LABELING DEVICE

Abstract

 A labeling device for applying a label (4) to an elongated element (6), comprising
- a label positioning unit (20) which comprises a support unit having at least one support surface (21) for supporting the label to be applied,
- an elongated-element positioning unit (40) which has at least one positioning arm (41) on either side of a vertical longitudinal center plane (24) of the support unit, each positioning arm (41) having a holder (42) for the elongated element, the positioning arms being displaceable between a lifted rest position (LRP) and a lowered application position (LAP) and the holder being arranged above the support unit when in the rest position, and
- a label application unit (60) which has at least two rolls (61, 62) arranged below the support unit and opposite each other relative to the support unit,
wherein the elongated-element positioning unit (40) further has a pre-tensioning unit which pretensions the positioning arms (41) into their lifted rest position, allowing the elongated element accommodated in the holders (41) to be manually brought into contact with the label (4), which is supported by the support unit, against the pre-tensioning force of the pre-tensioning unit and to further be passed through an application gap between the rolls (61, 62) at least until the rolls have folded the label on the rear side, which is arranged rearward in the direction of movement of application of the elongated element (6), and have pressed the two folded ends of the label together.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a labeling device for applying a label to an elongated element.

[0002] From practice, a labeling device is known that applies adhesive labels to a cable, for example. The label can either be wound completely around the elongated element, thus creating a wrap-around label, or at least a portion of the label may deliberately not be wound around the elongated element, thus creating a flag label.

[0003] Previously known labeling devices comprise at least one label positioning unit for supporting and positioning a label to be applied. Moreover, an elongated-element positioning unit is known from practice that accommodates the elongated element, thus defining a relative orientation of the label and of the elongated element. Moreover, an application unit is known from practice that has at least two rolls that press the label onto the circumference of the elongated element and form either a wrap-around label or a flag label, as applicable.

[0004] However, previously known devices are solely fully automatic, thus being suitable only for the application of large numbers of identical labels because the application of labels of a different design requires corresponding setup times and setup costs.

[0005] Hence, the object of the invention is to provide a labeling device that allows at least partially manual labeling of elongated elements in a simple and safe manner.

[0006] According to the invention, this object is attained by the labeling device having the features of claim 1.

[0007] The labeling device according to the invention for applying a label to an elongated element comprises a label positioning unit which comprises a support unit having at least one support surface for supporting the label to be applied. Furthermore, the labeling device comprises an elongated-element positioning unit which has a positioning arm on either side of a vertical longitudinal center plane of the support unit, each positioning arm having a holder for the elongated element. The positioning arms can be displaced between a lifted rest position and a lowered application position. When in the rest position, the holder is arranged above the support unit. Furthermore, the labeling device comprises a label application unit, which has at least two rolls arranged below the support unit and opposite each other relative to the support unit. Additionally, the elongated-element positioning unit has a pre-tensioning unit, which pre-tensions the positioning arms into their lifted rest position, allowing the elongated element accommodated in the holders to be manually brought into contact with the labels, which are supported by the support unit, against the pre-tensioning force of the pre-tensioning unit and to further be passed through an application gap between the rolls at least until the rolls have folded the label on the rear side, which is arranged rearward in the direction of movement of application of the elongated element, and have pressed the two folded ends of the label together.

[0008] The labeling device according to the invention now allows semi-automatic or partially manual labeling of elongated elements, doing so in particular because a pre-tensioning unit is provided that can be operated manually and that guides the elongated element during each phase of the application process.

