U.S. patent application number 12/787959 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-02 for beverage bottle filling plant with a beverage bottle labeling machine, and a cutting arrangement for a beverage bottle labeling machine.
Invention is credited to Lutz DECKERT, Klaus KRAMER, Oliver KRESS.
Application Number | 20100300581 12/787959 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40404744 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100300581 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KRAMER; Klaus ; et
al. |
December 2, 2010 |
BEVERAGE BOTTLE FILLING PLANT WITH A BEVERAGE BOTTLE LABELING
MACHINE, AND A CUTTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A BEVERAGE BOTTLE LABELING
MACHINE
Abstract
A cutting device and method for operating a cutting device. The
abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37
C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b): A brief
abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must
commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims,
under the heading "Abstract of the Disclosure." The purpose of the
abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the
public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the
nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not
be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any
statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit
the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting
the claims in any manner.
Inventors: |
KRAMER; Klaus; (Dortmund,
DE) ; DECKERT; Lutz; (Haltern am See, DE) ;
KRESS; Oliver; (Waltrop, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NILS H. LJUNGMAN & ASSOCIATES
P. O. BOX 130
GREENSBURG
PA
15601-0130
US
|
Family ID: |
40404744 |
Appl. No.: |
12/787959 |
Filed: |
May 26, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/EP2008/009757 |
Nov 18, 2008 |
|
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|
12787959 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
141/98 ;
53/135.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B26D 1/0006 20130101;
B26D 2001/0066 20130101; B65C 2009/1861 20130101; B65C 2009/1838
20130101; B26D 2001/002 20130101; B65C 9/1803 20130101; B26D 1/626
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/98 ;
53/135.1 |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/02 20060101
B65B003/02; B65B 61/00 20060101 B65B061/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 27, 2007 |
DE |
10 2007 057 409.8 |
Claims
1. A beverage bottle filling plant for filling beverage bottles
with liquid, said beverage bottle filling plant comprising: a
beverage bottle filling machine being configured and disposed to
fill beverage bottles with liquid; a first conveyor arrangement
being configured and disposed to convey beverage bottles to be
filled to said beverage bottle filling machine; said beverage
bottle filling machine comprising: a rotor; a rotatable vertical
machine column; said rotor being connected to said vertical machine
column to permit rotation of said rotor about said vertical machine
column; a plurality of beverage bottle filling elements for filling
beverage bottles with liquid being disposed on the periphery of
said rotor; each of said plurality of beverage bottle filling
elements comprising a beverage bottle carrier being configured and
disposed to receive and hold beverage bottles to be filled; each of
said plurality of beverage bottle filling elements being configured
and disposed to dispense liquid into beverage bottles to be filled;
at least one liquid reservoir being configured to hold a supply of
liquid; at least one supply line being configured and disposed to
connect said at least one liquid reservoir to said beverage bottle
filling machine to supply liquid to said beverage bottle filling
machine; a first star wheel structure being configured and disposed
to move beverage bottles into said beverage bottle filling machine;
and a second star wheel structure being configured and disposed to
move beverage bottles out of said beverage bottle filling machine;
a beverage bottle closing machine being configured and disposed to
close tops of filled beverage bottles; a second conveyor
arrangement being configured and disposed to convey filled beverage
bottles from said beverage bottle filling machine to said beverage
bottle closing machine; said beverage bottle closing machine
comprising: a rotor; a rotatable vertical machine column; said
rotor being connected to said vertical machine column to permit
rotation of said rotor about said vertical machine column; a
plurality of closing devices being disposed on the periphery of
said rotor; each of said plurality of closing devices being
configured and disposed to place closures on filled beverage
bottles; each of said plurality of closing devices comprising a
beverage bottle carrier being configured and disposed to receive
and hold filled beverage bottles; a first star wheel structure
being configured and disposed to move filled beverage bottles into
said beverage bottle closing machine; and a second star wheel
structure being configured and disposed to move filled, closed
beverage bottles out of said beverage bottle closing machine; a
beverage bottle labeling machine being configured and disposed to
label filled, closed beverage bottles; a third conveyor arrangement
being configured and disposed to convey filled, closed beverage
bottles from said beverage bottle closing machine to said beverage
bottle labeling machine; said beverage bottle labeling machine
comprising: a rotor; a rotatable vertical machine column; said
rotor being connected to said vertical machine column to permit
rotation of said rotor about said vertical machine column; a
plurality of beverage bottle support structures being disposed on
the periphery of said rotor; said beverage bottle support
structures being configured to support and hold filled, closed
beverage bottles; a first star wheel structure being configured and
disposed to move filled, closed beverage bottles into said beverage
bottle labeling machine; a second star wheel structure being
configured and disposed to move labeled beverage bottles out of
said beverage bottle labeling machine; and at least one beverage
bottle labeling roller being configured and disposed to affix a
label to the surface of a beverage bottle; and a cutting
arrangement being configured and disposed to cut labels from a
supply of labeling material; said cutting arrangement comprising: a
cutting rotor being configured and disposed to rotate about an
axis; said cutting rotor comprising a first cutting element; said
first cutting element being disposed about the periphery of said
cutting rotor and being configured to rotate with said cutting
rotor; said first cutting element comprising a first side and a
second side; said first side of said first cutting element being
disposed substantially perpendicular to said second side of said
first cutting element; said first side and said second side
intersecting and forming a cutting edge of said first cutting
element; a stationary element comprising a stationary second
cutting element being fixedly mounted to said stationary element;
said second cutting element being configured and disposed to be
adjustable toward said first cutting element and permit said first
cutting element to sharpen said second cutting element; said second
cutting element comprising a first side and a second side; said
first side of said second cutting element being disposed
substantially transverse to said second side of said second cutting
element; said first side and said second side intersecting and
forming a cutting edge of said second cutting element; said cutting
edge of said second cutting element being generally a right angle
or an obtuse angle; said cutting edge of said second cutting
element being configured and disposed to come into contact with
said first cutting element to cut labels therebetween from a supply
of labeling material; upon said first cutting element rotating past
said second cutting element, said cutting edge of said at least one
first blade element and said cutting edge of said at least one
second blade element being disposed to form a cutting gap or no gap
upon said first cutting element contacting said second cutting
element, between said cutting edge of said at least one first blade
element and said cutting edge of said at least one second blade
element, which cutting gap or no gap is configured to sufficiently
cut labels therebetween from a supply of labeling material; said
first cutting element being configured to remove material from said
second cutting element upon said first cutting element contacting
said second cutting element upon adjustment of said second cutting
element; said cutting edge of said first cutting element comprising
a first material, such as tool steel, hard metal, or ceramic; said
cutting edge of said second cutting element comprising anodized
aluminum; said first material being harder than said anodized
aluminum; and said cutting edge of said second cutting element
being configured to be deformable by said cutting edge of said
first cutting element, upon said cutting edge of said first cutting
element contacting said cutting edge of said second cutting
element.
2. The beverage bottle filling plant according to claim 1, wherein
the blade element (5) that is harder at least at its cutting edge
is produced, at least in the region of the cutting edge, from
hardened steel, hard metal or ceramic.
3. The beverage bottle filling plant according to claim 2, wherein
the at least one second blade element (7) is provided on the
cutting device (1) so as not to rotate with the machine element
(4), but so as to be adjustable relative to said machine element
(4) or to a circular path of the first blade element (5).
