Container labeling machine

Abstract

A container labeling machine includes: a conveyor (2) for a container (3) to be labeled along a forward path (2a), and at least one labeling unit (5) arranged along a forward path (2b) of the container (3). The labeling unit (5) includes: an unwinding assembly (6) adapted to pick up a label strip (7) from a reel on which labels (8) to be applied to the container (3) are continuously printed; the unwinding assembly feeds the label strip (7) to a cutting roller (9), which has suction orifices (10) on its side surface for attaching the label strip (7); and the cutting roller is equipped with a cutting device for cutting the label strip (7) at a separation area between two consecutive labels (8). The cutting roller (9) is adapted to release the cut labels (8) to a transport roller (11) configured to transport the individual labels (8) such that they are attached to the corresponding container (3) delivered from the conveyor (2). According to the invention, a cutting roller (9) supports at least one cutting device (14) having a respective air suction chamber (15) that is substantially open at a side surface of the cutting roller (9) and contains at least one blade (16). The suction chamber (15) can be connected to an air suction device (17) for pulling the label tape (7) toward the blade (16), thereby cutting the label tape (7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a container labeling machine, and more specifically, to a labeling machine called a roller feed type. Background Technology

[0002] As is well known, machines for labeling containers (especially bottles) are widely used. These machines have conveyors for transporting bottles along a forward path. These conveyors typically consist of a rotating turntable with multiple supports around each bottle, which are adapted to allow the bottles to rotate about their own axis.

[0003] In addition, the labeling machine has at least one labeling component along the forward path of the bottles, which is provided with a transport roller that allows the appropriate label to be applied to each bottle that gradually appears in front of the transport roller.

[0004] Specifically, roller-feed labeling machines are known, in which labels are obtained by cutting a continuous label strip, on which multiple labels are continuously printed and the label strip is wound in a reel.

[0005] More specifically, this type of labeling machine is equipped with an unwinding assembly that removes the label tape from the reel so that it can be fed to a cutting roller that cuts the label tape between one label and another and releases the separated labels onto a transport roller that guides them to be attached to the corresponding bottles conveyed by a turntable.

[0006] It should be noted that the label tape may have multiple strips of adhesive pre-applied to the surface of each label designed to contact the bottle, or the label tape may be adhesive-free, in which case the adhesive roller faces the conveyor roller sideways and applies two strips of adhesive to the front and rear edges of the label respectively before the label is conveyed to the bottle.

[0007] Traditional machines are typically constructed to cut a label tape by interference within a narrow gap formed between two labels, one of which is movable and rotated as a whole onto a cutting cylinder, while the other label is stationary, fixed to the machine's support structure and facing the side surface of the cutting cylinder.

[0008] In conventional machines, this implementation requires a professional to precisely adjust the position of the fixed blade and one or more movable blades associated with the cutting roller to ensure the correct clearance between the blades cutting the label tape.

[0009] Furthermore, this implementation requires the cutting roller to perform the most regular and precise movements possible during its rotation.

[0010] For this purpose, typically in known conventional machines, the cutting drum is rotatably supported by a fairly large structure called a support, which is set as a single metal casting.

[0011] This structure typically has two bushing-shaped sections that are axially spaced apart from each other along the axis of the cutting drum and form their respective rotating seats. The opposite ends of the support shaft of the cutting drum are coupled by means of preloaded oil-filled bearings to ensure the regularity of the rotational movement of the cutting drum.

[0012] The two bushing-shaped parts are then connected to each other by two slender connecting arms that are diametrically opposite each other relative to the axis of the cutting drum, facing the side surface of the cutting drum, and extending substantially parallel to the axis of the cutting drum.

[0013] The structure supporting the cutting roller also has an important function: to rigidly support the fixed blade on one of the two slender arms by means of a fitted support, which allows its position to be adjusted relative to the movable blade fixed to the cutting roller.

[0014] The requirement for such support components in traditional roller feeders necessitates a certain degree of structural complexity.

[0015] In addition, traditional roller feeders have considerable maintenance problems and the operation of changing blades is quite difficult.

[0016] Another drawback observed in conventional roller feeders stems from the structural complexity of the cutting rollers constructed in this way and their limited versatility, as they are equipped with a fixed number of divisions and have an invariable diameter, which limits the range of label lengths that can be processed by the labeling machine. Summary of the Invention

[0017] The purpose of this invention is to provide a labeling machine that can improve upon the prior art in one or more of the above aspects.