[0009] In order to apply a label to the elongated element, a label is placed on the at least one support surface. Additionally, an elongated element is placed into the holders of the positioning arms. Then, a user takes hold of the elongated element and pushes it in the direction of the label against the pre-tensioning force of the pre-tensioning unit. The elongated element touches the label, whose side facing toward the elongated element may at least partially be provided with an adhesive. The elongated element can be pushed onto the label centrally or eccentrically. Once the label and the elongated element touch each other, both elements are passed through the application gap between the rolls as the movement of application, which is preferably vertical, continues. The rolls, which may each rotate about their own axis of rotation, provide sufficient contact pressure for the label to be permanently fixed to the elongated element. Additionally, the rolls also make the two free ends of the label stand upright against the direction of movement of application, meaning they fold them. As the movement of application continues, the upright or folded ends of the label are pressed together so as to form a flag. Thereafter, the user can reduce the pressure they are exerting onto the elongated element or stop exerting it altogether, allowing the pre-tensioning unit to push the positioning arms and thus the labeled elongated element back through the rolls in a removal direction, which is preferably directed upward. Subsequently, the user can remove the labeled elongated element, and the labeling process is complete.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention, a stop unit for defining an orientation of the label to be applied on the support unit is provided. A stop unit of this kind allows the label to be advantageously aligned prior to its application. Deficient application is avoided in this way. A flag label is applied deficiently, for example, if its two ends do not completely lie on top of each other, but are askew. In this case, adhesive parts of the label may be exposed and collect dirt. Moreover, the functionality of the label may be limited.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention, the stop unit has at least one stop bracket whose stop face is oriented orthogonal to the support surface and has at least one stop lug which engages a recess of the support unit, said recess being a through hole in the support surface. A stop bracket of this kind can be easily repositioned, allowing the labeling device to be set up for a corresponding label by simply repositioning the stop bracket.

[0012] In another preferred embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention, the support unit further comprises a sensor for detecting the supported label. A sensor of this kind can advantageously detect a label placed on the support surface of the support unit. The sensor can be a light sensor, for example. The corresponding signal can be used for various functions of the labeling device.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention, the support unit can additionally comprise a suction unit for suctioning and temporarily fixing the supported label to the support unit. In this way, the label is securely fixed to the support unit, which prevents undesired slipping. If a sensor for detecting a supported label is present, its measured signal can be use to activate or deactivate the suction unit. Alternatively, it is possible for the suction unit to suction permanently.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention, the support unit comprises an immobile front support plate and a mobile rear support plate, which can be displaced in the direction of the longitudinal center plane of the support unit. The two support plates at least temporarily have a passage gap in the space between them, which extends between the two positioning arms. The rear support plate can be displaced between a near position, in which it is close to the front support plate, and a remote position, in which it is further away from the front support plate than in the near position. When in the near position, the passage gap can be closed. In the direction of movement of application, the passage gap and the application gap of the rolls are located one behind the other. Additionally, both gaps can be aligned in the direction of movement of application. In this embodiment, each support plate has a part of the support surface of the support unit. The label placed on the two support surfaces covers the passage gap. The mobility of the rear support plate allows achieving further improvement with regard to different label designs.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment according to the invention, the labeling device comprises a displacing unit for displacing the rear support plate between the near position and the remote position, the displacing unit being configured in such a manner that it displaces the rear support plate into the remote position when a label is detected by the sensor and that it displaces the rear support plate into the near position when a displacement event occurs. The displacement event can be a sensor signal or a manually generated signal, for example. Here, the sensor-provided signal signaling the presence of a label may be used to displace the rear support plate. Thus, the passage gap is open when there is a placed label. Furthermore, the passage gap can be closed when there is no placed label, meaning that application of a label is not intended. In this way, the intrusion of foreign objects into the application gap between the rolls can be prevented. Furthermore, the displacement can serve to push the label against a stop unit, thus orienting the label. In this way, repeatable orientation of labels is possible.

[0016] In another preferred embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention, the pre-tensioning unit comprises at least one tension spring. A component of this kind is inexpensive and leads to a secure return of the positioning arms into their lifted rest position in a steady and long-living manner. However, it is also contemplated for a pressure spring or another corresponding elastic element to be used to provide the functions of return and pre-tension.

[0017] In another preferred embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention, the tension spring is fixed to a stationary first base on the label positioning unit at one side and to a second base, which is displaceable together with the positioning arms, at the other side. This kind of arrangement of the tension spring ensures lasting process stability.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention, the elongated-element positioning unit has a U-shaped holder bracket whose ends form the positioning arms and which engages under at least the support surface. Having a single element form both arms ensures synchronized movement of both positioning arms. In this way, undesired and/or unintentional tilting of the elongated element relative to the label is prevented. However, the holder bracket is not limited to a U-shape; it can also have a C-shape, a V-shape or the shape of a horseshoe. Thus, the holder bracket can have any shape that has two arms capable of forming the positioning arms.