4. The beverage bottle filling plant according to claim 3, wherein
the at least one second blade element (7) is provided at the
periphery of another machine element (4a), which is driveable in a
rotating manner about a machine axis (3a) in a manner coordinated
with the one machine element (4).
5. The beverage bottle filling plant according to claim 4, wherein
the other machine element (4a) is driveable so as to rotate in a
contra-rotating manner or in a contra-rotating manner relative to
the one machine element (4).
6. The beverage bottle filling plant according to claim 5, wherein
the first blade element (5) and/or the second blade element (7) are
realized with a planar face (5.1, 7.1) that forms the cutting edge
(6, 8), said face being oriented in a plane (E), enclosing the
cutting edge (6, 8), transversely relative to the movement of the
first blade element (5) when the machine element (4) is
rotating.
7. The beverage bottle filling plant according to claim 6, wherein
said cutting arrangement comprises at least two first and/or second
blade elements (5, 7).
8. The beverage bottle filling plant according to claim 7, wherein
the cutting edge (6) of the at least one first blade element (5) is
oriented with its longitudinal extension in the direction of the
machine axis (3) of the one machine element (4) and, when the
machine element is rotating, is moved on a circular cylinder
surface enclosing said machine axis (3).
9. The beverage bottle filling plant according to claim 8, wherein
the first machine element (4) and/or the second machine element
(4a) are a blade shaft or a drum-like operating element, for
example a labeling drum or vacuum drum of a labeling machine.
10. Cutting device, for example a cutting device of a labeling
machine, said cutting device having a machine element (4) that is
driven in a rotating manner about a machine axis (3) and at least
one first blade element (5) that forms a first cutting edge (6) and
is provided at the machine element (4), said first blade element,
when the machine element (4) is rotating, interacting with a second
cutting edge (8) of at least a second blade element (7) and forming
a cutting gap (10), whereby the first blade element (5) or the
second blade element (7), at least in the region of its cutting
edge (6, 8), has a hardness that is greater than the hardness of
the second blade element (7) or of the first blade element (5), and
in that the cutting edge at the blade element with the lesser
hardness is created by material removal with the cutting edge (6)
of the blade element (5) that is designed to be harder and that the
blade element with the lesser hardness, on account of its lesser
hardness, is machinable by the at least one cutting edge of greater
hardness so as to remove material or provide a machine finish,
characterized in that the blade element (5) has, in the area of its
cutting edge (6) a hardness which is greater than the hardness of
the second blade element (7) and whereby the second blade element
(7) is made of aluminum and is anodized on its surface.
11. Cutting device according to claim 10, characterized in that the
blade element (5) that is harder at least at its cutting edge is
produced, at least in the region of the cutting edge, from hardened
steel, hard metal or ceramic.
12. Cutting device according to claim 11, characterized in that the
at least one second blade element (7) is provided on the cutting
device (1) so as not to rotate with the machine element (4), but so
as to be adjustable relative to said machine element (4) or to a
circular path of the first blade element (5).
13. Cutting device according to claim 12, characterized in that the
at least one second blade element (7) is provided at the periphery
of another machine element (4a), which is driveable in a rotating
manner about a machine axis (3a) in a manner coordinated with the
one machine element (4).
14. Cutting device according to claim 13, characterized in that the
other machine element (4a) is driveable so as to rotate in a
contra-rotating manner or in a contra-rotating manner relative to
the one machine element (4).
15. Cutting device according to claim 14, characterized in that the
first blade element (5) and/or the second blade element (7) are
realized with a planar face (5.1, 7.1) that forms the cutting edge
(6, 8), said face being oriented in a plane (E), enclosing the
cutting edge (6, 8), transversely relative to the movement of the
first blade element (5) when the machine element (4) is
rotating.
16. Cutting device according to claim 15, characterized by at least
two first and/or second blade elements (5, 7).
17. Cutting device according to claim 16, characterized in that the
cutting edge (6) of the at least one first blade element (5) is
oriented with its longitudinal extension in the direction of the
machine axis (3) of the one machine element (4) and, when the
machine element is rotating, is moved on a circular cylinder
surface enclosing said machine axis (3).
18. Cutting device according to claim 17, characterized in that the
first machine element (4) and/or the second machine element (4a)
are a blade shaft or a drum-like operating element, for example a
labeling drum or vacuum drum of a labeling machine.
Description
CONTINUING APPLICATION DATA
[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part application of
International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2008/009757, filed on
Nov. 18, 2008, which claims priority from Federal Republic of
Germany Patent Application No. 10 2007 057 409.8, filed on Nov. 27,
2007. International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2008/009757 was
pending as of the filing date of this application. The United
States was an elected state in International Patent Application No.
PCT/EP2008/009757.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present application relates to a cutting device, for
example a cutting device of a labeling machine. The cutting device
having a machine element that is driven in a rotating manner about
a machine axis. The cutting device also comprises at least one
first blade element that forms a first cutting edge and is provided
at the machine element. The first blade element, when the machine
element is rotating, may interact with a second cutting edge of at
least a second blade element and forming a cutting gap. The first
blade element or the second blade element, at least in the region
of its cutting edge, has a hardness that is greater than the
hardness of the second blade element or of the first blade element.
The cutting edge at the blade element with the lesser hardness is
created by material removal with the cutting edge of the blade
element that is designed to be harder at least at this cutting
edge.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Background information is for informational purposes only
and does not necessarily admit that subsequently mentioned
information and publications are prior art.
[0006] The labeling of packaging, for example for bottles or for
other containers, is effected in many cases using a web-shaped or
strip-shaped label material, which is drawn off a roll in a
labeling machine (labeling unit), the individual labels to be
applied to the packaging to be labeled being separated, among other
things, from the label material by means of cutting. This cutting
is normally effected in a cutting station or cutting device which,
for example, is then a component of the labeling unit and
essentially comprises at least one first blade or blade element
which is provided on a rotating machine element and forms at least
one cutting edge, said first blade element interacting for the
cutting procedure with the cutting edge of a counter blade or
second blade element. The second blade element, in this case, is
provided so as not to rotate with the machine element in such a
manner, for example, that a cutting gap is formed between the blade
elements for cutting, through which cutting gap the label material
is guided and in which the separating of the labels from the label
material is effected. During the cutting process, the two cutting
edges forming the cutting gap are positioned in such a manner that,
lying directly opposite one another, they do not quite contact each
other so that, for example, the width of the cutting gap is
practically zero.
[0007] It may be desired for the cutting gap to be considerably
smaller than the thickness of the web-shaped label material over
the entire length of the cutting gap. The length of the cutting gap
is at least identical or substantially identical, but may be, for
example, greater than the width of the web-shaped label material.
Each contact of the cutting edges during the adjustment procedure
or during the cutting procedure leads to increased wear or to a
deterioration in the blade elements. For example where the label
material is very thin, for example a material thickness of 4/100 of
a millimeter (0.25 mm) or less as is usual for, among other things,
label materials for foil labels, the adjusting of the cutting gap
is extremely difficult and time-consuming, and may be carried out
in a reliable manner exclusively by highly-qualified specialist
personnel.
[0008] Some cutting devices comprise rotating cutting blades that
interact with stationary counter blades for the production of form
cuts in the edges of moving strips of material, for example in the
edges of strips of paper for the manufacture of envelopes or
blanks, whereby the interacting blades are made of materials with
different hardnesses so that the softer blade can be machined on
the harder blade without damaging the harder blade, and whereby at
least one of the blades of the interacting pair of blades is
mounted so that it can come into contact with its counter blade
when the cutting device is in rotation.
