Patent Application
20230234743
The present invention relates to bottling, and in particular to an improved label holder.
Conveyor systems have been developed for quickly filling and capping a multitude of containers (e.g., bottles) in a very short period of time. The conveyor systems move empty containers (and uncapped if bottles) along a line and/or along a periphery of a wheel and fill the containers (with, for example, water, soda or any other liquid), close or cap the containers while the containers continuously move, and apply labels to the containers.
In the prior art, the vacuum-grip cylinder 26 included various cylinders that were capable of holding the individual labels 14 via vacuum, allowing the glue to be applied to the rear side of the individual labels 14 suctioned to the vacuum-grip cylinder 26, and allowing the individual labels 14 to be applied to a cylindrical surface of the containers 18. An example of such a vacuum-grip cylinder 26 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8 408 267 entitled VACUUM CYLINDER FOR A LABELING APPARATUS, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The vacuum-grip cylinder 26 of U.S. Pat. No. 8 408 267 is illustrated in
In
The individual supporting elements 38 or the upper end sections 38b thereof are connected to one another by a fixing ring 52. The upper support 40 likewise has a receiving opening 54 for receiving the shaft. A hub 56 of the upper support 40 is fixed to the fixing ring 58 by a plurality of screws 60.
The fixing of the supporting elements 38 to the bottom support 32 and the upper support 40 takes place via a plurality of screw connections 62. Suction strips 64a, 64b hold the start of an individual label 14 and the end of the individual label 14 to the vacuum-grip cylinder 26 by suction. In the embodiment shown in
A quick-clamping ring 84 has a protrusion 86, through the displacement of which allows for release of the individual suction strips 64a, 64b for movement thereof. More specifically, once the quick-clamping ring 84 has been opened, the individual suction strips 64a, 64b can be removed from the vacuum-grip cylinder 26 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the figure. The suction strips 64a, 64b in each case have an angled surface 88 which points in the direction of the segments 66. The individual angled surfaces 88 also protrude slightly beyond the circumference of the vacuum-grip cylinder 26 or the two supports 32 and 40 and also the segments 66, which allows for sucking up the individual labels 14 and prevents corrugations of the individual labels 14. The supporting elements 38 in each case have receiving grooves 90 for receiving the suction strips 64a, 64b.
The quick-clamping ring 84 allows for the lock between the suction strips 64a, 64b and the supporting element 38 to be opened and in this way the suction strips 64a, 64b can easily be removed. The supporting element 38 has a rear wall 96, in which two openings are provided for the insertion of the first vacuum lines 78. The first vacuum lines 78 are connected to the rear wall 96 via the connecting pieces 98. In the embodiment shown here, the suction strips 64a, 64b are supplied by two first vacuum lines 78, while the vacuum chambers 74 behind the segments 66 are supplied by a second vacuum line 100. However, the number of these first vacuum lines 78 and second vacuum lines 100 can also be varied.
When using the container filling and labeling system 10 of the prior art having the container labeling area 12, the positioning of the suction strips 64a, 64b relative to the rest of the vacuum-grip cylinder 26 is very important. As outlined above, the suction strips 64a, 64b can be moved slightly relative to the bottom support 32 and also the upper support 40 in the direction R and in the direction opposite thereto. The suction strips 64a, 64b need to be positioned close enough to the hotmelt gluing unit 28 as the suction strips 64a, 64b are rotated past the hotmelt gluing unit 28 to be able to apply a sufficient amount of hotmelt glue to the rear side of the individual labels 14 suctioned to the vacuum-grip cylinder 26 without abutting the hotmelt gluing unit 28 as the suction strips 64a, 64b pass by the hotmelt gluing unit 28. As the size and location of the hotmelt gluing unit 28 and the containers 18 can vary, a system for properly positioning the suction strips 64a, 64b before use of the container filling and labeling system 10 is needed.
