conceivable are organic solvents of or comprising N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dichloromethane, methyl isobutyl ketone, acetone, ethyl acetate or the like, individually or in mixtures thereof, in particular organic solvents from the group formed by ketones and cyclic ethers. Preference is given to using organic solvents from the group formed by tetrahydrofuran, methyl ethyl ketone and cyclohexanone as the solvent.

In particular, instead of the pure solvents and mixtures thereof can be used. The mixture of solvents may be formed such that the dissolution properties of various solvents in the mixture are advantageously combined.

Under the pallet body or pallet main part can be understood herein a part of the pallet, which is connected, in particular directly or directly, with a pallet shaft. Via the pallet shaft, pivoting or rotation of the pallet about an axis can be achieved become. The axis may in particular run vertically during operation of the device and in particular correspond to the longitudinal axis of the pallet shaft.

The pallet body may be made of plastic, in particular as an injection molded part. The pallet shaft may be formed as a carbon molding or stainless steel pipe hydroforming.

The adhesive element can be detachably or permanently connected to the pallet body. In particular, the adhesive element can be detachably connected to the pallet body in a non-destructive detachable or non-destructive manner.

The pallet body may for example comprise a receptacle, wherein the adhesive element is arranged in this receptacle, in particular form-fitting, in the form of an insert. However, the pallet may alternatively or additionally also be screwed, glued and / or welded to the pallet body.

The side of the adhesive element on which the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent is arranged is in particular different from the side via which the adhesive and / or solvent can be supplied for the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent.

As side may be understood herein in particular a lying in a certain direction boundary surface of the adhesive element to the outside.

The pallet or labeling pallet can be designed in such a way that the label can be temporarily arranged or fixed on the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent. The label may in particular be adhesively bonded to the adhesive element by the adhesive and / or solvent arranged on the surface region. In particular, as a result of the temporary arrangement of the label on the adhesive element, the adhesive and / or solvent can be applied at least partially to a side of the label facing the pallet or transferred thereon.

The surface area provided with an adhesive and / or solvent may be a predetermined surface area.

The surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent can in particular be arranged on the adhesive element in such a way that it can take over a label from a label providing device during operation of the device. For this purpose, the surface area may face in particular outward and in particular be freely accessible from the outside. The pallet may be pivotable about a pivot axis to take over the label. The pivot axis may correspond in particular to the longitudinal axis of the pallet shaft.

The adhesive element, in particular the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent, can have a curvature. The curvature may be constant or variable along the surface of the adhesive element. Due to the curvature, the adoption of the label can be improved by a label providing device.

The label providing device may include, for example, a magazine with individual labels or sheet labels.

The surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent can be arranged on a front side of the adhesive element, wherein the adhesive and / or solvent for the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent can be supplied via a rear side of the adhesive element. This allows a particularly compact design of the device can be achieved.

In other words, the adhesive may be disposed from the back of the adhesive member through the adhesive member on the surface provided with an adhesive and / or solvent.

The adhesive element may comprise or consist of a porous material, in particular a sintered material, and / or a membrane. Thereby, adhesive and / or solvent can be passed through the pores of the adhesive element from one side of the adhesive element to the other side of the adhesive element with the surface area which can be provided with adhesive and / or solvent.

The inventors of the present application have surprisingly found that the pores of sintered material are not easily obstructed by commonly used adhesives and / or solvents.

The sintered material may comprise a metal and / or ceramic. For example, the sintered material may comprise aluminum and ceramic. In addition, the sintered material may comprise a binder, for example, epoxy, polyester or polyuretane.

A similar functionality as by the sintered material can also be achieved by a membrane. The membrane may also be formed in the form of a film or a screen. As a result, a compact embodiment of the adhesive element is possible. As a foil can in particular here be designated an element whose thickness is much smaller than its surface area.

The adhesive element may also comprise a plastic or consist of plastic. In this case, the adhesive element may be formed such that in the plastic pores are provided, via which an adhesive and / or solvent can be passed over one side of the adhesive element on the side of the adhesive element, arranged on the providable with an adhesive and / or solvent surface area is.

The porous material and / or the membrane may have an average pore diameter of 15 microns to 40 microns. As a result, a uniform supply of adhesive and / or solvent can be achieved on the surface area which can be provided with adhesive and / or solvent.

