Apparatus for connecting label tapes

Abstract

An apparatus for connecting label tapes, the apparatus comprising a feed-through area through which the label tapes can be passed along a transport direction, a clamping element for clamping an area of a first label tape, a cutting device upstream of the clamping element for cutting a first label end of the first label tape, an adhesive application device for applying adhesive material to an adhesive area of the first label end upstream of the clamping element, a connecting device for bringing a second label end of a second label tape to the first label end of the first label tape and for connecting the second label end to the first label end in the adhesive area.

1 . An apparatus for connecting label tapes, the apparatus comprising a feed-through area through which the label tapes can be passed along a transport direction, a clamping element for clamping an area of a first label tape, a cutting device upstream of the clamping element for cutting a first label end of the first label tape, an adhesive application device for applying adhesive material to an adhesive area of the first label end upstream of the clamping element, a connecting device for bringing a second label end of a second label tape to the first label end of the first label tape and for connecting the second label end to the first label end in the adhesive area. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a fixing element for fixing the first label end during cutting and/or application. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the fixing element comprises two pressure elements spaced apart in the transport direction, which can fix the label end downstream of the cutting device and wherein optionally the adhesive application device can apply the adhesive material to the adhesive area between the pressure elements;
 or wherein the fixing element comprises a pressure element arranged in the transport direction downstream of the cutting device and downstream or upstream of the adhesive application device, which can fix the label end.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting device comprises an entrainment unit for entraining the second label end during the approaching and connecting. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a counter-pressure surface and the connecting device can press the second label end and the first label end in the adhesive area against the counter-pressure surface for connecting. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive application device is configured to apply adhesive material to two opposite sides of the first label end. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting device is configured to contact the second label end on two opposite sides of the second label end. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the connecting device is designed to pull the second label end apart in a direction perpendicular to a transport level of the second label tape and to guide it over the first label end in order to bring the second label end to the first label end. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a cutting counter-surface against which the cutting device can press the first label end to cut the label end. 
     
     
         10 . A method for connecting label tapes with an apparatus for connecting label tapes, the apparatus comprising a feed-through area through which the label tapes can be guided along a transport direction, a clamping element for clamping an area of a first label tape, a cutting device upstream of the clamping element for cutting a first label end of the first label tape, an adhesive application device for applying adhesive material to an adhesive area of the label end upstream of the clamping element, a connecting device for bringing a second label end of a second label tape to the label end of the first label tape and for connecting the second label end to the first label end in the adhesive area, the method comprising clamping the area of the first label tape with the clamping element, then cutting the first label end with the cutting element and applying adhesive material to the adhesive area with the adhesive application device, bringing the second label end and connecting the second label end to the first label end. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the cutting, advancing and connecting is performed while the area of the first label tape is clamped by the clamping element; and/or wherein the application of adhesive material is performed after the cutting of the first label end; and/or wherein the advancing of the second label end is performed after the application of adhesive material. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , the first label end is cut by the cutting device and/or the adhesive material is applied to the adhesive area by the adhesive application device, while the first label end is fixed by a fixing element of the apparatus, wherein optionally the fixing element comprises two pressure elements spaced apart in the transport direction, which fix the label end downstream of the cutting device and wherein optionally the adhesive application device applies the adhesive material to the adhesive area between the pressure elements, or wherein optionally the fixing element comprises a pressure element arranged downstream of the cutting device in the transport direction and downstream or upstream of the adhesive application device, which fixes the label end. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the apparatus comprises a counter-pressure surface and the connecting device presses the second label end and the first label end in the adhesive area against the counter-pressure surface for connecting. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the adhesive application device applies the adhesive material to two opposite sides of the first label end; and/or
 wherein the connecting device contacts the second label end on two opposite sides of the second label end, wherein optionally the connecting device for bringing the second label end to the first label end pulls the second label end apart in a direction perpendicular to a transport level of the second label tape and guides it over the first label end and then connects the first label end to the part of the second label end that has been pulled apart.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the label is a wrap-around label or a sleeve label.