[0018] Within this scope, the object of the present invention is to provide a labeling machine that ensures proper application of label tape under any operating conditions.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labeling machine that can provide maximum efficiency assurance during the operation of the cutting roller.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labeling machine that allows for easy replacement of the blades for cutting label tape, even by non-professional operators.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labeling machine that allows for an increased range of label lengths that can be processed.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a solution that can also be used in existing roller feeders, thereby providing the possibility of easy retrofitting.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art in a manner that can replace any existing solution.

[0024] The main objective of this invention is to provide a labeling machine that is highly reliable, relatively easy to provide, and capable of being produced at low cost.

[0025] This objective is achieved by the container labeling machine of the present invention, as well as these and other objectives that will become more apparent below. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the labeling machine according to the invention, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings for non-limiting purposes, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic top view of the labeling machine according to the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the cutting roller of the labeling machine according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cutting roller of the labeling machine according to the present invention, taken along the diameter plane;

[0030] Figure 4 This is an enlarged scale drawing of the details of the cutting roller of the labeling machine according to the present invention, shown in cross section along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the cutting roller;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the cutting roller of the labeling machine according to the present invention along the diameter plane;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a top view of the vacuum dispensing unit associated with the cutting roller of the labeling machine according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken from plane VII-VII;

[0034] Figure 8 This is a front view of the cutting roller of the labeling machine according to the present invention;

[0035] Figure 9 It is along Figure 8 A partial cross-sectional view of the cutting roller taken from the IX-IX plane;

[0036] Figure 10 Is along with Figure 5 The diagram shows cross-sectional views of the cutting roller of the labeling machine according to the invention, taken from planes of different diameters, with some parts omitted for simplicity.

[0037] Figure 11 This is a top view of the box-shaped blade support of the cutting device of the cutting roller of the labeling machine according to the present invention;

[0038] Figure 12 It is along Figure 11 A cross-sectional view taken from the XII-XII plane;

[0039] Figure 13 This is an exploded perspective view of the box-shaped blade support;

[0040] Figure 14 This is a perspective view of the components constituting the cutting roller of the labeling machine according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the labeling machine according to the invention (generally indicated by reference numeral 1) includes a conveyor 2 for a container 3 to be labeled along a forward path 2a, the conveyor being conveniently composed of a rotating turntable with a plurality of plates 4 arranged on its periphery, the plates being rotatable and designed such that each plate supports a corresponding container 3.

[0042] Along the forward path 2a of container 3, there is at least one labeling unit 5, which includes an unwinding assembly 6, which may consist, for example, a pair of traction rollers 6a, 6b and is designed to pick up label tape 7 from a reel (not shown) on which labels 8 to be applied to container 3 are continuously printed.

[0043] The unwinding assembly 6 supplies the label tape 7 to the cutting roller 9, which is rotatable about its own axis 9a and has suction holes 10 on its side surface to keep the label tape 7 attached to its own side surface.

[0044] In addition, the cutting roller 9 is provided with a cutting device that cuts the label strip 7 at the dividing area between two consecutive labels 8, and the cutting roller is adapted to release the cut labels 8 to the transport roller 11, which can rotate about its own axis 11a, and the transport roller is further designed to transport the individual labels 8 received from the cutting roller 9 to contact the corresponding container 3 delivered from the conveyor 2.

[0045] Advantageously, the transport roller 11 is circumferentially divided into multiple sections, each section being designed to receive a single tag 8 delivered from the cutting roller 9.

[0046] If the label tape 7 is not pre-applied with adhesive, a glue roller 12 is conveniently provided on the side of the transport roller 11, which is designed to apply at least one strip of adhesive to each end of the label 8. For this purpose, a corresponding slider 13 is provided in the area of ​​each segment of the transport roller 11, on which the end of the label 8 is designed to rest. The slider is provided in a convex manner relative to the rest of the corresponding segment on the side surface of the transport roller 11, so that the glue roller 12 can apply a strip of adhesive to the label 8 as it passes over the label 8.

[0047] According to the invention, the cutting roller 9 supports at least one cutting device 14 having an air suction chamber 15 that is substantially open at the side surface of the cutting roller 9, and at least one blade 16 is housed within the air suction chamber, the blade being conveniently arranged such that the plane in which it is arranged is substantially parallel to the diameter plane of the cutting roller 9.

