Decoration machine for decorating containers with laser decoration unit provided with switching function

Abstract

Described is a decoration machine (1) for decorating containers (2) adapted to contain pourable products, the machine (1) comprising, for each set of container support members (4), a respective laser decoration unit (5) for engraving decorations on the containers (2) supported by the support members (4) of the set; wherein each laser decoration unit (5) comprises: a respective laser source (6) configured to emit a laser beam (L); at least two respective laser engraving devices (7), each configured to receive a laser beam (L) and each associated with a respective support member (4) of the group for engraving by said laser beam (L) a container (2) supported thereon, each device (7) being integral with the advancement of the associated support member (4); and a respective switching device (8) operably interposed between the laser source (6) and each laser engraving device (7) of the unit (5), the switching device (8) being configured for selectively directing the laser beam (L) to each engraving device (7) of the unit (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a decorating machine for decorating containers (such as bottles, cans, jars etc.) suitable for containing pourable products, preferably pourable food products, by laser decoration. Background Art

[0002] Decorating machines are known for decorating containers suitable for containing pourable products.

[0003] One common and widely used decorating machine is the labeling machine.

[0004] In particular, labelling machines are known which are usually used for preparing, transporting and applying labels to containers such as bottles, jars, cans etc. to be filled with pourable products, in particular pourable food products.

[0005] Such labelling machines typically operate using what are known as "adhesive labels" which are cut to the appropriate length from a web of labelling material, spread with glue and then applied to the container.

[0006] In other embodiments, the labeling machine may operate with so-called "sleeve labels," which are cut from a heat shrink film web, applied to the items with a certain gap, and then heated in an oven so that they shrink and adhere perfectly to the sides of the container.

[0007] Regardless of the type of label used, known labeling machines typically include: - a turntable rotatable about a vertical axis and configured to convey a plurality of containers along a horizontal arc-shaped labeling path; and a labelling module arranged peripherally with respect to the carousel (ie radially with respect to the aforementioned vertical axis) and configured to prepare a plurality of labels at an application station, transport them and feed them to the carousel in order to apply them to the respective containers.

[0008] The turntable comprises a series of support members, for example embodied as support plates, arranged at a peripheral portion thereof, each configured to support a corresponding container.

[0009] The turntable advances the support member along a circular trajectory, thereby advancing the container along the labeling path.

[0010] Typically, the labeling module mainly includes: - at least one supporting shaft, on which the web of labelling material is initially wound in the form of a reel; - a feed roller, which serves to unwind the web from the reel and advance it along the feed path; - a cutting unit for repeatedly cutting the web at a cutting station in order to separate a series of labels from the web itself; and a transfer drum, for example a known vacuum drum, arranged at the periphery of the carousel and configured to receive each label previously cut, to hold and advance it by suction and to deliver each label to the carousel at the application station.

[0011] In the case of using adhesive labels, the labelling module also comprises a gluing roller arranged at the periphery of the transport drum, which is used to sequentially spray with glue each label retained and transported by the drum itself.

[0012] As can be seen from the above, the known decoration machines include many different units and devices and require the use of a variety of raw materials, which makes the decoration process quite cumbersome and complicated and difficult to adapt to changes in container specifications.

[0013] Thus, known decorating machines require a large number of parts which require maintenance, reducing the overall reliability of the decorating machine. Summary of the invention

[0014] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a decorating machine designed to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned disadvantages in a straightforward and low-cost manner.

[0015] This object is achieved by a decorating machine as claimed in claim 1 . BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a decorating machine according to the invention, with parts removed for clarity;

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 an enlarged schematic side elevational view of a decorating machine at a first instant in use of the machine, with parts removed for clarity; and

[0019] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An enlarged schematic side elevation view of a decorating machine at a second moment during use of the machine, with parts removed for clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] refer to Figure 1 , reference 1 denotes as a whole a decorating machine for decorating a container 2, such as a bottle, a can, a jar or the like, suitable for containing a pourable product, preferably a pourable food (water, beer, wine, milk, juice, yogurt, etc.).

