Labeling machine

Abstract

A labelling machine comprises a conveyor (2) of containers (3) to be labelled along an advancement path and comprises at least one labelling station (6) arranged along the advancement path of the containers (3). The labelling station (6) has an unwinding assembly (7) for a label web (8) and has a cutting drum (10) designed to receive the label web (8) so that it adheres to a lateral surface (10a) of the cutting drum and which supports at least one cutting device (12) for the label web (8). The cutting device (12) comprises a respective suction chamber (13) which opens at the lateral surface (10a) of the cutting drum (10) and which internally houses at least one blade (14). The suction chamber (13) can be connected with an air suction device in order to attract the label web (8) towards the interior of the suction chamber (13) and against the blade (14) and, in so doing, to cut the label web (8). According to the invention, the cutting device (12) comprises at least one respective blade support block (15) which is supported by the cutting drum (10) and which supports the blade (14). At least one portion of the blade support block (15) is internally provided with at least one cavity (16) for attenuating the noise generated by the cutting of the label web (8).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a labelling machine.

[0002] Known container labelling machines generally have a conveyor for the containers to be labelled, which is usually constituted by a rotating disc having, on the periphery, a plurality of rotating supports each designed to receive a respective container and to cause the respective container to rotate about its own axis.

[0003] At least one labelling station is arranged along the periphery of the disc and is provided with an unwinding assembly which makes it possible to take off, from a reel, a label ribbon on which a plurality of labels are printed in succession, and which feeds the label ribbon to a cutting drum able to receive the label ribbon so that it adheres to the lateral surface of the cutting drum, and which is able to cut the label ribbon to separate the respective labels from the label ribbon, which are then transferred onto the containers transported on the disc.

[0004] In some labelling machines, the cutting drum also performs the function of the transfer drum, since it not only cuts the label ribbon, but also transfers the respective labels, separated after cutting, to the respective containers conveyed by the disc. In this case, the cutting drum is more aptly called "cutting and transfer drum".

[0005] For example, EP 2091822, in the name of the same Applicant, discloses a cutting and transfer drum provided with a plurality of blades spaced apart from each other along a circumferential portion which, once developed, is substantially equal to the length of the labels, and which can be actuated by means of actuating cylinders to be moved individually, thus cutting the label ribbon in the separation areas between the labels.

[0006] The main drawback of cutting and transfer drums of this type lies in their complex construction and in the respective difficulty of adapting them when the form of the labels is changed.

[0007] Furthermore, Italian patent No. 102016000128413, in the name of the same Applicant, discloses a labelling machine in which there is a cutting drum designed to receive, on its lateral surface, a label ribbon fed by an unwinding assembly, and provided along its lateral surface with a plurality of cutting devices angularly spaced apart from each other about the axis of the cutting drum, which makes it possible to cut the labels from the label ribbon by suction of the label ribbon against the blades.

[0008] In particular, each of these cutting devices is provided with a respective blade which is fixed integrally to the transfer drum and housed in a respective suction chamber which is open at a lateral surface of the cutting drum and which can be set in communication with an air suction device, in such a way as to be able to attract the label band towards the inside of the suction chamber, so as to push it against the blade, thus effecting the cutting of the label band.

[0009] Although the cutting drum just described is able to overcome the drawbacks described above, it generates a certain amount of noise when cutting the label band.

[0010] The object of the present application is to provide a labelling machine which is able to improve the known art in one or more of the aspects mentioned above.

[0011] Within this object, the object of the present application is to provide a labelling machine which makes it possible to reduce the noise emitted during the cutting of the label band.

[0012] Another object of the present application is to provide a labelling machine which makes it possible to implement changes in the form of the labels without particular difficulties.

[0013] Another object of the present application is to provide a labelling machine which is able to provide the widest guarantees of reliability and safety in its operation.

[0014] Still another object of the present application is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a manner alternative to any existing solution.

[0015] Another object of the present application is to provide a labelling machine which is relatively easy to set up and can be produced at low cost, so as to also be competitive from a purely economic point of view.

[0016] This object and these and other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a labelling machine according to claim 1, which is optionally provided with one or more characteristics of the dependent claims.