[0048] Specifically, the suction chamber 15 can be connected to an air suction device 17 to generate a force capable of pulling the label tape 7 toward the blade 16, thereby cutting the label tape to obtain the label 8.

[0049] Advantageously, for each cutting device 14, the cutting roller 9 has at least one auxiliary area 18 for keeping the label tape 7 in contact with the cutting roller 9, the at least one auxiliary area being provided with an auxiliary suction hole 19 and being arranged directly in front of the respective cutting device 14 relative to the rotation direction of the cutting roller 9.

[0050] Specifically, before the suction chamber 15 of the corresponding cutting device 14 is connected to the suction device 17, the auxiliary holding area 18 can be connected to the suction device 17, thereby cooperating with the unwinding assembly 6 to tension the label tape 7 before it is cut by the corresponding cutting device 14.

[0051] In this way, a greater force is ensured by means of the auxiliary holding area 18 to pull the label tape 7 toward the cutting roller 9, relative to the portion of the label tape 7 that is only affected by the suction orifice 10, and thus a higher efficiency of cutting on the part of the blade 16, even if the blade is not fully sharpened, especially at very high machine speeds.

[0052] More specifically, the suction device 17 conveniently includes a fixed vacuum distribution unit 20 on which the cutting roller 9 is rotatably mounted. The vacuum distribution unit has a cutting area 21, which has a vacuum chamber 22 connected to a vacuum generating device 23, which is, for example, a vacuum pump, and is conveniently implemented via a first coupling connector 24a. The vacuum chamber is provided with a vacuum opening 25, which is formed on the surface of the distribution unit 20 facing the cutting roller 9.

[0053] In the cutting area 21 of the dispensing unit 20, there is also an auxiliary vacuum chamber 26, which is also connected to the vacuum generating device 23, for example, via a second coupling connector 24b. The auxiliary vacuum chamber is provided with an auxiliary vacuum opening 27, which is again formed on the surface of the dispensing unit 20 facing the cutting roller 9 and is angularly spaced from the vacuum opening 25 relative to the rotation direction of the cutting roller 9.

[0054] Furthermore, each of the cutting devices 14 has a suction chamber 15 having at least one communication port 28 on the surface of the cutting roller 9 facing the distribution unit 20. This communication port is designed to face the vacuum opening 25 during the rotation of the cutting roller 9 to establish a connection between the suction chamber 15 and the vacuum generating device 23. The auxiliary holding region 18 includes an auxiliary suction chamber 29 communicating with the auxiliary suction port 19 and the auxiliary communication port 30. This auxiliary communication port is also formed on the surface of the cutting roller 9 facing the distribution unit and is designed to face at least partially the auxiliary vacuum opening 27 during the rotation of the cutting roller 9 to establish a connection between the auxiliary vacuum chamber 29 and the vacuum generating device 23. Thus, the auxiliary holding region 18 is activated before the suction chamber 15 of the corresponding cutting device 14 reaches the vacuum opening 25 and thus before the cutting device 14 cuts the label tape 7.

[0055] Advantageously, in order to ensure that the label tape 7 is properly tensioned, an automatic control device 31, for example, consisting of an electronic controller, is provided. This automatic control device is functionally connected to the unwinding assembly 6 and is further conveniently connected as an input to a detector of the angular position of the cutting roller 9 relative to the support structure 5a of the labeling unit 5.

[0056] Conveniently, the automatic control device 31 can be programmed to control the unwinding assembly 6 to reduce the speed at which the label tape 7 is fed to the cutting roller 9 when the auxiliary communication orifice 30 reaches the auxiliary vacuum opening 27 during the rotation of the cutting roller 9. This reduces the speed at which the label tape 7 is fed onto the cutting roller 9 due to the reduced supply speed of the label tape 7 on the portion of the unwinding assembly 6 and due to the activation of the auxiliary holding region 18 (obtained through the connection of the auxiliary suction chamber 29 to the vacuum generating device 23). As the cutting roller 9 continues its rotation, the tension on the portion of the label tape 7 included between the unwinding assembly 6 and the auxiliary holding region 18 is greater than the tension generated by the dynamic friction of the cutting roller 9 sliding on the label tape 7.

