Machine for forming filter bags for infusion products
By introducing a selector device and a bonding unit into the machine for making filter bags for brewing products, the accuracy and safety of label strip replacement are achieved, the problems of insecure and inaccurate replacement in the prior art are solved, and the production efficiency and quality of filter bags are improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380067111.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-09-27
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-06
AI Technical Summary
The prior art has limited safety when replacing the strip of the label, which can easily lead to machine shutdown and the replacement process is inaccurate, affecting the quality of the filter bag.
By introducing selector devices and engagement units into the machine, the first and second strips are alternately fed in a synchronous manner, and engagement and cutting without affecting the operation of the machine, ensuring the accuracy and safety of the replaced strips.
Accurate and safe label strip replacement, reduce the frequency of machine downtime, and improve the production efficiency and quality of filter bags.
Smart Images
Figure CN119947962A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for manufacturing filter bags for infused products such as tea.
[0002] A filter bag for an infused product such as tea comprises a single-leaf or double-leaf filter body containing the dose(s) of infused product, the filter body being provided with a thread for connecting the filter body to a label. Background Art
[0003] There are prior art machines for forming these filter bags which basically comprise a plurality of operating stations (positioned along a protected operating path) for forming the filter bags.
[0004] One of these stations is a rotating carousel equipped with a plurality of grippers, on each of which a filter bag containing a dose(s) of product is positioned, to which a length of thread and a corresponding label connected to the thread are applied during a stepwise rotational movement of the carousel.
[0005] On these machines, each component forming the filter bag (filter paper, product, thread and labels) has a corresponding feed station, including a station for feeding the strips of labels of particular interest in the present invention.
[0006] The feed station includes a first spool and a second spool, each having a respective first continuous strip and a second continuous strip of labels.
[0007] The first roll feeds its first strip of labels along a predetermined path to the wheel until the turntable to form a filter bag, while the other roll waits until the first strip of labels is almost finished. The state of each roll being almost empty is controlled by a corresponding sensor.
[0008] The second strip has an associated free end positioned adjacent to an area of the predetermined path for feeding labels onto the turntable. The free end of the waiting strip is provided with an adhesive engagement member.
[0009] In this same area, there are two rollers for conveying the first strip, one roller having a fixed axis of rotation and one roller having a movable axis of rotation such that it can be moved towards and away from the other fixed roller.
[0010] When the first roll is finished, a unit for moving the second strip and connecting the second strip to the first strip by bidirectional pressure is activated, and at the same time the movable roller moves away from the fixed roller to allow the second strip to enter along a predetermined path.
[0011] With the machine running and therefore the first strip moving, a pressure engagement must occur between the head of the first label of the second strip and the tail of the label of the almost empty first strip, so that the two parts are coplanar with each other and coincide between the final label (first strip) and the initial label (second strip).
[0012] Once the two strips have been joined, the movable roller moves toward the fixed roller and continues to feed the second strip along a predetermined path.
[0013] At the same time, a cutting element separates the remaining last section of the first strip of labels upstream of the pair of rollers.
[0014] This type of operation must therefore be carried out in a very precise manner, since each label, which is shaped and has a printed pattern on its surface, must be individually separated from the strip and associated with the wire portion of the filter bag according to a predetermined feed pace.
[0015] If the joining between the two strips is not performed in a correct manner, that is to say not in a step-by-step manner, the successive labels fed to the carousel are offset and therefore have incorrect dimensions and / or lettering.
[0016] The presence of a label on the turntable is controlled by a sensor located close to the turntable.
[0017] The photoelectric element also detects whether the label has the correct size and wording. If the photoelectric element detects an incorrect label, it starts sending a signal corresponding to a command to reject the corresponding filter bag. After a predetermined or consecutive number of rejections, the machine is stopped for appropriate inspection and re-timing of the operating station.
[0018] This type of prior art system therefore has disadvantages in that the system for changing the strip of labels as the reel becomes empty has limited safety, since two different strips need to be connected while the machine is running, ie with the running strip moving.
[0019] As mentioned above, this limited safety in engagement can result in frequent machine downtime. Summary of the invention
[0020] Purpose of the Invention
[0021] The object of the present invention is to provide a machine for manufacturing filter bags for infused products such as tea which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
[0022] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a machine for manufacturing filter bags for infused products such as tea that is able to ensure a replacement of the strip of labels fed that is very precise, safe and does not affect the operating parts of the machine.