[0019] In another preferred embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention, the elongated-element positioning unit comprises a slide which is guided on a guide rail and to which at least the positioning arms are connected. A slide of this kind advantageously prevents wedging during displacement of the positioning arms and serves to define the direction of movement both during the movement of application, which is preferably directed downward, and during the movement of removal, which is preferably directed upward.

[0020] In another preferred embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention, the axes of rotation of the two rolls have the same distance to the support surface. This ensures that the elongated element can be passed through vertically between the two rolls in the direction of movement of application together with the label. Thus, the user simply has to perform a vertical downward movement.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment of the labeling device according to the invention, at least one of the rolls can be displaced between a closed position, in which the application gap is closed, and a passage position, in which the application gap is open wide enough for the elongated element to be able to pass through, at least one roll being pre-tensioned into the closed position by a roll tensioning means. A pre-tensioning force of this kind has the effect that at least one roll is subject to a displacing force in the direction of the other roll at all times. Thus, the rolls are pressed together when in the closed position, and the rolls are pressed onto the elongated element when in the passage position, which causes the label to be attached to the circumference of the elongated element and which additionally allows a label flag to be formed.

[0022] Other advantages and advantageous embodiments of the subject-matter of the invention become apparent from the description, the drawing and the claims.

[0023] An embodiment of a labeling device according to the invention is illustrated in a schematically simplified manner in the drawing and will be explained in more detail in the following description.

Figure 1

shows a perspective view of a labeling device according to the invention;

Figure 2

shows an exploded view of the labeling device of Figure 1;

Figure 3

shows a side view of the labeling device of Figure 1;

Figure 4

shows a side view of the labeling device of Figure 3 in a first phase of a labeling process;

Figure 5

shows a side view of the labeling device of Figure 3 in another phase of the labeling process;

Figure 6

shows a side view of the labeling device of Figure 3 in another phase of the labeling process;

Figure 7

shows a side view of the labeling device of Figure 3 in another phase of the labeling process; and

Figure 8

shows a side view of the labeling device of Figure 3 in another phase of the labeling process.

[0024] The drawing illustrates a labeling device 2 that serves to apply a label 4 to an elongated element 6. The labeling device 2 is arranged on a standing surface 8, which can be a table, for example.

[0025] The labeling device 2 comprises a label positioning unit 20, which comprises a support unit having at least one support surface 21 for supporting the label 4 to be applied. The support unit comprises an immobile front support plate 22 and a rear support plate 23 which can be displaced in the direction of a vertical longitudinal center plane 24 of the support unit. At least temporarily, the front support plate 22 and the rear support plate 23 have a passage gap 25 in the space between them. The rear support plate 23 can be displaced between a near position NP (Figures 1, 3 and 8), in which it is close to the front support plate 22, and a remote position RP (Figures 4 to 7), in which it is further away from the front support plate 22 than in the near position NP. The label positioning unit 20 further comprises a displacing unit 26 for displacing the rear support plate 23 between the near position NP and the remote position RP. The label positioning unit 20 further has a stop unit 27 for defining an orientation of the label 4 to be applied, the stop unit 27 having a stop bracket 28 whose stop face 29 is oriented orthogonal to the support surface 21. The stop bracket 28 additionally comprises two stop lugs 30, each of which engages into a recess 31 of the support unit, said recess 31 being a through hole in the support surface 21. The stop unit 27 is immobile relative to the rear support plate 23.

[0026] A light sensor 32 configured to detect the supported label 4 is arranged in the rear support plate 23. Moreover, a suction unit 33 configured to suction and fix the supported label 4 to the rear support plate 23 is arranged on the rear support plate 23. For this purpose, a tube 34 runs from a through hole of the rear support plate 23, i.e. from a suction opening 35, to a suction device (not illustrated). Although the suction opening 35 is illustrated at a lateral outer edge of the rear support plate 23, the suction opening 35 can also be arranged in a central portion or in the vertical longitudinal center plane 24 of the support unit at the rear support plate 23. However, it is to be noted that the suction opening 35 is arranged at the rear support plate 23. This is because the suction unit 33 is used to position the label 4 on the support surface 21 by displacing the rear support plate 23. The displacing unit 26 is configured in such a manner that it displaces the support plate 23 into the remote position RP when a label 4 is detected by the sensor 32 and that it displaces the rear support plate 23 into the near position NP when a displacement event occurs.

