Labeling method and device

An arrangement for moving a label strip on which labels (26) of predetermined length (EL) are arranged with substantially uniform spacings (SB), which arrangement comprises:

• an electric motor (80);
• a position controller (218) associated with that motor (80);
• a sensor (44) for sensing a predetermined position (M) of a label (26) when the label strip (20) is moved past the sensor (44);
• a profile generator (220) which calculates, from a predetermined motion profile, a plurality of position values (S) of the label strip (20), and time values associated with those position values (S) in the manner of value pairs, those value pairs serving as setpoints for position regulation;
• and
• a control arrangement that sets the label strip (20) in motion, beginning from a start position (A), according to said predetermined motion profile, a first target position (Z) of the label strip (20) being specified to the position controller as a first target variable, and that senses a predetermined position (M) of the label strip (20) during the motion of the label strip (20) and, subsequently thereto, specifies a revised target position (Z) to the position controller (218) as a new target variable.

A method of moving a label strip (20) from a start position (A) to a target position (A′) by means of an electric motor (80), on which label strip (20) are arranged labels (26) of predetermined length (EL) with substantially uniform interstices (SB), comprising the steps of:

• using a controller (218) associated with the electric motor (80) to impart, to the label strip (20), a motion profile which comprises, as a first phase, a starting ramp (176) of defined shape and, as a second phase, a portion (180, 180′), subsequent to the starting ramp (176), having a substantially uniform speed (Vsoll),
• based on predetermined data that are the basis for the motion profile, calculating a future point in time (182;
• 182′) for a transition from the second phase to a third phase;
• approximately after said future point in time (182;
• 182′) is reached, in the third phase (184), braking the label strip in position-controlled fashion by the motor (80) in such a way that the label strip reaches a speed of zero substantially at the target position (A′), and wherein,
• upon specification of a modified speed characteristic (Vsoll) in the second phase (180, 180′), an integral (∫V dt) defined by a speed profile is kept substantially constant.

An arrangement for moving a label strip (20) from a start position (A) to a target position (A′), which arrangement comprises:

• an electric motor (80) for effecting a motion of the label strip (20);
• a control arrangement (218) for controlling the motion of the electric motor (80), and thus of the label strip (20), in the manner of a four-quadrant controller,
• which control arrangement (218) is implemented to impart to the label strip (20) a motion profile which comprises
• as a first phase, a starting ramp (176) in which the label strip (20) experiences an acceleration,
• as a second phase, a portion (180, 180′) subsequent to the starting ramp (176) having a substantially uniform speed (Vsoll), and
• as a third phase, a portion (184) in which the electric motor (80) brakes the label strip (20) in position-controlled fashion in such a way that it reaches a speed of zero approximately at the target position (A′);
• and
• the imparted motion profile is defined, at least in part, by a speed profile in which, as a function of time, a specific speed of the label strip (20) is at least approximately specified in each case.

An arrangement for repeatedly moving a label strip (20) from a starting position (A) to a target position (A′), on which label strip (20) are arranged labels (26) of predetermined length (EL) with substantially uniform interstices (SB), which arrangement comprises:

• an electric motor (80);
• a position controller (218) associated with the electric motor (80) and implemented as a four-quadrant controller,
• the label strip (20) having imparted to it during its motion, by the position controller (218), a motion profile which comprises
• as a first phase, a starting ramp (176) with a defined acceleration (Δ1);
• as a second phase, a portion (180, 180′), subsequent to the starting ramp, with a substantially constant speed (Vsoll);
• and
• as a third phase, a braking ramp (184) with a substantially predetermined deceleration (Δ2),
• and in which, in the third phase, the label strip (20) is braked in position-controlled fashion to a speed of zero at a predetermined location (A′), and any motion of the label strip, opposite to motion which occurs in the context of advance motion, is suppressed.