[0017] Further characteristics and advantages of the application will become more apparent from the description of preferred, but non-exclusive, embodiments of the labelling machine according to the present application, shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a labelling machine according to the present application;

[0019] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cutting drum of a machine according to the present application;

[0020] Figure 3is a partial sectional plan view from above of a machine according to the present application;

[0021] Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a detail of the cutting drum of the machine according to the present application;

[0022] Figure 5 is a front view of a blade support block of the machine according to the present application;

[0023] Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in Figure 5

[0024] With reference to the drawings, a container labelling machine according to the present application, indicated overall by the reference number 1, comprises a conveyor 2 of containers 3 to be labelled along an advancement path, which is constituted, for example, by a carousel 4 actuated to rotate about its own axis and provided on the periphery with rotating supports 5 each designed to support a single container 3 so as to make it rotate about its axis.

[0025] Along the advancement path of the containers 3 defined by the conveyor 2 there is at least one labelling station 6 designed to apply a respective label 8a on a container 3 transported on the conveyor 2, which label is obtained by cutting a continuous label band 8 on which a plurality of labels 8a are printed in succession.

[0026] In particular, the labelling station 6 comprises a unwinding assembly 7, constituted, for example, by a pair of counter-rotating pinch rollers 7a, 7b, which makes it possible to take down the label band 8 from a reel (not shown) so that it conveniently passes through a tension force adjustment device 9.

[0027] The label band 8 is transferred at the outlet of the unwinding assembly 7 to a cutting drum 10, which can move in rotation about its own axis and which is designed to receive the label band 8 fed by the unwinding assembly 7 so that it adheres to the lateral surface of the cutting drum itself by means of suction ports 11 defined on the lateral surface 10a of the cutting drum 10 and connected to an air suction device, constituted, for example, by a vacuum pump 110.

[0028] In particular, the cutting drum 10 supports along its peripheral region at least one cutting device 12 which can be actuated to perform the cutting of the label band 8, so as to obtain the labels 8a to be transferred to the containers 3 transported on the conveyor 2, according to command using actuation means.

[0029] ​It should be noted that more than one cutting device 12 can optionally be present on the cutting drum 10, which are conveniently arranged circumferentially around the axis of the cutting drum 10 at a distance from each other at least equal to the length of the respective label 8a.

[0030] More specifically, each cutting device 12 comprises a respective suction chamber 13 which opens at a lateral surface 10a of the cutting drum 10 and inside which at least one blade 14 is housed, which lies substantially on a radial plane with respect to the axis of the cutting drum 10, so as to be able to perform the cutting of the label band 8 in a direction substantially transverse with respect to the longitudinal extension direction of the label band.

[0031] The suction chamber 13 of each cutting device 12 can be connected with an air suction device, which is conveniently constituted by a vacuum pump 110, so as to exert on the label band 8 an action of attraction towards the inside of the suction chamber 13, thus making the label band 8 abut against the blade 14, which therefore cuts it, as shown in Figure 4 .

[0032] According to the present application, the (or each) cutting device 12 comprises a respective blade support block 15, which is supported by the cutting drum 10 and which in turn supports the blade 14.

[0033] Conveniently, the blade support block 15 delimits at least part of the suction chamber 13.

[0034] Furthermore, according to the present application, at least part of the blade support block 15 is internally provided with at least one cavity 16 for attenuating the noise generated by the cutting of the label band 8 by the respective blade 14.

[0035] Conveniently, the cavity 16 can be at least partially filled with a material different from that of which the blade support block 15 is made. For example, the cavity 16 can be filled with a gas or a mixture of gases (such as air) or with a material having noise-attenuating properties (such as noise-attenuating polyurethane foam or the like).

[0036] Alternatively, the cavity 16 can be vacuumed.

[0037] In more detail, the blade support block 15 is constituted by a box-like body 15a, inside which the suction chamber 13 is defined.

[0038] Conveniently, the box-shaped body 15a has a side directed towards the outside of the cutting drum 10, in which a suction opening 13a is defined, which communicates with the suction chamber 13 and is arranged substantially at the lateral surface 10a of the cutting drum 10, so as to allow the label band 8 to enter the inside of the suction chamber 13, and an opposite side directed towards the inside of the cutting drum 10, in which a connection opening 13b is defined, which also communicates with the suction chamber 13, which enables the connection of the suction chamber 13 with the air suction device.

[0039] In this case, the cavity 16 is defined in at least one wall of the box-shaped body 15a.

[0040] More specifically, the box-shaped body 15a is internally provided with at least two walls 17a, 17b delimiting the suction chamber 13, which are opposite and facing each other, and between which the blade 14 is interposed.

[0041] In at least one of the two walls 17a, 17b mentioned above (and more preferably in both of them) there is at least one cavity 16.

