Apparatus for applying an article to a moving object

Abstract

An apparatus for applying an article (100) to a moving object (200), the apparatus comprising: an applicator member (2) comprising a base element (3) and an arm element (4), wherein the arm element (4) is telescopically coupled to the base element (3) such that the arm element (4) is movable between a retracted state and an extended state; a biasing member (5) configured to bias the arm element (4) towards its extended state; an actuator shaft (6) pivotably connected to the base element, wherein the actuator shaft (6) is eccentrically arranged and rotatable about a first rotational axis RA1; and a support member (8) pivotable about a second rotational axis RA2 and slidingly supporting a middle section (10) of the arm element (4) of the applicator member (2). An applicator head (11) is cyclically movable between a retrieval position and an application position in response to rotation of the eccentrically arranged actuator shaft (6) about the first rotational axis RA1. The arm element (4) is configured to be brought into its retracted state during movement of the applicator head (11) from the retrieval position to the application position and configured to assume its extended state during movement of the applicator head (11) from the application position to the retrieval position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying an article to an object, and in particular to an apparatus for applying an article to a moving object. BACKGROUND

[0002] An apparatus for applying an article to a moving object, i.e. to an object that is moving past the apparatus, can be used for applying articles such as beverage straws or labels to objects such as packaging items.

[0003] Objects such as packaging items can be discharged from machines such as filling machines at a high production rate, and therefore an apparatus for applying articles to objects discharged from machines must be able to match this high production rate.

[0004] One type of apparatus for applying articles to moving objects is known from e.g. US 4584046, which discloses an apparatus comprising an arm with an applicator head arranged for reciprocating movement between a retrieval position, in which the applicator head retrieves an article, and an application position, in which the applicator head applies the article to an object. However, this solution can have difficulties in positioning the article correctly on the object if the object moves too fast.

[0005] A solution to this problem is presented in WO 2016096380 Al, which discloses a device for applying beverage straws to packaging items. The device comprises a carrier journalled on two eccentric shafts, and by rotation of the shafts the applicator head of the carrier can be moved along a circular path passing a retrieval position and an application position. The circular path makes it possible for the applicator head to be moved in a direction that has a component in the direction of travel of the object, so that the applicator head can move with the packaging item for a short period of time after the beverage straw has been applied, thereby ensuring correct positioning of the beverage straw. Other relevant background art can be found in US2017 / 341793 Al and US 4584046 A. SUMMARY

[0006] In view of the above stated it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for applying an article to a moving object.

[0007] It is also an object to provide an apparatus that ensures correct positioning of the article on the moving object during high speed production.

[0008] In order to at least one of realize the above stated objects and other objects apparent from the following description, an apparatus is provided according to the present invention. The features and preferred embodiments of the apparatus will become apparent from the following description of the invention.

[0009] More specifically, according to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for applying an article, such as a beverage straw or a label, to a moving object, such as a package, the apparatus comprising an applicator member comprising a base element and an arm element, wherein the arm element is telescopically coupled to the base element such that the arm element is movable between a retracted state and an extended state. The apparatus further comprises a biasing member configured to bias the arm element towards its extended state. An actuator shaft is pivotably connected to the base element, wherein the actuator shaft is arranged eccentrically and is rotatable about a first rotation axis RA1, and a support member is pivotable about a second rotation axis RA2 and slidably supports an intermediate section of the arm element of the applicator member. A free end of the arm element comprises an applicator head that is cyclically movable between a retrieval position in which the applicator head is configured for retrieving an article and an application position in which the applicator head is configured for applying the article to the object in response to rotation of the eccentrically arranged actuator shaft about the first rotation axis RA1. The arm element is configured to be brought into the retracted state of the arm element during movement of the applicator head from the retrieval position to the application position, and is configured to assume the extended state of the arm element during movement of the applicator head from the application position to the retrieval position.

[0010] Thereby, an apparatus is provided that enables precise positioning of an article on a moving object during high speed production.

[0011] The applicator member comprises an arm having a base element and an arm element telescopically coupled to the base element. The base element is pivotably coupled to a rotatable eccentric shaft, and an intermediate section of the arm element is slidably supported by a pivotable support member. Thereby, an applicator head formed by a free end of the arm element is cyclically movable between a retrieval position for retrieving an article and an application position for applying the article to a moving object in response to rotation of the actuator shaft.

[0012] The arm element is movable between an extended state and a retracted state. The arm is biased towards the extended state.