[0023] Another object of the invention is to propose a method for changing the strip of labels which is simple, safe and reduces the time of changing the strip and the waste of empty rolls of strip.
[0024] Said aim is fully achieved by a machine for manufacturing filter bags for infused products such as tea and a method for changing a strip of labels according to the invention as characterized in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The main features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred non-limiting embodiments, which are illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0026] - Figure 1 shows a portion of a machine for forming a filter bag for brewing a product according to the invention;
[0027] - Figure 2 Shown is a reference Figure 1 A magnified detail of
[0028] - Figure 3 Shown is a reference Figure 1 A top plan view of an enlarged detail B;
[0029] - Figure 4 Shows Figure 3 Schematic top views of different configurations of the joining unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] With reference to the accompanying drawings, in particular with reference to Figure 1 , a machine according to the invention, generally referenced 100 , is used to form filter bags S for brewing products.
[0031] In the case shown, the filter bags S can be filled with tea and each have at least one filter chamber, a thread and a label 4 .
[0032] Only portions of machine 100 of particular interest are shown in this description.
[0033] The machine 100 comprises a turntable 1 which rotates in a stepwise manner about an axis of rotation X (horizontal).
[0034] The carousel 1 has a plurality of holders 2 (radial) which are arranged circumferentially and are configured for holding respective filter chambers provided with wires (applied during a series of steps in a preceding operating station).
[0035] Each gripper 2 is configured to bring each filter chamber to a pick-up area 3 (in particular a single label 4 to be joined to a thread), also by rotation in steps.
[0036] The machine 100 further comprises a first reel 5 of a first continuous strip 6 (from which labels are cut) to be fed to the pick-up area 3 and a second reel 8 of a second strip 9 (labels to be cut) to be fed to the pick-up area 3 as an alternative to the first strip 6 .
[0037] The two drums 5 and 6 are keyed rotatably on the frame of the machine 100 about respective axes X5 and X8.
[0038] As shown, the machine 100 comprises a selector device 10 comprising a first channel 12 engaged by a first strip 6 coming from a first reel 5 .
[0039] The selector device 10 comprises a second channel 13 engaged by the second strip 9 of labels coming from the second reel 8 .
[0040] As shown again, the selector device 10 has a shared feed-out 10a at the pickup area 3 .
[0041] As shown again, the machine 100 comprises first and second moving devices 14, 15 positioned respectively along the first and second channels 12, 13, configured for feeding the first and second strips 6, 9 respectively.
[0042] These first moving device 14 and second moving device 15 are selectively operated to alternately feed the first strip 6 or the second strip 9 of labels.
[0043] These first moving devices 14 and second moving devices 15 are selectively actuated to alternately feed the first tape 6 (when the exhaustion of the second tape 9 is detected) or the second tape 9 (when the exhaustion of the first tape 6 is detected) to ensure continuity of operation.
[0044] As shown again, the machine 100 comprises a label cutting unit 11 positioned adjacent the shared outfeed 10a of the selector device 10 .
[0045] The cutting unit is configured to cut a single label 4 from the first strip 6 at a time when the first strip 6 is fed, or to cut a single label 4 from the second strip 9 at a time when the second strip 9 is fed, so that the single label 4 is associated with the line transported by the gripper 2 to the filter chamber of the picking area 3.
[0046] The machine 100 also includes a first joining unit 17 and a second joining unit 18 for the first strip 6 and the second strip 9, respectively, and the first joining unit 17 and the second joining unit 18 are positioned between the corresponding first reels 5 and the second reels 8 and the corresponding first moving devices 14 and the second moving devices 15 along the corresponding first paths P6 and the second paths P9 of the first strip 6 and the second strip 9.
[0047] The first joining unit 17 is configured to join the terminal end of the first tape 6 with the initial end of a new first tape from a new first reel when the first tape 6 is not fed by the first moving device 14 .
[0048] The second joining unit 18 is designed to join the terminal end of the second strip 9 with the initial end of a new second strip coming from a new second reel when the second strip 9 is not fed by the second moving device 15 .
[0049] As shown, the machine 100 further comprises a partition wall 26 positioned to separate the first joining unit 17 and the second joining unit 18 from the turntable 1 .
