Labeling Machine

Abstract

A labelling machine comprises: a conveyor (2) of containers (3) which are labelled along an advance path (3a); and at least one labelling unit (4) which is arranged along the advance path (3a) and is provided with a corresponding transfer roller (5), which can be moved relative to a supporting base (6) in a manner rotating around its own axis (5a), and which is suitable for receiving a label (8) to be applied to the container (3) from a supply unit (7) at a supply station (9) in a manner attached to its side surface, and transferring the label (8) received at the supply station (9) to a corresponding container (3) arriving from the conveyor (2) at a transfer station (10), which is angularly spaced from the supply station (9) around the axis (5a) of the transfer roller (5). At least one section (14) is defined on the side surface of the transfer drum (5), which extends along at least a part of the circumferential extension of the side surface of the transfer drum (5) and is suitable for accommodating a single label (8) to be transferred to a corresponding container (3). According to the invention, at least a part (14a) of the section (14) is rotationally movable relative to the rest of the transfer drum (5) about a swing axis (15a) substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the axis (5a) of the transfer drum (5) in order to pass from a receiving position, in which at least a part of the section is arranged close to the axis of the transfer drum (5), to a transfer position and from the transfer position to a receiving position, in which at least a part of the section is arranged away from the axis (5a) of the transfer drum (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a labelling machine.

[0002] Labelling machines are known which can apply container labels which are provided by cutting from a label tape which is unwound from a reel and carries a series of labels printed thereon.

[0003] The label tape may have a layer of pre-applied adhesive on its face intended to come into contact with the containers, over its entire surface or at the portions located at the head and tail ends of each label, or it may have no pre-applied adhesive and in this case the labelling machine is provided with a gluing unit, usually consisting of an adhesive application roller, which applies the adhesive coordinately to the labels when in use, i.e. just before they are applied to the containers.

[0004] Typically, a labeling machine has a conveyor for containers, which is usually composed of a rotating conveyor belt, the periphery of which is provided with a support plate for supporting a single container, which allows the container to rotate around its own axis, and the labeling machine has at least one labeling unit arranged around the peripheral area of ​​the rotating conveyor belt, the labeling unit is provided with a transfer roller, which is designed to adhere a label to the container arriving from the rotating conveyor belt.

[0005] In some types of labeling machines, there is a device for cutting upstream of the transfer roller, which cuts the label tape between one label and the next, so that pre-cut labels can reach the transfer roller, while in another type of labeling machine, the transfer roller receives the label tape from a supply unit and is provided with a blade for cutting the label tape at the separation area between two consecutive labels.

[0006] In any case, the transfer cylinder is provided with openings on its side surface which communicate with suction means to ensure that the separated single labels remain attached to its side surface after cutting.

[0007] In particular, along the side surface of the transfer drum there are usually one or more sections or zones which are in each case designed for receiving a corresponding label to be transferred to a corresponding container supported by the carousel.

[0008] Typically, on the side surface of the transfer drum, between one section and the next, there is a slide or pad on which the head end or tail end of the individual labels rests and which projects relative to the rest of the side surface in order to ensure successful contact of the individual labels with the adhesive application roller (if present) or in any case with the corresponding container originating from the rotating conveyor, for which the labels are assigned to the corresponding container only at their head end and tail end.

[0009] In order to allow the labelling machine to operate at high production speeds, it is necessary to have two or more labelling units around a carousel, which labelling units work in a "turn-by-turn" or "sequential" manner, i.e., wherein a first labelling unit applies a label to each first container arriving from the carousel, and a second labelling unit applies a label to each second container arriving from the carousel, wherein the second container immediately follows the first container, so that each labelling unit present in the labelling machine can work at half the speed at which a single labelling unit must work.

[0010] However, with this configuration, containers having a diameter greater than a determined limit diameter cannot be labeled, since containers which cannot be labeled by the labeling unit eventually come into contact with labels which are not destined for them on the transfer cylinder of the labeling unit.