[0013] The arm element is further configured to be brought into the retracted state during movement of the applicator head from the retrieval position to the application position. Rotation of the actuator shaft causes the applicator head to cyclically move between the retrieval position and the application position. The retraction of the arm element during movement of the applicator head from the retrieval position to the application position enables the additional curved path followed by the applicator head during this movement to be flattened, thereby enabling clear application of the article to the object.

[0014] The arm element is further configured to assume its extended state during movement of the applicator head from the application position back to the retrieval position. Thus, the applicator head can be caused to follow a curved path when moving towards the retrieval position. The curved path can be configured such that the applicator head is moved in a direction having a component in line with the feed direction of the moving object immediately after application of the article to the object, and by matching the rate at which the applicator head is moved along this component in the feed direction to the feed rate of the object, it can be ensured that the applicator head moves over a distance together with the article applied to the object and thus remains in engagement with the article and presses it against the object before lifting it off the article and returning to the retrieval position. Thereby, it can be ensured that the article maintains a precise positioning on the object after being applied to the object.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the arm element can be configured to be brought from the extended state to the retracted state and back to the extended state during movement of the applicator head from the retrieval position to the application position, such that the applicator head moves along an approximately linear path. By configuring the arm element to be brought from the extended state to the retracted state and back to the extended state during movement of the applicator head from the retrieval position to the application position, a further curved path followed by the applicator head can be flattened to such an extent that the path becomes approximately linear, thereby improving the precision with which an article can be applied to a moving object.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the arm element can be provided with a protrusion arranged fixedly configured to engage the support member during movement of the applicator head from the retrieval position to the application position. The arm element can be configured to be brought to its retracted state in response to continued rotation of the eccentrically arranged actuator shaft when the protrusion is brought into engagement with the support member. The arm element is slidingly supported by the support member, and by arranging the protrusion on the arm element, the protrusion can be brought into engagement with the support member in response to relative movement of the arm element and the support member, thereby preventing any further relative movement. When engagement between the protrusion and the support member has been established, the arm can be brought to its retracted state by the telescopic coupling of the arm element to the base element. The protrusion arranged on the arm element can be arranged on a side of the support member facing the base element of the applicator member.

[0017] According to yet another embodiment, the protrusion can be configured to cooperate with the biasing member.

[0018] According to yet another embodiment, the arm element can be configured to remain in the extended state during movement of the applicator head from the application position to the retrieval position, such that the applicator head moves along a curved path. By keeping the arm in the extended state, the curved path imposed to the applicator head by the rotation of the actuator head can be fully utilized.

[0019] According to yet another embodiment, the biasing member can comprise a spring member.

[0020] According to yet another embodiment, the application member can comprise an additional base element and an additional arm element telescopically coupled to the additional base element, wherein the additional base element and the additional arm element extend parallel to the base element and the arm element.

[0021] The applicator head can be arranged for retrieving and applying an article in the form of a beverage straw.

[0022] The applicator head can be arranged for applying the article to an object in the form of a package.

[0023] The support member can comprise a sliding bearing for supporting the intermediate section of the arm element.

[0024] Generally, unless otherwise indicated herein, all terminology used herein that is explained by their ordinary meaning in the technical field of the technology is to be interpreted as such. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, any reference to “one / one or more / that [element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc.]” is to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the referenced element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the steps of any method disclosed herein are not necessarily to be performed in the exact order disclosed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The above-mentioned and other objects, features and advantages of the present application will be better understood from the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for applying an article to a moving object.

[0027] Figure 2 is Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in

[0028] Figure 3 is a schematic view illustrating the operation of the apparatus.

[0029] Figure 4is a schematic view of the apparatus, showing the applicator head in a retrieving position and an application position, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The application now being thus described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the same can be varied in many ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application. We claim:

[0031] In Figure 1 The apparatus 1 is shown in a position in which it is used for applying an article to a moving object, i.e. to an object that moves past the apparatus 1. The object can for example be moved by a conveyor.

[0032] The apparatus 1 can be configured for applying an article, such as a label or a beverage straw, to an object, such as a package.

[0033] The apparatus 1 comprises an applicator member 2, which in the shown embodiment comprises two arms arranged in parallel. It will be understood that the applicator member 2 can comprise only one arm or more than two arms.

[0034] Each arm comprises a base element 3 and an arm element 4, wherein the arm element 4 is telescopically coupled to the base element 3, such that the arm element 4 is movable between a retracted state and an extended state. In the figure, the arm element 4 is shown in its extended state.

[0035] The apparatus 1 further comprises a biasing member 5, which is configured to bias each arm element 4 towards the extended state. In the shown embodiment, the biasing member 5 comprises a spring member.