[0027] The labeling device 2 additionally comprises an elongated-element positioning unit 40. The elongated-element positioning unit 40 has a positioning arm 41 on either side of the vertical longitudinal center plane of the support unit 24, each positioning arm 41 having a holder 42 for the elongated element 6.

[0028] The two positioning arms 41 are sections of a U-shaped holder bracket 43, whose ends form the positioning arms 41 and which engages under at least the support surface 21. The holders 42 are formed on both ends of the holder bracket 43 and are formed as V-shaped holders 42 open at the top, although any holder shape is possible that is suitable to temporarily accommodate the elongated element 6.

[0029] The holder bracket 43 is guided in a sliding manner on a guide rail 45 via a slide 44, as shown in particular in Figure 2. Thus, the positioning arms 41 and the holder bracket 43 can be displaced between a lifted rest position LRP, which is illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 8, and a lowered application position LAP, which is illustrated in Figures 4 to 7. When in the rest position LRP, the holders 42 for the elongated element 6 are arranged above the support surface 21. The elongated-element positioning unit 40 has a displaceable second base 47, which is also arranged in a sliding manner on the rail 45 via the slide 44. A stationary first base 46 is provided on the label positioning unit 20. A tension spring 48 of a pre-tensioning unit is arranged between the stationary first base 46 and the displaceable second base 47. The tension spring 48 or the pre-tensioning unit pre-tensions the positioning arms 41 and the holder bracket 43 into the lifted rest position LRP. In other words, the holder bracket 43 can be moved along the guide rail 45 in the direction of the standing surface 8 against the pre-tensioning force of the tension spring 48 only.

[0030] Moreover, the labeling device 2 has a label application unit 60. The latter comprises two rolls 61, 62, which are arranged below the support unit and the support surface 21 and opposite each other relative to the support unit. The axes of rotation 63 of the rolls 61 and 62 have the same distance to the support surface 21, as shown in particular in Figures 3 to 8. The two rolls 61 and 62 are configured as displaceable rolls. This means that the rolls 61 and 62 are displaceable parallel to the support surface 21 in the direction of the vertical longitudinal center plane 24 of the support unit along rails, for example. An application gap 64, which runs between the two arms 41, is formed between the two rolls 61 and 62. The rolls 61 and 62 can be displaced between a closed position CP, in which the application gap 64 is closed, and a passage position PP, in which the application gap 64 is open wide enough for the elongated element 6 to pass through, as shown in particular in Figure 6. For this purpose, the rolls 61 and 62 can each be pre-tensioned into the closed position CP by a roll tensioning means 65, which can be formed as a tension spring. The roll tensioning means 65 of the first roll 61 can be mounted between a roll support 66 and the stationary first base 46. The roll tensioning means 65 of the second roll 62 can be mounted between a roll support 67 and a stationary element 49. The two rolls 61 and 62 can be hard rubber rolls, for example, or they can be made of a soft and easily deformed foam material. It is also contemplated for the rolls 61 and 62 to be made of a material having an intermediate hardness.

[0031] The use of the labeling device 2, i. e. the application of a label 4 to an elongated element 6 so as to form a flag label, is explained in the following description with reference to Figures 3 to 8.

[0032] In views 3 to 8, the front support plate 22, the rear support plate 23, the stop unit 27, the stop bracket 28 and the stationary first base 46 of the label positioning unit 20 are illustrated. Additionally, Figures 3 to 8 show the positioning arm 41 having the holder 42, the holder bracket 43, the displaceable second base 47, the tension spring 48 and the stationary element 49 of the elongated-element positioning unit 40. In Figures 3 to 8 the first roll 61, the second roll 62, the application gap 64 formed between the first roll 61 and the second roll 62, the roll tensioning means 65 and the roll supports 66 and 67 of the label application unit 60 are illustrated.

[0033] Figure 3 shows a schematically simplified illustration of the labeling device 2 in a side view prior to an application process.