[0011] In order to overcome this problem, transfer rollers have been manufactured with a section defined thereon, which section extends circumferentially for a length greater than the length of a single label so as to space the labels received from the transfer roller further apart from one another and has a shape which is no longer cylindrical as is usually the case, but which section has an eccentricity relative to the axis of the transfer roller, which is achieved using elements similar to the slides or pads mentioned above and is located only in the area occupied in each case by the front part of the label, so that the remainder of the label can remain spaced apart from a container for which the label is not intended, which container can therefore pass in front of the transfer roller without contacting the label, and the label can instead come into contact with the container to be labeled via its front part.

[0012] With the configuration just described, in the case where the transfer drum is provided with a cutting blade and is therefore supplied with an uncut label strip, assuming that the sections or partitions on the transfer drum are, as mentioned, much longer than the labels to be cut, the label strip will eventually have to slide against the side surface of the transfer drum.

[0013] Furthermore, since in this case the side surface of the transfer roller against which the label tape slides is not cylindrical and uniform, but is subject to dimensional variations in the radial direction relative to the axis of the transfer roller, the label tape can easily become overheated and deformed, its position in terms of height can become distorted, and in extreme cases it can even detach from the side surface of the transfer roller, with the result that the labels taken from the label tape after cutting can be incorrectly applied or can even not be applied at all to the corresponding containers.

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a labelling machine which improves the known art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

[0015] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a labelling machine in which sliding of the label strip on the transfer cylinders of successively operating labelling units can take place on a surface which has no dimensional variations in radial direction relative to the axis of the transfer cylinder.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labelling machine having a transfer drum which can be manufactured with a greater number of sectors than in the prior art in order to reduce the space between one label and the next at the front of the container.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labelling machine that makes it possible to ensure the correct positioning of the label on the transfer drum, so as to favour the quality of the final packaging.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labelling machine which is able to provide extensive reliability and safety guarantees in operation.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the background art in a way that replaces any existing solutions.

[0020] Another object of the invention is to provide a labelling machine which is easy to implement and which is also competitive from a purely economic point of view.

[0021] This aim and these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter are achieved by a labelling machine of the invention optionally provided with one or more of the features of the particular embodiments.

[0022] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a labelling machine according to the invention, which will be illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0023] Figure 1is a schematic and partly cut-away plan view from above of the machine according to the invention during the step of feeding labels to a transfer cylinder;

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic and partially cutaway plan view from above of a machine according to the invention, showing the Figure 1 The transfer roller applies the label to the corresponding container in an initial step;

[0025] Figure 3 The machine according to the present invention is Figure 1 a schematic and partly cut-away plan view from above of a transfer roller in a step subsequent to a step of applying labels to corresponding containers, highlighting the fact that the transfer roller is not in contact with the containers immediately after it has applied the labels to the containers;

[0026] Figures 4 to 6 A series of operating steps of different embodiments of the machine according to the invention are shown, shown in a schematic and partly cut-away plan view from above;

[0027] Figure 7 is a schematic plan view from above of a possible embodiment of a machine according to the invention having at least two labeling units;

[0028] Figure 8 is a schematic plan view from above of another possible embodiment of the machine according to the invention, with some parts shown in section;

[0029] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a shell-like body according to the invention providing a section of a transfer drum of a machine, wherein a part of the section is shown in a receiving position;

[0030] Fig.10 is Fig. 9 A plan view of the shell-like body in a state as viewed from above, wherein a number of parts are omitted for simplicity;

[0031] Fig.11 yes Fig. 9 A perspective view of a shell-like body of , wherein a portion of the segment is shown in a transfer position;

[0032] Fig.12 yes Fig.11 A plan view of the shell-like body in the state as viewed from above, in which several parts are omitted for simplicity.

[0033] With reference to the drawings, a labelling machine according to the invention, indicated generally by reference numeral 1, comprises a conveyor 2 of containers 3 to be labelled along an advancement path 3a.

[0034] Such a conveyor 2 is constituted, for example, by a rotating conveyor belt 2a rotating in the direction indicated by arrow 100, having on its peripheral area rotating disks 2b, each of which supports an individual container 3 so that it rotates about its own axis.

[0035] Furthermore, the machine is provided with at least one labelling unit 4 arranged along the advancement path 3 a of the containers 3 .

