Labeling machine

Abstract

A labeling machine includes: a conveyor (2) for a container (3) to be labeled, along a forward path (2a); and at least one labeling station (6) arranged along the forward path (2a). The labeling station (6) includes: an assembly (7) for unwinding a plurality of labels (8a) continuously printed thereon from a label tape (8); and at least one roller (9) designed to receive the label tape (8) and / or labels (8a) obtained by cutting the label tape (8) on its own side surface (9a). A plurality of sliders (11) are arranged in a peripheral area of ​​the roller (9), angularly spaced from each other about the axis of the roller (9), and having at least one portion protruding outward relative to the remainder of the side surface (9a) of the roller (9). According to the invention, at least one of the sliders (11) has contact areas (12, 13) designed to engage the label tape (8) and / or labels (8a) by contacting them, these contact areas having varying degrees of adhesion to each other relative to the material forming the label tape (8).

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a labeling machine.

[0002] As is known, labeling machines that allow the application of labels obtained by cutting continuous label tapes to containers are widely used in the commercial market.

[0003] Typically, labeling machines are equipped with a container conveyor, which usually includes a rotating disc conveyor belt with rotatable plates around its periphery to support individual containers, allowing the containers to rotate about their axis.

[0004] At least one labeling station is arranged along the perimeter of the disc conveyor belt and is designed to apply the corresponding label to each individual container arranged on the disc conveyor belt.

[0005] Each labeling station typically has an unwinding assembly designed to unwind the label tape from its reel and feed it to at least one roller, which is actuated to rotate and designed to receive the label tape provided by the unwinding assembly on its own side surface, which is held by means of suction ports formed on the side surface of the roller.

[0006] In some machines, there are a first roller (called a cutting roller) and a second roller (called a transfer roller) that are continuous with each other. The first roller is equipped with a blade that allows the label tape to be cut at the separation area between two consecutive labels. The second roller receives the labels that have separated after cutting so that they can be moved and adhered to the corresponding containers on the disc conveyor belt.

[0007] In other machines, there is a single roller called a cutting and transfer roller, which allows the label tape to be cut by means of a blade mounted on it and the cut label to be transferred to the corresponding container.

[0008] In this configuration, the label tape is fed directly from the unwinding assembly to the cutting and transfer rollers.

[0009] It should be noted that the label tape may have a pre-applied adhesive portion on the surface designed to contact the container, or alternatively, the label tape may be without pre-applied adhesive.

[0010] In the background art, labeling machines designed to process label tapes without pre-applied adhesive have an adhesive assembly that is typically arranged laterally adjacent to the rollers of the labeling station, which are typically composed of transfer rollers or cutting and transfer rollers, depending on the situation.

[0011] In particular, the bonding assembly is, for example, made of a glue-applying roller, which is applied to each label placed on the roller, each label laterally adjacent to two glue strips, one at the front end of the individual label and the other at the rear end of the same label.

[0012] Specifically, the rollers on which the adhesive is applied to the labels are typically divided into multiple segments or sections along their own circumferential extension, each segment or section being designed to receive a single label from the cutting roller.

[0013] At each of the sections of the roller, there are two adhesive regions at opposite ends, which are arranged to protrude relative to the rest of the side surface of the roller and are actually formed by corresponding blocks, commonly referred to as sliders or pads, on which the front and rear ends of the label rest, such that as the label passes through the adhesive roller, the adhesive roller actually applies two strips of adhesive to the label only at the front and rear ends of the label.

[0014] It should be noted that even on labeling machines configured to handle pre-adhesive label tape, the transfer rollers are equipped with sliders arranged at the ends of each segment or section of the roller, and consisting of a front slider and a rear slider, respectively. These sliders allow the label tape to be held during cutting, and during transfer to the container, the rear slider, along with the rest of the segment, holds the label under tension as the container wraps the label around itself.

[0015] In addition, some types of labeling machines have the following steps during their operation: the label tape transferred to the roller undergoes a sliding movement relative to the roller; and the label tape actually moves at the same speed as the side surface of the roller, and is actually stationary relative to the side surface of the roller.

[0016] This is, for example, the case of a labeling machine described in EPA 17835622.6 under the name of the same applicant.