[0050] In view of this, the partition wall 26 is provided with a first slit 26a and a second slit 26b for respectively allowing the first strip 6 and the second strip 9 to pass therethrough so as not to interrupt the above-mentioned first path P6 and second path P9.
[0051] It should be noted that the partition wall 26 also separates the first engaging unit 17 and the second engaging unit 18 from the selector device 10 (eg, Figure 1 clearly shown).
[0052] In view of this, the partition wall 26 is part of a protective hood 30 which surrounds the carousel 1 and the subsequent stations of the machine 100 which are designed for forming the filter bags S.
[0053] It should be noted that the partition wall 26 is located on a plane parallel to the rotation axis X of the turntable 1 .
[0054] In other words, the machine 100 comprises two areas separated from the hood 30, a first area being open in which are located the rolls for feeding the material for forming the filter bags (filter paper, labels, joining wire, dispensers for the product to be packaged), and a second area protected by the hood comprising all the stations for forming the filter bags.
[0055] It should be noted that, due to the position of the joining unit outside the protective cover of the machine, all operations required for replacing the empty roll and joining the new strip with the remaining strip portion take place in an area outside the operating area protected by the cover, and therefore do not affect the normal operation of the bag forming stations, which can safely continue their operation.
[0056] It should be noted that the first mobile device 14 and the second mobile device 15 are connected to a shared control unit 7 (connected to the common control unit of the machine), and the shared control unit 7 is configured to selectively allow the first strip 6 to be fed synchronously to the cutting unit 11 by step-by-step movement while keeping the second strip 9 stationary, or to keep the first strip 6 of the label stationary while keeping the second strip 9 fed synchronously to the cutting unit 11 by step-by-step movement.
[0057] like Figure 2 As shown in detail in FIG. 1 , the selector device 10 comprises a wedge-shaped element 16 having an apex close to the cutting unit 11 (the apex defining a shared feed-out 10a for labels of two strips when the strips are fed).
[0058] The body 16 has two opposite surfaces on which the first channel 12 and the second channel 13 are respectively formed.
[0059] Each surface of the wedge-shaped body 16 is covered by a corresponding covering cover 16a and 16b; each cover 16a and 16b has an extension greater than the extension of the relevant surface of the wedge-shaped body 15, so that it protrudes relative to the apex of the wedge and defines a slit, which defines a shared delivery portion 10a, allowing controlled delivery of labels toward the picking area 3.
[0060] The first moving device 14 and the second moving device 15 each include a pair of rollers 14a and 15a facing each other for the respective first and second strips 6, 9.
[0061] Each pair of rollers 14a and 15a is provided with a corresponding drive unit which is connected to the control unit 7 to allow synchronous feeding of the first strip 6 of labels to the pick-up area 3 and to keep the second strip 9 of labels stationary and waiting, and to allow locking the first strip 6 of labels and to allow removing the first strip 6 of labels from the pick-up area 3 by evacuating the remaining part of the first strip 6 of labels along the first path P6 when the first roll 5 ends, while starting synchronous feeding of the second strip 9 to the pick-up area, and vice versa.
[0062] like Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the machine 100 comprises the above-mentioned first and second joining units 17, 18 for the first and second strips 6, 9 of labels respectively.
[0063] The first and second joining units 17 , 18 are positioned along the respective first and second paths P6 , P9 of the strips 6 , 9 between the respective first and second reels 5 , 8 and the respective first and second moving devices 14 , 15 .
[0064] It should be noted that each of the first joining unit 17 and the second joining unit 18 is configured to align the terminal ends of the corresponding first strip 6 and the second strip 9 with the initial ends of the corresponding new first strip and the second strip from the corresponding new first reel and the second reel in a synchronous manner when the corresponding strip 6 or 9 is kept stationary by the corresponding moving devices 14 and 15.
[0065] In other words, while one strip 6 or 9 is fed to the carousel 1 , the other strip 9 or 6 is stationary and can be replaced and aligned in a synchronized manner with a new strip which will join along the path P9 or P6 to the still existing portion of the old strip.
[0066] In view of this, if Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, each of the first and second joining units 17 and 18 comprises a respective support plate 19 positioned along a first path P6 and a second path P9 on which the first and second strips 6 and 9 slide, respectively.
[0067] On each support plate 19 there is at least one visual reference RV1 which can be aligned with the visual reference RV2 printed on the strips 6, 9, allowing precise joining (synchronization with a new strip in case the strip runs out and is no longer fed to the pick-up area 3).