The porous material and / or the membrane may have an average pore diameter that varies in a vertical direction. In particular, the mean pore diameter may be greater in an upper region of the adhesive element than in a lower region of the adhesive element. As a result, the hydrostatic pressure of the adhesive can be taken into account.

The upper and lower region can be defined here in particular during operation of the device.

The porous material and / or the membrane may have a porosity of 50% to 100% with an average pore diameter of 10 .mu.m to 40 .mu.m, in particular a porosity of 60% to 80% with an average pore diameter of 20 .mu.m to 30 .mu.m. The porosity can be chosen in particular depending on the viscosity of the adhesive and / or solvent to be used.

The adhesive element may also comprise at least one bore which in particular connects the side of the adhesive element with the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent with the side via which the adhesive and / or solvent can be supplied. The at least one bore may in particular be a through hole. The diameter of the at least one bore may be between 0.3 mm and 1.5 mm. In particular, a plurality of bores can be provided.

The at least one bore may extend in a direction including an angle of 0 ° to 80 °, in particular 10 ° to 60 °, preferably 45 °, with the direction of the normal vector of the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent. The direction of the at least one bore can lie in particular in a plane which is vertical to the surface area provided with an adhesive and / or solvent and perpendicular to the horizontal during operation of the device.

In operation of the apparatus, the opening of the at least one bore located on the side of the adhesive and / or solvent-susceptible surface portion may be located higher than the opening of the at least one bore located on the side over which the adhesive is applied and / or solvent can be supplied. As a result, centrifugal forces within the pallet can be given preference.

In other words, during operation of the device, the at least one bore can extend obliquely upward, in particular upwards for the surface region which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent.

In a region between the adhesive element and the pallet body, a reservoir may be arranged. Thereby, the adhesive and / or solvent can be supplied in a simple manner.

The reservoir may in particular be a cavity which can be filled with adhesive and / or solvent via a supply device for supplying a predetermined amount of adhesive and / or solvent.

The dimensions of the reservoir can be adapted in particular to the dimensions of the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent.

The reservoir can directly adjoin the side of the adhesive element, via which the adhesive and / or solvent can be supplied for the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent. The dimensions of the reservoir parallel to the adjacent side of the adhesive element may in particular be equal to or greater than the dimension of the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent. As a result, a uniform adhesive supply and / or solvent supply can be achieved.

The apparatus may further comprise providing means for supplying a predetermined amount of adhesive and / or amount of solvent to the at least one pallet. In particular, the provisioning device may direct a predetermined amount of adhesive and / or amount of solvent into a reservoir of a pallet.

The predetermined amount of adhesive and / or amount of solvent may be supplied by the providing device in particular at a predetermined time.

The provisioning device may in particular comprise a rotary distributor. As a result, an efficient supply of adhesive and / or solvent to the at least one pallet can be achieved.

The providing device may comprise a metering device for providing the predetermined amount of adhesive and / or amount of solvent. By means of the metering device, in particular the predetermined amount of adhesive and / or solvent amount can be introduced at a predetermined time in a rotary distributor.

The provisioning device may also comprise at least one supply line, via which the predetermined amount of adhesive and / or solvent amount to the at least one pallet, in particular the reservoir of at least one pallet, can be passed. In particular, the at least one supply line can connect a rotation distributor of the provisioning device to the reservoir of the at least one pallet.

The at least one supply line may run at least partially within a pallet shaft of the at least one pallet. This allows the device to be made more compact.

The metering device may comprise or be a pump, in particular a mechanical piston pump, a series pump or an electronic pump. The pump may allow a change in the amount of adhesive and / or amount of solvent via a volume or pressure change.

The metering device may also comprise a valve, which is in particular designed such that it interrupts an adhesive flow and / or a solvent flow at a predetermined time. As a result, a simple and cost-effective implementation of the metering device is possible.

The adhesive and / or the solvent can be supplied in particular under pressure. In other words, the adhesive and / or the solvent may be passed by pressurization from one side of the adhesive member to the side of the adhesive member on which the surface area provided with an adhesive and / or solvent is disposed.

The device may in particular comprise a plurality of pallets, in particular wherein the provisioning device is a common provision device for the plurality of pallets. In other words, the provisioning device may be a central provisioning device.