[0009] For the softer blade, some cutting devices use an aluminum
alloy, such as a wrought aluminum alloy, for example. For the
harder blade, some cutting devices use hardened steel. As a result
of these measures, a useful life of at least 200,000 cuts between
two adjustment processes is achieved.
[0010] Some cutting devices use suitable materials for
self-sharpening cutting devices. For example, these cutting devices
may use, for the softer blade, copper, brass or bronze.
[0011] Some cutting devices may use tungsten carbide, i.e. a
ceramic material, for the harder blade.
[0012] Although some methods of using cutting devices may in fact
achieve an improvement in the useful life of the blades or the
number of cuts between two adjustment processes, a further increase
in the number of cuts would offer significant cost savings.
[0013] The present application may also related to a method for
operating a cutting device, for example a cutting device of a
labeling machine. The cutting device comprises at least one machine
element that is driven so as to rotate about a machine axis and at
least one first blade element, which forms a first cutting edge and
is provided at the machine element. The first blade element may
interact with a second cutting edge of at least a second blade
element and form a cutting gap when the machine element is
rotating. The forming of the cutting edge at the blade element of
lesser hardness is effected by material removal using the cutting
edge of that blade element that has the greater hardness at least
in the region of its cutting edge.
OBJECT OR OBJECTS
[0014] It is an object of the present application to provide a
cutting device which avoids, restricts, and/or minimizes the
aforementioned disadvantages, in one possible embodiment avoiding,
restricting, or minimizing a time-consuming adjusting of the
cutting gap.
[0015] An object of the present application is to create a cutting
device which, while preserving the advantageous self-resharpening
of such a device, significantly improves the wear strength and thus
the useful life of the blades used, and thus in turn the number of
cuts that can be executed between two adjustment processes.
SUMMARY
[0016] This object is achieved by a cutting device, for example a
cutting device of a labeling machine. The cutting device comprises
a machine element that is driven in a rotating manner about a
machine axis and at least one first blade element that forms a
first cutting edge and is provided at the machine element. The
first blade element, when the machine element is rotating, may
interact with a second cutting edge of at least a second blade
element and also may form a cutting gap. The first blade element or
the second blade element, at least in the region of its cutting
edge, has a hardness that is greater than the hardness of the
second blade element or of the first blade element. The cutting
edge at the blade element with the lesser hardness is created by
material removal with the cutting edge of the blade element that is
designed to be harder at least at this cutting edge. The object may
also be achieved by a method for operating a cutting device, for
example a cutting device of a labeling machine. The cutting device
comprises at least one machine element that is driven so as to
rotate about a machine axis and at least one first blade element,
which forms a first cutting edge and is provided at the machine
element. The first blade element interacts with a second cutting
edge of at least a second blade element and forms a cutting gap
when the machine element is rotating. The forming of the cutting
edge at the blade element of lesser hardness is effected by
material removal using the cutting edge of that blade element that
has the greater hardness at least in the region of its cutting
edge. This object may also be achieved by a cutting device, for
example a cutting device of a labeling machine. The cutting device
comprises a machine element that is driven in a rotating manner
about a machine axis and at least one first blade element that
forms a first cutting edge and is provided at the machine element.
The first blade element, when the machine element is rotating,
interacts with a second cutting edge of at least a second blade
element and forms a cutting gap. The first blade element or the
second blade element, at least in the region of its cutting edge,
has a hardness that is greater than the hardness of the second
blade element or of the first blade element. The cutting edge at
the blade element with the lesser hardness is created by material
removal with the cutting edge of the blade element that is designed
to be harder at least at this cutting edge. The blade element with
the lesser hardness is produced from a material, for example a
metallic material, e.g. aluminum or brass, which (material), on
account of its lesser hardness, is machinable by the at least one
cutting edge of greater hardness so as to remove material or
provide a machine finish. The blade element and/or the blade
element is coated in at least portions of its surfaces with
nano-particles and/or by carbon diffusion and/or the blade element
is anodized.
[0017] A characteristic of the present application is not producing
the two cutting edges that form the cutting gap from the same
material, but selecting such a material pairing so that the two
cutting edges have different hardnesses and/or wear resistances. In
this case, it is possible that when one of the two cutting edges
forming the respective cutting gap is created or re-sharpened in an
appropriate manner primarily by the other cutting edge through
material removal so that when the cutting device is setup, i.e.
during a first commissioning or during a recommissioning of the
cutting device after operating elements, e.g. the blade elements,
have been exchanged, a rough adjusting of the blade element one
relative to the other, but no time-consuming, precise or
substantially precise aligning is necessary or may be desired.
[0018] The precise or substantially precise cutting gap is then
created through material removal at the blade element with the
lesser hardness by means of the cutting edge of the blade element
that has the greater hardness at least in the region of its cutting
edge.
[0019] Further developments, embodiments, and application
possibilities of the present application proceed from the following
description of possible embodiments and from the Figures. In this
case, described and/or graphically represented features, on their
own or in arbitrary combination, are, in principle, objects of the
present application.
[0020] The above-discussed embodiments of the present invention
will be described further herein below. When the word "invention"
or "embodiment of the invention" is used in this specification, the
word "invention" or "embodiment of the invention" includes
"inventions" or "embodiments of the invention", that is the plural
of "invention" or "embodiment of the invention". By stating
"invention" or "embodiment of the 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
[0021] The present application is described below by way of the
Figures of possible embodiments, in which, in detail:
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation and top view of a
machine element that is driven in a rotating manner about a
vertical or substantially vertical axis, said machine element
having a first cutting blade or blade element together with a
second blade element of a cutting device, for example a cutting
device of a labeling machine, said second blade element interacting
with the machine element and not rotating with the machine
element;
[0023] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged representation of the two blade
elements in a view as in FIG. 1, together with a part
representation of the machine element;
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a simplified representation of the side view of
the cutting device; and
[0025] FIG. 4 shows schematically the main components of one
possible embodiment example of a system for filling containers, for
example, a beverage bottling plant for filling bottles.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OR EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The reference 1 in FIG. 1 is given to a cutting device for
cutting a strip-shaped or web-shaped flat material 2, for example a
label material with a maximum thickness of 4/100 of a millimeter
(0.25 mm) or less, i.e. for the separating of individual labels
from the material 2.
[0027] The cutting device 1 essentially comprises a machine element
4 that is driven in a rotating manner about a vertical or
substantially vertical machine axis 3 in the direction of the arrow
A, said machine element having, for example, a peripheral surface
or outer surface 4.1 that surrounds the vertical or substantially
vertical machine axis 3 in a circular cylindrical manner and being
provided, for example, so as to be exchangeable and adjustable on
the peripheral surface or outer surface 4.1 with at least one blade
element 5, in such a manner that the blade element 5 forms a
cutting edge 6 on a region protruding beyond the outer surface 4.
In the case of the specific embodiment represented, the cutting
edge 6 is formed on a planar side face 5.1 of the blade element 5
leading in the direction of rotation A of the machine element 4 or
of the part region of said blade element protruding beyond the
outer surface 4.1, in such a manner that the cutting edge 6, with
the machine element 4 driven in a rotating manner, is moved on a
circular cylindrical path that surrounds the vertical or
substantially vertical machine axis 3 in a concentric manner. In
addition the cutting edge 6 is in one possible embodiment also
oriented parallel or substantially parallel to the machine axis
3.