[0068] It should be noted that there are a hinged first locking rod 20 and a second locking rod 21 on each support plate 19, the first locking rod 20 is configured to lock the non-advancing (used up) first strip 6 or second strip 9 at a predetermined position on the support plate 19, and the second locking rod 21 is configured to lock the new strip at a predetermined position on the support plate 19.
[0069] The support plate 19 also includes a slotted track 22 positioned between the first locking bar 20 and the second locking bar 21 that is configured to be engageable by a slat cutting element 23 (eg, a slidable blade).
[0070] Furthermore, the support plate 19 is equipped with a support rod 24 which is configured to be positioned close to the grooved rail 22 in a manner allowing the slat cutting element 23 to slide along the grooved rail 22 while remaining resting on the support rod 24 .
[0071] In other words, the new strip (see also Figure 4 ) is joined to the end of the finished strip by:
[0072] - locking the end of the almost empty reel with the first lever 20 in a synchronized manner (that is to say with the visual references RV1 and RV2 coinciding);
[0073] - cutting the connection between the empty reel and the remaining end along the path P6 or P9 with a slat cutting element 23 so as to have a cutting edge at the grooved track 22;
[0074] - replacing the empty roll with a new roll and unrolling a new strip along the path;
[0075] - positioning and locking the new strip on the plate 19 in a synchronized manner (that is to say with the visual references RV1 and RV2 coinciding) using the second rod 21 ;
[0076] - again cut a portion of the new strip with the strip cutting unit 23 so that the cut edge is located at the grooved track 22 and makes leading edge contact with the edge of the end;
[0077] - Join the end and both edges of the new strip with the joining strip 25 (adhesive) in such a way that the leading edges touch.
[0078] The present invention provides a method for selectively feeding a strip of labels 4 to a machine 100 for forming a filter bag S for an infused product such as tea.
[0079] The method comprises the following steps:
[0080] a turntable 1 ready to rotate in a stepwise manner about an axis of rotation X, the turntable 1 having a plurality of grippers 2 arranged circumferentially and configured to hold a respective filter chamber provided with a wire; each gripper 2 moves the filter chamber to a pick-up area 3;
[0081] - preparing a first roll 5 of a first strip 6;
[0082] - preparing a second roll 8 of a second strip 9;
[0083] - when the first strip of labels 6 approaches the end, stopping the feeding of the first strip of labels 6 by the first moving device 14; and synchronously
[0084] - starting the feeding of the second strip 9 by means of the second moving device 15;
[0085] - cutting a single label 4 at a time from the first strip 6 when the first strip 6 is fed, or from the second strip 9 when the second strip 9 is fed, so that the single label 4 is associated with the line of the filter chamber in the pick-up area 3, the cutting being performed by a label cutting unit 11 positioned close to the pick-up area 3;
[0086] - preparing a first joining unit 17 and a second joining unit 18 for the first strip 6 and the second strip 9, respectively, the first joining unit 17 and the second joining unit 18 being positioned between the corresponding first reels 5 and the second reels 8 and the corresponding first moving devices 14 and the second moving devices 15 along the corresponding first paths P6 and P9 of the first strip 6 and the second strip 9; the first joining unit 17 being configured to join the terminal end of the first strip 6 with the initial end of a new first strip from a new first reel when the first strip 6 is not fed by the first moving device 14, and the second joining unit 18 being configured to join the terminal end of the second strip 9 with the initial end of a new second strip from a new second reel when the second strip 9 is not fed by the second moving device 15;
[0087] - a partition wall 26 is prepared to separate the first and second joining units 17, 18 from the turntable 1; the partition wall 26 is provided with a first slit 26a and a second slit 26b for allowing the first and second strips 6, 9 to pass respectively so as not to interrupt the first and second paths P6, P9.
[0088] Preferably, the step of stopping the first tape 6 further comprises the step of moving the first tape 6 away from (ie, evacuating) the label cutting unit 11 .