If several pallets are provided, at least one supply line can be provided for each pallet.

The at least one pallet may also comprise a tempering element. The tempering element can be designed such that it can influence or control the temperature of the adhesive and / or solvent arranged on the at least one pallet. Thereby, an adhesive to be processed in a certain temperature range can be maintained in a desired state. For example, glue which has to be processed at elevated temperature can be kept liquid in this way.

The tempering element may in particular comprise or be a heating element. The heating element may in particular be a UV emitter or a heating element operating via induction. The heating element can be regulated in particular. In particular, a temperature measurement can be used for regulation.

Alternatively or additionally, the device may also comprise a heating device, on which the pallets are guided past the operation of the device.

Alternatively or additionally, the tempering element may comprise or be a cooling element. Cooling of the adhesive and / or the solvent may be advantageous, for example, in very hot countries with air temperatures above the processing range of the adhesive and / or solvent. The cooling element can be regulated in particular. In particular, a temperature measurement can be used for regulation. For temperature measurement, one or more thermal strips may be provided.

Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may also comprise a cooling device which cools the adhesive and / or solvent to a predetermined temperature prior to delivery to the at least one pallet. The cooling device can be regulated in particular. In particular, a temperature measurement can be used for regulation. Again, one or more thermal strips may be provided for temperature measurement.

The apparatus may further comprise a cleaning device, in particular for supplying a cleaning liquid to the adhesive element of the at least one pallet. As a result, the at least one pallet, in particular the adhesive element of the at least one pallet, for example of glue residues, can be cleaned.

The cleaning device can be connected to the provision device in such a way that a cleaning fluid can be conducted via a supply line of the provision device to the at least one pallet. Alternatively or additionally, the cleaning device can at least a separate, independent of the at least one supply line of the supply device, supply line, via which a cleaning liquid can be passed to the at least one pallet.

The cleaning liquid may in particular be an aqueous cleaning liquid with a washing-active substance. The detergent substance may in particular comprise or consist of surfactants and / or solvents, in particular organic solvents. The cleaning liquid can be provided via a cleaning liquid container.

The cleaning device may alternatively or additionally also comprise at least one spray element, which is arranged and / or formed such that the cleaning liquid can be sprayed by at least one spray element from the outside onto the at least one pallet. In other words, the at least one spray element can be arranged and / or formed such that the at least one pallet is guided past the at least one spray element during operation of the device, in particular when the at least one pallet is guided past the at least one spray element, the cleaning liquid in that at least one spray element can be sprayed onto the at least one pallet from the outside. The cleaning device may also include a catch element that collects the used cleaning fluid after cleaning the at least one pallet. The collecting element may be connected to the cleaning liquid container. Thus, the collected used cleaning liquid can be at least partially recycled. The cleaning device may in particular comprise a filter element which is arranged between the collecting element and the cleaning liquid container. Thus, the collected used cleaning liquid can be filtered prior to introduction into the cleaning liquid container.

The cleaning device may also include a fresh water supply or hot water supply. This can be carried out after cleaning with the cleaning liquid flushing. The fresh water supply or hot water supply may comprise a heating element, which heats the fresh water or service water to a predetermined temperature, in particular to a temperature between 40 ° C and 60 ° C.

The cleaning device may also comprise at least one brush element. Thus, a mechanical cleaning of at least one pallet can be performed. The brush element may be, for example, a brush or a brush roll.

The at least one brush element can be arranged such that the at least one pallet is guided past the at least one brush element during operation. That at least a brush element may be designed such that it can be brought manually or automatically, in particular pneumatically, from a first position, in which the at least one brush element is spaced from a pallet passed by, into a second position, in which the at least one brush element is a pallet guided past contacted for cleaning.

The device may further comprise a compressed air supply device, in particular for supplying compressed air to the adhesive element of at least one pallet. The compressed air enables possible label residues to be removed from the adhesive element.

The at least one pallet may comprise at least one compressed-air nozzle, which is arranged in particular in the region of the adhesive element. The at least one compressed air nozzle can be connected to the compressed air supply device by means of a compressed air line, in particular via the provision device.