[0036] The applicator member 2 is pivotably coupled to an actuator. The actuator comprises an actuator shaft 6, which is arranged at a distance from a first rotation axis RAl and is rotatable around the first rotation axis RAl. Thus, the actuator shaft 6 is arranged eccentrically around the first rotation axis RAl.

[0037] The actuator shaft 6 is pivotably connected to the base element 3 of each arm. More specifically, an end portion 7 of each base element 3 is journalled on the actuator shaft 6, such that the arms are pivotable around the actuator shaft 6.

[0038] The apparatus 1 further comprises a support member 8, which is pivotable around a second rotation axis RA2 and is arranged to slidingly support the applicator member 2.

[0039] The second rotation axis RA2 is arranged parallel to the first rotation axis RAl.

[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the support member 8 comprises a support structure for each arm. The support member is journalled around a support shaft 9 extending along the second rotation axis RA2, and the support member 8 is thus rotatable around the second rotation axis RA2.

[0041] Each support structure of the support member 8 is configured to slidingly support the intermediate section 10 of each arm element 4 of the applicator member 2, and can comprise a sliding bearing configured to slidingly receive the intermediate section 10.

[0042] The applicator member 2 comprises an applicator head 11 that is cyclically movable between a retrieval position in which the applicator head 11 is configured for retrieving an article and an application position in which the applicator head 11 is configured for applying the article to the object, in response to the rotation of the eccentrically arranged actuator shaft 6 around the first rotation axis RA1.

[0043] Each arm element 4 of the applicator member 2 is configured to assume a retracted state of the arm element during the movement of the applicator head 11 from the retrieval position to the application position, and is configured to assume an extended state of the arm element during the movement of the applicator head 11 from the application position to the retrieval position.

[0044] Each arm element 4 is further provided with a fixedly arranged protrusion 12 configured to engage the support member 8 during the movement of the applicator head 11 from the retrieval position to the application position. The protrusion 12 of each arm element 4 is arranged on a side of the associated support structure facing the base element 3 that is telescopically coupled to the arm element 4.

[0045] Each arm element 4 is configured to be brought to the retracted state of the arm element, in response to the continued rotation of the eccentrically arranged actuator shaft 6, after the protrusion 12 has engaged the associated support structure of the support member 8.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the applicator head 11 is formed by the free end 13 of each arm element 4, and is configured for retrieving and applying an article in the form of a beverage straw. It will be appreciated that the design of the applicator head depends on the type of article to be retrieved and applied. For example, the free ends of the arm elements can be interconnected so as to form an applicator head configured for applying an article in the form of a label or other type.

[0047] The articles can be supplied from a source. The beverage straws can be provided in a web, wherein each beverage straw is wrapped in a protective envelope. In the illustrated embodiment, such a web can be supplied to the drive 14 in the form of a feed wheel arranged to hold the web. A knife 15 is arranged for separating each wrapped beverage straw from the web. The separated wrapped beverage straws are then advanced one by one to a position associated with the retrieval position of the applicator head 11 of the applicator member 2.

[0048] The configuration of the device 1 and one of the arms of the applicator member 2 is more clearly shown in Figure 2 and will now also be referred to with reference to this figure.

[0049] The device 1 comprises a rotatable actuator wheel 16 which eccentrically supports the actuator shaft 6 at a distance from the first rotation axis RA1. The actuator wheel 16 can be rotated by a motor, not shown, such as a servo motor.

[0050] The end portion 7 of the base element 3 is journaled in the actuator shaft 6 and is thus pivotable relative to the actuator shaft 6.

[0051] The base element 3 defines a cavity 17 which extends in the longitudinal direction of the arm.

[0052] The end portion 18 of the arm element 4 is slidingly received by the cavity 17 such that the arm element 4 is telescopically coupled to the base element 3 and is movable between a retracted state and an extended state.

[0053] The support structure of the support member 8 is pivotable about a second rotation axis RA2 which is arranged parallel to the first rotation axis RA1.

[0054] The support structure comprises a slide bearing 19 which slidingly supports the intermediate section 10 of the arm element 4.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, a pin 20 extends transversely through the end portion 18 of the arm element 4. Opposite ends of the pin 20 are received by two oppositely arranged long holes 21 which are provided in the base element 3 and extend in the longitudinal direction of the arm. The retracted state and the extended state of the arm element 4 are thus defined by the pin 20 and the long holes 21.

[0056] The protrusion 12 is arranged on the arm element 4 on the side of the support structure facing the base element 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusion 12 is in the form of a washer.