[0034] In order to apply the label 4 to the elongated element 6, the label 4 is placed onto the support surface 21, i. e. onto the front support plate 22 and the rear support plate 23. Furthermore, an elongated element 6 is placed into the holder 42 of the positioning arms 41. The order of said placement is unimportant. As shown by a combined view of Figures 3 and 4, the sensor 32 has detected the placed label 4 and has transmitted signal to this effect to the displacing unit 26, which accordingly displaces the rear support plate 23 into its remote position RP, which is shown in Figure 4. The length of the corresponding displacement path can be adjusted to the size and/or shape of the label 4 in advance. By displacing the rear support plate 23 into the remote position RP, the label 4 is pushed against the stop bracket 28 and is oriented relative to the elongated element 6. If the label 4 is rectangular, the label 4 and the elongated element 6 can be oriented orthogonal to each other. The signal provided by the sensor 32 is additionally used by the suction unit 33 to suction air, thereby fixing the label 4 to the rear support plate 23.

[0035] The elongated element 6, which is placed in the holders 42 and which can be a cable or a pipe, for example, can now be grasped by a user and can be pushed in the direction of the label 4 against the pre-tensioning force of the pre-tensioning unit, i.e. of the tension spring 48, as shown by a combined view of Figures 4 and 5. The elongated element can be any element whose length is significantly greater than its radius or its cross-section. The elongated element should be at least long enough to be accommodated in both holders 42. The elongated element 6 touches the label 4, whose side facing toward the elongated element 6 can be at least partially provided with an adhesive. In the illustrated example, the elongated element 6 is arranged centrally relative to the label 4. Upon contact between the label 4 and the elongated element 6, both elements together are pushed in the direction of the application gap 64 and onto the two rolls 61 and 62 as the movement of application continues in the direction of the arrow of the application direction 10, which is preferably vertical. This causes the two free label ends 5 to fold upward or against the direction of movement of application, a middle portion of the label 4 thus wrapping around the circumferential surface of the elongated element 6. If the user now pushes the elongated element 6 through the application gap 64 between the two rolls 61 and 62, as shown in Figure 6, the rolls 61 and 62 are displaced parallel to the support surface 21 against the pre-tensioning force of the respective roll tensioning means 65. The rolls 61 and 62 illustrated in the Figures can be made of an easily deformed foam material, so that the passage of the elongated element 6 through the application gap 64 leads to a deformation of the rolls 61 and 62. However, a deformation of this kind is not necessarily required in order to apply the label 4. The rolls 61 and 62, each of which can rotate about its own axis of rotation 63, provide sufficient contact pressure for the label 4 to be permanently fixed to the elongated element 6. The pressure force in the application gap 64 is predominantly generated by the roll tensioning means 65, which push the first roll 61 onto the elongated element 6 and also push the second roll 62 onto the elongated element 6. The two rolls 61 and 62 make the two label ends 5 stand upright against the direction of movement of application and fold them around the elongated element 6.

[0036] As shown by a combined view of Figures 6 and 7, the two upright or folded label ends 5 of the label 4 are pressed together as the movement of application 10 continues and ultimately form a label flag 7. In Figure 7, the elongated element 6 is pushed through the application gap 64 far enough for the label ends 5 to have left the application gap 64.

[0037] A combined view of Figures 7 and 8 shows that the user can subsequently reduce the pressure they are exerting on the elongated element 6 or can stop exerting it altogether, whereupon the pre-tensioning unit, i.e. the tension spring 48, pushes the holder bracket 43 and the positioning arms 41 and thus the labeled elongated element 6 back through the application gap 64 in a removal direction 12, which is preferably directed upward. In this way, a pressure force is again exerted onto the label 4 and the elongated element 6 in the manner described above, which serves to securely fix the label 4 to the elongated element 6. Subsequently, the user can remove the labeled elongated element 6 from the holders 42 and the labeling process is complete.

