Abstract:
Beverage filling plant comprising a plurality of beverage filling positions, each beverage filling position comprising a beverage filling device for filling bottles with liquid beverage filling material; said filling devices comprising apparatus being configured to introduce a predetermined flow of liquid beverage filling material into the interior of bottles to a substantially predetermined level of liquid beverage filling material; said apparatus configured to introduce a predetermined flow of liquid beverage filling material comprising apparatus being configured to terminate the filling of beverage bottles upon liquid beverage filling material reaching said substantially predetermined level in bottles; a first conveyer arrangement being configured and disposed to move inspected bottles from said inspection machine to said filling machine; a closing station being configured to close filled bottles. The labeling machine is for the processing of sleeve, paper, roll-feed and self-adhesive labels in the form of a strip of labels which are supplied not in the form of rolls but in special receptacles such as boxes, whereby the label strips are arranged in this receptacle such that both the beginning and the end of the label strip are accessible even when the receptacle is full.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a beverage container filling plant with a labeling machine for labeling beverage containers such as bottles and cans.  
           [0003]    This invention also relates to a labeling machine for the processing of sleeve, paper, roll-feed and self-adhesive labels in the form of a strip of labels which are supplied not in the form of rolls but in special receptacles, whereby the label strips are arranged in this receptacle such that both the beginning and the end of the label strip are accessible even when the receptacle is full.  
           [0004]    2. Background Information  
           [0005]    The labeling of containers such as bottles and cans is of particular importance in the beverage and packaging industry, for example. Because the labeling process represents a major bottleneck in the overall output of a bottling or packing plant, and the operation of a labeling machine, in spite of all the technical progress that has been made in the field, is still very labor-intensive and therefore expensive, numerous solutions have been developed to increase the efficiency of the labeling machines and to reduce the number of personnel required to operate them.  
           [0006]    Many of these developments have focused on the use of labels that are delivered wound on rolls in the form of an endless strip. Rolls of this type generally contain 20,000 to 40,000 labels, so that the operating personnel are relieved of the chore of frequently refilling the label cartridge. During the processing of labels supplied on rolls, the individual labels are separated from the endless strip by a cutting mechanism, for example, and then applied to the container to be labeled, for which purpose certain types of labels can also be previously coated with an adhesive, heated or expanded.  
           [0007]    The use of large supplies of labels stored on the rolls have already made it possible to significantly reduce disruptions and down times when the machine runs out of labels, although the supply of labels on a roll is still finite.  
           [0008]    To completely eliminate down times during the changing of rolls, the prior art describes devices that provide two receptacles for rolls of labels on such labeling machines, so that it is possible to pre-install two rolls of labels on a labeling machine and to process them alternately, one after the other, so that there are no interruptions in the labeling.  
           [0009]    Because a labeling method of this type requires that the end of the first roll of labels must be connected with the beginning of the second roll of labels, and because an experienced employee requires about one minute to complete this operation, such devices generally provide a label strip buffer. These label strip buffers hold a sufficient number of labels on the labeling strip, e.g. over a length of 30 meters, so that the operator has sufficient time to connect the ends of the two label strips, as a result of which an uninterrupted flow of work can be guaranteed.  
           [0010]    When one roll of labels is used up, the now empty receptacle for this roll of labels is refilled with a new roll of labels. The beginning of this roll of labels is connected with the end of the roll of labels currently in use when the current roll is completely empty. The process can thus be continued endlessly without any interruptions in the labeling process.  
           [0011]    Practical experience has shown that this method is not without its disadvantages. For example, the interval of time that is available for the connection of the ends of the rolls of labels is only slightly longer than a minute, even with the largest label strip buffers. Moreover, this operation has to be performed at this specific time and cannot be postponed or done early. Instead, the operator must wait near the labeling machine until the current roll of labels has unwound, and only then can the end of the label strip that has just become accessible be connected with the beginning of the next roll of labels. Even the slightest delays in this process can result in interruptions in production.  