[0028] A blade element 7 acting as counter blade with cutting edge
8 is associated with the blade element 5 or with its cutting edge
6. The blade element 7 is provided on the cutting device 1, for
example, so as not to rotate with the machine element 4. The blade
element is provided on a suitable holder 9 in such a manner that
the blade 7 or its cutting edge 8 is adjustable relative to said
machine element (arrow B) in a radial or approximately radial
manner relative to the rotating machine element 4. For a first
rough adjustment, the blade element 7 or its cutting edge 8 are
also adjustable, for example, in such a manner that the blade
element 7 or its cutting edge, which is already present directly
after installation into the cutting device 1, is oriented at least
approximately parallel or substantially parallel to the cutting
edge 6 when said cutting edge is situated directly at the cutting
edge 8.
[0029] A cutting gap 10 is formed between the cutting edges 6 and 8
in such a manner that during each cutting procedure, i.e. every
time, with the machine element 4 rotating, the blade element 5
moves past the blade element 7, the cutting edges 6 and 8 just
contact each other or do not quite contact each other over the
entire length of the cutting gap 10 extending in the direction of
the machine axis.
[0030] The length of the cutting gap 10 is at least identical or
substantially identical, in one possible embodiment however is
greater than the width of the strip-shaped or web-shaped flat
material 2. In this case, the strip-shaped or web-shaped flat
material 2 is moved through the gap 10 in the direction of the
arrow C and is, for example, oriented at least in the region of the
cutting gap 10 in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the
machine axis 3.
[0031] In order to obtain the necessary and/or desired cutting gap
10 without a cumbersome adjustment or alignment of the blade
elements 5 and 7 being necessary and/or desired, the blade element
5 is produced, at least at its cutting edge region that forms the
cutting edge 6, with a greater hardness, i.e. at that location it
is produced, for example, from hardened steel, e.g. tool steel,
hard metal or ceramic, whereas the blade element 7 is produced from
a material that is softer in comparison to the cutting region of
the blade element 5, for example from aluminum or brass. In another
possible embodiment of the present application, the blade element 7
may comprise anodized aluminum on at least the surface of the blade
element 7.
[0032] In the case of the first commissioning of the cutting
device, for example, and also after operating elements of the
cutting device 1, e.g. one of the blade elements 5 and 7, have been
exchanged, the rough adjusting of said blade elements is carried
out initially and at the same time, in one possible embodiment,
also the adjusting of the blade element 7 in such a manner that the
blade element 7 is oriented at least approximately parallel or
substantially parallel to the blade element 5 or to the cutting
edge 6. Then, with the machine element 4 rotating or with the blade
element 5 rotating, an adjusting of the blade element 7 is effected
such that the cutting edge 8 is formed on the blade element 7 by
means of material removal with the cutting edge 6. The adjusting of
the blade element 7 relative to the rotating machine element 4 in
the direction of the arrow B is terminated when the cutting edge 8,
created through material removal, extends over the entire length or
the substantially entire length of the cutting gap 10 and the
cutting gap 10 is realized over its entire length or substantially
entire length such that the cutting edge 6 and the cutting edge 8
formed by material removal, every time the blade element 5 moves
past the blade element 7, just contact one another over the entire
length of the cutting gap 10 or no longer just contact one another.
The correct realization of the cutting edge 8 is monitored or
ascertained by way of specimen cuts of the flat material 2, and the
adjusting of the blade element 7 is terminated when the forming of
the cutting edge 8, by means of the material removal created by the
cutting edge 6, is completed, or when the cutting procedure to
separate a label is effected in an error-free and uniform manner
over the entire width of the label.
[0033] During the operation of the cutting device 1 there is, for
example, a slight manual re-adjusting or adjusting of the blade
element 7 in the direction of the arrow B in order to re-sharpen
the cutting edge 8.
[0034] In at least one possible embodiment of the present
application, the blade elements or cutting elements 5 and 7 may
comprise rectangular shapes or substantially rectangular shapes. In
such an embodiment, the cutting edges 6 and 8 may be formed at the
intersection of two perpendicular or substantially perpendicular
sides, at a right angle or a generally right angle. During
operation of the cutting device 1, the cutting element 5 and/or
cutting edge 6, with the greater hardness, may sufficiently contact
the cutting edge 8 and/or cutting element 7 and may sharpen and/or
deform and/or machine the cutting edge 8 and/or the cutting element
7 as the cutting element 5 and/or cutting edge 6 contacts the
cutting element 7 and/or cutting edge 8. Upon the cutting edge 8
and/or cutting element 7 being machined and/or deformed and/or
sharpened, the shape of the cutting element 7 may no longer be
rectangular. The cutting edge 8 of the cutting element 7 may then
be formed at the intersection of two transverse or substantially
transverse sides of the cutting element 7, at an obtuse angle or a
generally obtuse angle.
[0035] An automatic slight readjusting or adjusting of the blade
element 7 in the direction of the arrow B is in one possible
embodiment carried out in a time-controlled manner and/or in
dependence on the number of steps carried out, i.e. respectively
after a predetermined number of cutting procedures, in order to
"re-sharpen" the cutting edge 8 or its cutting edge, i.e. to
eliminate, restrict, and/or minimize the wearing down of the
cutting edge 8 due to abrasion. The adjusting necessary and/or
desired for said re-sharpening of the blade element 7 and the
material removal at the blade element 7 caused by this are so
slight that the material accumulating does not impair the correct
operating of the cutting device 1.
[0036] To form the cutting edge 8, the blade element 7 has, for
example, a planar face 7.1, for example, in a plane E, in which,
when the blade element 5 moves past the blade element 7, the
cutting edge 6 and/or the lateral face 5.1 of the blade element 5
are also disposed and which extends transversely relative to the
direction of movement of the cutting edge 6 when moving past the
blade element 7, i.e. the plane E extends in an approximately
radial manner relative to the machine axis 3.
[0037] The rotating machine element 4 is, for example, a blade
shaft of the cutting device 1, for example, of a labeling machine
or of a labeling unit. The rotating machine element 4, however, can
also be another rotating operating element of a labeling machine,
for example a labeling drum that is driven in a rotating manner
about the machine axis 3 (e.g. vacuum drum), on which the labels,
separated from the strip-shaped or web-shaped material or label
material 2, are held before the transfer to the packaging to be
labeled, for example containers or bottles.
[0038] The present application has been described above by way of
one possible embodiment. It is obvious that numerous modifications
and conversions are possible without thereby departing from the
teaching concept underlying the present application.
[0039] Thus, for example, it has been assumed above that the
pairing of the materials used for the blade elements 5 and 7 is
selected such that the blade element 5, at least in the region of
its cutting edge 6, has a greater hardness than the blade element
7. Obviously the material pairing can also be selected in the
reverse order, i.e. the blade element 7 can have, at least in the
region of its cutting edge, a greater hardness than the blade
element 5.
[0040] In addition, it has also been assumed above that the blade
element 5 is provided on the rotating machine element 4. Obviously
embodiments are conceivable where a plurality of blade elements is
provided on the rotating machine element 4 offset about the axis 3
of said element, for example on a rotating machine element realized
in the form of a labeling drum.