[0036] The (or each) labelling unit 4 has a respective transfer drum 5 which is movable relative to a supporting base 6 by rotating about its own axis 5a.

[0037] Specifically, the transfer roller 5 of the (or each) labeling unit 4 is designed to receive a label 8 to be applied to a container 3 from a supply unit 7 at a supply station 9, the label being attached to a side surface of the transfer roller, and to transfer the label 8 received at the supply station 9 to a corresponding container 3 arriving from the conveyor 2 at a transfer station 10, which is angularly spaced from the supply station 9 around the axis 5a of the transfer roller.

[0038] The supply unit 7 can be designed to supply a continuous label tape 11 to the transfer roller 5, which continuously carries the labels 8 to be transferred to the container 3, and the continuous label tape is taken from a reel 110, while another reserved reel 111 can be arranged on the same labeling unit 4, so as to be ready to supply a new label tape 11 in a manner known per se when the reel 110 is exhausted.

[0039] In this case, the transfer cylinder 5 is conveniently provided with means for cutting the label strip 11 , for example consisting of one or more blades 12 distributed around the periphery of the transfer cylinder 5 and supported by the transfer cylinder, which cut individual labels 8 from the label strip 11 .

[0040] In this case, the supply unit 7 may also be provided, for example, via a pair of counter-rotating supply rollers 13 a and 13 b .

[0041] Alternatively, as in Figure 8 In the case of the embodiment of the present invention shown in , the label tape 11 can have been cut by the cutting roller 30 when it reaches the transfer drum 5, which is interposed between the supply unit 7 and the transfer drum 5, so that a separate label 8 separated from the label tape 11 is supplied to the transfer drum 5.

[0042] The label tape 11 may be pre-set with pre-coated adhesive portions at the head and tail of each individual label 8. Figure 8In an embodiment of the present invention, the machine may be provided with means for applying adhesive to the label 8 , which means may for example comprise an adhesive application roller 31 which may be arranged facing the transfer cylinder 5 .

[0043] Advantageously, and usually in order to keep the label strip 11 and / or the label 8 attached to the side surface of the transfer drum 5, openings connected to a suction device are provided on the side surface of the transfer drum 5, as will be further described below.

[0044] Furthermore, at least one section 14 is defined on the side surface of the transfer drum 5 , which extends along at least a part of the circumferential extension of the side surface of the transfer drum 5 and is designed to accommodate in each case a single label 8 to be transferred to a corresponding container 3 .

[0045] According to the present invention, at least a portion 14a of the segment 14 is rotatably movable relative to the rest of the transfer drum 5 about a swing axis 15a, which is substantially parallel to the axis 5a of the transfer drum 5 and spaced therefrom, so that the at least a portion of the segment is transferred from a receiving position for the label to a transfer position, in which the at least a portion of the segment is arranged at a first radial distance from the axis 5a of the transfer drum 5, and in the transfer position, the at least a portion of the segment is arranged at a second radial distance from the axis 5a of the transfer drum 5 through at least a portion of it, the second radial distance being greater than the first distance, and vice versa.

[0046] Specifically, during the rotation of the transfer drum 5 around its own axis 5a, the rotatable movable part 14a of the segment 14 is in the receiving position at least when it passes the supply station 9, and at the same time, during the rotation of the transfer drum 5 around its own axis 5a again, the rotatable movable part of the segment is in the transfer position at least when it passes the transfer station 10.

[0047] Advantageously, there are actuating means 16 suitable for actuating the transition of the rotatably movable part 14a of the section 14 between the receiving position and the transfer position.

[0048] Specifically, during the rotation of the transfer drum 5, before the segment 14 reaches the transfer station 10 (during the movement of the segment from the supply station 9 to the transfer station 10), the actuator 16 is conveniently suitable for bringing the rotatable movable part 14a of the segment 14 from the receiving position to the transfer position, and during the rotation of the transfer drum 5, before the part 14a reaches the supply station 9 (during its movement from the transfer station 10 to the supply station 9), the actuator is advantageously suitable for bringing the rotatable movable part 14a of the segment 14 from the transfer position to the receiving position.