[0089] The method further comprises, after stopping the first strip 6, the following steps when the first reel 5 of the first strip 6 is stationary:
[0090] - separating the end of the first strip 6 from the exhausted first roll 5;
[0091] - removing the empty first reel 5;
[0092] - assembling a new first reel of a new first strip;
[0093] - Lock the end to the support plate 19 using the first locking rod 20;
[0094] - positioning the initial portion of the new first strip on the support plate 19 superposed on the end portion so that the indicator elements RV2 on the end portion and the initial portion, respectively, correspond to the visual reference RV1 on the support plate 19;
[0095] - locking the initial part to the support plate 19 by means of a second locking rod 21;
[0096] - cutting said end portion and said initial portion;
[0097] - applying a joining strip 25 for joining the end and the initial part;
[0098] - Detaching the end and the initial portion from the support plate 19 , thereby releasing the first and second locking bars 20 , 21 , respectively, so that a new first strip 6 can be fed to the label cutting unit 11 .
Claims
1. A machine for forming a filter bag (S) for brewing a product, comprising: - a turntable (1) rotating in a stepwise manner around a rotation axis (X), said turntable (1) having a plurality of grippers (2) arranged circumferentially and configured to hold a respective filter chamber provided with a wire; each gripper (2) being configured to move said filter chamber to a pick-up area (3); - a first reel (5) of a first strip (6) and a second reel (8) of a second strip (9); Characterized in that the machine also includes: - a selector device (10) comprising a first channel (12) engaged by the first strip (6) coming from the first reel (5) and a second channel (13) engaged by the second strip (9) coming from the second reel (8); the selector device (10) having a shared delivery (10a) at the pickup area (3); - a first moving device (14) and a second moving device (15) positioned along the first channel (12) and the second channel (13), respectively, the first moving device (14) and the second moving device (15) being configured to feed the first strip (6) and the second strip (9), respectively, the first moving device (14) and the second moving device (15) being selectively actuated to alternately feed the first strip (6) or the second strip (9) to ensure continuity of operation: - when it is detected that the second strip (9) is exhausted, the first strip (6) is fed, or - when it is detected that the first strip (6) is used up, feeding the second strip (9); - a label cutting unit (11) positioned close to the shared feed-out portion (10a) of the selector device (10), the label cutting unit (11) being configured to cut a single label (4) at a time from the first strip (6) when the first strip (6) is fed, or to cut a single label (4) at a time from the second strip (9) when the second strip (9) is fed, so that the single label (4) is associated with the line of the filter chamber carried by the gripper (2) to the pick-up area (3); - a first joining unit (17) and a second joining unit (18) for the first strip (6) and the second strip (9), respectively, the first joining unit (17) and the second joining unit (18) being positioned between the corresponding first reel (5) and the second reel (8) and the corresponding first moving device (14) and the second moving device (15) along the corresponding first path (P6) and the second path (P9) of the first strip (6) and the second strip (9); wherein each first joining unit (17) is configured to join the terminal end of the first strip (6) with the initial end of a new first strip from a new first reel when the first strip (6) is not fed by the first moving device (14), and each second joining unit (18) is configured to join the terminal end of the second strip (9) with the initial end of a new second strip from a new second reel when the second strip (9) is not fed by the second moving device (15); and - a partition wall (26) positioned to separate the first joining unit (17) and the second joining unit (18) from the turntable (1), the partition wall (26) being provided with a first slit (26a) and a second slit (26b) for allowing the first strip (6) and the second strip (9) to pass through respectively, so as not to interrupt the first path (P6) and the second path (P9).
2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall (26) also separates the first engaging unit (17) and the second engaging unit (18) from the selector device (10).
3. Machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the partition wall (26) is part of a protective cover (30) surrounding the turntable (1).
4. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the partition wall (26) lies in a plane parallel to the axis of rotation (X) of the turntable (1).
5. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first moving device (14) and the second moving device (15) are connected to a shared control unit (7), and the shared control unit (7) is configured to selectively allow the first strip (6) to be synchronously fed to the label cutting unit (11) by step-by-step movement while keeping the second strip (9) stationary, or to keep the first strip (6) stationary while keeping the second strip (9) being synchronously fed to the label cutting unit (11) by step-by-step movement.
6. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the selector device (10) comprises a main body (16) having a wedge shape having an apex close to the label cutting unit (11); the first channel (12) and the second channel (13) are respectively formed on two opposite surfaces of the main body (16).
7. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first joining unit (17) and the second joining unit (18) comprises a corresponding support plate (19), which is positioned along the first path (P6) and the second path (P9), respectively, and the first strip (6) and the second strip (9) slide on the first path (P6) and the second path (P9), respectively.