           [0012]    A further significant disadvantage is the high costs of manufacturing a label strip buffer. The expense and complexity of the control system required for the label strip buffer must also be considered a disadvantage.  
           [0013]    There are also significant disadvantages that result from the large capacity of the buffer when it becomes necessary to change the label and/or the container. When the label and/or container is changed, only in extremely rare cases is it possible to control the feed of labels and containers so that both are changed at the same time. The most common practice is to use up one of the two components first, which results in unnecessary extra work, which it would be desirable to eliminate.  
           [0014]    Furthermore, the complex system for mounting the rolls of labels that is necessary on machines of the prior art and requires sensors and brakes, for example, should be considered a disadvantage on account of its high costs.  
         OBJECT OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    The object of this invention is to remedy these problems and eliminate the disadvantages described above.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    For this purpose, this invention teaches a labeling machine for the processing of sleeve, paper, roll-feed and self-adhesive labels in the form of label strips, which are delivered not in the form of rolls, but in special receptacles, whereby the label strips are arranged in this receptacle so that both the beginning and the end of the label strip are accessible even when the receptacle is full.  
           [0017]    For purposes of simplification, the special receptacles to hold the label strips are designated containers  2  below.  
           [0018]    The above-discussed embodiments of the present invention will be described further hereinbelow. When the word “invention” is used in this specification, the word “invention” includes “inventions”, that is the plural of “invention”. By stating “invention”, the Applicant does not in any way admit that the present application does not include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and maintains that this application may include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts that the disclosure of this application may include more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to one exemplary embodiment that is illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1A is a schematic illustration of a container filling plant in accordance with at least one possible embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1 illustrates a corresponding labeling machine of the prior art next to a label strip buffer  1 ;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 is a head-on view of a labeling machine with containers  2  as claimed by the invention; and  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a plan view from overhead of a labeling machine as claimed by the invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0024]    [0024]FIG. 1A generally illustrates a bottling plant with a labeling station  108  according to one possible embodiment of the present invention. The bottling plant has a rinser  101  or cleaning station to which the containers, namely bottles B, are fed in the direction indicated by the arrow A 1  by means of a conveyer line  103 , and downstream of which, in the direction of travel, the rinsed bottles B are transported by means of a conveyer line  104  formed by a star-wheel conveyer to a filling machine  105  or its inlet star-wheel conveyer. Downstream of the filling machine  105 , in the direction of travel of the bottles B, there can preferably be a closer  106  which closes the bottles B. The closer  106  can be connected directly to a labeling device or station  108  by means of a conveyer line  107  formed by a plurality of star-wheel conveyers. In the illustrated embodiment, the labeling device  108  has three outputs: one output formed by a conveyer  109  for bottles B which are filled with a first product from product mixer  123  through conduit  121 , and are then labeled according to the first product; a second output formed by a conveyer  110  for those bottles B which are filled with a second product from product mixer  124  through conduit  122  and are then labeled according to the second product; and a third output formed by a conveyer  111  which removes any bottles B which have been incorrectly labeled. The labels can be supplied to the labeling machine  108  on label strips  3  from containers  2  as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.  
         [0025]    In FIG. 1A, 112 is a central control unit or, expressed differently, controller or system which includes a process controller which, among other things, controls the operation of the above-referenced system.  
         [0026]    The filling machine  105  is possibly of the revolving design, with a rotor  105 ′ which revolves around a vertical machine axis. On the periphery of the rotor  105 ′ there are a number of filling positions  113 , each of which comprises bottle carriers or container carriers, as well as a filling element or filling device  114  located above the corresponding container carrier. The toroidal vessel  117  is a component of the revolving rotor  105 ′. The toroidal vessel  117  can be connected by means of a rotary coupling and by means of the conduit or external connecting line  121  to the product mixer or external reservoir or mixer  123  to supply the product, that is, product mix from reservoir  123 , for example.  