[0042] Advantageously, the box-shaped body 15a is internally supported by locking pins 18, which pass through respective retaining openings 19 defined in the blade 14, so as to enable the coupling of the blade 14 to the box-shaped body 15a.

[0043] In particular, advantageously, these locking pins 18 are supported by at least one of the delimiting walls 17a, 17b.

[0044] It should be noted that, in addition, on the walls 17a, 17b there are spaced apart projections 20, which are adapted to abut against the blade 14, so as to center the blade with respect to the walls 17a, 17b.

[0045] Conveniently, the blade support block 15 (and more specifically the box-shaped body 15a of each cutting device 12) can be disengaged from the cutting drum 10, so as to allow the cleaning of the blade support block and the replacement of the respective blade in the event of wear of the blade 14.

[0046] To this end, in the body of the cutting drum 10 there is perimetrically defined an accommodation seat 21, in which the box-shaped body 15a of the cutting device 12 can be removably positioned via a sliding movement along a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the cutting drum 10.

[0047] To best guide the movement for inserting the box-like bodies 15a into the containing seats 21 and for extracting them from the containing seats, each of the box-like bodies 15a has, at an end thereof designed to be directed towards the inside of the cutting drum 10, a substantially dovetail-shaped portion which engages with a corresponding shaped portion of the respective containing seat 21.

[0048] It must be noted that, as shown in the embodiment, each cutting device 12 of the cutting drum 10 can be associated with a respective slide 22 which is integral with the cutting drum 10 and is mounted so as to protrude from the rest of the lateral surface 10a of the cutting drum 10, so as to allow the application of two adhesive strips 23a and 23b, respectively at the rear edge and at the front edge of two consecutive labels 8a on the label ribbon 8, by an adhesive application roller 24 arranged adjacent to the cutting drum 10, before the labels 8a are cut by the respective cutting device 12.

[0049] More specifically, the slide 22 of each cutting device 12 is located in front of the respective cutting device 12 along the direction of rotation of the cutting drum 10, and in this case there is a device for controlling the machine which is constituted by an electronic controller 100 and is adapted to drive the unwinding assembly 7 so as to command a slowing of the feed speed of the label ribbon 8 with respect to the peripheral speed of the cutting drum 10, after the application of the two adhesive strips 23a, 23b on the two consecutive labels 8a resting on one of the slides 22 by the application roller 24, so as to bring the cutting device 12 located behind the slide 22 on which the two consecutive labels 8a are located to the portion of the label ribbon 8 interposed between the two adhesive strips 23a and 23b and to perform the cutting on this portion; thereafter, the feed speed of the label ribbon 8 returns to its previous value.

[0050] Again with reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, after the label ribbon 8 has been cut by the cutting device 12 located between the two adhesive strips 23a, 23b, the label 8a separated from the label ribbon 8 after cutting is brought by the cutting drum 10 to the respective container 3 which reaches on the carousel 2.

[0051] Alternatively, the cutting drum 10 can also transfer the labels 8a obtained after cutting to a transfer drum which is conveniently divided, at a peripheral region thereof, into sectors having a length which is substantially equal to the length of the labels 8a and which, in each instance, are adapted to each receive a respective label 8a from the cutting drum 10 and to bring this label into contact with a corresponding container 3 transported on the carousel 2.

[0052] In this case, the cutting drum 10 can not have the slides 22, which are instead provided at the edges of each sector of the transfer drum, next to which the adhesive application roller 24 is therefore located.

[0053] It must also be noted that the machine according to the present application can also be used with a label ribbon 8 of the pre-glued type, i.e. provided with a strip of glue pre-applied to the edges of the labels 8a on the reel. In this case, the slide 22 and the glue application roller 24, which are not necessary, can be omitted.

[0054] The operation of the machine according to the present application is as follows.

[0055] With reference to the illustrated embodiment, the label ribbon 8 is fed to the cutting drum 10 by the unwinding assembly 7 at a first feeding speed substantially equal to the circumferential speed of the cutting drum 10 and remains attached to the lateral surface 10a of the cutting drum 10, with the leading and trailing edges of the two consecutive labels 8a resting on one of the slides 22, so that when the slide 22 passes in front of the application roller 24, the latter applies the strips of glue 23a and 23b on the leading and trailing edges of the two labels 8a.

