Labeling machine

Abstract

A labelling machine comprises a conveyor (2) of containers (3) to be labelled along an advancement path (2a) and at least one labelling station (6) arranged along said advancement path (2a). The labelling station (6) comprises an unwinding assembly (7) for a label web (8) on which a plurality of labels (8a) are printed in succession and at least one drum (10) designed to receive the label web (8) on a lateral surface thereof or to receive the labels (8a) obtained by cutting the label web (8). At least one slide (11) is arranged at a peripheral region of the drum (10) and has at least one protruding portion (12) which protrudes outward with respect to the rest of the lateral surface of the drum (10). At least one gluing roller (13) is arranged laterally with respect to the drum (10). According to the invention, at least the protruding portion (12) of the slide (11) is made of an elastically yielding material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a labeling machine. Background Technology

[0002] Known labeling machines enable the application of labels obtained by cutting continuous label strips onto containers.

[0003] The label tape can be pre-adhesive, meaning that a portion of adhesive is pre-applied on the roll to allow the label tape to adhere to the container, or the label tape may not have pre-applied adhesive, in which case the machine is equipped with a device that can apply adhesive to the label to be transferred to the container, as will be better explained below.

[0004] Labeling machines are typically equipped with a container conveyor consisting of a rotating disc conveyor belt. Around the periphery of this conveyor belt are rotating support discs for individual containers, which rotate about their axes.

[0005] One or more labeling stations are also arranged around the perimeter of the disc conveyor belt, each labeling station applying a corresponding label to the container being transported by the disc conveyor belt.

[0006] Specifically, each labeling station is equipped with an unwinding assembly that can extract the label tape from the reel to supply the label tape to a cutting roller, which is equipped with blades for cutting the label tape at the separation area between one label and the next. After leaving the cutting roller, the cut and separated labels are transferred to a transfer roller, which adheres the labels to the corresponding containers that arrive on the disc conveyor belt.

[0007] In other machines, the functions of the cutting and transfer rollers are performed by a single roller (called the cutting and transfer roller), which allows the label tape to be cut using blades mounted on it, and the cut labels to be transferred to the corresponding containers.

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

[0009] Labeling machines designed to use label tape without pre-applied adhesive have an adhesive bonding assembly, which is typically located next to the transfer roller or next to the cutting and transfer roller, depending on the specific situation.

[0010] Specifically, the bonding assembly can then be made of a glue-applying roller, i.e., a roller that applies two glue strips to each of the labels placed on an adjacent roller, one glue strip at the leading edge of the single label and the other glue strip at the trailing edge of the label.

[0011] Specifically, the roller that applies adhesive to the label is typically divided into multiple segments or partitions along its circumferential extension, each of which is designed to receive a single label in each case.

[0012] At opposite ends of each section are two gluing zones that protrude relative to the rest of the side surface of the corresponding roller and are essentially defined by corresponding blocks (often called slides or sliders) on which the leading and trailing edges of the label rest, such that as the label passes in front of the gluing roller, the gluing roller applies two strips of adhesive to the label only at the leading and trailing edges.

[0013] The drawback of traditional machines is that they require maximum geometric precision not only in the construction of the rollers and the sliders mounted on them, but also in positioning the glue rollers relative to the rollers, in order to ensure that the pressure generated between the glue rollers and the rollers supporting the sliders allows the glue to be applied correctly to the labels without interfering with the normal operation of the machine. Summary of the Invention

[0014] The objective of this invention is to provide a labeling machine that improves upon one or more aspects of the known art mentioned above.

[0015] Within this objective, the object of the present invention is to provide a labeling machine that enables optimal application of adhesive to labels without requiring the maximum precision of the prior art.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labeling machine that can provide the highest guarantee of reliability and safety during its operation.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art in a way that replaces any existing solutions.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labeling machine that is relatively easy to provide so that it can be produced at low cost.

[0019] This objective, as will become more apparent below, and these and other objectives are achieved by a labeling machine according to claim 1, which may optionally be provided with one or more features of the dependent claims. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Other 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, shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a partial perspective view of the labeling machine according to the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the drum of the machine according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the sliding component of the machine according to the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is the front view of the slider;

[0025] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of line VV;

[0026] Figure 6 It is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view taken from line VI-VI;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a side view of the slider;

[0028] Figure 8 This is a top view of the sliding component;

[0029] Figure 9 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 This is a schematic top view of the machine according to the invention, in the sequence of its operating steps. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the labeling machine according to the invention (generally indicated by reference numeral 1) includes a conveyor 2 of a container 3, which is to be labeled along a forward path 2a.

[0031] Conveniently, the conveyor 2 consists of a rotating disc conveyor belt 4 having a support 5 for a single container 3 in its peripheral area, the support being adapted to allow the container 3 to rotate about its axis.

[0032] Along the forward path 2a of container 3, there is at least one labeling station 6, which includes an unwinding assembly 7 for label tape 8 on which a plurality of labels 8a are continuously printed.