[0017] The machine includes a transfer roller that receives label tape from an unwinding assembly and adheres it to its side surface. The transfer roller has multiple cutting devices and multiple adhesive regions regularly distributed along its periphery. The multiple cutting devices can be actuated independently of each other to cut the label tape between two consecutive labels. The multiple adhesive regions are formed by sliders protruding relative to the rest of the side surface of the transfer roller. Each adhesive region is arranged in a position immediately in front of the corresponding cutting device along the rotation direction of the transfer roller. The multiple adhesive regions are designed to receive the leading and trailing edges of the label present on the label tape by static contact, so as to allow cooperation with the glue roller to apply a corresponding adhesive strip to the leading and trailing edges of the label before performing the cutting of the label tape.

[0018] During machine operation, the following steps are performed: the unwinding assembly feeds the labels onto the transfer roller at a speed synchronized with the peripheral speed of the transfer roller, such as when the sliders on which the leading and trailing edges of two consecutive labels of the label tape rest at a specified time pass the glue roller, allowing the glue roller to apply glue, or such as when cutting the label tape is performed; and other steps: the unwinding assembly feeds the labels onto the transfer roller at a speed lower than the peripheral speed of the cutting roller, allowing the transfer roller to slide on the label tape, such as when the cutting device located directly behind the glued area of ​​the glue roller is placed at the separation portion between two labels receiving glue, allowing the cutting device to cut the label tape between one label and another.

[0019] Therefore, it is clear that during machine operation, there are situations where the slider constituting the adhesive area of ​​the label must ensure the stable holding of the label or label tape in order to ensure that the movement of the label tape is perfectly integrated with the movement of the rollers, such as during the steps of adhesive label tape or applying the label to the container; and alternatively, it is necessary to ensure optimal sliding of the slider on the label tape or label.

[0020] The slider installed on the roller of the current labeling machine does not adequately meet the requirements described above.

[0021] The objective of this invention is to provide a labeling machine that can improve upon the prior art in one or more of the aspects mentioned above.

[0022] Within this objective, the object of the present invention is to provide a labeling machine in which the slider mounted on the roller of the machine can be operated in an optimal manner during both the step of the roller sliding on the label tape and the step of holding the label tape as a whole onto the roller.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labeling machine that can provide the greatest guarantee of reliability and security.

[0024] Another objective of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art in a way that replaces any existing solutions.

[0025] A particularly important objective of this invention is to provide a labeling machine that is relatively easy to set up and can be manufactured at a competitive cost.

[0026] This objective and these and other objectives, which will become more apparent below, are achieved by a labeling machine according to claim 1, which may optionally be provided with one or more features of the dependent claims.

[0027] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the labeling machine according to the invention, illustrated by non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a labeling machine according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a drum according to a first embodiment of the machine of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a front view of the slider according to a first embodiment of the machine based on the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken from plane IV-IV;

[0032] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A 3D view of the slider;

[0033] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 An exploded 3D view of the slider;

[0034] Figure 7 , Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 This is a schematic top view of a series of operating steps according to a first embodiment of the machine of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the machine according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 11 and Figure 12 This is a schematic sequential top plan view of two different steps of operation of the machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 13 , Figure 14 as well as Figure 15 This is a schematic sequential top plan view of some operating steps according to a third embodiment of the machine of the present invention.

[0038] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the labeling machine according to the invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 1, includes a conveyor 2 for conveying a container 3 to be labeled along a forward path 2a.

[0039] For example, conveyor 2 consists of a disc conveyor belt 4 with rotating plates 5 arranged around its perimeter, each rotating plate supporting a single container 3.

[0040] Along the forward path 2a of the container 3 formed by the conveyor 2, there is at least one labeling station 6 including an unwinding assembly 7, which is, for example, a pair of opposing traction rollers 7a, 7b, and allows the label tape 8 to be pulled out from a reel (not shown). The label tape conveniently passes through an alignment and tension adjustment device 70 before reaching the unwinding assembly 7, and the label tape carries a plurality of labels 8a continuously printed thereon, which are designed to be separated from the label tape 8 by cutting.

[0041] Label band 8 can optionally not have pre-applied adhesive, as in Figures 1 to 9 and Figures 13 to 15 In the case of such implementations, it may be a pre-adhesive type, such as in Figures 10 to 12 In the case of the implementation method, and as will be better explained below.

[0042] In addition, the labeling station 6 has at least one roller 9 designed to receive the label tape 8 and / or the label 8a obtained by cutting the label tape 8 on its own side surface.