[0041] In addition it is possible to realize the cutting device 1
in such a manner that the blade element 7 is also provided on the
periphery of a rotating machine element 4a on a machine element 4a
that rotates about an axis 3a parallel or substantially parallel to
the machine axis 3. In one possible embodiment, the rotational
movement of the blade element 7 is matched to the rotational
movement of the machine element 4. In this case or embodiment, the
rotational movements can be both in the same direction and also in
opposing directions.
[0042] In another possible embodiment of the present application,
the machine element 4a and the blade element 7 may be stationary or
non-rotating.
[0043] In addition it is possible to treat and/or to coat the blade
element 5 and/or 7 at least in part regions on the surface, for
example to coat the blade element 5 with nano particles or to
harden it by means of carbon diffusion at least in the region of
its cutting edge 6 to improve the abrasion resistance and/or to
anodize the surfaces of the blade element 7.
[0044] In the case of the specific embodiment represented, the
cutting edge 6 of the blade element 5 is formed on a planar face
5.1 of said blade element that is leading when viewed in the
direction of rotation of the machine element 4.
[0045] FIG. 4 shows schematically the main components of one
possible embodiment example of a system for filling containers, for
example, a beverage bottling plant for filling bottles 130 with at
least one liquid beverage, in accordance with at least one possible
embodiment, in which system or plant could possibly be utilized at
least one aspect, or several aspects, of the embodiments disclosed
herein.
[0046] FIG. 4 shows a rinsing arrangement or rinsing station 101,
to which the containers, namely bottles 130, are fed in the
direction of travel as indicated by the arrow 131, by a first
conveyer arrangement 103, which can be a linear conveyor or a
combination of a linear conveyor and a starwheel. Downstream of the
rinsing arrangement or rinsing station 101, in the direction of
travel as indicated by the arrow 131, the rinsed bottles 130 are
transported to a beverage filling machine 105 by a second conveyer
arrangement 104 that is formed, for example, by one or more
starwheels that introduce bottles 130 into the beverage filling
machine 105.
[0047] The beverage filling machine 105 shown is of a revolving or
rotary design, with a rotor 105', which revolves around a central,
vertical machine axis. The rotor 105' is designed to receive and
hold the bottles 130 for filling at a plurality of filling
positions 113 located about the periphery of the rotor 105'. At
each of the filling positions 103 is located a filling arrangement
114 having at least one filling device, element, apparatus, or
valve. The filling arrangements 114 are designed to introduce a
predetermined volume or amount of liquid beverage into the interior
of the bottles 130 to a predetermined or desired level.
[0048] The filling arrangements 114 receive the liquid beverage
material from a toroidal or annular vessel 117, in which a supply
of liquid beverage material is stored under pressure by a gas. The
toroidal vessel 117 is a component, for example, of the revolving
rotor 105'. The toroidal vessel 117 can be connected by means of a
rotary coupling or a coupling that permits rotation. The toroidal
vessel 117 is also connected to at least one external reservoir or
supply of liquid beverage material by a conduit or supply line. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, there are two external supply
reservoirs 123 and 124, each of which is configured to store either
the same liquid beverage product or different products. These
reservoirs 123, 124 are connected to the toroidal or annular vessel
117 by corresponding supply lines, conduits, or arrangements 121
and 122. The external supply reservoirs 123, 124 could be in the
form of simple storage tanks, or in the form of liquid beverage
product mixers, in at least one possible embodiment.
[0049] As well as the more typical filling machines having one
toroidal vessel, it is possible that in at least one possible
embodiment there could be a second toroidal or annular vessel which
contains a second product. In this case, each filling arrangement
114 could be connected by separate connections to each of the two
toroidal vessels and have two individually-controllable fluid or
control valves, so that in each bottle 130, the first product or
the second product can be filled by means of an appropriate control
of the filling product or fluid valves.
[0050] Downstream of the beverage filling machine 105, in the
direction of travel of the bottles 130, there can be a beverage
bottle closing arrangement or closing station 106 which closes or
caps the bottles 130. The beverage bottle closing arrangement or
closing station 106 can be connected by a third conveyer
arrangement 107 to a beverage bottle labeling arrangement or
labeling station 108. The third conveyor arrangement may be formed,
for example, by a plurality of starwheels, or may also include a
linear conveyor device.
[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the beverage bottle labeling
arrangement or labeling station 108 has at least one labeling unit,
device, or module, for applying labels to bottles 130. In the
embodiment shown, the labeling arrangement 108 is connected by a
starwheel conveyer structure to three output conveyer arrangements:
a first output conveyer arrangement 109, a second output conveyer
arrangement 110, and a third output conveyer arrangement 111, all
of which convey filled, closed, and labeled bottles 130 to
different locations.
[0052] The first output conveyer arrangement 109, in the embodiment
shown, is designed to convey bottles 130 that are filled with a
first type of liquid beverage supplied by, for example, the supply
reservoir 123. The second output conveyer arrangement 110, in the
embodiment shown, is designed to convey bottles 130 that are filled
with a second type of liquid beverage supplied by, for example, the
supply reservoir 124. The third output conveyer arrangement 111, in
the embodiment shown, is designed to convey incorrectly labeled
bottles 130. To further explain, the labeling arrangement 108 can
comprise at least one beverage bottle inspection or monitoring
device that inspects or monitors the location of labels on the
bottles 130 to determine if the labels have been correctly placed
or aligned on the bottles 130. The third output conveyer
arrangement 111 removes any bottles 130 which have been incorrectly
labeled as determined by the inspecting device.
[0053] The beverage bottling plant can be controlled by a central
control arrangement 112, which could be, for example, computerized
control system that monitors and controls the operation of the
various stations and mechanisms of the beverage bottling plant.
[0054] A cutting device, for example cutting device of a labeling
device, comprising a machine element 4 driven to rotate about a
machine axis 3 and further comprising a first blade element 5
forming at least one first edge 6 and provided on the machine
element 4, said blade element interacting with a second edge 8 of
at least one second blade element 7 when the machine element 4 is
rotating to form a cutting gap 10, characterized in that the first
blade element 5 or the second blade element 7 has a hardness at
least in the region of the edge 6, 8 thereof that is higher than
the hardness of the second blade element 7 or of the first blade
element 5, and that the edge 8 on the blade element 7 having lower
strength is produced by material removal with the edge 6 of the
blade element 5 that is harder at least on said edge 6.
[0055] One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the
time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside
broadly in a cutting device, for example a cutting device of a
labeling machine, said cutting device having a machine element 4
that is driven in a rotating manner about a machine axis 3 and at
least one first blade element 5 that forms a first cutting edge 6
and is provided at the machine element 4, said first blade element,
when the machine element 4 is rotating, interacting with a second
cutting edge 8 of at least a second blade element 7 and forming a
cutting gap 10, wherein the first blade element 5 or the second
blade element 7, at least in the region of its cutting edge 6, 8,
has a hardness that is greater than the hardness of the second
blade element 7 or of the first blade element 5, and in that the
cutting edge 8 at the blade element 7 with the lesser hardness is
created by material removal with the cutting edge 6 of the blade
element 5 that is designed to be harder at least at this cutting
edge 6.
[0056] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, wherein the blade element 5
that is harder at least at its cutting edge is produced, at least
in the region of the cutting edge, from hardened steel, hard metal
or ceramic.
[0057] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, wherein the blade element
with the lesser hardness is produced from a material, for example a
metallic material, e.g. aluminum or brass, which, on account of its
lesser hardness, is machinable by the at least one cutting edge 6
of greater hardness so as to remove material or provide a machine
finish.