         [0027]    As well as the more typical filling machines having one toroidal vessel, it is possible that in at least one possible embodiment of the present invention, a filling machine could possibly be utilized wherein each filling element or filling device  114  is preferably connected by means of two connections to the toroidal vessel  117  which contains the first product (by means of a first connection, for example,  121 ) and to a second toroidal vessel which contains the second product (by means of the second connection, for example,  122 ). In this case, each filling element  114  can also preferably have, at the connections, two individually-controllable fluid or control valves, so that in each bottle B which is delivered at the inlet of the filling machine  105  to a filling position  113 , the first product or the second product can be filled by means of an appropriate control of the filling product or fluid valves.  
         [0028]    It will be understood that while a two-product assembly is illustrated in FIG. 1A, that the invention is equally applicable to single-product installations, or other commensurate embodiments.  
         [0029]    As shown in FIG. 2, provisions are made to use the label strip  3  located in containers  2 . On such containers, provisions are made so that both the beginning and the end of the label strip  3  are accessible. It also thereby becomes possible for the operator to connect the end of the label strip  3  currently in use to the beginning of the label strip  3  in the next container at almost any time and without time pressure, without the use of a label strip buffer  3  or a similar device. The use of such label strips  3  and/or containers  2  can also simplify a labeling machine as claimed by the convention and make it cheaper compared to similar machines of the prior art, because components such as the label strip buffer  1 , brakes, sensors and label strip roll bearings and mountings, for example, can be eliminated.  
         [0030]    A further advantage is the reduction of the waste of the label strip that occurs during the change of the label strip  3 , because as a result of the elimination of the label band strip  1 , the volume of the label strip that would otherwise be in the buffer, which is on the order of 30 meters long, is therefore not wasted.  
         [0031]    In the simplest realization of a labeling machine as claimed by the invention, the containers  2  filled with label strips  3  are located on the floor of the plant next to the labeling machine. If the label strip  3  of the first container  2  is already engaged and in use, the operator can already connect the label strip in the second or even also the third container  2  with the end of the respective preceding label strip  3 , which makes the operation becomes significantly more efficient, and the work that must be performed by the operator can then be done at a time that is not dictated by the operation of the labeling machine.  
         [0032]    In one independent development of this invention, there are lifting means located on the labeling machine that simplify the handling of the containers  2 , which weigh approximately 20-50 kg each. These lifting means can be cranes, for example, and/or vacuum lifting devices or similar systems assisted by outside energy such as electric power, compressed air or hydraulics. Because these lifting means themselves are well known, they are not illustrated in the accompanying figures.  
         [0033]    Means can also be located on the labeling machine that make it possible to keep the containers  2  ready and can move them easily and without a major expenditure of effort. These means can be roller tables  4 , sliding surfaces or air cushions, for example, or other solutions for such tasks as described by the prior art.  
         [0034]    The term “sliding surfaces” as used in this context includes surfaces that have a particularly low coefficient of friction on account of their surface characteristics. For example, they can be metal surfaces that have been appropriately machined or treated or they can also be surfaces with a suitable coating, e.g. a plastic coating.  
         [0035]    It is particularly advantageous if these means are also equipped with guides located on the sides, so that the tall containers  2 , which have a relatively narrow base surface, can be protected against tipping or falling over.  
         [0036]    In an additional independent development of the invention, the containers  2  are in a horizontal position This configuration is still within the scope of the teaching of this application.  
         [0037]    In an additional and particularly advantageous realization of this invention, a gluing and cutting device  5  is located on the labeling machine or on the means to hold the container  2 , so that the operator can connect the label strips, an activity that requires great precision, easily and quickly. In one particularly advantageous variant, this gluing and cutting device  5  is realized so that it can move or be moved, so that it can be moved by the operator or operators to the optimal position when it becomes necessary to connect the label strips  3  from a plurality of containers  2 .  
         [0038]    The invention also teaches that the gluing and cutting device  5  comprises movable stops for the label strips  3 , so that this device can be adjusted for the use of label strips  3  of different widths.  