[0057] The arm of the applicator member 2 comprises a biasing member 5 in the form of a spring element configured for biasing the arm element 4 towards its extended state. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring element is arranged between a heel 22 provided on the base element 3 and a protrusion 12 in the form of a washer.

[0058] Reference will now be made to Figure 3 The operation of the device will be discussed, the figures showing the device 1 in positions A to H.

[0059] By continuous rotation of the actuator shaft 6 through the positions A to H, the angle of the arm of the applicator member will periodically change and the pivotable support member 8 which slidingly supports the intermediate section 10 of the arm element will facilitate the adaptation of these changes in the angle of the arm.

[0060] In position A, the arm element 4 is in its extended state and the applicator head 11 is in its retrieval position.

[0061] By rotation of the actuator shaft 6 in the anti-clockwise direction indicated by arrow P1, the device 1 will initially move from position A to position B and C, causing the base element 3 pivotally coupled to the actuator shaft 6 to move in a first lateral direction indicated by arrow P2, while the end portion 7 of the base element 3 moves in a first transverse direction indicated by arrow P4.

[0062] The movement of the base element 3 in the first lateral direction P2 will cause the protrusion 12 provided on the arm element 4 telescopically coupled to the base element 3 to be brought into engagement with the support member 8, preventing the arm element 4 from being pushed through the support member 8 which slidingly supports the intermediate section 10 of the arm element 4, i.e. the arm element 4 can no longer move together with the base element 3 in the first lateral direction P1. Rather, the end portion 18 of the arm element 4 will be pushed deeper into the cavity of the base element 3 against the action of the biasing member, as shown in positions B and C.

[0063] In position C, the arm element 4 has taken its fully retracted state.

[0064] By continued rotation of the actuator shaft 6 in the anti-clockwise direction P1 through positions D and E, the base element 3 pivotally coupled to the actuator shaft 6 will move in a second lateral direction indicated by arrow P3, opposite to the first lateral direction P2, while the end portion 7 of the base element 3 continuously moves in the first transverse direction P4, whereby the arm element 4 is extended by the action of the biasing member, while the protrusion 12 maintains its engagement with the support member 8.

[0065] In position E, the arm element 4 has again reached its fully extended state and the applicator head 11 has reached the application position.

[0066] Thus, when the device 1 is operated through the positions A to E, the applicator head 11 is moved from the retrieval position to the application position, and at the same time the arm element 4 is moved from the extended state to the retracted state (positions A to C) and back to the extended state (positions C to E). Thus, when the applicator head 11 is moved from the retrieval position to the application position, it can be moved along a path that is close to linear.

[0067] By continued rotation of the actuator shaft 6 in the counter clockwise direction PI through the positions E to H, the base element 3 will initially (positions E to G) be moved in the second lateral direction P3, while the end portion 7 of the base element 3 is moved in a second transverse direction, indicated by arrow P5, which is opposite to the first transverse direction P4, the arm element 4 being in its fully extended state. During this movement, the protrusion 12 will be brought out of engagement with the support member 8, and thus the arm element 4 will be kept in its fully extended state under the action of the biasing member.

[0068] By continued rotation of the actuator shaft 6 (positions G to H, and back to position A), the base element 3 will be moved in the first lateral direction P2, while the end portion 7 continues to be moved in the second transverse direction P5. During this movement, the protrusion 12 will be moved towards the support member 8, but will not be brought into engagement with the support member, and thus, the arm element 4 will be kept in its fully extended state.

[0069] At position A, the arm element 4 is in its extended state, and the applicator head 11 has returned to its retrieval position.

[0070] While the arm element 4 is kept in its fully extended state through the positions E to A, the applicator head 11 will be moved along a curved path from the application position back to the retrieval position.

[0071] Figure 4 The use of the device 1 for applying an article 100 to a moving object 200 is schematically illustrated. The article 100 can be a beverage straw, and the object 200 can be a package. The object is moved on a conveyor 300 in a feed direction, indicated by arrow P6.

[0072] The figure illustrates the device 1 with its applicator head 11 in the retrieval position. The figure also indicates, by dashed lines, the device 1 with its applicator head 11 in the application position.

[0073] The figure further illustrates the drive means 14 in the form of a feed wheel, which has pushed the article 100 into a position associated with the retrieval position of the applicator head 11, so that the applicator head 11 can retrieve the article 100 from the drive means.