[0049] In more detail, the transfer drum 5 comprises a base structure 17 which is mounted so that it can rotate on a supporting base 6 which supports at least one shell-like body 18 which defines at least a portion of the segment 14, while the rotatable movable part 14a of the segment 14 is arranged by a swinging body 19 which is conveniently hinged about a swinging axis 15a relative to the base structure 17 in an area of ​​the side surface of the base structure 17 adjacent to the transfer drum 5.

[0050] Conveniently, the oscillating body 19 extends over at least a part of the circumferential extension of the segment 14 and has an outer surface shaped to correspond to the rest of the lateral surface of the transfer drum 5 (and in particular the segment 14 ).

[0051] Advantageously, the oscillating body 19 is arranged with its outer surface substantially aligned with the rest of the side surface of the transfer drum 5 , ie the section 14 , when it is in the receiving position, such that there are no discontinuities on the side surface of the transfer drum 5 .

[0052] Advantageously, the swinging body 19 is hinged relative to the base structure 17 at an end 19a of its extension range which is arranged at the rear relative to the rotation direction of the transfer drum 5 so that its other end 19b obtains angular movement capability around the swinging axis 15a, wherein the other end is located at the front relative to the rotation direction of the transfer drum 5, and the head end of the label 8 is basically located on the other end and is directed toward or away from the axis 5a of the transfer drum 5, and more specifically toward or away from the rest of the side surface of the transfer drum 5.

[0053] Alternatively, the transfer drum 5 may be provided with a plurality of segments 14 distributed along the circumferential extension of the side surface of the transfer drum 5, each of which is designed for receiving and accommodating in each case a single label 8 to be transferred to a corresponding container 3. In this case, each segment 14 has at least one corresponding part 14a which is rotatably movable relative to the rest of the transfer drum 5 about a corresponding oscillation axis 15a between a receiving position and a transfer position and which is conveniently realized by a corresponding oscillating body 19.

[0054] Figures 9 to 12 An embodiment of a shell-like body 18 is shown, which can provide a section 14 of a transfer drum 5 .

[0055] In particular, with reference to this embodiment, each shell-like body 18 has a convex outer surface 18 a which, together with the outer surfaces 18 a of the other shell-like bodies 18 of the transfer drum 5 , defines a side surface of the transfer drum.

[0056] Reference again Figures 9 to 12In an embodiment, each shell-like body 18 is conveniently provided with a device for fixing to the base structure 17 of the transfer drum 5, which is advantageously provided by a threaded member which can be manipulated, for example, using a wing nut 25 or other easily available similar elements, so as to conveniently mount the shell-like body 18 on and remove it from the transfer drum 5.

[0057] Conveniently, each shell-like body 18 is also provided with an air inlet 27, at least in the area of ​​its outer surface 18a intended to receive the label 8, which air inlet is connected to a connector 27a defined on an end wall of the shell-like body 18, which constitutes the contact surface of the shell-like body 18 with the base structure 17 of the transfer roller 5, so that the air inlet 27 is connected to a vacuum source (not shown) in order to ensure, in a manner known per se, that the label 8 remains attached to the outer surface 18a of the shell-like body.

[0058] exist Figures 9 to 12 In the embodiment, the swinging body 19 is hinged to the shell-like body 18 and defines a portion of the area of ​​the outer surface of the shell-like body 18 designated to receive the label 8.

[0059] according to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the embodiment of the invention, the actuating device 16 comprises a fluid-operated cylinder 20 acting between the oscillating body 19 and the base structure 17 of the transfer drum 5 .

[0060] Specifically, the fluid-operated cylinder 20 is hinged to the end 19 b of the swing body 19 via its rod 20 a.

[0061] For example, the fluid-operated cylinder 20 is supplied with its process fluid via one or more connecting couplings 26 present on the shell-like body 18 to which the corresponding oscillating body 19 is articulated.

[0062] exist Figures 4 to 6 In the embodiment shown, the actuating device 16 is provided by a cam assembly comprising a cam-shaped profile 21 fixed relative to the support base 6, which is conveniently arranged within the diameter of the transfer drum 5 and in a position substantially facing the part of the side surface of the transfer drum 5 oriented toward the conveyor 2.