[0057] It should be noted that the auxiliary holding area 18 may be formed by a block 32, which forms an auxiliary suction cavity 29 with a corresponding auxiliary communication opening 30 and an auxiliary suction hole 19 on the outer surface of the auxiliary holding area. The auxiliary holding area is preferably detachably received by the cutting roller 9 in a receiving groove 33, which is formed in the side surface of the cutting roller, such that the outer surface of the block 32 with the auxiliary suction hole 19 is flush with the side surface of the cutting roller 9.

[0058] Advantageously, using block 32 to provide auxiliary holding region 18 allows the auxiliary holding region 18 to have a coefficient of friction relative to label tape 7 by changing the material made of block 32, which is different from the coefficient of friction of the material made of the rest of the cutting roller 9 relative to label tape 7.

[0059] Conveniently, both the vacuum opening 25 and the auxiliary vacuum opening 27 have a generally groove-shaped form.

[0060] Specifically, the vacuum opening 25 extends longitudinally along a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis 9a of the cutting drum 9, while the auxiliary vacuum opening 27 extends longitudinally along an arc around an axis substantially coinciding with the rotation axis 9b of the cutting drum 9.

[0061] Advantageously, the auxiliary vacuum opening 27 is positioned at a distance greater than that between the vacuum opening 25 and the rotation axis 9a of the cutting drum 9, such that the auxiliary connecting orifice 30 does not pass through the area of ​​the vacuum opening 25 during the rotation of the cutting drum 9, wherein the distance of the auxiliary connecting orifice from the rotation axis 9a of the cutting drum 9 substantially corresponds to the distance of the auxiliary vacuum opening 27 from the rotation axis 9a of the cutting drum 9.

[0062] Conveniently, the vacuum opening 25 and the connecting opening 28 have substantially the same shape and size, while the auxiliary connecting opening 30 may have the same lateral dimension and a smaller dimension in the longitudinal direction relative to the auxiliary vacuum opening 27, and the auxiliary connecting opening may optionally have a different shape than the auxiliary vacuum opening 27, such as a circle.

[0063] Advantageously, the cutting area 21 is formed by the elastic loading of the dispensing unit 20 against at least a portion of the cutting roller 9 to obtain greater adhesion between the cutting area 21 and the cutting roller, and to optimize the friction between the surface of the cutting roller 9 and the surface of the dispensing unit 20.

[0064] Specifically, such as Figure 7 As shown, the cutting area 21 is disposed in the separate body 34 relative to the main body 35 of the distribution unit 20.

[0065] Conveniently, a separate body 34 is installed so that it can slide relative to the rest of the dispensing unit 20 in a direction substantially parallel to the axis 9a of the cutting drum 9, and is pushed toward the cutting drum 9 by means of an elastic device.

[0066] More specifically, the separate body 34 is provided with a sliding engagement seat 36 for the guide pin 37, the guide pin 37 is fixed on the main body 35 of the dispensing unit 20, and the push rod spring 38 is installed between the separate body 34 and the main body of the dispensing unit 20.

[0067] Advantageously, the distribution unit 20 is generally supported by a spherical pressurizer 60, which acts on the support structure 5a. The spherical pressurizer is distributed around an axis that is substantially coincident with the axis 9a of the cutting drum 9, and the distribution unit 20 is kept pressed against the cutting drum 9 by means of a corresponding helical spring 61.

[0068] Conveniently, the dispensing unit 20 also includes at least one first retaining groove 39a, which extends by at least one arc around an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 9a of the cutting roller 9, is connected to the vacuum generating device 23 via a third coupling connector 24c, and communicates with a suction port 10 disposed on the side surface of the cutting roller 9, so as to retain the label tape 7 and the label 8 separated after cutting attached to the cutting roller 9.

[0069] Optionally, in the body of the dispensing unit 20, outside the cutting area 21, there may be a second retaining groove 39b. This second retaining groove extends along an arc with a diameter larger than that of the first retaining groove 39a. The second retaining groove is generally circumferentially aligned with the auxiliary vacuum opening 27, and a connection is established between the vacuum generating device 23 and the auxiliary suction hole 19 of the auxiliary retaining area 18, so that the auxiliary retaining area remains active even after the auxiliary retaining area has moved beyond the cutting area 21 during the rotation of the cutting roller 9 about its own axis 9a.

[0070] Advantageously, also in the dispensing unit 20, there is an air hole 40 at a position angularly spaced from the cutting area 21 relative to the axis of rotation 9a of the cutting roller 9. This air hole is connected to a pressurized air source (not shown) and is designed to establish a connection with the suction port 10 during the rotation of the cutting roller 9 about its own axis 9a, so that the suction port emits an air jet to allow the label 8 obtained after cutting on the transport roller 11 to pass through.