Alternatively or additionally, at least one compressed-air nozzle can be provided, at which the at least one pallet is guided past the operation of the device, which is designed and / or arranged such that compressed air can be directed from outside to the at least one pallet. Also, this external compressed air nozzle may be connected to the compressed air supply via a compressed air line.

The apparatus may further comprise a gripper cylinder with at least one gripper. With the at least one gripper, a label temporarily arranged on the at least one pallet can be taken over by the pallet and transferred to a container.

The at least one pallet and an associated pallet shaft may be connected to a rotary. As a result, the at least one pallet and the pallet shaft connected thereto can be moved on a circular path about an axis.

The apparatus may further comprise at least one drive means for driving the rotary and / or the gripper cylinder.

The components of the device may be arranged on a common carrier, or at least partially mounted on their own support structures, which are interconnected.

The invention also provides a pallet for a device for applying a label to a container, in particular a labeling device, the pallet comprising a surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent and on which a label, in particular temporarily, can be arranged,
characterized in that
the pallet comprises a pallet body and an adhesive element connected thereto, wherein the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent is arranged on one side of the adhesive element and wherein the adhesive and / or solvent for the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent is applied via a other side of the adhesive element can be fed.

In particular, the pallet may have one or more of the above features.

• Anordnen eines Haftmittels und/oder Lösungsmittels in einem Oberflächenbereich auf einer Seite eines Haftelements einer Palette einer Etikettiervorrichtung;
• Anordnen eines Etiketts auf dem mit einem Haftmittel und/oder Lösungsmittel versehenen Oberflächenbereich des Haftelements; und
• Übertragen des Etiketts von dem Haftelement auf einen Behälter,
• wobei das Haftmittels und/oder Lösungsmittels dem Oberflächenbereich der Palette über eine andere Seite des Haftelements zugeführt wird.

The invention also provides a method of applying a label to a container, comprising the steps of:

• Placing an adhesive and / or solvent in a surface area on one side of an adhesive element of a pallet of a labeling device;
• Placing a label on the surface area of the adhesive element provided with an adhesive and / or solvent; and
• Transferring the label from the adhesive element to a container,
• wherein the adhesive and / or solvent is supplied to the surface area of the pallet via another side of the adhesive element.

In particular, the adhesive and / or solvent may be supplied to the surface area of the adhesive member through the adhesive member.

In particular, the method may include providing a device described above for applying a label to a container. The method may in particular be a labeling method by means of a device described above.

Figur 1

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine beispielhafte Vorrichtung zum Aufbringen eines Etiketts auf einen Behälter;

Figur 2

eine Seitenansicht eines Teils einer beispielhaften Vorrichtung zum Aufbringen eines Etiketts auf einen Behälter;

Figur 3

eine weitere Seitenansicht eines Teils einer beispielhaften Vorrichtung zum Aufbringen eines Etiketts auf einem Behälter;

Figuren 4a und 4b

Seitenansichten einer beispielhaften Palette;

Figuren 5a und 5b

Seitenansichten einer weiteren beispielhaften Palette;

Figur 6

eine Seitenansicht eines Teils einer weiteren beispielhaften Vorrichtung zum Aufbringen eines Etiketts auf einem Behälter;

Figuren 7a und 7b

Seitenansichten einer weiteren beispielhaften Palette;

Figur 8

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine beispielhafte Vorrichtung zum Aufbringen eines Etiketts auf einen Behälter; und

Figur 9

eine Seitenansicht eines Teils einer beispielhaften Vorrichtung zum Aufbringen eines Etiketts auf einen Behälter.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be explained below with reference to the exemplary figures. It shows

FIG. 1

a schematic plan view of an exemplary apparatus for applying a label to a container;

FIG. 2

a side view of a portion of an exemplary apparatus for applying a label to a container;

FIG. 3

another side view of part of an exemplary apparatus for applying a label on a container;

FIGS. 4a and 4b

Side views of an exemplary pallet;

FIGS. 5a and 5b

Side views of another exemplary pallet;

FIG. 6

a side view of part of another exemplary apparatus for applying a label on a container;

FIGS. 7a and 7b

Side views of another exemplary pallet;

FIG. 8

a schematic plan view of an exemplary apparatus for applying a label to a container; and

FIG. 9

a side view of a portion of an exemplary apparatus for applying a label to a container.