The first prior art positioning system 102 includes the vacuum-grip cylinder 26 on a central rotating shaft 112 extending vertically from a support surface 114 and an indicator support shaft 116 extending vertically from the support surface 114 substantially parallel to the central rotating shaft 112. The indicator support shaft 116 includes a pair of openings 118 receiving the shaft housing 108 therein. As shown in
Since the container filling and labeling system 10 works continuously, any shutdown or slowdown of the container filling and labeling system 10 can prevent thousands of containers from being ready for shipping, costing the factories large amounts of money. Therefore, there is a desire to prevent and/or lessen the shutdown or slowdown time of container filling and labeling systems 10. In the positioning systems of the prior art, the measurements taken by the indicators can be difficult to read. If the measurements are difficult to read, it is possible that the time needed to properly align the suction strips 64a, 64b on the vacuum-grip cylinder 26 can be too long and/or the suction strips 64a, 64b might not be properly positioned on the vacuum-grip cylinder 26. Therefore, a system to quickly and easily read the indicators 104 is desired.
The present invention, according to one aspect, is directed to a method of calibrating a label vacuum-grip cylinder, with the label vacuum-grip cylinder including adjustable suction strips. The method comprising rotatably attaching the label vacuum-grip cylinder to a support; positioning an indicator holder support shaft adjacent a periphery of the label vacuum-grip cylinder; positioning an indicator support holder on the indicator holder support shaft and fixing the indicator support holder in a selected position on the indicator holder support shaft; and positioning a first indicator and a second indicator with the indicator support holder. The indicator support holder supports the first indicator and the second indicator. The first indicator has a first display face with a first display and the second indicator has a second display face with a second display. A first projection area of the first display face of the first indicator projects perpendicularly from the first display face. A second projection area of the second display face of the second indicator projects perpendicularly from the second display face. The indicator support holder supports the first indicator and the second indicator such that the first projection area and the second projection area do not overlap and neither the first indicator nor the second indicator obscures either the first display or the second display. The method further includes rotating the label vacuum-grip cylinder and measuring positions of at least one of the adjustable suction strips with the first indicator and the second indicator by having the at least one of the adjustable suction strips abut a first probe of the first indicator and a second probe of the second indicator; and adjusting a position of the at least one of the adjustable suction strips based on the positions of the at least one of the adjustable suction strips measured during the step of rotating the label vacuum-grip cylinder and measuring positions of at least one of the adjustable suction strips with the first indicator and the second indicator.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a calibration system comprising a label vacuum-grip cylinder, with the label vacuum-grip cylinder including adjustable suction strips, a support rotatably supporting the label vacuum-grip cylinder, an indicator holder support shaft positioned adjacent a periphery of the label vacuum-grip cylinder, an indicator support holder positioned on the indicator holder support shaft, and a first indicator and a second indicator being supported by the indicator support holder. The first indicator has a first display face with a first display and the second indicator has a second display face with a second display. A first projection area of the first display face of the first indicator projects perpendicularly from the first display face. A second projection area of the second display face of the second indicator projects perpendicularly from the second display face. The indicator support holder supports the first indicator and the second indicator such that the first projection area and the second projection area do not overlap and neither the first indicator nor the second indicator obscures either the first display or the second display.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a label vacuum-grip cylinder calibration system comprising an indicator support holder, a first indicator fixed in position within the indicator support holder, and a second indicator fixed in position within the indicator support holder. The first indicator has a first display face with a first display, with a first projection area of the first display face of the first indicator projecting perpendicularly from the first display face. The second indicator has a second display face with a second display, with a second projection area of the second display face of the second indicator projecting perpendicularly from the second display face. The indicator support holder supports the first indicator and the second indicator such that the first projection area and the second projection area do not overlap and neither the first indicator nor the second indicator obscures either the first display or the second display.
One or more embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements.
The specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.
For purposes of description herein, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
The reference number 200 (
The indicators 208 are well known to those skilled in the art. The indicators 208 can include a display housing 210 having a shaft housing 212 extending from a perimeter 214 thereof. A probe shaft 216 extends from the shaft housing 212 and is configured to slid therein. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the display housing 210 and the shaft housing 212 are kept stationary and an object is moved against the probe shaft 216 to measure a distance travelled by the probe shaft 216. The display housing 210 can have a digital display 218 to show the distance travelled by the probe shaft 216 relative to the shaft housing 212 and the display housing 210 as is well known to those skilled in the art. Instead of the digital display 218, the display housing 210 could have an analog display. It is contemplated that the display housings 210 could have a calibration rotary knob 220 extending from a surface therefor for calibrating the measurements of the indicators 206 as is well known to those skilled in the art. As described in more detail below, the probe shaft 216 of the lower indicator 208b has an extension shaft 222 connected to an end thereof.