         [0039]    In one possible embodiment of the present invention, a container can be moved away from the labeling machine once the supply of labels in the container has been used up. To do this, the slots located at both ends of the tops of the containers can be opened to allow removal of the labeling strip that is proceeding from a supply in an adjacent container. The containers may be constructed to be opened by any number of methods. In one possible embodiment, the top of the container could have a rectangular perforated strip running down the center of the top from one slot to the other slot. The perforated strip could be removed, which would create a central opening that would include the two slots. In this manner, an empty container could be removed without interrupting the supply of labels. In another possible embodiment, the top of the container could contain a rectangular flap, which is formed integrally with and hinged on only one side of the container. The flap could be secured on the opposite side of the hinged side. The two sides of the rectangular flap transverse to the hinged and secured sides could be defined by the edges of the two slots located adjacent the center of the top of the container. During transport of the containers and dispensing of labels, the flap could be secured so that the container would not open easily. After the labels have been dispensed from the container and the labels are proceeding from an adjacent, separate container, the flap could disconnected from the secured side and folded away from the container to open the top of the container. The container could then be easily removed without interrupting the flow of labels from the next container.  
         [0040]    In another possible embodiment, instead of slots or holes in the top of the container, a substantial portion or the entirety of the top of the container could be removed to form one large opening that exposes the strip of labels located inside. In this embodiment, both ends of the label strip could be accessed. In addition, once the supply of labels is used up, the container can be easily removed away from the labeling machine.  
         [0041]    Please note that the containers are preferably constructed of cardboard, but may also be constructed with other suitable materials, such as plastic.  
         [0042]    One feature of an embodiment of the invention resides broadly in a labeling machine for labeling containers such as bottles or cans with sleeve, paper, roll-feed or self-adhesive labels in the form of an endless strip of labels, characterized by the fact that these labels are processed without the use of a label strip buffer directly from special receptacles which are called containers ( 2 ), whereby the labels are made available in the form of endless strips that are folded and lined-up in serpentine and/or flat S-shape segments inside the container ( 2 ).  
         [0043]    Another feature of an embodiment of the invention resides broadly in a labeling machine, characterized by the fact that the label strip is arranged in the container ( 2 ) such that both the beginning and end of the label strip are accessible even when the container ( 2 ) is full.  
         [0044]    Yet another feature of an embodiment of the invention resides broadly in a labeling machine, characterized by the fact that means are located on the labeling machine which hold the containers ( 2 ) and simultaneously make it possible to move the containers ( 2 ) easily.  
         [0045]    Still another feature of an embodiment of the invention resides broadly in a labeling machine, characterized by the fact that the means are roller tables.  
         [0046]    Another feature of an embodiment of the invention resides broadly in a labeling machine, characterized by the fact that the means are sliding surfaces.  
         [0047]    Yet another feature of an embodiment of the invention resides broadly in a labeling machine, characterized by the fact that the means are air cushions.  
         [0048]    Still another feature of an embodiment of the invention resides broadly in a labeling machine, characterized by the fact that there are additional guides to prevent the containers from tipping or falling.  
         [0049]    Another feature of an embodiment of the invention resides broadly in a labeling machine, characterized by the fact that on the labeling machine there is a gluing and cutting device ( 5 ) for the label strips ( 3 ).  
         [0050]    Yet another feature of an embodiment of the invention resides broadly in a labeling machine, characterized by the fact that the gluing and cutting device ( 5 ) is movable and/or can be moved.  
         [0051]    Still another feature of an embodiment of the invention resides broadly in a labeling machine, characterized by the fact that means are located on the labeling machine that make it possible to handle the containers ( 2 ) more easily.  
         [0052]    Another feature of an embodiment of the invention resides broadly in a labeling machine, characterized by the fact that said means are cranes.  
         [0053]    Another feature of an embodiment of the invention resides broadly in a labeling machine, characterized by the fact that said means are vacuum lifting devices.  