In FIG. 1 a schematic representation of an exemplary device 1 for applying a label to a container 6 is shown. In this example, it is in particular a labeling unit for bottles. In principle, however, other containers, such as cans, conceivable.

The exemplary apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of pallets 3, which may also be referred to as adhesive pallets, which are connected to a transport device which allows rotation about the axis A. In other words, the pallets 3 are part of a pallet rotary.

The pallets 3 are guided past a label providing device 2 sequentially. The label providing device 2 may be, for example, a magazine in which the labels are kept stacked for transfer.

The pallets 3 have an adhesive surface area. This surface area is provided with an adhesive such as cold glue and then brought into contact with a label from the label providing device 2. As a result, the label adheres to the adhesive surface area of the pallet 3. At least part of the adhesive is thereby transferred to the contact surface of the label. In order to maintain the adhesive in the desired consistency, a heater 4 is provided which maintains the temperature of the adhesive on the pallet surface at a certain level. At this heater 4, the pallets 3 are passed during operation.

As an alternative to the heating device 4, a cooling device may also be provided. For example, a cooling device may be arranged on a line between the glue pump and the labeling unit. For example, quick-release couplings can be used for the arrangement. Especially in hot countries such Leimkühlung may be necessary.

By the cooling device, the temperature of the glue can be adjustable in particular between 18 ° C and 28 ° C.

The movement about the axis A, a provided with a label pallet 3 is moved and coincides with a gripper 5 of a gripper cylinder together. This gripper 5 accepts the arranged on the pallet 3 label and then brings it to one of the bottles 6, which are passed on a turntable on the labeling.

Although in this and the following examples, an adhesive is described, these examples are alternatively or additionally also conceivable using a solvent.

FIG. 2 shows the pallet rotor in a side view, with the sake of clarity, only one of the pallets 3 is shown. The pallets 3 are connected to pallet shafts 9, whereby they are formed pivotable about a vertical axis. The pallets 3 comprise a pallet body 7 and an adhesive element 8 connected thereto.

The area of the surface which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent and on which the label is placed is arranged on the front side of the adhesive element 8. However, the adhesive supply takes place via another side of the adhesive element 8.

The adhesive element 8 can be detachably or permanently connected to the pallet body 7. For example, the adhesive element 8 may be positively connected to the pallet body 7.

In FIG. 3 an exemplary embodiment is shown, in which the glue supply via the back of the adhesive element 8 is feasible, ie on the side facing the pallet body 7. For this, the adhesive element 8 is made of a porous material, in particular a sintered material. Alternatively, however, the adhesive member 8 may also comprise a membrane permitting adhesive transport from the back of the adhesive member 8 to the front of the adhesive member 8 on which the surface area to be provided with the adhesive is disposed.

By this design can be dispensed with a rotating glue roller, whereby the structure can be made more compact and easier to handle.

In principle, a supply of the adhesive would also be conceivable via another side of the adhesive element 8 as its back. For example, the adhesive could be supplied over the top of the adhesive element 8.

The adhesive element 8 can be arranged as an insert in a recess of the pallet body 7. The adhesive element 8 may in particular be detachably connected to the pallet body 7.

In an adhesive container 11, which may in particular be tempered, the adhesive, such as hot glue, is provided. In the case of hot glue, the adhesive container 11 may be heated. However, cold glue can also be used. In this case, a temperature of about 25 ° C to 35 ° C is advantageous. The adhesive container 11 may, for example, a glue delivery as in the DE 10 2011 003 060.3 include or correspond to such.

Via a metering unit 12 a required amount of glue is passed to a rotary distributor 10, which in turn passes the predetermined amount of adhesive via a feed line 13 to the respective pallet 3.

As an alternative to the exemplary embodiment described here, the feed line 13 can also extend at least partially within the pallet shaft 9 and / or partially within the adhesive body 7. This alternative is in FIG. 3 indicated by a dashed line.

As a dosing unit 12, for example, a mechanical piston pump, a series pump or an electronic pump that allows a change in the amount of glue on the change in volume or pressure can be used.

As a metering unit 12, however, it is also possible to provide a controllable valve that interrupts the adhesive agent flow in a timely manner when the adhesive agent container 11 feeds in continuously from the adhesive container 11.