[0056] At this point, the control device of the machine commands the unwinding assembly 7 to feed the label ribbon 8 to the cutting drum 10 at a second feeding speed slower than the first feeding speed, so as to position, via the subsequent sliding of the label ribbon 8 on the cutting drum 10, the cutting device 12 arranged behind the slide 22 that has just passed in front of the application roller 24 at the portion of the label ribbon 8 located between the two strips of glue 23a and 23b applied by the application roller 24, as shown in Figure 3 .

[0057] In this case, the control device of the machine commands the unwinding assembly 7 to feed the label ribbon 8 again at the first feeding speed, so that the cutting device 12 and the portion of the label ribbon 8 between the strips of glue 23a and 23b move in synchronism with each other and the cutting device 12 arranged at this portion of the label ribbon 8 is actuated by connecting the respective suction chamber 13 to the air suction device, so that the cutting by the blade 14 can take place by attracting the label ribbon 8 towards the inside of the respective suction chamber 13, as shown in Figure 4 .

[0058] Thanks to the presence of the cavities 16 in the walls 17a, 17b of the box-shaped body 15a supporting the blade 14, the noise generated by the cutting of the label ribbon 8 is thus optimally attenuated.

[0059] After cutting the label ribbon 8, the control device of the machine commands the unwinding assembly 7 to feed the label ribbon 8 to the cutting drum 10 at the second feeding speed, so as to move the cut label 8a away from the remaining portion of the label ribbon 8 and at the same time to enable the positioning of the next slide 22 between the next two consecutive labels 8a of the label ribbon 8.

[0060] Once the next slider 22 reaches between the next two consecutive labels 8a of the label tape 8, the control device commands the unwinding assembly 7 to feed the label tape 8 to the cutting roller 10 at a first feed speed, so that as the cutting roller 10 continues to rotate around its axis, the cut labels 8a are brought to the corresponding container 3 conveyed by the conveyor 2, and the portion of the label tape 8 resting on the slider 22 can reach the application roller 24, so that the machine can continue to operate in cycles.

[0061] In fact, it has been found that the present invention fully achieves the intended goals and objectives, and particular attention has been paid to the fact that the presence of the cavity in the blade support block can significantly reduce the noise generated by the blades cutting the label against the cutting roller through the suction of the label tape.

[0062] The invention conceived thus can be modified and varied in many ways, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0063] Furthermore, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent components.

[0064] In practice, the materials used, as well as the shape and size, can be any material, shape, and size as required and in accordance with existing technology.

[0065] This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102021000004805, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0066] The reference marks following any technical feature mentioned in any claim are intended only to increase the comprehensibility of the claim, and therefore do not limit the interpretation of each element identified by way of example through these reference marks.

Claims

1. A labelling machine comprising a conveyor (2) of containers (3) to be labelled along an advancement path and comprising at least one labelling station (6) arranged along said advancement path and having an unwinding assembly (7) for a label web (8) and having a cutting drum (10) designed to receive said label web (8) so that it adheres to a lateral surface (10a) of said cutting drum and said cutting drum supports at least one cutting device (12) for said label web (8), said at least one cutting device (12) comprising a respective suction chamber (13) which opens at said lateral surface (10a) of said cutting drum (10) and internally houses at least one blade (14), said suction chamber (13) being connectable with an air suction device so as to attract said label web (8) towards the inside of said suction chamber (13) and against said blade (14) and, in so doing, to cut said label web (8), characterized in that, Said at least one cutting device (12) comprises at least one respective blade support block (15) supported by said cutting drum (10) and supporting said at least one blade (14), at least a portion of said blade support block (15) being internally provided with at least one cavity (16) for attenuating the noise generated by cutting said label web (8).

2. The machine of claim 1, wherein, Said blade support block (15) comprises a box-like body (15a) internally defining said suction chamber (13), said at least one cavity (16) being defined in at least one wall of said box-like body (15a).

3. The machine of claim 2, wherein, Said box-like body (15a) has at least two opposite delimiting walls (17a, 17b) delimiting said suction chamber (13), said at least one blade (14) being interposed between at least two of said delimiting walls (17a, 17b), at least one of said delimiting walls (17a, 17b) internally having said at least one cavity (16).

4. The machine of claim 3, wherein, Said box-like body (15a) supports, inside said suction chamber (13), a locking pin (18) passing through a retaining opening (19) defined in said at least one blade (14).

5. The machine of claim 4, wherein, Said locking pin (18) is supported by at least one of said delimiting walls (17a, 17b).

6. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Said at least one cavity (16) is at least partially filled with a material different from that of which said blade support block (15) is made.

7. The machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Said at least one cavity (16) is provided as a vacuum.

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