[0071] Advantageously, in order to facilitate the operation of the labeling machine in the event of a change in the specifications of the label 8 to be transported to the container 3, and in order to provide the possibility of improving existing roller feeders, a system for cutting the label 8 is provided, which is different from conventional interference cutting. The cutting roller 9 can be provided by at least two housings 42a and 42b, which are fixed around a rotary actuation shaft 43, which in fact forms the rotation axis 9a of the cutting roller 9 with its axis.

[0072] Specifically, housings 42a and 42b are fixed to actuation shaft 43 by means of a detachable coupling device that extends substantially radially relative to the axis of the actuation shaft.

[0073] like Figure 10 As shown, advantageously, the detachable coupling device is constituted by a screw 44, which is inserted into a radial receiving seat 45 formed in the housings 42a and 42b. The radial receiving seat has a varying cross section to form an abutment area for the head 44a of the screw 44, and engages in a radial internal thread 46 provided on the outer surface of the actuation shaft 43.

[0074] Conveniently, the detachable coupling device also includes a centering pin 47 that protrudes radially from the actuation shaft 43 and is designed to engage with an abutment portion 48 formed in the housings 42a and 42b.

[0075] Favorably, specifically as Figure 5As shown, the actuation shaft 43 is axially supported by a bushing or collar element 51 via a central channel 49 formed in the distribution unit 20 and conveniently and advantageously by means of a bearing 50 placed therein, which is then fixed to the support structure of the labeling machine, more specifically, to the support structure 5a of the labeling unit 5 by means of a flange coupling 52.

[0076] This embodiment not only significantly simplifies the components of the labeling machine designed to support the cutting roller 9 compared to the prior art, but also simplifies their installation on the fixed components of the labeling machine.

[0077] Furthermore, it should be noted that each cutting device 14 advantageously includes a respective box-shaped blade support 53, which defines a corresponding suction cavity 15 and is removably accommodated in a corresponding receiving seat 54 formed in the cutting drum 9.

[0078] Conveniently, specifically, such as Figure 4 and Figure 14 As shown, the respective portions 54a, 54b of the receiving seat 54 of the box-shaped blade support 53 of each cutting device 14 are formed in the mutually facing areas of the housings 42a, 42b.

[0079] Advantageously, the blade 16 of each cutting device 14 is detachably secured to a corresponding box-shaped blade support 53 by a plurality of retaining pins 55 inserted through corresponding engagement openings 56 formed in the blade 16 and detachably engaged with corresponding support portions formed in the box-shaped blade support 53 and accessible from the outside of the box-shaped blade support 53 to allow the retaining pins 55 to be pulled out from the support portions 57.

[0080] In this way, once the box-shaped blade support 53 is detached from the cutting roller 9, the blade 16 can be removed from the box-shaped blade support 53 after the retaining pin 55 is disengaged from the engagement opening 56 by being pulled out from the support base portion 57.

[0081] Conveniently, on the outer surface of the box-shaped blade support 53, there are longitudinal grooves 58 on the opposite sides, which extend substantially parallel to the axis of rotation 9a of the cutting roller 9 and can slidably engage with corresponding ribs 59 formed in the inner wall by the receiving seat portion 54 of the box-shaped blade support 53, and more specifically, these ribs are formed in the mutually facing areas of the portions 54a and 54b of the housings 42a and 42b where the receiving seat portion 54 of the box-shaped blade support 53 is formed.

[0082] In this way, engagement and disengagement of the box-shaped blade support 53 and the corresponding receiving seat 54 can be achieved by relative sliding between the box-shaped blade support 53 and the cutting roller 9, which is guided by the engagement of the rib 59 along the groove 58.

[0083] It should be noted that the slot 58 is open at one end and designed to guide toward the dispensing unit 20, while the other end of the slot is closed, so that when the box blade support 53 is in the correct position relative to the cutting roller 9, it prevents relative sliding of the box blade support 53 and the cutting roller 9 in the insertion direction of its own receiving seat 54.

[0084] Advantageously, in order to retain the retaining pin 55 in the corresponding support portion 57, when the box-shaped support 53 is arranged in the corresponding receiving portion 54, the openings of the support portion 57 for external access to the retaining pin 55 are formed in the bottom of the groove 58, so that they can be closed by the rib 59.