FIG. 4a shows a side view of an exemplary pallet 3, which is connected to a pallet shaft 9. With the pallet body 7, an adhesive element 8 is connected in the form of an insert.

Between the adhesive element 8 and the pallet body 7, a reservoir 14 is arranged. This reservoir 14 corresponds to a cavity between the adhesive element 8 and the pallet body 7. In this cavity can be introduced via the supply line 13 adhesive. The adhesive reservoir 14 directly adjoins the adhesive element 8. As a result of the adhesive element 8 being made of a porous material, the adhesive from the reservoir 14 becomes the front side of the adhesive element 8, on which a surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent is arranged. In this case, the adhesive supply thus takes place via the rear side of the adhesive element 8.

FIG. 4b shows a further side view of the exemplary pallet 3. Here, the front of the adhesive element 8 is shown. On this front side, a surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent is arranged, on which a label, in particular a label, can be temporarily arranged in order to transfer an adhesive to the label and to transport the label further, so that it then passes over a gripping device can be applied to a container.

The adhesive element 8 may in particular be a sintered material. The mean pore diameter can be between 15 .mu.m and 40 .mu.m. The porosity can be between 50% and 100%.

A possible sintered material is available, for example, under the name "Metapor".

The pallet 3 can also comprise a heating element (not shown here), for example a UV emitter and / or a heating element operating via induction. Thus, the temperature, in particular of the adhesive reservoir 14 can be maintained at a predetermined temperature value or temperature range, for example between 25 and 35 ° C.

It can also be switched on a second circuit via a valve, via which a cleaning liquid, for example, is introduced in production breaks in the adhesive reservoir. Thereby, a cleaning of the adhesive element 8, in particular the pores of the adhesive element 8, can be achieved.

One of the in FIG. 4b Thus, the supply lines 13 shown may be provided for supplying adhesive and / or solvent, while the other supply line 13 serves for supplying a cleaning liquid.

In the FIGS. 5a and 5b are side views of another exemplary pallet 3, which is connected to a pallet shaft 9 shown. In turn, an adhesive element 8 is connected to the pallet body 7 in the form of an insert. In contrast to that in the FIGS. 4a and 4b shown adhesive element, the adhesive element 8 in this example obliquely upwardly extending holes 15. With these holes 15 centrifugal forces within the pallet 3 can be taken into account. In addition, the adhesive element 8 may be formed as described above, so in particular consist of a porous material.

FIG. 6 shows a portion of another exemplary apparatus for applying a label to a container. These are in addition to with respect to FIG. 3 described elements nor a compressed air source 55 and a pressure reducer 50 is provided. Compressed air can be introduced from the compressed air source 55 into the rotary distributor 10 via the pressure reducer. The compressed air can be brought by the pressure reducer, for example, from a pressure of 2.5 bar to a pressure of 0.2 bar.

Via a specially provided compressed air line 25, the compressed air can then be passed to the pallet 3, where it can be used for example for removing label residues on the adhesive element.

For this purpose, the pallet 3, as in the FIGS. 7a and 7b shown, compressed air nozzles 26 include, in the compressed air via a channel 16 compressed air can be passed. Alternatively, the compressed air line 25 can also open directly into a compressed air nozzle.

As in FIG. 7b As shown, the compressed air outlets 26a of the compressed-air nozzles 26 can be arranged in particular along one side of the front side of the adhesive element 8, in particular along one of the transverse sides. This allows possible label residues to be blown off.

The compressed air can be used before or after cleaning the pallet with a cleaning fluid and / or a rinse with fresh water or service water.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of another exemplary device 1 for applying a label to a container 6. In addition to those already in connection with FIG. 1 In addition, this exemplary device 1 comprises a cleaning device 115. The exemplary cleaning device 115 comprises a spray nozzle 105, on which the pallets 3 are guided past the operation of the device 1. About this spray nozzle, a cleaning liquid on the pallet 3, in particular on the adhesive element, sprayed to remove, for example, adhesive or solvent residues. Such a cleaning can be carried out, for example, before the device is put into operation and / or at periodic time intervals.

Also provided is a compressed air nozzle 125a, with the compressed air on the pallet 3, in particular on the adhesive element, can be blown. This external compressed air nozzle 125a may alternatively or in addition to the in FIGS. 7a and 7b be shown compressed air nozzles of the pallets.