Reference signs

[0038] 

2

labeling device

4

label

5

label end

6

elongated element

7

label flag

8

standing surface

10

application direction

12

removal direction

20

label positioning unit

21

support surface

22

front support plate

23

rear support plate

24

vertical longitudinal center plane

25

passage gap

26

displacing unit

27

stop unit

28

stop bracket

29

stop face

30

stop lug

31

recess

32

sensor

33

suction unit

34

tube

35

suction opening

40

elongated-element positioning unit

41

positioning arm

42

holder

43

holder bracket

44

slide

45

guide rail

46

stationary first base

47

displaceable second base

48

tension spring

49

stationary element

60

label application unit

61

first roll

62

second roll

63

axis of rotation

64

application gap

65

roll tensioning means

66

roll support

67

roll support

NP

near position

RP

remote position

LRP

lifted rest position

LAP

lowered application position

CP

closed position

PP

passage position

Claims

1. A labeling device for applying a label (4) to an elongated element (6), comprising a label positioning unit (20) which comprises a support unit having at least one support surface (21) for supporting the label (4) to be applied,
an elongated-element positioning unit (40) which has at least one positioning arm (41) on either side of a vertical longitudinal center plane (24) of the support unit (24), each positioning arm (41) having a holder (42) for the elongated element (6), the positioning arms (41) being displaceable between a lifted rest position (LRP) and a lowered application position (LAP) and the holder (42) being arranged above the support unit when in the rest position (LRP), and
a label application unit (60) which has at least two rolls (61, 62) arranged below the support unit and opposite each other relative to the support unit, wherein
the elongated-element positioning unit (40) further has a pre-tensioning unit which pre-tensions the positioning arms (41) into their lifted rest position (LRP), allowing the elongated element (6) accommodated in the holders (42) to be manually brought into contact with the label (4), which is supported by the support unit, against the pre-tensioning force of the pre-tensioning unit and to further be passed through an application gap (64) between the rolls (61, 62) at least until the rolls (61, 62) have folded the label (4) on the rear side, which is arranged rearward in the direction of movement of application (10) of the elongated element (6), and have pressed the two folded ends (5) of the label (4) together.

2. The labeling device according to claim 1,
comprising a stop unit (27) for defining an orientation of the label (4) to be applied on the support unit.

3. The labeling device according to claim 2,
wherein the stop unit (27) has at least one stop bracket (28) whose stop face (29) is oriented orthogonal to the support surface (21) and has at least one stop lug (30) which engages into a recess (31) of the support unit, said recess being a through hole in the support surface (21).

4. The labeling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
wherein the support unit further comprises a sensor (32) which is configured to detect the supported label (4).

5. The labeling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein the support unit further comprises a suction unit (33) which is configured to suction and fix the supported label (4) to the support unit.

6. The labeling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the support unit comprises an immobile front support plate (22) and a mobile rear support plate (23), which is arranged rearward in the direction of the vertical longitudinal center plane (24) of the support unit, the support plates temporarily having a passage gap (25) in the space between them, the passage gap (25) extending between the two positioning arms (41), the rear support plate (23) being displaceable between a near position (NP), in which it is close to the front support plate (22), and a remote position (RP), in which it is further away from the front support plate (23) than in the near position (NP).

7. The labeling device according to claim 6 in combination with claim 4, comprising a displacing unit (26) for displacing the rear support plate (23) between the near position (NP) and the remote position (RP), wherein the displacing unit (26) is configured in such a manner that it displaces the rear support plate (23) into the remote position (RP) when a label (4) is detected by the sensor (23) and that it displaces the rear support plate (23) into the near position when a displacement event occurs.

8. The labeling device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
wherein the pre-tensioning unit comprises at least one tension spring (48).

9. The labeling device according to claim 8,
wherein the tension spring (48) is fixed to a stationary first base (46) on the label positioning unit (20) at one side and to a second base (47), which is displaceable together with the positioning arms (41), at the other side.

10. The labeling device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
wherein the elongated-element positioning unit (40) has a U-shaped holder bracket (43), whose ends form the positioning arms (41) and which engages under at least the support surface (21).

11. The labeling device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
wherein the elongated-element positioning unit (40) comprises a slide (44) which is guided on a guide rail (45) and to which at least the positioning arms (41) are connected.

12. The labeling device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
wherein the axes of rotation (63) of the two rolls (61, 62) have the same distance to the support surface (21).

13. The labeling device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
wherein at least one of the rolls (61, 62) can be displaced between a closed position (CP), in which the application gap (64) is closed, and a passage position (PP), in which the application gap (64) is open wide enough for the elongated element (6) to be able to pass, at least one roll (61, 62) being pre-tensioned into the closed position by means of a roll tensioning means (65).

Drawing