[0021] The container 2 is preferably made of a plastic material (such as PET) or glass. The container can be a can, a plastic bottle or a glass bottle.

[0022] Preferably, the decorating machine 1 is part of a packaging assembly (not shown) of known type configured to package a pourable product via a container 2 .

[0023] To this end, packaging components may include: - a filling machine (not shown) for filling the container 2 with a pourable product; - a capping machine (not shown) for capping the filled containers; and -Decoration machine 1.

[0024] The filling machine, the capping machine and the decorating machine are preferably synchronized with each other.

[0025] The machine 1 comprises a carousel conveyor 3 for conveying a plurality of containers 2 along a decorating path D. The carousel conveyor 3 is configured to convey the containers 2 along the decorating path D by a rotary movement.

[0026] The machine 1 comprises a plurality of support members 4 mounted on a conveyor 3 for advancement along a decorating path D. Each support member 4 is configured to support a respective container 2 during advancement. Each support member 4 is integral with said rotational movement.

[0027] The carousel conveyor comprises a turntable 3 rotatable about a central axis X, such that the decoration path D is arcuate and such that the rotational movement comprises a rotation about the central axis X. A support member 4 is mounted on a radially peripheral portion of the turntable 3 relative to the central axis X so as to be propelled by the turntable 3 along a circular path P comprising the decoration path D.

[0028] The plurality of support members 4 comprises at least one group of support members 4. The plurality of support members 4 may comprise a plurality of groups of support members 4. Each group comprises at least two corresponding support members 4. The at least two support members 4 of each group 4 are located at radially opposite positions relative to the axis X. In another embodiment not shown, the at least three support members 4 of each group may be 120° to each other.

[0029] The machine 1 comprises, for each set of supporting members 4 , a respective laser decoration unit 5 for engraving a decoration on a container 2 supported by the supporting members 4 of this set.

[0030] Each decoration unit 5 comprises a respective laser source 6 configured to emit a laser beam L. Each unit 5 comprises at least two respective laser engraving devices 7, each configured to receive the laser beam L and each associated with a respective support member 4 of the group for engraving the container 2 supported thereon by means of the received laser beam L. Each laser device 7 is integral with the propulsion of the associated support member 4 to improve the accuracy of the decoration. Each laser device 7 may comprise a lens.

[0031] The at least two engraving devices 7 of a unit 5 are located at diametrically opposite positions relative to the axis X. In another embodiment not shown, the at least three engraving devices 7 of each unit 5 may be 120° apart from each other.

[0032] Each decorating unit 5 comprises a respective switching device 8 operatively interposed between the laser source 6 of the unit 5 and each engraving device 7. The switching device 8 is configured to selectively direct the laser beam L towards each engraving device 7 of the unit 5. Figure 2 and Figure 3 refers to the same decorative unit 5. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the laser beam is directed to device 7a instead of another laser device 7. Figure 3 In the embodiment, the laser beam is directed towards device 7a, rather than towards the other device 7. Figure 2 Device 7a with Figure 3 The device 7a is different.

[0033] Thus, the switching device 8 can direct laser light to more than one laser device 7 simultaneously.

[0034] In detail, each laser decoration unit 5 emits concentrated electromagnetic radiation (light) with a defined emission wavelength, thereby producing a kind of micro-burning on the outer surface of the container 2, engraving the decoration thereon.

[0035] This results in: improved cleanliness of the decoration process since no glue is used; significantly reduced consumption of raw materials (since no glue and labelling material is required); and avoidance of unwanted misalignment of the decoration (e.g. labels) due to misapplication of glue or due to accidental removal or displacement of the label after production (e.g. during transport).

[0036] The machine 1 comprises at least one control unit 10 for controlling the switching device 8 of each decorating unit 5. The at least one control unit 10 is configured to automatically select, for each decorating unit 5, each engraving device 7 of the decorating unit 5 according to the position of the associated support member 4 along the decorating path D. The at least one control unit 10 is configured to automatically control the switching device 8 of each decorating unit 5 so that the laser beam L is directed to each selected laser engraving device 7a of the decorating unit 5. More than one laser device 7 may be selected simultaneously. Thus, for each decorating unit 5, the at least one control unit 10 may not select at least one laser device 7 of the decorating unit 5 but at least another laser device 7 of the decorating unit 5.