[0063] In particular, the oscillating body 19 is integrally associated with an abutment element 22 , constituted for example by a wheel which in practice acts as a tappet of a cam assembly and which slidably engages with the cam-like profile 21 during rotation of the transfer cylinder 5 about its own axis 5 a .

[0064] Conveniently, there is also elastic means 23, which is constituted, for example, by a helical spring, which is connected at one end to a first engaging element 24a integral with the adjacent element 22 and at the other end to a second engaging element 24b rotating integrally with the transfer roller 5, which makes it possible to maintain the adjacent element 22 in contact with the cam-like profile 21.

[0065] The cam-shaped profile 21 is advantageously formed according to a first inclined portion 21a and a portion 21b having a circular arc progressive portion, wherein the first inclined portion is arranged upstream of the transfer station relative to the rotation direction of the transfer drum 5, and the portion having the circular arc progressive portion is substantially concentric relative to the side surface of the transfer drum 5.

[0066] The first inclined portion 21a extends gradually away from the axis 5a of the transfer roller 5 along the rotation direction of the transfer roller 5, so that the sliding of the adjacent element 22 along the first inclined portion 21a causes the swinging body 19 to transition from the receiving position to the transfer position, and the portion 21b with the arc progressive portion can keep the swinging body 19 in the transfer position after it engages with the adjacent element 22.

[0067] Also along the cam-shaped profile 21, at a distance downstream of the transfer station 10 relative to the direction of rotation of the transfer drum 5, there is a second inclined portion 21c, which gradually extends closer to the axis 5a of the transfer drum 5, so that after it engages with the adjacent element 22, the swinging body 19 can be transformed from the transfer position to the receiving position under the action of the elastic device 23.

[0068] Conveniently, substantially at the second inclined portion 21 c, on the outside and in a position oriented toward the side surface of the transfer drum 5, there may be a reverse cam 24 fixed to the base structure 6, which reverse cam is slidingly engaged with the adjacent element 22 so as to cooperate with the elastic device 23 to enable the swinging body 19 to be transformed from the transfer position to the receiving position.

[0069] It should be noted that, conveniently, Figure 7 As schematically shown in the figure, at least two labeling units can be arranged on the machine along the forward path 3a of the container 3, and these labeling units are respectively composed of at least one first labeling unit 4a and at least one second labeling unit 4b, and the second labeling unit is arranged downstream of the first labeling unit 4a along the forward direction of the container 3 along the forward path 3a, each labeling unit has a corresponding transfer roller 5, and the two labeling units are suitable for successively applying labels 8 to the corresponding containers 3 arriving from the conveyor 2.

[0070] More specifically, the transfer roller 5 of the first labeling unit 4a is designed to transfer the label 8 received at the corresponding supply station 9 to each first container 3 arriving from the conveyor 5 at the corresponding transfer station 10, and the transfer roller 5 of the second labeling unit 4b is designed to transfer the label 8 received at the corresponding supply station 9 to each second container 3 arriving from the conveyor 2 at the corresponding transfer station 10.

[0071] Conveniently, the forward movement of the container 3 on the conveyor 2 and the rotation of the transfer roller 5 of the labeling units 4a, 4b are synchronized so that when the rotatable movable part 14a of the section 14 of the transfer roller 5 of one of the labeling units 4a, 4b and more specifically the swinging body 19 reaches the corresponding transfer station 10 through its front end 19b (wherein the swinging body itself is already in the transfer position), the head end of its label 8 can contact the surface of the corresponding container 3 to be labeled, and the tail part of the same label 8 positioned adjacent to the pivot point of the swinging body 19 is in a position facing the subsequent container 3 transported on the conveyor 2 but spaced therefrom, which subsequent container is intended to be labeled by the other of the labeling units 4a, 4b.

[0072] The operation of the machine according to the invention is as follows.

[0073] The transfer cylinder 5 of each labeling unit 4a, 4b receives the label strip 11 from the supply unit 7 at the corresponding supply station 9 on a section 14 of its side surface which presents the corresponding oscillating body 19 in a receiving position.

[0074] The label strip 11 and the labels 8 thus obtained are then cut, while remaining attached to the swinging body 19 of the corresponding section 14 , while continuing to move closer to the transfer station 10 .