[0043] For this purpose, the roller 9 is conveniently provided with a suction port 10 on its own side surface 9a, which allows for the retention of the label tape 8 to adhere to the side surface of the roller 9.

[0044] In addition, there are multiple sliders 11 in the peripheral area of ​​the roller 9, which are spaced apart from each other at an angle around the axis of the roller 9.

[0045] In particular, as is known per se, at least a portion of the slider 11 protrudes outward relative to the remainder of the side surface 9a of the roller 9.

[0046] At least one of the sliders 11, and more preferably each of the sliders 11, has within itself contact areas 12, 13 designed to engage with the label tape and / or label by contacting the label tape 8 and / or label 8a, the contact areas having different degrees of adhesion to each other relative to the material forming the label tape 8 and thus the label, i.e., the contact areas having different abilities relative to each other to adhere to the label tape 8 and label 8a.

[0047] In particular, the contact areas 12 and 13 are made of materials having different coefficients of friction from each other relative to the materials used to make the label strip 8 and thus the label 8a.

[0048] In particular, the contact areas 12 and 13 of the slider 11 conveniently include at least one first contact area 12 made of a first material and at least one second contact area 13 made of a second material different from the first material.

[0049] The first material has a first coefficient of friction relative to the material used to make the label tape 8, while the second material has a second coefficient of friction that is also greater than the first coefficient of friction relative to the material used to make the label tape 8.

[0050] Advantageously, the second material is made of a material that has greater elastic deformability under compression compared to the first material.

[0051] For example, the first material can be made of a metallic material (such as, for example, aluminum) or other similar material, and the second material can be made of a plastic material (such as rubber, more preferably hard rubber) or other similar material.

[0052] Advantageously, the first contact area 12 is arranged substantially in the central portion of the surface of the corresponding slider designed to contact the label tape 8 or label 8a, while the second contact area 13 is arranged in the peripheral area of ​​the surface of the corresponding slider 11 designed to contact the label tape 8 or label 8a.

[0053] More specifically, one or more first contact areas 12 may be provided in the central portion of the surface of the slider 11, which is designed to contact the label tape 8 or the label 8a, and at least two second contact areas 13 may be arranged on the side of the one or more contact areas 12, more specifically arranged at the front and rear edges of the corresponding slider 11 along the rotation direction of the roller 9.

[0054] For example, in some embodiments of the invention, a plurality of first contact areas 12 may be present in the central portion of the surface of each slider 11 adapted to contact the label tape 8 or label 8a, arranged side by side and extending substantially parallel to the axis of the roller 9, and a second contact area 13 may be present between the first contact areas 12 and along the peripheral edge of the surface of each slider 11 adapted to contact the label tape 8 or label 8a.

[0055] Conveniently, each first contact area 12 is arranged at a greater distance from the rest of the side surface 9a of the roller 9 relative to the second contact area 13, thus protruding more from the side surface 9a of the roller 9 than the second contact area 13.

[0056] In particular, except that the first contact area 12 of the slider 11 is located at a greater distance from the axis of the roller 9 relative to the rest of the side surface of the roller 9, the slider 11 can be arranged on a surface that is substantially planar or optionally provided with a smaller curvature than the rest of the side surface 9a of the roller 9 and extends substantially parallel to the axis of the roller 9.

[0057] Advantageously, the second contact area 13, arranged along the edge of the surface of the slider suitable for contacting the label strip 8 or label 8a, is instead arranged on an inclined surface, preferably at least in the portion closest to the first contact area 12, gradually moving closer to each other outward from the axis of the roller 9, thereby creating a mixed slope between the first contact area 12 and the remainder of the side surface 9a of the roller 9. Meanwhile, if present, the second contact area 13 between the two first contact areas 12 located in the central portion of the slider 11 can be arranged in a groove or recess having a cross-section that may be, for example, substantially V-shaped or U-shaped.

[0058] Advantageously, each slider 11 is actually constituted by a base body 14, which is preferably detachably connected to the roller 9 and is made of a first material.

[0059] Furthermore, each slider 11 has at least one locking layer 15 made of a second material at the second contact area 13 and fixed to the base body 14. The fixing of the locking layer 15 to the base body 14 can be performed by adhesive bonding or, more preferably, by molding a second material over the base body 14.

[0060] Conveniently, the slider 11 of the roller 9 has a suction opening 16 that can be connected to at least one vacuum source 17 so as to apply an attraction to the label strip or label on the slider 11.