8. Machine according to claim 7, wherein on each support plate (19) there is at least one visual reference (RV1) capable of being aligned with a visual reference (RV2) printed on said strips (6, 9) so as to allow precise joining.
9. A machine according to claim 7 or 8, wherein there are a hinged first locking rod (20) and a second locking rod (21) on each support plate (19), the first locking rod (20) being configured to lock the first strip (6) or the second strip (9) that is not advancing at a predetermined position on the support plate (19), and the second locking rod (21) being configured to lock the new strip at a predetermined position on the support plate (19).
10. The machine according to claim 9, wherein each support plate (19) comprises a grooved track (22) positioned between the first locking rod (20) and the second locking rod (21), the grooved track (22) being configured to be engageable by a slat cutting element (23).
11. A machine according to claim 10, wherein the support plate (19) is also equipped with a support rod (24), which is configured to be positioned at the grooved track (22) in a manner allowing the slat cutting element (23) to slide along the grooved track (22) while remaining resting on the support rod (24).
12. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said first moving means (14) and said second moving means (15) each comprise a pair of opposing rollers (14a) and (15a).
13. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first reel (5) and the second reel (8) rotate on respective axes of rotation (X5, X8) parallel to the axis of rotation (X) of the turntable (1).
14. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first drum (5) and the second drum (6) of the turntable (1) are positioned in vertical, coplanar and adjacent planes.
15. A method for changing a strip of label during the formation of a filter bag (S) for brewing a product, comprising the following steps: - a turntable (1) ready to rotate in a stepwise manner around an axis of rotation (X), said turntable (1) having a plurality of grippers (2) arranged circumferentially and configured to hold a respective filter chamber provided with a wire; each gripper (2) moves said filter chamber to a pick-up area (3); - preparing a first roll (5) of a first strip (6); - preparing a second roll (8) of a second strip (9); - when the first strip (6) approaches the end, stopping the feeding of the first strip (6) by means of a first moving device (14); and synchronously - starting the feeding of the second strip (9) by means of a second moving device (15); - cutting a single label (4) at a time from the first strip (6) when the first strip (6) is fed, or cutting a single label (4) at a time from the second strip (9) when the second strip (9) is fed, so that the single label (4) is associated with the line of the filter chamber in the pick-up area (3), the cutting being performed by a label cutting unit (11) positioned close to the pick-up area (3); - preparing a first joining unit (17) and a second joining unit (18) for the first strip (6) and the second strip (9), respectively, the first joining unit (17) and the second joining unit (18) being positioned between the corresponding first reel (5) and the second reel (8) and the corresponding first moving device (14) and the second moving device (15) along the corresponding first path (P6) and the second path (P9) of the first strip (6) and the second strip (9); wherein each first joining unit (17) is configured to join the terminal end of the first strip (6) with the initial end of a new first strip from a new first reel when the first strip (6) is not fed by the first moving device (14), and each second joining unit (18) is configured to join the terminal end of the second strip (9) with the initial end of a new second strip from a new second reel when the second strip (9) is not fed by the second moving device (15); - a partition wall (26) is prepared to separate the first joining unit (17) and the second joining unit (18) from the turntable (1), and the partition wall (26) is provided with a first slit (26a) and a second slit (26b) for allowing the first strip (6) and the second strip (9) to pass through respectively, so as not to interrupt the first path (P6) and the second path (P9).
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of stopping the first strip (6) further comprises the step of moving the first strip (6) away from the label cutting unit (11).
17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein after stopping the first strip (6), with the first reel (5) of the first strip (6) at rest, there are the following steps: - separating the end of the first strip (6) from the exhausted first roll (5); - removing the first empty reel (5); - assembling a new first reel of a new first strip; - locking the end portion to the support plate (19) using a first locking rod (20); - positioning the initial portion of the new first strip on the support plate (19) superposed on the end portion so that the respective indicator elements (RV2) on the end portion and on the initial portion correspond to the visual references (RV1) present on the support plate (19); - locking the initial part to the support plate (19) by means of a second locking rod (21); - cutting said end portion and said initial portion; - applying a joining strip (25) for joining said end portion and said initial portion; - separating the end portion and the initial portion from the support plate (19), thereby releasing the first locking bar (20) and the second locking bar (21), respectively, so that the new first strip (6) can be fed to the label cutting unit (11).