[0075] Before the swing body 19 with the label 8 attached thereto reaches the transfer station 10 , the actuating device 16 causes the swing body 19 to be transformed from the receiving position to the transfer position.

[0076] Thereby, the head of the label 8 attached to the oscillating body 19 moves away from the axis 5a of the transfer drum 5 and thus approaches the container 3 to which it is intended, and then reaches the transfer station 10, while the tail of the label remains close to the rest of the side surface of the transfer drum 5 to remain spaced apart from other containers 3 transported on the conveyor 2, which are not labeled by the corresponding labeling units 4a, 4b.

[0077] After the swinging body 19 has passed the transfer station 10, and in any case before it reaches the supply station 9 again, the actuator 16 returns the swinging body 19 from the transfer position to the receiving position so that it is ready to receive a new label 8 for the next container 3, and the corresponding labeling unit 4a, 4b is requested to label the next container.

[0078] In practice, it has been found that the present invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a labelling machine in which the radius of the side surface of the transfer drum is variable, i.e. its projections and recesses are not fixed to the side surface of the transfer drum, as is the case in conventional transfer drums where a pad is provided on its peripheral area, but are produced by an outward angular movement of at least part of the individual sections or partitions of the transfer drum, which occurs only after the labels have been cut and therefore after any sliding step of the label strip and in any case before or just before the labels are applied to the corresponding containers.

[0079] Thus, the sliding of the label strip on the transfer drum takes place on a uniform surface and not on a surface featuring projections and depressions.

[0080] To this end, it can be added that, relative to the known art, the invention makes it possible to reduce the extent of slippage of the label strip on the lateral surface of the transfer drum, due to the ability to increase the number of sectors or zones along the circumferential extension of the transfer drum.

[0081] In fact, the possibility of angular movement of at least some parts of the individual sectors makes it possible to reduce the space between one label and the next in front of a container transported on the corresponding conveyor, relative to the known art.

[0082] Another advantage of the invention is that the portion of each section of the transfer drum that protrudes by pivoting about the pivot axis distorts the position of the label less than in prior art solutions, thereby improving the final labeling quality of the container.

[0083] Another important advantage of the present invention is that the labeling of containers can be achieved with precise movements even when the spacing (i.e., distance) between one container and the next on the conveyor is extremely small, because the ability to angularly move portions of the transfer drum segments ensures that the labels only come into contact with the containers to which they are designated.

[0084] Another important advantage of the invention is that it allows precise labeling even of containers of various shapes, such as, in particular, containers whose cross-section has a shape other than circular, for example, containers whose cross-section is polygonal or elliptical, or, more generally, containers having side surfaces whose distance from the axis of the container varies.

[0085] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, all the details may be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0086] In practice, the materials employed, as long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0087] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102020000000400 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0088] In case the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals, these are included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and therefore, such reference numerals do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by such reference numerals by way of example.