[0061] Advantageously, during the rotation of the drum 9, when the corresponding slider 11 is at a preset angular position relative to the axis of the drum 9, the suction opening 16 can be connected to a vacuum source.

[0062] More specifically, multiple suction openings 16 or at least one suction opening 16 located at the second contact area 13 of the slider 11 can be connected to the vacuum source 17 only when the slider 11 gradually occupies the angular position relative to the axis of the roller 9 and the roller 9 rotates at the same time, during which the slider 11 needs to hold the label tape 8 or label 8a in an integral manner with the roller.

[0063] Depending on the angular position occupied by the slider relative to the axis of the roller 9 during rotation of the roller 9, selective connection of the suction opening 16 of the slider 11 to the vacuum source 17 can be achieved, for example, by means of connecting slots (not shown) having circumferential extensions arranged on the support of the roller 9 and connected to the vacuum source 17. These connecting slots are positioned so as to face the position occupied by the slider 11 when connection to the vacuum source is required during rotation of the roller 9, such that when the slider 11 transitions at the connecting slot, the suction opening 16 of the slider is connected to the vacuum source 17, and when they are in a position not corresponding to the slot, their suction opening 16 is disconnected from the vacuum source.

[0064] Conveniently, a device 18 for controlling the vacuum source 17 may also be provided, which may be, for example, an electronic control unit, and the vacuum level generated by the vacuum source 17 is adapted to change according to the angular position of the slider 11 relative to the axis of the roller 9 during the rotation of the roller, so as to generate greater suction on the label tape 8 or label 8a at the angular position of the slider 11, wherein greater adhesion of the label tape 8 or label 8a to the slider 11 is required.

[0065] Referring now to a first embodiment of the machine according to the invention, the roller 9 is composed of a cutting and transfer roller, which is designed to receive the label tape 8 from the unwinding assembly 7 for cutting the label tape, and after cutting, to bring the separated label 8a into contact with the corresponding container conveyed by the conveyor 2.

[0066] In this case, the roller 9 has a plurality of cutting devices 19 spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, each cutting device being located directly behind the corresponding slider 11 relative to the rotation direction of the roller 9.

[0067] For example, each cutting device 19 is composed of a corresponding blade 19a arranged in a suction chamber 20 which is open on the side surface 9a of the roller 9 and can be connected to an air suction device, for example composed of the same vacuum source 17, for extracting the label tape 8 inside the suction chamber 20 and pressing it against the associated blade 19a to cut the label tape 8.

[0068] In the same case, there is a glue-applying roller 21 that is laterally adjacent to the roller 9, which allows two strips of glue to be applied to the label tape 8 resting on the slider 11 at the front and rear edges of the two consecutive labels 8a, respectively, as the slider 11 passes in front of the glue-applying roller.

[0069] In order to allow two adhesive strips to be applied to the label tape 8, in this embodiment, each slider 11 is provided with at least two portions that are more protruding than the rest, and these more protruding portions are formed by the first contact area 12.

[0070] More specifically, in this embodiment, in the central portion of the surface of each slider 11 designed to contact the label tape 8 or the label 8a, there are at least two first contact areas 12 arranged side by side and extending substantially parallel to the axis of the roller 9, and a second contact area 13 exists between the two first contact areas 12 and along the peripheral edge of the surface of each slider 11 designed to contact the label tape 8 or the label 8a, the second contact area protruding less than the first contact areas 12 relative to the remainder of the side surface 9a of the roller 9, as particularly in Figures 3 to 6 As shown in the image.

[0071] Figure 10 , Figure 11 as well as Figure 12 Alternatively, a second embodiment of the machine according to the invention is shown, which is adapted to process pre-adhesive label tape 8, i.e., to process tape disposed on a reel, wherein adhesive strips are pre-applied to the front and rear ends of individual labels 8a, or alternatively, an adhesive layer is disposed on the entire surface designed to be attached to the surface of the container 3.

[0072] In the second embodiment, the roller 9 is composed of a cutting and transfer roller, which is provided with a plurality of cutting elements 25 designed to cut the label tape 8a. The plurality of cutting elements are circumferentially spaced from each other along the peripheral area of ​​the roller 9 and are controlled by corresponding actuating devices 26, including, for example, pneumatic pistons.

[0073] In this configuration, each cutting element 25 is positioned between a corresponding pair of sliders 11, with the rear end of label 8a and the front end of the label immediately following it along label strip 8 respectively designed to rest on the pair of sliders.