[0037] Figure 2 and Figure 3 refers to the same decorative unit 5. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the figure, the selected devices are all represented by 7a. Figure 2 The selected device 7a and Figure 3The device 7a selected is different.

[0038] In this way, at a constant production speed, fewer laser sources can be used in the machine, so that the mechanical structure of the machine 1 is simplified.

[0039] Therefore, it is possible to reduce the total number of components of the decorating machine 1. This results in a simplified architecture, reduced costs, simplified maintenance operations, and improves the overall reliability of the decorating machine 1.

[0040] For each laser decorating unit 5, the switching device 8 comprises a respective optical switch for deflecting the laser beam L towards each selected laser engraving device 7a.

[0041] The machine 1 comprises a suction device which is configured to extract residual particles of the container 2 after the container 2 has been engraved by the laser engraving device 7 .

[0042] In this way, the cleanliness of the decoration process is further improved.

[0043] Each laser engraving device 7 is arranged, with respect to said centre axis X, at a position radially further outwards than that of the associated support member 4 .

[0044] Suitably, each laser engraving device 7 is directed radially inwards towards the axis X in order to engrave the respective container 2 .

[0045] Due to this configuration, the overall safety of the laser engraving decoration process is improved, since the laser engraving device 7 is directed inwards instead of outwards, which could cause the laser beam L to hit the operator or other machines or units and cause damage to them.

[0046] Furthermore, this configuration is also particularly advantageous in terms of space: the assembly and maintenance of the laser engraving devices 7 is facilitated since these are easily accessible even when the machine 1 is loaded with containers 2, without requiring disassembly of any part of the machine 1.

[0047] According to an alternative embodiment not shown, the laser engraving device 7 may be radially more internal with respect to the support member 4 with which it is associated.

[0048] The latter arrangement has the advantage of reducing the footprint of the decorating machine 1, a feature which in some circumstances may be preferable to greater security and accessibility.

[0049] Each laser decorating unit 5 comprises a respective support structure 11 mounted to the rotating conveyor 3. The support structure 11 is integral with the rotational movement and supports each laser engraving device 7 of the decorating unit 5, such that each laser engraving device 7 of the decorating unit 5 is integral with the rotational movement. In this way, the decoration of each container 2 can be very precise. For each decorating unit 5, the support structure 11 also supports the laser source 6 and the switching device 8, such that each of the laser source 6 and the switching device 8 is integral with the rotational movement. The at least one control unit 10 may comprise a respective control unit 10 for each decorating unit 5 for controlling the respective switching device 8. In this case, for each decorating unit 5, the support structure 11 also supports the control unit 10.

[0050] The optical switch may be defined by a mirror system arranged within the structure 11 .

[0051] For each laser decoration unit 5, the support structure 11 is configured to selectively transmit the laser beam L from the corresponding laser source 6 to each laser engraving device 7 of the decoration unit 5, so that the laser beam L is guided from the switching device 8 to each selected laser engraving device 7a through the support structure 11. This leads to a further simplification of the mechanical architecture of the machine 1, since the support structure 11 is used both for the transmission beam and for integrating the engraving device 7 with the rotary movement of the conveyor 3. Since no dedicated transmission device for the laser beam L is required, the decoration machine 1 has a more compact design and a simplified architecture.

[0052] The machine 1 is configured so that each container is engraved along a decoration angular sector α relative to said axis X. For each laser decoration unit 5, at least one control unit 10 is configured to select each laser engraving device 7 for which the associated support member 4 is within the decoration angular sector α. Thus, the laser beam is directed to each device 7 transported along the decoration angular sector α. In this way, at a constant production speed, fewer laser sources can be used in the machine to simplify the mechanical structure of the machine 1.