In the illustrated example, the indicator support holder 206 (
In the embodiment of
The illustrated pole connection area 228 includes a pole hole 242 extending between the upper surface 232 and the lower surface 234 that is configured to receive the indicator holder support shaft 209 therethrough. A first clamp slot 244 extends from the first end side 236 to the pole hole 242 such that the pole hole 242 does not form a closed cylinder. The first clamp slot 244 forms a first clamp first wing 246 and a first clamp second wing 248 on each side of the first clamp slot 244. A first fastener hole 250 extends from the second side 238 to the third side 240 in a direction substantially parallel to the first end side 236 and substantially perpendicular to the pole hole 242. The first fastener hole 250 extends through the first clamp first wing 246 and the first clamp second wing 248. A first fastener 252 is inserted into the first fastener hole 250 to pull the first clamp first wing 246 and the first clamp second wing 248 toward each other in order to shrink the diameter of the pole hole 242 in order to fix the pole connection area 228 of the indicator support holder 206 to the indicator holder support shaft 209 via friction. It is contemplated that the first fastener 252 can have a nut on an end thereof for pulling the first clamp first wing 246 and the first clamp second wing 248 toward each other. Alternatively, it is contemplated that a portion of the first fastener hole 250 in one of the first clamp first wing 246 and the first clamp second wing 248 could be threaded to receive the first fastener 252. The first fastener hole 250 can have a first counterbore 253 for receiving a head of the first fastener 252, which is shown as being in the second side 238 in
In the illustrated example, the lower indicator support area 226 is integral with the pole connection area 228. The side edge 235 of the first block 230 of the lower indicator support area 226 includes a fourth side 254 angled from (e.g., at 135°) and connected to the second side 238, a fifth side 256 connected to the fourth side 254, a sixth side 258 opposite the pole connection area 228, and a seventh side 260 opposite the fifth side 256. The fifth side 256 and the seventh side 260 are shown as being substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the sixth side 258. The seventh side 260 is angled from (e.g., at 165°) and connected to the third side 240.
The illustrated lower indicator support area 226 includes a lower indicator hole 262 configured to receive the shaft housing 212 of the lower indicator 208b. The lower indicator hole 262 extends between the fifth side 256 and the seventh side 260 substantially parallel to the sixth side 258 and both the upper surface 232 and lower surface 234 of the first block 230. The lower indicator hole 262 is located closer to the lower surface 234 than the upper surface 232. A second clamp 264 is located near the display 218 in the lower indicator support area 226. The second clamp 264 is located at the corner of the fifth side 256 and the sixth side 260. A second clamp slot 270 extends from the fifth side 256 and the sixth side 260 and extends into the lower indicator hole 262 such that the lower indicator hole 262 does not form a closed cylinder. The second clamp slot 270 forms a second clamp first wing 272 and a second clamp second wing 274 on each side of the second clamp slot 270. A clamp channel 276 extends on a side of one of at least one of the second clamp first wing 272 and the second clamp second wing 274 opposite the fifth side 256. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp channel 276 is shown as being located below the second clamp second wing 274 to allow the second clamp second wing 274 to move relative to the rest of the first block 230 while the second clamp first wing 272 is integral and solidly connected to the rest of the first block 230.
In the illustrated example, a second fastener hole 268 and second fastener 278 are employed to secure the lower indicator 208b in the lower indicator hole 262. The second fastener hole 268 extends from the upper surface 232 to the lower surface 234 in a direction substantially parallel to the sixth side 258 and substantially perpendicular to the second fastener hole 268. The second fastener hole 268 extends through the second clamp first wing 272 and the second clamp second wing 274. The second fastener 278 is inserted into the second fastener hole 268 to pull the second clamp first wing 272 and the second clamp second wing 274 toward each other in order to shrink the diameter of the lower indicator hole 262 in order to fix the shaft housing 212 of the lower indicator 208b to the lower indicator hole 262 via friction. It is contemplated that the second fastener 278 can have a nut on an end thereof for pulling the second clamp first wing 272 and the second clamp second wing 274 toward each other. Alternatively, it is contemplated that a portion of the second fastener hole 250 in one of the second clamp first wing 272 and the second clamp second wing 274 could be threaded to receive the second fastener 278. The second fastener hole 268 can have a counterbore for receiving a head of the second fastener 278.