[0074] In the same case, each pair of sliders 11 conveniently has: a first contact area 12, advantageously located in the central portion of the surface of the slider designed to contact the label tape 8 and the label 8a; and one or more second contact areas 13, in the peripheral portion of the surface of the slider configured to contact the label tape 8 and the label 8a.

[0075] Figure 13 , Figure 14 as well as Figure 15 A third possible embodiment of the machine according to the invention is shown, wherein the roller 9 is composed of a transfer roller that receives, on its own peripheral area, a label 8a fed by the unwinding assembly 7 and cut by the cutting roller 30, the cutting roller being, for example, supported by a fixed blade 30b integrated with the rotational movement of the cutting roller 30 and adapted to interact with the movable blade 30a of the label tape 8 to cut the label tape 8.

[0076] In this configuration, one or more segments or partitions 31a, 31b are arranged along the side surface 9a of the roller 9 and are designed to receive a single label 8a from the cutting roller 30.

[0077] The sections 31a and 31b of the roller 9 are conveniently spaced apart from each other by the circumferential separation portion 32, and each section has two sliders 11 at the corresponding circumferential end, which are the front slider and the rear slider respectively according to the rotation direction of the roller 9. The front and rear ends of the single label 8a received from the sections 31a and 31b are designed to rest on these two sliders respectively.

[0078] Furthermore, the glue roller 21 is arranged laterally adjacent to the roller 9, and allows glue strips to be applied to the front and rear ends of the label 8a resting on the slider 11 during the passage of the slider 11 in sections 31a, 31b.

[0079] In this case, the slider 11 of each segment 31a, 31b can conveniently have: a first contact area 12, substantially in the central portion of the surface of the slider designed to rest against the label 8a; and one or more second contact areas 13, arranged to the side of the first contact area 12.

[0080] The operation of the labeling machine according to the present invention is as follows.

[0081] Refer to the first embodiment and specifically refer to Figure 7 , Figure 8 as well as Figure 9 In the first step of the operation, the unwinding assembly 7 feeds the label tape 8 to the roller 9 at a speed slightly lower than the peripheral speed of the roller 9.

[0082] exist Figure 7 In the case shown, the slider 11 of the roller 9 contacts the rear end of the first label 8a of the label tape 8 and the front end of the second label 8a immediately following the first label 8a along the label tape 8, and the slider 11 is in an angular position relative to the axis of the roller 9, in which the slider is substantially in front of the glue roller 21, so that the label tape 8a placed thereon can receive glue at the rear end of the first label 8a and the front end of the second label 8a.

[0083] In the aforementioned angular position of slider 11, the suction opening 16 of the slider is connected to the vacuum source 17 to generate sufficient adhesion of the label tape 8 to the second contact area 13 of slider 11, thereby allowing the slider to ensure that the label tape 8 is held to slider 11. This is because the second contact area has a greater coefficient of friction than the first contact area 12, so that during the application of glue by the glue roller 21, the first label and the second label 8a of the label tape 8 placed on slider 11 are perfectly integrated with the rotation of roller 9.

[0084] Once the adhesive is applied to the rear and front ends of the first and second labels 8a respectively, the desired effect is achieved. Figure 8 As shown, the unwinding assembly 7 feeds the label tape 8 again at a speed lower than the peripheral speed of the roller 9, so that the roller 9 can slide on the label tape 8 through its side surface 9a to bring the separation area between the first label and the second label 8a to the cutting device 19, which is located directly behind the slider 11 along the rotation direction of the roller 9, which was located at the glue roller 21 in the previous step.

[0085] During the step of sliding on the label tape 8 on the roller 9, and therefore also during the step of sliding on the adhesive-coated slider 11, the connection between the vacuum source 17 and the suction opening 16 of the slider 11 is interrupted, or in any case, the vacuum generated by the vacuum source 17 is reduced by the control device 18, so that the label tape 8 can rest almost only on the first contact area 12 of the slider, because the first contact area has a lower coefficient of friction than the second contact area 13, which helps the slider slide relative to the label tape 8.

[0086] Thus, to achieve Figure 9 In the case shown, the cutting device 19 and the corresponding blade 19 located directly behind the slider 11 (on which they rest when glue is applied to the rear and front ends of the first and second labels 8a) are now located in the separation area between the first and second labels 8a.