[0058] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, wherein the at least one
second blade element 7 is provided on the cutting device 1 so as
not to rotate with the machine element 4, but so as to be
adjustable relative to said machine element 4 or to a circular path
of the first blade element 5.
[0059] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, wherein the at least one
second blade element 7 is provided at the periphery of another
machine element 4a, which is driveable in a rotating manner about a
machine axis 3a in a manner coordinated with the one machine
element 4.
[0060] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, wherein the other machine
element 4a is driveable so as to rotate in a contra-rotating manner
or in a contra-rotating manner relative to the one machine element
4.
[0061] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, wherein the first blade
element 5 and/or the second blade element 7 are realized with a
planar face 5.1, 7.1 that forms the cutting edge 6, 8, said face
being oriented in a plane E, enclosing the cutting edge 6, 8,
transversely relative to the movement of the first blade element 5
when the machine element 4 is rotating.
[0062] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, comprising at least two first
and/or second blade elements 5, 7.
[0063] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, wherein the cutting edge 6 of
the at least one first blade element 5 is oriented with its
longitudinal extension in the direction of the machine axis 3 of
the one machine element 4 and, when the machine element is
rotating, is moved on a circular cylinder surface enclosing said
machine axis 3.
[0064] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, wherein the first machine
element 4 and/or the second machine element 4a are a blade shaft or
a drum-like operating element, for example a labeling drum or
vacuum drum of a labeling machine.
[0065] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in a method for operating a cutting device, for
example a cutting device of a labeling machine, said cutting device
having at least one machine element 4 that is driven so as to
rotate about a machine axis 3 and at least one first blade element
5, which forms a first cutting edge 6 and is provided at the
machine element 4, said first blade element interacting with a
second cutting edge 8 of at least a second blade element 7 and
forming a cutting gap 10 when the machine element 4 is rotating,
wherein the forming of the cutting edge 8 at the blade element 7 of
lesser hardness is effected by material removal using the cutting
edge 6 of that blade element 5 that has the greater hardness at
least in the region of its cutting edge 6.
[0066] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the method, wherein in the case of a first
commissioning and/or in the case of a recommissioning of the
cutting device 1, e.g. after a change of at least one blade element
5, 7, the blade elements 5, 7, with the cutting device 1 switched
on, are adjusted to one another until the suitable cutting edge 8
has been formed through material removal by means of the cutting
edge of greater hardness 6 at the blade element 7 with the lesser
hardness.
[0067] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the method, wherein the blade element 7 with the
lesser hardness is adjusted to the blade element 5 with the greater
hardness at least in the region of its cutting edge 6.
[0068] One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the
time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside
broadly in the method, wherein the blade element 5 with the greater
hardness at least in the region of its cutting edge 6 is adjusted
to the blade element 7 with the lesser hardness.
[0069] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the method, wherein for re-sharpening the cutting
edge 8 at the at least one blade element 7 of lesser hardness, an
adjusting of the blade elements 5, 7 one to the other is carried
out during the operation of the cutting device 1, for example in a
time-controlled manner and/or in dependence on the number of
cutting procedures.
[0070] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in a cutting device, for example a cutting device of
a labeling machine, said cutting device having a machine element 4
that is driven in a rotating manner about a machine axis 3 and at
least one first blade element 5 that forms a first cutting edge 6
and is provided at the machine element 4, said first blade element,
when the machine element 4 is rotating, interacting with a second
cutting edge 8 of at least a second blade element 7 and forming a
cutting gap 10, whereby the first blade element 5 or the second
blade element 7, at least in the region of its cutting edge 6, 8,
has a hardness that is greater than the hardness of the second
blade element 7 or of the first blade element 5, and in that the
cutting edge 8 at the blade element 7 with the lesser hardness is
created by material removal with the cutting edge 6 of the blade
element 5 that is designed to be harder at least at this cutting
edge 6, whereby the blade element with the lesser hardness is
produced from a material, for example a metallic material, e.g.
aluminum or brass, which (material), on account of its lesser
hardness, is machinable by the at least one cutting edge 6 of
greater hardness so as to remove material or provide a machine
finish, wherein the blade element 5 and/or the blade element 7 is
coated in at least portions of its surfaces with nano-particles
and/or by carbon diffusion and/or the blade element 7 is
anodized.
[0071] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, wherein the blade element 5
that is harder at least at its cutting edge is produced, at least
in the region of the cutting edge, from hardened steel, hard metal
or ceramic.
[0072] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, wherein the at least one
second blade element 7 is provided on the cutting device 1 so as
not to rotate with the machine element 4, but so as to be
adjustable relative to said machine element 4 or to a circular path
of the first blade element 5.
[0073] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, wherein the at least one
second blade element 7 is provided at the periphery of another
machine element 4a, which is driveable in a rotating manner about a
machine axis 3a in a manner coordinated with the one machine
element 4.
[0074] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, wherein the other machine
element 4a is driveable so as to rotate in a contra-rotating manner
or in a contra-rotating manner relative to the one machine element
4.
[0075] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, wherein the first blade
element 5 and/or the second blade element 7 are realized with a
planar face 5.1, 7.1 that forms the cutting edge 6, 8, said face
being oriented in a plane E, enclosing the cutting edge 6, 8,
transversely relative to the movement of the first blade element 5
when the machine element 4 is rotating.
[0076] A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, comprising at least two first
and/or second blade elements 5, 7.
[0077] Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at
the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, wherein the cutting edge 6 of
the at least one first blade element 5 is oriented with its
longitudinal extension in the direction of the machine axis 3 of
the one machine element 4 and, when the machine element is
rotating, is moved on a circular cylinder surface enclosing said
machine axis 3.
[0078] Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in the cutting device, wherein the first machine
element 4 and/or the second machine element 4a are a blade shaft or
a drum-like operating element, for example a labeling drum or
vacuum drum of a labeling machine.
[0079] Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed
at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly
reside broadly in a cutting device, for example a cutting device of
a labeling machine. The cutting device having a machine element
that is driven in a rotating manner about a machine axis and at
least one first blade element that forms a first cutting edge and
is provided at the machine element. The first blade element, when
the machine element is rotating, interacts with a second cutting
edge of at least a second blade element and forms a cutting gap.
The first blade element or the second blade element, at least in
the region of its cutting edge, has a hardness that is greater than
the hardness of the second blade element or of the first blade
element. The cutting edge at the blade element with the lesser
hardness is created by material removal with the cutting edge of
the blade element that is designed to be harder, and that the blade
element with the lesser hardness, on account of its lesser
hardness, is machinable by the at least one cutting edge of greater
hardness so as to remove material or provide a machine finish,
wherein the blade element has, in the area of its cutting edge a
hardness which is greater than the hardness of the second blade
element and whereby the second blade element is made of aluminum
and is anodized on its surface.
[0080] The components disclosed in the various publications,
disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, may possibly be used
in possible embodiments of the present invention, as well as
equivalents thereof.
[0081] The purpose of the statements about the technical field is
generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public
to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this
patent application. The description of the technical field is
believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to
adequately describe the technical field of this patent application.
However, the description of the technical field may not be
completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this
patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent
application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from
this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to
the technical field are not intended to limit the claims in any
manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any
manner.
[0082] 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.
[0083] The background information is believed, at the time of the
filing of this patent application, to adequately provide background
information for this patent application. However, the background
information may not be completely applicable to the claims as
originally filed in this patent application, as amended during
prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed
in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any
statements made relating to the background information are not
intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be
interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
[0084] 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.