[0074] By rotation of the actuator shaft 6 around the first rotation axis RA1 from position A to position E (as indicated by the arrow A-E), the applicator head 11 is moved from the retrieval position to the application position. As a result of the retraction and subsequent extension of the applicator arm 4 during this movement, the applicator head 11 will be caused to follow an approximately linear path, allowing the article 100 to be clearly applied to the object 200. Figure 3 As shown, the applicator head 11 is moved from the retrieval position to the application position. As a result of the retraction and subsequent extension of the applicator arm 4 during this movement, the applicator head 11 will be caused to follow an approximately linear path, allowing the article 100 to be clearly applied to the object 200.

[0075] The article 100 can be applied at an upstream station to the application surface of the object 200 which has been provided with an adhesive, such as hot-melt adhesive.

[0076] By continued rotation of the actuator shaft 6 around the first rotation axis RA1 from position E back to position A (as indicated by the arrow E-A), the applicator head 11 is moved from the application position back to the retrieval position, during which movement the arm element 4 is in its extended state and as a result, the applicator head 11 will be caused to follow a curved path which initially has a component in the feed direction P6 of the moving object 200. Figure 3 As shown, the applicator head 11 is moved from the retrieval position to the application position. As a result of the retraction and subsequent extension of the applicator arm 4 during this movement, the applicator head 11 will be caused to follow an approximately linear path, allowing the article 100 to be clearly applied to the object 200.

[0077] By matching the rate at which the applicator head is moved along this component in the feed direction P6 to the feed rate of the object 200, the applicator head 11 will be likely to remain in engagement with the article 100 and, after the article 100 has been applied, press it against the object 200 before being lifted and moved back to the retrieval position.

[0078] The movement of the applicator head 11 along the approximately straight path and the curved path is indicated in the figures by dashed lines.

[0079] It will be understood that the application is not limited to the embodiments shown. Several modifications and variations are therefore conceivable within the scope of the application, the scope of which is therefore limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying an article (100) to a moving object (200), the apparatus comprising The applicator member (2) comprises a base element (3) and an arm element (4), wherein the arm element (4) is telescopically coupled to the base element (3) such that the arm element (4) is movable between a retracted state and an extended state, a biasing member (5) configured to bias the arm element (4) towards its extended state, an actuator shaft (6) pivotably connected to the base element, wherein the actuator shaft (6) is arranged eccentrically and is rotatable about a first rotation axis RA1, and a support member (8) pivotable about a second rotation axis RA2 and slidingly supporting an intermediate section (10) of the arm element (4) of the applicator member (2), wherein a free end (13) of the arm element (4) comprises an applicator head (11) which is cyclically movable between a retrieval position in which the applicator head (11) is configured for retrieving the article (100) and an application position in which the applicator head (11) is configured for applying the article (100) to the object (200) in response to rotation of the eccentrically arranged actuator shaft (6) about the first rotation axis RA1, wherein the arm element (4) is configured to be brought into its retracted state during movement of the applicator head (11) from the retrieval position to the application position, and wherein the arm element (4) is configured to assume its extended state during movement of the applicator head (11) from the application position to the retrieval position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The arm element (4) is configured to be brought from the extended state to the retracted state and back to the extended state during movement of the applicator head (11) from the retrieval position to the application position such that the applicator head (11) moves along an approximately linear path.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The arm element (4) is provided with a fixedly arranged protrusion (12) configured to engage the support member (8) during movement of the applicator head (11) from the retrieval position to the application position.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein, The arm element (4) is configured to be brought into its retracted state in response to continued rotation of the eccentrically arranged actuator shaft (6) when the protrusion (12) is brought into engagement with the support member (8).

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein, The protrusion (12) provided on the arm element (4) is arranged on a side of the support member (8) facing the base element (3) of the applicator member (2).

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein, The protrusion (12) is configured to cooperate with the biasing member (5).

7. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The arm element (4) is configured to remain in the extended state during movement of the applicator head (11) from the application position to the retrieval position such that the applicator head (11) moves along a curved path.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The biasing member (5) comprises a spring member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The applicator member (2) comprises an additional base element (3) and an additional arm element (4) telescopically coupled to the additional base element, wherein the additional base element (3) and the additional arm element (4) extend parallel to the base element (3) and the arm element (4).

10. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The applicator head (11) is arranged for retrieving and applying an article (100) in the form of a beverage straw.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The applicator head (11) is arranged for applying the article (100) to the object (200) in the form of a package.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The support member (8) comprises a plain bearing (19) for supporting an intermediate section (10) of the arm element (4).

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The article (100) is a beverage straw or a label.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The moving object (200) is a package.

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