[0053] Respectively Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the figure, the laser device denoted by 7a is located in the decorative corner sector, while the other is not in the decorative area. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Therefore, the laser device represented by 7a is selected, and the other one is not selected.

[0054] For each unit 5 , each laser engraving device 7 is mounted on a supporting structure 11 so as to be movable in an axial direction and / or in a radial direction relative to said centre axis X and relative to the associated supporting member 4 .

[0055] Conveniently, the machine 1 comprises dedicated actuators and control units, of known type, for determining the above-mentioned movements of each device 7 .

[0056] In this way, the decoration process can easily be adapted to specific requirements or a specific shape of the container 2 .

[0057] In fact, due to the above configuration: - the decoration may be engraved along the entire axial length of the container 2; and It is possible to obtain a precise control of the distance between the laser engraving device 7 and each container 2, so that this distance can be kept constant throughout the decoration process, even when the decoration is engraved along the entire axial length of the container 2.

[0058] The flexibility and adaptability of the decorating machine 1 are thus significantly increased, without compromising the quality of the decoration and without requiring cumbersome adaptations and modifications.

[0059] Each support member 4 comprises a respective support plate 12 movably mounted to the turntable 3 for receiving and supporting a container.

[0060] Each supporting member 4 comprises a respective actuator 13 coupled to the plate 12 for driving the movement of the plate 12 in the axial direction relative to the turntable 3. During the advancement of the plate 12 along the decoration path P, the plate 12 can be selectively axially moved relative to the actuator 13 to adjust the axial position of the container 2 supported thereon.

[0061] This configuration allows for further flexibility in the decoration process.

[0062] This configuration may also allow further decoration of the container 2 at a different portion of the decoration path D. For example, the decoration machine 1 may include a labeling module (not shown) configured to apply a label to the container 2 at a different axial height than the decoration engraved by the laser engraving device 7 .

[0063] Thus, a more flexible and versatile decorating machine 1 may be obtained.

[0064] The advantages of the decorating machine 1 according to the invention will be apparent from the above description.

[0065] In particular, the total number of laser sources 6 can be reduced, since a single laser source 6 can selectively feed a single laser beam L to a plurality of laser engraving devices 7 via a switching device 8 .

[0066] Therefore, it is possible to reduce the total number of components of the decorating machine 1. This leads to a simplified architecture of the decorating machine 1, reduced costs, simplified maintenance operations, and improved overall reliability.

[0067] In addition, the decoration process is cleaner, more reliable and reduces the consumption of raw materials compared to standard decoration.

[0068] Obviously, modifications may be made to the decoration machine 1 described herein without departing from the scope of protection defined in the accompanying claims.

[0069] In particular, in the case where each laser decoration unit 5 includes three or more laser engraving devices 7, the switching device 8 may be configured to selectively direct the laser beam L to at least two selected laser engraving devices 7a of the at least three laser engraving devices 7 at a time. Specifically, the switching device 8 may direct the laser beam L to all laser engraving devices 7 of the corresponding laser decoration unit 5 that pass through the decoration angle sector α.

Claims

1. A decorating machine (1) for decorating a container (2) suitable for containing a pourable product, said machine (1) comprising: - a rotating conveyor (3) for conveying a plurality of containers (2) along a decoration path (D); - a plurality of support members (4) mounted on the conveyor (3) for advancement along the decoration path (D), each support member (4) being configured to support a corresponding container (2) during advancement; The plurality of support members (4) comprises at least one group of support members (4), the group comprising at least two respective support members (4); wherein, for each group of support members (4), the machine (1) comprises a respective laser decoration unit (5), the laser decoration unit (5) being used to engrave a decoration on the container (2) supported by the support members (4) of the group; Each laser decoration unit (5) comprises: - a respective laser source (6) configured to emit a laser beam (L); - at least two corresponding laser engraving devices (7), each laser engraving device (7) being configured to receive the laser beam (L) and each being associated with a corresponding support member (4) of the group for engraving a container (2) supported thereon by means of the received laser beam (L), each laser device (7) being integral with the propulsion of the associated support member (4); and - a corresponding switching device (8) operably interposed between the laser source (6) and each laser engraving device (7) of the decoration unit (5), the switching device (8) being configured to selectively direct the laser beam (L) to each engraving device (7) of the decoration unit (5).