[0087] At this time, the label tape 8 is fed by the unwinding assembly 7 at the same speed as the side surface 9a of the roller 9, and the suction opening 16 of the slider 11 on which the rear and front ends of the first and second labels 8a rest is reconnected to the vacuum source 17, thereby ensuring that the label tape 8 is held to the roller 9 so that it is perfectly integrated with the movement of the roller due to the adhesion effect applied by the second contact area 13 of the slider 11.

[0088] Meanwhile, the suction chamber 20 of the cutting device 19 located in the separation area between the first label and the second label 8a is also connected to a vacuum source so that the label tape 8 between the first label and the second label 8a can be cut by the cutting device 19.

[0089] Thus, the first label 8a cut from the label tape 8 is then delivered by the roller 9 to the corresponding container 3 conveyed by the conveyor 2.

[0090] Alternatively, refer to Figure 11 and Figure 12 In the operation of the second embodiment of the machine according to the invention, there exists Figure 11 In the first step shown, the label tape 8 is fed to the roller 9 at a speed lower than the peripheral speed of the roller, so that the roller 9 can slide relative to the label tape 8.

[0091] In the first step, the suction openings 16 of a pair of sliders 11 are separated from the vacuum source 17, and the cutting element 25 between the pair of sliders faces the label tape 8 in this step. Alternatively, the vacuum source 17 is operated by the control device 18 to generate a reduced vacuum, so that the label tape 8 rests substantially on the first contact area 12 of the slider, which facilitates the sliding of the slider on the label tape 8.

[0092] Once the cutting element 25 facing the label tape 8 reaches the separation area (e.g., between two consecutive labels 8a on the label tape 8) due to the sliding of the roller 9 on the label tape 8, the cutting element 25 facing the label tape 8 reaches the separation area between two consecutive labels 8a on the label tape 8. Figure 12 As shown), the unwinding assembly 7 feeds the label tape 8 again at the same speed as the side surface 9a of the roller 9, and the suction opening 16 of the slider 11 is connected to the vacuum source 17. The cutting element 25 facing the label tape 8 is located between these sliders. Alternatively, if connected to the vacuum source 17, the vacuum source 17 is operated by the control device 18 to generate a high vacuum to ensure that the label tape 8 is also placed on the second contact area 13 of the slider, thereby ensuring that the label tape 8 is integrated with the slider 11 and therefore with the roller 9.

[0093] At this point, the cutting element 25 is actuated to cut the label tape 8 so as to separate the new label 8a from the label tape, which is then delivered by the roller 9 to the corresponding container 3 conveyed by the conveyor 2.

[0094] Now referring to the third embodiment and Figure 13 , Figure 14 as well as Figure 15 It can be noted that in this implementation, there is Figure 13 In the first step shown, a label 8a applied to the roller 9 by the cutting roller 30 is arranged in section 31a of the roller 9, wherein the front and rear ends of the label rest on a slider 11 placed at the end of section 31a, and more specifically, the front end of the label is located at the glue roller 21 so as to receive the glue strip from the glue roller, while another label 8a located in another section 31b of the roller 9 can, for example, be in a state that can be transferred to a corresponding container 3 conveyed by the conveyor 2.

[0095] In the first step, the suction opening 16 of the slider 11 located at the end of section 31a of the roller 9 is connected to the vacuum source 17, so that the front and rear ends of the label 8a located at section 31a can adhere to the second contact area 13 of the slider 11 where the label is placed, so as to hold it firmly to the slider 11 without any possibility of slippage, thus perfectly integrating with the movement of the roller 9.

[0096] In the second step of the operation of the third embodiment, as follows Figure 14 As shown, during the previous step, the label 8a is transferred to the corresponding section 31b of the container 3 to prepare for receiving a new label 8a from the cutting roller 30, while the label 8a on the section 31a continues its movement and is carried away by the roller 9 so that the rear end of the label is located at the glue roller 21.

[0097] In this case, the label tape 8 that has not yet been cut by the cutting roller 30 is fed to the cutting roller 30 through the unwinding assembly 7, and is therefore also fed to the roller 9 at a speed lower than the peripheral speed of the roller 9, so that the roller 9 can slide on the label tape 8 to bring the front slider 11 of the section 31b to the front end of the new label 8a that needs to be received by the section 31b.