The illustrated upper indicator support area 224 is integral with the first block 230 and extends from the upper surface 232 of the first block 230 at the corner of the sixth side 258 and the seventh side 260 of the first block 230. The upper indicator support area 224 is a second block 280 having a rectangular side surface 282, an upper surface 284 and a bottom connected to the upper surface 232 of the first block 230. The rectangular side surface 282 includes a first side 286, an opposite second side 288 parallel to the first side 286, a third side 290, and an opposite fourth side 292 parallel to the third side 290. The second side 288 of the second block 280 is coplanar with the sixth side 258 of the first block 230 and the fourth side 292 is coplanar with the seventh side 260 of the first block 230.
In the illustrated example, the illustrated upper indicator support area 224 includes an upper indicator hole 294 configured to receive the shaft housing 212 of the upper indicator 208a. The upper indicator hole 294 extends between the third side 290 and the fourth side 292 substantially parallel to the first side 286 and the second side 288 of the second block 280. The upper indicator hole 294 is also parallel to the lower indicator hole 262. The upper indicator support area 224 is divided to form a third clamp 296. The third clamp 296 includes a third clamp first wing 298 and a third clamp second wing 300. A third clamp slot 302 extends from the second side 288 and extends into the upper indicator hole 294 such that the upper indicator hole 294 does not form a closed cylinder. The third clamp slot 302 forms the third clamp first wing 298 and the third clamp second wing 300 on each side of the third clamp slot 302.
In the illustrated embodiment, a third fastener hole 304 and a third fastener 306 are employed to secure the upper indicator 208a in the upper indicator hole 294. The third fastener hole 304 extends from the upper surface 284 of the second block 280 in a direction substantially parallel to the second side 288 of the second block 280 and substantially perpendicular to the third fastener hole 304. The third fastener hole 304 extends through the third clamp first wing 298 and the third clamp second wing 300. The third fastener 306 is inserted into the third fastener hole 304 to pull the third clamp first wing 298 and the third clamp second wing 300 toward each other in order to shrink the diameter of the upper indicator hole 294 in order to fix the shaft housing 212 of the upper indicator 208a to the upper indicator hole 294 via friction. It is contemplated that the third fastener 306 can extend entirely through the second block 280 and the first block 230 and have a nut on an end thereof for pulling the third clamp first wing 298 and the third clamp second wing 300 toward each other. Alternatively, it is contemplated that a portion of the third fastener hole 304 in one of the third clamp first wing 298 and the third clamp second wing 300 could be threaded to receiving the third fastener 306. In the illustrated example, the third fastener hole 304 does not extend through the first block 230 with the portion of the third fastener hole 304 in the third clamp second wing 300 and in a portion of the first block 230 being threaded. The third fastener hole 304 can have a counterbore for receiving a head of the third fastener 306.
Like the first prior art positioning system 102 and the second prior art positioning system 120, during use of the positioning system 200, the probe shaft 216 of the upper indicator 208a and the extension shaft 222 of the lower indicator 208b abut against the suction strips 64a, 64b as the suction strips 64a, 64b are rotated past the probe shaft 216 of the upper indicator 208a and the extension shaft 222 of the lower indicator 208b. If the suction strips 64a, 64b extend too far out or not far enough out from the vacuum-grip cylinder 26 as measured by the pair of indicators 208 to have an appropriate amount of hotmelt glue placed on labels 14 suctioned thereto, the position of the suction strips 64a, 64b can be altered as outlined above and as known to those skilled in the art. Having the upper indicator 208a and the lower indicator 208b allows for the face of the suction strips 64a, 64b to be on a proper plane.
In the illustrated example and shown in
The reference numeral 400 (
The reference numeral 600 (
Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.