The cleaning device 115 also includes a brush roller 130b. This can be manually or automatically, especially pneumatic, delivered. In other words, the Brush roll 130 b are brought into a position in which they can mechanically clean the passing pallets 3.

Via a drip pan 120, contaminated cleaning liquid can be collected and then sent for disposal or recycling.

The elements of the cleaning device 115 described herein may be provided alone or in any combination with each other.

In FIG. 9 Figure 4 is a side view of part of an exemplary apparatus for applying a label to a container. In particular, a pallet runner is as in FIG. 2 shown. In addition, elements of a cleaning device are shown. The cleaning device comprises a cleaning liquid container 100. Cleaning liquid can be conducted from the cleaning liquid container 100 to a spray nozzle 105 via a pump 110. With the spray nozzle 105, the cleaning liquid can be sprayed onto the adhesive element 8 of the pallets 3, which are guided past the spray nozzle 105.

The cleaning device also comprises a brush body 130a, which can be manually or automatically, in particular pneumatically, delivered to mechanically clean the pallets 3 passed by. Another spray nozzle 106 may also spray cleaning fluid onto the brush body 130a and / or onto the pallet 3.

A collecting trough 120 can be used to collect used cleaning liquid. Via a filter 17 and a return line 18, the used cleaning liquid can be supplied to the cleaning liquid container 100 again.

After cleaning, the device can be rinsed with fresh water or service water at a temperature of 40 ° C to 60 ° C. The fresh water or service water can be switched on via a hand lever valve.

It is understood that in the embodiments described above mentioned features are not limited to these specific combinations and are also possible in any other combinations.

Claims (14)

Device (1) for applying a label to a container (6), in particular a labeling device comprising at least one pallet (3), wherein the at least one pallet (3) comprises a surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent, on which a Label, in particular temporarily, can be arranged
characterized in that
the at least one pallet (3) comprises a pallet body (7) and an adhesive element (8) connected thereto, the surface area provided with an adhesive and / or solvent being disposed on one side of the adhesive element (8), and wherein the adhesive and / or Solvent for the area provided with an adhesive and / or solvent surface area via another side of the adhesive element (8) can be fed. The device according to claim 1, wherein the surface area provided with an adhesive and / or solvent is arranged on a front side of the adhesive element (8) and wherein the adhesive for the surface area provided with an adhesive and / or solvent can be supplied via a rear side of the adhesive element (8) is. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the adhesive element (8) comprises a porous material, in particular a sintered material, and / or a membrane. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the porous material and / or the membrane has an average pore diameter of 15 microns to 40 microns. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the porous material and / or the membrane has an average pore diameter which varies in a vertical direction. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in a region between the adhesive element (8) and the pallet body (7), a reservoir (14) is arranged. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the reservoir (14) immediately adjacent to the side of the adhesive element (8), via which the adhesive and / or solvent for the surface area provided with an adhesive and / or solvent can be supplied. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising supply means for supplying a predetermined amount of adhesive and / or solvent to the at least one pallet (3). The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the providing means comprises a rotary distributor. Apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the providing means comprises metering means (12) for providing the predetermined amount of adhesive and / or amount of solvent. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one pallet (3) comprises a heating element. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cleaning device, in particular for supplying a cleaning liquid to the adhesive element (8) of the at least one pallet (3). Pallet (3) for a device for applying a label to a container (6), in particular a labeling device, wherein the pallet (3) comprises a surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent and on which a label, in particular temporarily, is arranged can
characterized in that
the pallet (3) comprises a pallet body (7) and an adhesive element (8) connected thereto, the surface area provided with an adhesive and / or solvent being disposed on one side of the adhesive element (8), and wherein the adhesive and / or solvent is for the surface area which can be provided with an adhesive and / or solvent can be supplied via another side of the adhesive element (8). Method for applying a label to a container, comprising the steps: Placing an adhesive and / or solvent in a surface area on one side of an adhesive element of a pallet of a labeling device; Placing a label on the surface area of the adhesive element provided with an adhesive and / or solvent; and Transferring the label from the adhesive element to a container, wherein the adhesive and / or solvent is supplied to the surface area of the pallet via a different side of the adhesive element.

Images