[0033] Conveniently, the unwinding assembly 7 consists of a pair of opposing clamping rollers 7a, 7b, which allow the label tape 8 to be pulled out from the reel (not shown), and optionally allow the label tape 8 to pass through the tension adjusting device 9, as is well known in itself.

[0034] The labeling station 6 is also provided with at least one roller 10, which can be moved by rotating about its own axis and is designed to receive label tape 8 or labels 8a obtained by cutting the label tape on its side surface.

[0035] Advantageously, suction openings 10a are provided on the side surface of the roller 10. These suction openings are connected in a manner known per se to an air suction device, for example, a vacuum pump 100, so that the label tape 8 and the label 8a can be held in place, thereby adhering them to the side surface of the roller 10.

[0036] Specifically, at least one slider 11 is arranged in the peripheral region of the roller 10 and has at least one portion 12 that protrudes outward relative to the rest of the side surface of the roller 10.

[0037] At least one glue roller 13 is also arranged laterally relative to the roller 10, and its function is to apply at least a layer of glue to the area of ​​the label 8a resting on the protrusion 12 of the slider 11 when the protrusion passes in front of the glue roller 13.

[0038] According to the present invention, at least the protruding portion 12 of the slider 11 is made of an elastically yielding material.

[0039] In this way, the manufacturing of the slider 11 and the arrangement of the glue roller 13 relative to the roller 10 do not need to be as precise as in the known technology, because the elastic deformability of the protrusion 12 of the slider 11 allows any errors in construction or assembly to be compensated.

[0040] Advantageously, the slider 11 is constituted by a corresponding body 11a, which is made entirely of an elastically yielding material, such as rubber or any other polymeric material with sufficient elastic deformability (e.g., silicone, thermoplastic polyurethane, etc.).

[0041] Conveniently, the slider 11 has at least one cavity 14 that functions to at least promote the elastic flexibility of the protrusion 12.

[0042] As shown, the roller 10 may be provided with a plurality of sliders 11 arranged at an angle to each other about the axis of the roller 10. In this case, each slider 11 is advantageously constructed of a body 11a made entirely of an elastically deformable material.

[0043] It should be noted that, due to the fact that the slider is made entirely of an elastic deformable material, each slider 11 can even be easily made by 3D printing. In addition to allowing the easy formation of cavities 14 with different shapes and sizes, 3D printing also provides a certain degree of freedom in the shape design of the body 11a of the slider 11. The cavity is not necessarily empty, but can be provided with, for example, a honeycomb structure or at least partially filled with a material having elastic properties different from the material used to make the body 11a. It also conveniently allows the elasticity of the body 11a of the slider 11 to be distinguished from one region to another in the best manner.

[0044] Advantageously, each slider 11 can be removably attached to the roller 10 at a corresponding receiving seat 15, which are defined in the peripheral area of ​​the roller 10.

[0045] Inserting the slider 11 into the receiving seat 15 and removing the slider from the receiving seat can be conveniently achieved by sliding the slider 11 relative to the roller 10 in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the roller.

[0046] To properly guide the sliding movement and ensure that the slider 11 is locked in the corresponding receiving seat 15 in the radial direction relative to the axis of the roller 10, elements of the convex / concave type are conveniently provided on the body 11a of the slider 11, which ensure the slider is engaged in the receiving seat 15. Specifically, at least one rib 16 may be provided on one of the opposing sides of the body 11a of each slider 11, which is designed to engage a corresponding groove defined in the receiving seat 15, while on the other side, another rib 17 may be defined, which in turn engages a corresponding groove also defined in the receiving seat 15.

[0047] Conveniently, at least in the protrusion 12 of the slider 11, there is a port 18 that can be connected to an air suction device, which is, for example, the same vacuum pump 100 connected to one or more openings 10a of the roller 10, so that the area of ​​the label 8a that needs to be glued by the glue roller 13 can be properly adhered to the slider 11.

[0048] Conveniently, port 18 passes through the body 11a of slider 11 and communicates with suction chamber 19, which is defined on one side of slider 11 pointing towards the interior of roller 10, and when slider 11 is in the corresponding receiving seat 15, suction chamber is intended to be positioned to communicate with vacuum pump 100.

[0049] As shown, at least one cutting device 20 can be circumferentially mounted on the roller 10, and the cutting device can be actuated according to a command to cut the label tape 8.

[0050] For example, this cutting device 20 may consist of a blade 21 arranged inside the cutting chamber 22, confined within the drum 10 and open at the side surface of the drum.

[0051] Specifically, the cutting chamber 22 can be connected to the vacuum pump 100 so that the label tape 8 is sucked into the interior of the cutting chamber 22 and against the blade 21, thereby achieving the cutting of the label tape.

[0052] Conveniently, the cutting chamber 22 is disposed inside the box-shaped body 23 of the support blade that can be (preferably removably) connected to the roller 10.

[0053] According to the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of cutting devices 20 are mounted on the drum 10, each cutting device being arranged adjacent to a corresponding slider 11. More specifically, each cutting device 20 is arranged immediately behind the corresponding slider 11 in relation to the rotational direction of the drum 10.