[0085] The operation of the container labeling machine according to the present invention is as follows.

[0086] The unwinding assembly 6 picks up the label tape 7 from the corresponding reel and, as in a conventional roller feeder, feeds the label tape 7 to the cutting roller 9 at a preset feed speed lower than the circumferential speed of the cutting roller 9 to compensate for any length difference between the cut portion of the cutting roller 9 and the length of the label 7 caused by the circumferential space between the corresponding cutting devices.

[0087] In particular, if the labeling machine is running at high speed, when the auxiliary communication port 30 of the auxiliary holding area 18 located directly in front of one of the cutting devices 14 reaches the auxiliary vacuum opening 27 during the rotation of the cutting roller 9, the auxiliary holding area 18 is activated due to the connection between the auxiliary suction port 19 and the vacuum generating device 23.

[0088] Meanwhile, when the connecting orifice 28 of the suction chamber 15 of the cutting device 14, corresponding to the activated auxiliary holding area 18, approaches the vacuum opening 25, its blade 16 is arranged in the dividing area between the two consecutive labels 8.

[0089] At this time, the automatic control device 31 increases the rotation speed of the traction rollers 6a and 6b, and controls the unwinding unit 6 to accelerate the feeding speed of the label tape 7 toward the cutting roller 9, so that the feeding speed of the label tape 7 is close to the value of the circumferential speed of the cutting roller 9.

[0090] At the same time, the connecting orifice 28 of the suction chamber 15 of the cutting device 14, corresponding to the activated auxiliary holding area 18, reaches the vacuum opening 25, thus establishing a connection between the vacuum chamber 15 and the vacuum generating device 23, thereby sucking the label tape 7 into the suction chamber 15 and pushing the label tape toward the blade 16 for cutting.

[0091] At the same time, the automatic control device 31 instructs the unwinding assembly 6 to reduce the feed speed of the label tape 7 to the cutting roller 9, so that while the cutting roller 9 continues to rotate at the same speed around its own axis 9a, the label tape 7 is held in the auxiliary holding area 18, including the portion of the label tape 7 between the unwinding assembly 6 and the auxiliary holding area 18, which generates tension that facilitates a clean and regular cut of the label tape 7 by the blade 16.

[0092] Then, the automatic control device 31 controls the unwinding assembly to feed the label belt to the cutting roller 9, so that the feed speed of the label belt 7 to the cutting roller 9 returns to its initial value, thereby resynchronizing the label belt 7 with the cutting roller 9, while the label 8 separated after cutting continues its movement and remains attached to the cutting roller 9.

[0093] As an alternative, there is no prohibition, especially at low speeds, that the automatic control device 31 keeps the feed speed of the label tape 7 at a substantially constant value, which is lower than the circumferential speed of the cutting roller 9, even during the cutting step of the label tape 7, which is also common in conventional roller feeders.

[0094] When the portion of the label 8 separated from the label tape 7 in the cutting roller 9 reaches the air hole 40, the label 8 is released to the conveying roller 11, which first conveys the label 8 at the glue roller 12, thereby applying two strips of glue to the end of the label 8, and then moves the label 8 to attach it to the corresponding container 3 conveyed by the conveyor 2.

[0095] In practice, it has been found that the present invention achieves the intended purpose and objectives, and it is particularly emphasized that the container labeling machine according to the present invention allows for a very simple change in the number of segments of the cutting roller according to the label specifications, which is practically impossible to achieve on conventional roller feeders.

[0096] Compared to conventional roller feeders, another advantage of the labeling machine according to the present invention is that the diameter of the cutting roller can be changed according to the size without structural modifications to the labeling machine and without the need for highly qualified operators.

[0097] The invention, conceived in this way, is readily subject to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all details may also be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0098] In practice, the materials used (as long as they are compatible with the specific application) and the possible shapes and sizes can be whatever is required and available technology.

[0099] This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102020000022882, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0100] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals, the sole purpose of including these reference numerals is to increase the comprehensibility of the claim; therefore, these reference numerals have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of these reference numerals.