2. The decoration machine as claimed in claim 1 comprises at least one control unit (10) for controlling the switching device (8) of each decoration unit (5), wherein the at least one control unit (10) is configured to automatically select, for each decoration unit, each engraving device (7) of the decoration unit (4) according to the position of the associated supporting member (4) along the decoration path (D), and to automatically control the switching device (8) so that the laser beam (L) is directed to each selected laser engraving device (7a) of the unit (5).

3. A decorating machine as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein: - a rotary conveyor (3) configured to convey the containers (2) along the decoration path (D) by means of a rotary movement; - Each support member (4) is integral with said rotational movement; - Each laser decoration unit (5) comprises a corresponding support structure (11), which is mounted to the rotating conveyor (3), is integral with the rotating movement, and supports each laser engraving device (7) of the decoration unit (5), so that each laser engraving device (7) of the decoration unit (5) is integral with the rotating movement.

4. A decorating machine according to claim 3, wherein the rotary conveyor comprises a turntable (3) rotatable about a central axis (X), so that the decorating path (D) is arcuate and so that the rotary movement comprises a rotation about the central axis (X), The support member (4) is mounted on a radially peripheral portion of the turntable (3) relative to the central axis (X) so as to be propelled by the turntable (3) along a circular path (P) including the decoration path (D).

5. A decoration machine according to claim 4, wherein said machine (1) is configured so that each container is engraved along a decorative angular sector (α) relative to said axis (X); And among them, For each laser decoration unit (5), the at least one control unit (10) is configured to select each laser engraving device (7) whose associated support member (4) is located within the decoration angle sector (α).

6. The decoration machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein: For each laser decoration unit (5), the support structure (11) is configured to selectively transmit the laser beam (L) from the corresponding laser source (6) to each laser engraving device (7) of the decoration unit (5), so that the laser beam (L) is guided from the switching device (8) to each selected laser engraving device (7a) through the support structure (11), preferably, the switching device is an optical switch defined by a mirror system arranged in the structure (11).

7. A decoration machine according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein each laser engraving device (7) is arranged, relative to said central axis (X), at a position radially more external than that of the associated support member (4).

8. A decorating machine as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein each laser engraving device (7) is mounted on the support structure (11) so as to be movable in axial and / or radial direction relative to the central axis (X) and relative to the associated support member (4).

9. A decorating machine according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein each supporting member (4) comprises: - a support plate (12) movably mounted on the turntable (3) for receiving and supporting the container; - an actuator (13) coupled to the plate (12) for driving the movement of the plate (12) in an axial direction relative to the turntable (3); And wherein said plate (12) is selectively axially movable by means of an associated said actuator (13) during advancement along said decorating path (P) so as to adjust the axial position of said container (2) supported thereon.

10. The decorating machine (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein: For each decoration unit (5), the support structure (11) also supports the laser source (6) and the switching device (8) so that each of the laser source (6) and the switching device (8) is integral with the rotational movement.

11. Decorating machine according to claims 2 and 10, wherein said at least one control unit (10) comprises, for each decorating unit (5), a respective control unit (10) supported by a respective said supporting structure (11).

12. Decorating machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said plurality of support members (4) comprises a plurality of groups of support members (4).

13. A decorating machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: For each laser decorating unit (5), the switching device (8) comprises a respective optical switch for deflecting the laser beam (L) towards each selected laser engraving device (7a).

14. The decoration machine according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a suction device configured to suck residual particles of the container (2) after engraving the container (2) by the laser engraving device (7).

15. A packaging assembly for packaging a pourable product via a container (2), the assembly comprising: - a filling machine for filling said container (2) with said pourable product; - a capping machine for capping the filled containers (2); - A decorating machine (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; The filling machine, the capping machine and the decorating machine (1) are preferably synchronized with each other.

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