         [0054]    The components disclosed in the various publications, disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, may be used in the embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof.  
         [0055]    The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of the invention, are accurate and are hereby included by reference into this specification.  
         [0056]    All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of the embodiments, if more than one embodiment is described herein.  
         [0057]    Some examples of label or film splicing devices and components therefor which may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of the present invention may possibly be found in the following U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,012, entitled “Film splicing device,” issued to Miyai on Nov. 17, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,304, entitled “Splice cutting and film re-shaping apparatus,” issued to Matthias, et al. on Sep. 29, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,185, entitled “Film splicing device,” issued to Masuda, et al. on Jul. 14, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,377, entitled “Film splicer,” issued to Kaneko, et al. on Apr. 8, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,387, entitled “Packaging film feeding and splicing apparatus and method,” issued to McElvy on Feb. 14, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,408, entitled “Film splicer,” issued to Otomine, et al. on Oct. 11, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,858, entitled “Method and device for splicing webs on which labels are printed,” issued to Winter on Oct. 6, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,064,488, entitled “Apparatus and method for splicing film,” issued to Dickey on Nov. 12, 1991; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,417,940, entitled “Splicer for label feeder,” issued to Koster on Nov. 29, 1983.  
         [0058]    All of the patents, patent applications and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.  
         [0059]    The corresponding foreign and international patent publication applications, namely, Federal Republic of Germany Patent Application No. 102 59 602, filed on Dec. 19, 2002, having inventors Klaus KRAMER, Lutz DECKERT, and Thomas STIENEN, and DE-OS 102 59 602 and DE-PS 102 59 602, as well as their published equivalents, and other equivalents or corresponding applications, if any, in corresponding cases in Germany and elsewhere, and the references and documents cited in any of the documents cited herein, such as the patents, patent applications and publications, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein.  
         [0060]    All of the references and documents, cited in any of the documents cited herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. All of the documents cited herein, referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, include all of the patents, patent applications and publications cited anywhere in the present application.  
         [0061]    The details in the patents, patent applications and publications may be considered to be incorporable, at applicant&#39;s option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.  
         [0062]    Some examples of bottling systems, which may be used or adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of the present invention, may be found in the following U.S. patents assigned to the assignee herein, namely: No. 4,911,285; No. 4,944,830; No. 4,950,350; No. 4,976,803; No. 4,981,547; No. 5,004,518; No. 5,017,261; No. 5,062,917; No. 5,062,918; No. 5,075,123; No. 5,078,826; No. 5,087,317; No. 5,110,402; No. 5,129,984; No. 5,167,755; No. 5,174,851; No. 5,185,053; No. 5,217,538; No. 5,227,005; No. 5,413,153; No. 5,558,138; No. 5,634,500; No. 5,713,403; No. 6,276,113; No. 6,213,169; No. 6,189,578; No. 6,192,946; No. 6,374,575; No. 6,365,054; No. 6,619,016; No. 6,474,368; No. 6,494,238; No. 6,470,922; and No. 6,463,964.  
         [0063]    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):  
         [0064]    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.  
         [0065]    Therefore, the abstract is not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.  
         [0066]    Some examples of collapsible boxes or containers which may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible embodiment of the present invention may possibly be found in the following U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,906, entitled “Collapsible box,” issued to Grueneberg on Aug. 6, 2002; U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,849, entitled “Collapsible box,” issued to Elstone, Sr. on Feb. 6, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,602, entitled “Collapsible corrugated box,” issued to Nainis, et al. on Jul. 5, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,110, entitled “Box construction with interlocking tab fastening means,” issued to Terpstra on Sep. 8, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,814, entitled “Collapsible box with improved corner locks,” issued to Fullerton on May 21, 1991; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,673, entitled “Cardboard box,” issued to Salomons on Apr. 26, 1997.  
         [0067]    The invention as described hereinabove in the context of the preferred embodiments is not to be taken as limited to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.