Claims

1. A container labeling machine, comprising: A conveyor (2) for a container (3) to be labeled along a forward path (2a); and at least one labeling unit (5) arranged along the forward path (2a) of the container (3), the at least one labeling unit (5) comprising: an unwinding assembly (6) adapted to pick up a label strip (7) from a reel, on which a label (8) to be applied to the container (3) is continuously printed, and the unwinding assembly feeds the label strip (7) to a cutting roller (9), the cutting roller having suction orifices (10) on its side surface for adhering the label strip (7) to the side surface of the cutting roller (9), and the... The cutting roller (9) is equipped with a cutting device for cutting the label strip (7) at a dividing area between two consecutive labels (8). The cutting roller (9) is adapted to release the cut labels (8) onto a transport roller (11), which is configured to transport each label (8) such that the label is attached to a corresponding container (3) delivered from the conveyor (2). The cutting roller (9) supports at least one cutting device (14) with a suction chamber (15) for suctioning air. The suction chamber is open at a side surface of the cutting roller (9) and contains... There is at least one blade (16), and the suction chamber (15) is connectable to an air suction device (17) for pulling the label tape (7) toward the blade (16) to cut the label tape (7). For each cutting device (14), the cutting roller (9) has at least one auxiliary holding area (18) for holding the label tape (7), the at least one auxiliary holding area being provided with an auxiliary suction hole (19) and arranged directly in front of the corresponding cutting device (14) relative to the rotation direction of the cutting roller (9). The suction chamber (15) of the corresponding cutting device (14) is connected to the air suction device (17). 17) Before connection, the auxiliary holding area (18) can be connected to the air suction device (17) to cooperate with the unwinding assembly (6) to tension the label tape (7). The air suction device (17) includes a fixed vacuum distribution unit (20). The cutting roller (9) is rotatably mounted on the vacuum distribution unit. A cutting area (21) is formed in the distribution unit (20). The cutting area has a vacuum chamber (22) connected to a vacuum generating device (23) and a vacuum opening (25) formed on the surface of the distribution unit (20) facing the cutting roller (9).And an auxiliary vacuum chamber (26), which is connected to the vacuum generating device (23) and is provided with an auxiliary vacuum opening (27), the auxiliary vacuum opening being formed on the surface of the dispensing unit (20) facing the cutting roller (9), the suction chamber (15) having at least one communicating orifice (28) on the surface of the cutting roller (9) facing the dispensing unit (20), the communicating orifice being designed to face the vacuum opening (25) during rotation of the cutting roller (9) to establish a connection between the suction chamber (15) and the vacuum generating device (23), the auxiliary holding region (18) including the auxiliary suction chamber (29), the auxiliary The suction chamber communicates with the auxiliary suction port (19) and the auxiliary communication port (30), the auxiliary communication port being designed to at least partially face the auxiliary vacuum opening (27) before the communication port (28) reaches the vacuum opening (25) during the rotation of the cutting roller (9), characterized in that the container labeling machine includes: an automatic control device (31) functionally connected to the unwinding assembly (6) and adapted to control the unwinding assembly (6) to reduce the speed at which the label tape (7) is fed to the cutting roller (9) when the auxiliary communication port (30) reaches the auxiliary vacuum opening (27) during the rotation of the cutting roller (9).

2. The container labeling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vacuum opening (25) and the auxiliary vacuum opening (27) have a groove-like shape. The vacuum opening (25) extends in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis (9a) of the cutting drum (9), and the auxiliary vacuum opening (27) extends in an arc around the rotation axis (9a) of the cutting drum (9).

3. The container labeling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The auxiliary vacuum opening (27) is configured such that the distance between it and the rotation axis (9a) of the cutting drum (9) is greater than the distance between the vacuum opening (25) and the rotation axis of the cutting drum.

4. The container labeling machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The cutting area (21) is formed by the elastic loading of the distribution unit (20) against at least a portion of the cutting roller (9).

5. The container labeling machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The cutting roller (9) includes at least two housings (42a, 42b) fixed around a rotation actuation shaft (43) by means of a detachable coupling device that extends radially relative to the axis of the actuation shaft.

6. The container labeling machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, The actuation shaft (43) is rotatably supported by a bushing element (51), which is fixed to the support structure of the container labeling machine by a flange coupling (52).

7. The container labeling machine according to claim 5, characterized in that, Each of the cutting devices (14) includes a respective box-shaped blade support (53) that forms a corresponding suction cavity (15) and is detachably housed in a receiving seat (54) that is correspondingly formed in the cutting drum (9).

8. The container labeling machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, Each portion (54a, 54b) of the receiving seat (54) of the box-shaped blade support (53) of each of the cutting devices (14) is formed in the mutually facing areas of the housing (42a, 42b).

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