[0085] The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is
generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public
to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this
patent application. The description of the object or objects is
believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to
adequately describe the object or objects of this patent
application. However, the description of the object or objects may
not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in
this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this
patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing
from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made
relating to the object or objects are not intended to limit the
claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the
claims in any manner.
[0086] 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
except for the exceptions indicated herein.
[0087] The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this
patent application, to adequately summarize this patent
application. However, portions or all of the information contained
in the summary may not be completely applicable to the claims as
originally filed in this patent application, as amended during
prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed
in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any
statements made relating to the summary are not intended to limit
the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting
the claims in any manner.
[0088] It will be understood that the examples of patents,
published patent applications, and other documents which are
included in this application and which are referred to in
paragraphs which state "Some examples of . . . which may possibly
be used in at least one possible embodiment of the present
application . . . " may possibly not be used or useable in any one
or more embodiments of the application.
[0089] The sentence immediately above relates to patents, published
patent applications and other documents either incorporated by
reference or not incorporated by reference.
[0090] All of the patents, patent applications or patent
publications, except for the exceptions indicated herein, which
were cited in the German Office Action dated Aug. 8, 2008, and/or
cited elsewhere are hereby incorporated by reference as if set
forth in their entirety herein, as follows: DE 26 28 728, having
the German title "SCHNEIDVORRICHTUNG MIT ROTIERENDEN FLUEGELMESSERN
ZUR HERSTELLUNG VON FORMSCHNITTEN IN DIE RAENDER BEWEGTER
WERKSTOFFBAHNEN," published on Jan. 5, 1978; DE 26 41 370, having
the German title "GERAET ZUM VERNICHTEN VON MIKROFILMEN UND
DERGLEICHEN," published on Mar. 23, 1978; DE 26 39 218, having the
German title "SCHNEIDWERKZEUG FUER EINEN LAUFENDEN STREIFEN,"
published on Mar. 31, 1977; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,054, having the
title "Sheet cutting apparatus and method," published on Aug. 29,
1995.
[0091] All of the patents, patent applications or patent
publications, except for the exceptions indicated herein, which
were cited in the International Search Report dated Feb. 17, 2009,
and/or cited elsewhere are hereby incorporated by reference as if
set forth in their entirety herein, as follows: U.S. Pat. No.
4,041,816, having the title "Rotary web chopper," published on Aug.
16, 1977; U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,289, having the title "Apparatus and
method for applying labels using static electrical attraction,"
published on Jul. 7, 1998; DE 297 19 348, having the German title
"Falzapparat," published on Jan. 22, 1998; DE 36 07 907, having the
following German title "Schneidwerkzeug," published on Aug. 13,
1987; and DE 10 2004 052682, having the following English
translation of the German title "Industrial or laboratory mill has
sickle-shaped self-cutting blades has core material encased within
a harder case," published on May 4, 2006.
[0092] Some examples of labeling machines which may possibly be
utilized in at least one possible embodiment may possibly be found
in the following U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,400, entitled "Labeling
machine;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,246, entitled "Labeling machine
capable of precise attachment of a label to different sizes of
containers;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,512, entitled "Labeling machine
capable of preventing erroneous attachment of labels on
containers;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,514, entitled "In-line continuous
feed sleeve labeling machine and method;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,587,
entitled "Cylindrical container labeling machine;" U.S. Pat. No.
6,328,086, entitled "Labeling machine;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,021,
entitled "Labeling machine;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,940, entitled
"In-line continuous feed sleeve labeling machine and method;" U.S.
Pat. No. 6,199,614, entitled "High speed labeling machine having a
constant tension driving system;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,935, entitled
"Labeling machine; U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,223, entitled "Labeling
machine and method; U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,319, entitled "Non-round
container labeling machine and method;" and U.S. Pat. No.
6,045,616, entitled "Adhesive station and labeling machine."
[0093] Some examples of blade cutting apparatus and methods that
may possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one
possible embodiment may possibly be found in the following U.S.
Pat. No. application publications: No. 2003/0146943 A1, entitled
"Label Printer-Cutter with Mutually Exclusive Printing and Cutting
Operation"; U.S. Pat. No. 5,614,278 entitled "Strip of Separable
Labels or Tags Having a Display Surface for Display of Information
Thereon"; U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,337, entitled "Real Time Labeler
System"; No. 2004/0226659 A1, entitled "Label Application System";
and No. 2004/0226659 A1, entitled "Label Application System".
[0094] Some examples of labeling apparatus and methods that may
possibly be utilized or adapted for use in at least one possible
embodiment may possibly be found in the following U.S. Pat. No.
4,189,337, entitled "Real Time Labeler System"; No. 2004/0226659
A1, entitled "Label Application System"; U.S. Pat. No. 6,191,382
B1, entitled "Dynamic Laser Cutting Apparatus"; No. 2003/0146943
A1, entitled "Label Printer-Cutter with Mutually Exclusive Printing
and Cutting Operation"; and No. 2002/0029855 A1, entitled "System
for Printing and Applying Tape onto Surfaces"; U.S. Pat. No.
6,634,400, entitled "Labeling machine;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,246,
entitled "Labeling machine capable of precise attachment of a label
to different sizes of containers;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,512,
entitled "Labeling machine capable of preventing erroneous
attachment of labels on containers;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,587,
entitled "Cylindrical container labeling machine;" U.S. Pat. No.
6,328,086, entitled "Labeling machine;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,021,
entitled "Labeling machine;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,614, entitled
"High speed labeling machine having a constant tension driving
system;" U.S. Pat. No. 6,167,935, entitled "Labeling machine; U.S.
Pat. No. 6,066,223, entitled "Labeling machine and method; U.S.
Pat. No. 6,050,319, entitled "Non-round container labeling machine
and method;" and U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,616, entitled "Adhesive
station and labeling machine."
[0095] Some examples of labels that may possibly be used with a
possible embodiment of the present invention may be found in the
following U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,099; U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,415; and
U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,415.
[0096] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/429,427, filed on Apr.
24, 2009, having inventors Lutz DECKERT and Oliver KRESS, Attorney
Docket No. NHL-HOL-234, and title "A BEVERAGE BOTTLE OR CONTAINER
LABELING DEVICE WITH A CUTTING UNIT AND CUTTING UNIT FOR A BEVERAGE
BOTTLE OR CONTAINER LABELING DEVICE," and U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/352,627, filed on Jan. 13, 2009, having inventors Lutz
DECKERT and Oliver KRESS, Attorney Docket No. NHL-HOL-205, and
title "A LABELING MACHINE IN A BOTTLE OR CONTAINER FILLING PLANT
HAVING A TRANSPORT ROLLER, SUCH AS A CUTTING OR SEVERING ROLLER;
AND SUCH A ROLLER FOR LABELING EQUIPMENT OR A LABELING ARRANGEMENT,
AS WELL AS LABELING EQUIPMENT OR A LABELING ARRANGEMENT," are
hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety
herein.
[0097] The following patents, patent application, and patent
publications are incorporated by reference as if set forth in their
entirety except for the exceptions indicated herein: U.S. Pat. No.