Claims

1. A labeling machine, comprising: a conveyor (2) of containers (3) which are labeled along an advancement path (3a); as well as at least one labelling unit (4) arranged along the advancement path (3a) and provided with a respective transfer roller (5), the transfer roller being movable relative to a support base (6) in a manner rotating about its own axis (5a), and the transfer roller being adapted to receive labels (8) to be applied to the containers (3) from a feeder unit (7) at a supply station (9) in a manner attached to a side surface of the transfer roller, and to transfer the labels (8) received at the supply station (9) to respective containers (3) arriving from the conveyor (2) at a transfer station (10), the transfer station being angularly spaced from the supply station (9) about the axis (5a) of the transfer roller (5), defining at least one section (14) on the side surface of the transfer roller (5), the at least one section extending along at least a part of the circumferential extension of the side surface of the transfer roller (5) and being adapted in each case to accommodate a single label (8) to be transferred to the respective container (3), It is characterized in that At least one rotatably movable part (14a) of at least one segment (14) is rotatably movable relative to the rest of the transfer drum (5) about a swing axis (15a) substantially parallel to the axis (5a) of the transfer drum (5) in order to transition from a receiving position to a transfer position and vice versa, in which the at least one rotatably movable part of the at least one segment is arranged at a first distance from the axis (5a) of the transfer drum (5), and in which the at least one rotatably movable part of the at least one segment is arranged with at least one part thereof at a second distance from the axis (5a) of the transfer drum (5), the second distance being greater than the first distance, The transfer drum (5) comprises a base structure (17), the base structure supporting at least one shell-like body (18), the shell-like body defining at least one portion of the at least one segment (14), the at least one rotatably movable portion (14a) of the at least one segment (14) comprising a swinging body (19), the swinging body being articulated relative to the base structure (17) around the swinging axis (15a), wherein the oscillating body (19) is arranged in the receiving position such that the outer surface of the oscillating body is substantially aligned with the rest of the side surface of the transfer drum (5), wherein the oscillating body (19) is hinged relative to the base structure (17) substantially at the end of the extension of the oscillating body arranged at the rear relative to the rotation direction of the transfer drum (5), wherein, during the rotation of the transfer drum (5) about its axis (5a), at least when the at least one rotatably movable part (14a) of the at least one segment (14) passes the supply station (9), the at least one rotatably movable part of the at least one segment is in the receiving position, Wherein, during the rotation of the transfer drum (5) around its own axis (5a), at least when the at least one rotatable movable part (14a) of the at least one segment (14) passes through the transfer station (10), the at least one rotatable movable part of the at least one segment is in the transfer position.

2. The labeling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The labelling machine comprises an actuating device (16) adapted to actuate a transition of the at least one rotatably movable part (14a) of the at least one section (14) between the receiving position and the transfer position.

3. The labeling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The oscillating body (19) extends over at least a portion of the circumferential extension of the at least one section (14) and has an outer surface that is shaped correspondingly to the rest of the side surface of the transfer drum (5).

4. The labeling machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: During the rotation of the transfer drum (5), during the movement of the at least one rotatable movable part from the supply station (9) to the transfer station (10), before the at least one rotatable movable part (14a) reaches the transfer station (10), the actuating device (16) is suitable for bringing the at least one rotatable movable part (14a) of the at least one section (14) from the receiving position to the transfer position.

5. The labeling machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: During the rotation of the transfer drum (5) about its own axis (5a), during the movement of the at least one rotatable movable part from the transfer station (10) to the supply station (9), before the at least one rotatable movable part (14a) reaches the supply station (9), the actuating device (16) is suitable for bringing the at least one rotatable movable part (14a) of the at least one section (14) from the transfer position to the receiving position.

6. The labeling machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The actuating device (16) comprises a fluid-operated cylinder (20) acting between the oscillating body (19) and the base structure (17) of the transfer drum (5).

7. The labeling machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: The actuating device (16) comprises a cam-shaped profile (21) which is fixed relative to the supporting base (6), the swinging body (19) having an abutment element (22) which slidably engages the cam-shaped profile (21) and is further provided with elastic means (23) which are suitable for maintaining the abutment element (22) in contact with the cam-shaped profile (21).

8. The labeling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The at least one labeling unit (4) comprises at least two labeling units arranged along the forward path (3a) of the container (3), the two labeling units being respectively a first labeling unit (4a) and a second labeling unit (4b), the second labeling unit being arranged downstream of the first labeling unit (4a) along the forward direction of the container (3) on the forward path (3a), the first labeling unit (4a) and the second labeling unit (4b) both having corresponding transfer rollers (5) and being suitable for successively applying the labels to the corresponding first container and the second container among the containers (3) arriving from the conveyor (2).

9. The labeling machine according to claim 8, characterized in that: The transfer roller (5) of the first labeling unit (4a) is designed to transfer the label (8) received at the corresponding supply station (9) to each of the first containers arriving from the conveyor (2) at the corresponding transfer station (10), and the transfer roller (5) of the second labeling unit (4b) is designed to transfer the label (8) received at the corresponding supply station (9) to each of the second containers arriving from the conveyor (2) at the corresponding transfer station (10).

10. The labeling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in, The transfer drum (5) is provided with a device for cutting individual labels (8) from a label tape (11), and wherein the label tape (11) is provided with pre-coated adhesive portions corresponding to the head and tail of the label (8).

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