[0054] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, each slider 11 is provided with two protrusions 12, which are arranged side by side and extend substantially parallel to the axis of the roller 10. At least when the respective slider 11 passes in front of the adhesive roller 13, the leading and trailing edges of the two consecutive labels 8a of the label tape 8 are intended to rest on these protrusions, while the separation portion between the two consecutive labels 8a is intended to be positioned between the two protrusions 12.

[0055] Advantageously, there is a control device conveniently composed of an electronic controller 110, which enables the unwinding assembly 7 to be driven to change the speed at which the label tape 8 is supplied to the roller 10, thereby achieving the correct positioning of the label 8a relative to the slider 11 arranged on the roller 10.

[0056] The operation of the labeling machine according to the present invention is as follows.

[0057] exist Figure 9 In the case shown, when the unwinding assembly 7 supplies the label tape 8 to the roller 10 at a preset speed (which keeps the label tape adhered to the side surface of the roller), the trailing and leading edges of the two consecutive labels 8a of the label tape 8 are placed on one of the slides 11 of the roller 10 by means of both the suction opening 10a arranged on the side surface and the port 18 located at the slider 11, and at the same time the slider 11 passes in front of the glue applicator roller 13, which then applies an adhesive layer to the leading and trailing edges of the two consecutive labels 8a.

[0058] In this case, due to the fact that the slider is made of an elastic yielding material, the protruding portion 12 of the slider 11 can deform radially, thereby fully adapting to the pressure conditions it experiences from the glue application roller 13, so as to allow the glue to be applied normally and correctly, even if the position of the glue application roller 13 relative to the roller 10 is not adjusted with extremely high precision, or even if the geometry of the slider 11 is imperfect, for example due to manufacturing errors or the slider 11 changes shape due to wear, without interfering with the normal operation of the machine.

[0059] like Figure 10 As shown, once the adhesive is applied to the trailing and leading edges of two consecutive labels 8a adhered to the side surface of the roller 10, the electronic controller 110 acts on the unwinding assembly 7 to reduce the speed at which the label tape 8 is supplied to the roller 10, thereby causing the roller 10 to slide against the label tape 8. This allows the cutting device 20, located immediately behind the slider 11 at the adhesive roller 13, to be moved toward the separation area between the two labels 8a that have received the adhesive.

[0060] like Figure 11 As shown, once the blade 21 of the cutting device 20 reaches the separation area between two consecutive labels 8a, the electronic controller 110 commands the unwinding assembly 7 to feed the label tape 8 to the roller 10 at a speed approximately equal to the circumferential speed of the roller 10.

[0061] Meanwhile, the cutting chamber 22 of the cutting device 20 located in the separation area between the two consecutive labels 8a is connected to the vacuum pump 100 to cut the label strip 8.

[0062] The label 8a, which is thus separated from the label tape 8, will then be transferred from the roller 10 to the corresponding container 3 transported by the conveyor 2.

[0063] In fact, it has been found that the present invention fully achieves the intended goals and objectives by providing a labeling machine in which not only is it simpler to provide a sliding component mounted on a roller on which adhesive is applied, but it is also simpler to position the adhesive roller relative to the roller itself, thus having advantages in terms of ease of machine construction and production cost.

[0064] The invention conceived thus is readily subject to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

[0065] In practice, the materials used (as long as they are compatible with the specific application) and the dimensions and shapes, depending on the circumstances, can be any materials, dimensions, and shapes based on requirements and existing technology.

[0066] This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102021000007778, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0067] Although reference marks follow any technical feature mentioned in any claim, such reference marks are included only for the purpose of increasing the comprehensibility of the claims, and therefore these reference marks do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of these reference marks.

Claims

1. A labeling machine, comprising: The container (3) is conveyed by a conveyor (2) and the container is to be labeled along the forward path (2a); and at least one labeling station (6) arranged along the forward path (2a), the labeling station (6) comprising: an unwinding assembly (7) for a label tape (8) on which a plurality of labels (8a) are continuously printed; and at least one roller (10) designed to receive the label tape (8) or labels (8a) obtained by cutting the label tape (8) on its side surface, at least one slider (11) arranged in the peripheral area of ​​the roller (10) and having at least one protrusion (12) projecting outward relative to the remainder of the side surface of the roller (10), and at least one glue applicator roller (13) relative to The roller (10) is arranged laterally and designed to apply adhesive to at least the area of ​​the label (8a) abutting against at least one protrusion (12) of at least one slider (11), wherein the protrusion (12) of at least one slider (11) is made of an elastic yielding material, characterized in that the at least one slider (11) is constituted by a corresponding body (11a) integrally made of an elastic yielding material, and the at least one slider (11) has at least one cavity (14) adapted to at least promote the elastic flexibility of the protrusion (12).

2. The labeling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The at least one slider (11) is removably coupled to the roller (10) at the corresponding receiving seat (15).

3. The labeling machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least in the protrusion (12), there is a port (18) that can be connected to an air suction device.

4. The labeling machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The roller (10) circumferentially supports at least one cutting device (20), which is actuated upon command to cut the label tape (8).

5. The labeling machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The cavity (14) is empty.

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