Patent ID: 8276633
Filing Date: 2012-10-02
Classification: B65C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A labelling machine for containers, comprising a basic machine provided with at least one docking station for a labelling unit, the respective labelling unit being adapted to be docked to and undocked from a target position at the basic machine with a predetermined docking sequence of relative movements, the docking sequence of movements comprising an essentially linear approach movement of the labelling unit towards the docking station of the basic machine and an at least essentially linear, lifting movement of the docking station, and/or a lowering movement of the labelling unit, the lifting and lowering movements taking place approximately transversely to the approach movement, and several media connector parts which are arranged vertically on the basic machine and on the labelling unit, respectively, and which are adapted to be coupled to one another, the media connector parts being arranged and implemented on the labelling unit and the docking station with respect to the target position in such a way to be automatically coupled in the docking sequence of movements, to establish at least one media connection, and to be automatically decoupled in the undocking sequence of movements, wherein at least the media connector part arranged on the docking station is provided with a protective cover which is movable at least partially by the approach movement of said sequence of movements, between a protective position covering an opening of the media connector part and a passive position exposing said opening for automatically coupling the respective media connector elements accommodated in said media connector parts, said movements of the protective cover taking place during docking and undocking of the labelling unit, wherein each media connector element includes a plurality of media terminals, and each of the media connector parts defines a housing protecting the media connector element connected to a plurality of media lines, wherein the opening of the media connector part, which is mounted on the docking station in an at least substantially vertical orientation, faces upwards and slopes obliquely in the direction of the approach movement, wherein the protective cover has an edge which fits on the opening and is pivotable about the pivot axle arranged on the media connector part, which pivot axle extends transversely to the approach movement and horizontally and, in relation to said opening, is eccentrically positioned in such a way that the protective cover will raise from said opening as soon as it leaves the protective position, wherein the opening of the media connector part arranged on the labelling unit faces downwards and is implemented such that it fits onto, around or into the opening of the media connector part on the docking station, and wherein the media connector elements in both media connector parts are positioned such that, when the media connector elements are correctly coupled, the media connector parts mutually seal each other.