6,883,576, having the title "QUICK CHANGE ROLL-FED HIGH SPEED
LABELING SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR USING SAME," published on Apr. 26,
2005; EP 0990588, having the title "DEVICE FOR CUTTING FROM A WEB
ELEMENTS FOR LAMINATING," published on Apr. 5, 2000; WO
2007/110199, having the following English translation of the German
title "VACUUM DRUM AND LABELING MACHINE COMPRISING SUCH A DRUM, FOR
ATTACHING WRAPAROUND LABELS TO BOTTLES OR THE LIKE CONTAINERS,"
published on Oct. 4, 2007; DE 1196058, having the following English
translation of the German title "ADJUSTABLE ANVIL FOR CUTTING
WINDOW APERTURES AND LIKE OPENINGS IN BLANKS," published on Jul. 1,
1965; EP 1,279,604, having the title "CUTTING DEVICE FOR A
LABELLING MACHINE," published on Jan. 29, 2003; U.S. Pat. No.
4,355,554, having the title "WEB SECTIONING APPARATUS INCLUDING AN
INTERFERENCE INDICATOR," published on Oct. 26, 1982; DE 10 2004
032030, having the following English translation of the German
title "MATERIAL CHANNEL PRESSING AND SHAPING DEVICE, HAS PUNCHING
AND IMPRESSION CYLINDERS WHOSE BEARINGS ARE ARRANGED ON BEVEL,
WHERE DISTANCE BETWEEN PUNCHING AND IMPRESSION CYLINDERS IS
ADJUSTABLE BY MOVEMENT OF BEVEL," published on Jan. 19, 2006; GB
2,204,851, having the title "ARTICLE LABELLING APPARATUS,"
published on Nov. 23, 1988; EP 0 025 332, having the title
"LABELLING MACHINE AND METHOD, APPARATUS AND METHOD OF SEVERING
FILM FOR USE THEREIN AND CONTAINER LABELLED THEREBY," published on
Mar. 18, 1981; U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,928, having the title "LABELLING
MACHINE," published on Dec. 31, 1985; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,316,
having the title "CONTACT PRESSURE CONTROL METHOD AND DEVICE FOR
ROTARY CUTTER," published on Dec. 12, 2000.
[0098] The patents, patent applications, and patent publications
listed above in the preceding paragraphs are herein incorporated by
reference as if set forth in their entirety except for the
exceptions indicated herein. The purpose of incorporating U.S.
patents, Foreign patents, publications, etc. is solely to provide
additional information relating to technical features of one or
more embodiments, which information may not be completely disclosed
in the wording in the pages of this application. However, words
relating to the opinions and judgments of the author and not
directly relating to the technical details of the description of
the embodiments therein are not incorporated by reference. The
words all, always, absolutely, consistently, preferably, guarantee,
particularly, constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately,
endlessly, avoid, exactly, continually, expediently, ideal, need,
must, only, perpetual, precise, perfect, require, requisite,
simultaneous, total, unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words
substantially equivalent to the above-mentioned words in this
sentence, when not used to describe technical features of one or
more embodiments of the patents, patent applications, and patent
publications, are not considered to be incorporated by reference
herein.
[0099] The corresponding foreign and international patent
publication applications, namely, Federal Republic of Germany
Patent Application No. 10 2007 057 409.8, filed on Nov. 27, 2007,
having inventors Klaus KRAMER, Lutz DECKERT, and Oliver KRESS, and
DE-OS 10 2007 057 409.8 and DE-PS 10 2007 057 409.8, and
International Application No. PCT/EP2008/009757, filed on Nov. 18,
2008, having WIPO Publication No. WO 2009/068205 and inventors
Klaus KRAMER, Lutz DECKERT, and Oliver KRESS, are hereby
incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein,
except for the exceptions indicated herein, for the purpose of
correcting and explaining any possible misinterpretations of the
English translation thereof. In addition, the published equivalents
of the above corresponding foreign and international patent
publication applications, and other equivalents or corresponding
applications, if any, in corresponding cases in the Federal
Republic of Germany and elsewhere, and the references and documents
cited in any of the documents cited herein, such as the patents,
patent applications and publications, except for the exceptions
indicated herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set
forth in their entirety herein.
[0100] The purpose of incorporating the corresponding foreign
equivalent patent application(s), that is, PCT/EP2008/009757 and
German Patent Application 10 2007 057 409.8, is solely for the
purpose of providing a basis of correction of any wording in the
pages of the present application, which may have been mistranslated
or misinterpreted by the translator. However, words relating to
opinions and judgments of the author and not directly relating to
the technical details of the description of the embodiments therein
are not to be incorporated by reference. The words all, always,
absolutely, consistently, preferably, guarantee, particularly,
constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately, endlessly, avoid,
exactly, continually, expediently, ideal, need, must, only,
perpetual, precise, perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous,
total, unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words substantially
equivalent to the above-mentioned word in this sentence, when not
used to describe technical features of one or more embodiments of
the patents, patent applications, and patent publications, are not
generally considered to be incorporated by reference herein.
[0101] Statements made in the original foreign patent applications
PCT/EP2008/009757 and DE 10 2007 057 409.8 from which this patent
application claims priority which do not have to do with the
correction of the translation in this patent application are not to
be included in this patent application in the incorporation by
reference.
[0102] Any statements about admissions of prior art in the original
foreign patent applications PCT/EP2008/009757 and DE 10 2007 057
409.8 are not to be included in this patent application in the
incorporation by reference, since the laws relating to prior art in
non-U.S. Patent Offices and courts may be substantially different
from the Patent Laws of the United States.
[0103] All of the references and documents cited in any of the
documents cited herein, except for the exceptions indicated 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.
[0104] The description of the embodiment or embodiments is
believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to
adequately describe the embodiment or embodiments of this patent
application. However, portions of the description of the embodiment
or embodiments may not be completely applicable to the claims as
originally filed in this patent application, as amended during
prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed
in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any
statements made relating to the embodiment or embodiments are not
intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be
interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
[0105] The details in the patents, patent applications and
publications may be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's
option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations
in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any
applied prior art.
[0106] The purpose of the title of this patent application is
generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public
to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this
patent application. The title is believed, at the time of the
filing of this patent application, to adequately reflect the
general nature of this patent application. However, the title may
not be completely applicable to the technical field, the object or
objects, the summary, the description of the embodiment or
embodiments, and the claims as originally filed in this patent
application, as amended during prosecution of this patent
application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from
this patent application. Therefore, the title is not intended to
limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as
limiting the claims in any manner.
[0107] The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as
required by 37 C.F.R. .sctn.1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R.
.sctn.1.72(b): [0108] A brief abstract of the technical disclosure
in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably
following the claims, under the heading "Abstract of the
Disclosure." The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent
and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly
from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical
disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the
scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the
abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and
should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
[0109] The embodiments of the invention described herein above in
the context of the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as
limiting the embodiments of the invention to all of the provided
details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments
of the invention.
AT LEAST PARTIAL NOMENCLATURE
[0110] 1 Cutting device [0111] 2 Strip-shaped or web-shaped flat
material [0112] 3, 3a Machine axis [0113] 4, 4a Rotating machine
element [0114] 4.1 Periphery of the machine element 4 [0115] 5
Blade element [0116] 5.1 Cutting face of the blade element 5 [0117]
6 Cutting edge of the blade element 5 [0118] 7 Blade element or
counter blade [0119] 7.1 Planar cutting face of the blade element 7
[0120] 8 Cutting edge of the blade element 5 [0121] 9 Holder [0122]
10 Cutting gap
* * * * *