[0098] In this step, the suction opening 16 of the slider 11 of segment 31b or at least the front slider of segment 31b is disconnected from the vacuum source 17, so that the front slider can rest against the label tape 8 mainly using its first contact area 12, and thus can slide easily on the label tape 8, at least until the front slider of segment 31b reaches the front end of the new label 8a.

[0099] exist Figure 15 In the case shown, the front slider of segment 31b reaches the front end of the new label 8a.

[0100] In this case, the label tape 8 is cut by the movable blade 30a and the fixed blade 30b, and to facilitate cutting, the suction opening 16 of the front slider of section 31b is connected to a vacuum source, so that the label tape 8 adheres to the second contact area 13 of the front slider of section 31b, so as to ensure that the new label 8a can be effectively cut by the blades 30a and 30b and carried away by the roller 9, thus becoming perfectly integrated with the roller.

[0101] Subsequently, the transfer of label 8a located at section 31a to the corresponding container 3 occurs after the slider of section 31a has also passed the glue roller 21.

[0102] Therefore, the conceived invention can be modified and varied in many ways, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all details can also be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0103] In fact, as long as it is compatible with the specific purpose, the materials used, as well as the shape and size, can be any according to requirements and existing technology.

[0104] This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102020000030812, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0105] Where a technical feature mentioned in any claim is followed by a reference mark, the sole purpose of including those reference marks is to increase the comprehensibility of the claim, and therefore these reference marks do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example through these reference marks.

Claims

1. A labeling machine, comprising: The container (3) to be labeled is conveyed by a conveyor (2) along the forward path (2a); And at least one labeling station (6) arranged along the forward path (2a), the labeling station (6) comprising: an assembly (7) for unwinding a label tape (8) on which a plurality of labels (8a) are continuously printed; and at least one roller (9) designed to receive the label tape (8) and / or labels (8a) obtained by cutting the label tape (8) on its own side surface (9a), a plurality of sliders (11) arranged in the peripheral area of ​​the roller (9), angularly spaced from each other about the axis of the roller (9), and having at least one portion protruding outward relative to the remainder of the side surface (9a) of the roller (9), characterized in that at least one of the sliders (11) has contact areas (12, 13) configured to engage the label tape and / or the labels by contacting the label tape (8) and / or the labels (8a), the contact areas having different degrees of adhesion to each other relative to the material made of the label tape (8).

2. The labeling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The contact areas (12, 13) are made of materials with different coefficients of friction relative to the materials used to make the label strip (8).

3. The labeling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the sliders (11) is provided with the contact area (12, 13).

4. The labeling machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The contact areas (12, 13) include: at least one first contact area (12) made of a first material having a first coefficient of friction relative to the material used to make the label tape (8); and at least one second contact area (13) made of a second material different from the first material and having a second coefficient of friction relative to the material used to make the label tape (8), the second coefficient of friction being higher than the first coefficient of friction.

5. The labeling machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second material includes materials that have greater elastic deformability under compression compared to the first material.

6. The labeling machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The at least one first contact area (12) is substantially arranged in the central portion of the surface of the corresponding slider (11) configured to contact the label tape (8).

7. The labeling machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The at least one second contact area (13) is arranged in the peripheral area of ​​the corresponding slider (11) on the surface configured to contact the label strip (8).

8. The labeling machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, Compared to the at least one second contact area (13), the at least one first contact area (12) is arranged to protrude more than the remainder of the side surface (9a) of the roller (9).

9. The labeling machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The labeling machine includes at least two second contact areas (13) arranged to the side of the at least one first contact area (12) and substantially located at the leading and trailing edges of the corresponding sliders (11) along the rotational direction of the roller (9).

10. The labeling machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, Each of the sliders (11) includes a base body (14) connected to the roller (9) and made of the first material, and the slider has at least one locking layer (15) at the at least one second contact area (13), the at least one locking layer being made of the second material and fixed to the base body (14).

11. The labeling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slider (11) has a suction opening (16) that can be at least partially connected to at least one vacuum source (17).

12. The machine according to claim 11, characterized in that, During the rotation of the roller (9), when the corresponding slider (11) is in a preset angular position relative to the axis of the roller (9), the suction opening can be connected to the vacuum source (17).

13. The machine according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The machine includes a device (18) for controlling the vacuum source (17), the device being adapted to change the vacuum level generated by the vacuum source (17) during the rotation of the drum (9) according to the angular position of the slider (11) relative to the axis of the drum (9).

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