Linear labeling machine

Abstract

A linear labeling machine, which comprises a base frame (2) supporting at least one linear conveyor (3) which is adapted to move products to be labeled along an advancement direction (100) and at least one labeling assembly (4) which is adapted to apply at least one label to the products transiting on the linear conveyor (3); the base frame (2) has an interlocking modular structure provided by component elements that can be assembled together.

Description

[0001] LINEAR LABELING MACHINE

[0002] The present invention relates to a linear labeling machine.

[0003] Linear labeling machines are known, which make it possible to automatically apply labels on products, such as containers or the like.

[0004] In particular, the known labeling machines comprise a supporting structure, on which a linear conveyor, which makes it possible to move the containers to be labeled along a substantially straight advancement direction, and one or more labeling assemblies, arranged along the longitudinal extension of the linear conveyor and configured to automatically apply the labels on the products transiting on the linear conveyor, are mounted.

[0005] Currently, the supporting structure of a linear labeling machine is typically made up of a footing formed by one or more tables, which are placed side by side one after the other along the longitudinal extension of the linear conveyor and which define, on top, a supporting surface, on which the linear conveyor and the labeling assemblies are mounted, as well as any accessory devices required by the labeling operations, such as control video cameras or the like.

[0006] Currently, each linear labeling machine is designed and built on commission, based on the requirements of the user or based on the type of products to be labeled, the type of labels to be applied, or the production levels required.

[0007] In particular, the sizes of the labeling assemblies and of the accessory devices are established first, and then the table is designed to accommodate all of these.

[0008] Therefore, the footing and the associated protections need to be designed every time at high cost, since it is not possible to avail of economies of scale.

[0009] Furthermore, the time required to produce the machines is rather long, since before proceeding with their assembly one must first wait for all the designed parts to be produced and delivered.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to provide a linear labeling machine that is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects.

[0011] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a linear labeling machine which can be produced in a shorter time and at lower cost than current linear labeling machines.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a linear labeling machine which makes it possible to achieve high economies of scale in its production.

[0013] A further object of the invention is to provide a linear labeling machine which can be easily and rapidly assembled.

[0014] Another object of the invention is to provide a linear labeling machine which offers the possibility to easily make modifications to its configuration.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the known art in an alternative manner to any existing solutions.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a linear labeling machine which is highly reliable.

[0017] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a linear labeling machine according to claim 1, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the linear labeling machine according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 shows the labeling machine according to the invention in a possible configuration thereof;

[0020] Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the machine according to the invention, with some parts omitted for the sake of simplicity;

[0021] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the base frame of the machine according to the invention.

[0022] With reference to the figures, the labeling machine according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a base frame 2, which supports at least one linear conveyor 3, which is adapted to move the products to be labeled, such as, for example, containers, along an advancement direction 100 that is substantially straight.

[0023] The base frame 2 furthermore supports one or more labeling assemblies 4, which make it possible to apply at least one label to the products transiting on the linear conveyor 3.

[0024] The peculiarity of the invention consists in that the base frame 2 has an interlocking modular structure provided by a plurality of component elements that can be assembled together.

[0025] Conveniently, the component elements of the base frame 2 can be assembled together by means of shape mating or by means of threaded couplings, as will also be described below.

[0026] In particular, the component elements of the base frame 2 comprise, conveniently, at least two supporting sides 5a, 5b which are designed to be arranged mutually spaced apart along a direction that is substantially parallel to the advancement direction 100 defined by the linear conveyor 3.

[0027] The modular components of the base frame 2 furthermore comprise at least one longitudinally extended supporting element 6, which can be connected, at its opposite ends, to the supporting sides 5a, 5b, basically constituting a central bridge to join the supporting sides 5a, 5b.

[0028] Advantageously, the supporting sides 5a, 5b can be placed on the floor by means of feet 7, conveniently height- adjustable, and the supporting element 6 can be connected to the supporting sides 5a, 5b by way of screws, not shown.

[0029] Conveniently, there is also at least one supporting element 8, which can be fixed freely, along the longitudinal extension of the supporting element 6, and which makes it possible to define at least one resting surface 8a for mounting the labeling assembly 4 and / or one or more accessory devices of the machine, such as, for example, video cameras or the like.

[0030] For example, the (or each) supporting element 8 provides, basically, at least one shelf designed to protrude in a cantilevered manner from at least one of the longitudinal edges of the supporting element 6, and on which at least one respective labeling assembly or at least one respective auxiliary device of the machine can be mounted.

[0031] As in the example shown, the labeling assemblies 4 can, conveniently, be mounted on the corresponding supporting element or elements 8 by means of the interposition of a respective linear guide 4a, in order to allow adjustment of their distance from the linear conveyor 3.

[0032] Connecting the supporting element 8 to the supporting element 6 is done using threaded means.

[0033] In particular, along the supporting element 6, a plurality of holes is defined, substantially mutually equidistant and not shown, which can be selectively engaged by screws or threaded pins 10, so as to allow the connection of the supporting element 8 to the supporting element 6, in any desired position along the longitudinal extension of the supporting element 6.

[0034] Advantageously, the component elements of the base frame 2 can also comprise one or more longitudinal connecting members 11, which are mounted so as to join the supporting sides 5a, 5b together, conveniently in the upper part of the base frame 2.

[0035] As in the example shown, the linear conveyor 3 is mounted on the supporting sides 5a, 5b above the supporting element 6, which is conveniently positioned in the lower part of the base frame 2.

[0036] In particular, each one of the supporting sides 5a, 5b has, conveniently, at least two cross-members, one lower, indicated with 12, to which the feet 7 are advantageously connected and on which the supporting element 6 is fixed, and one higher 13, to which the longitudinal connecting members 11 are connected.

[0037] The cross-members 12 and 13 are joined together by at least one pair of posts 14, arranged laterally and mutually spaced apart.

[0038] Between the posts 14 of each supporting side 5a, 5b an intermediate crosspiece 15 is provided, which enables the linear conveyor 3 to be mounted.

[0039] Advantageously, the supporting sides 5a, 5b each have at least one respective fixing element 16 for mounting at least one lateral protection of the machine, not shown.

[0040] In particular, each one of the posts 14 of the supporting sides 5a, 5b is connected to a respective fixing element 16, constituted by an auxiliary post arranged laterally spaced apart from the respective post 14, to which it is connected, at its ends, by means of connecting sections that are substantially parallel to the cross-members 12 and 13.

[0041] The use of the machine according to the invention is the following.

[0042] The various component elements of the base frame 2 are kept on-hand in stores, such as the side walls 5a, 5b, supporting elements 6, optionally of a few preset lengths, and supporting elements 8, in quantities deemed suitable for annual production needs.

[0043] The protections are also kept in stores.

[0044] In this manner, economies of scale are obtained on the purchase of elements and of the materials required for the production of the component elements and the rapid sourcing of parts to satisfy immediate demand.

[0045] When an order arrives to make a new machine, all that is needed is to calculate only the desired length of the machine based on the labeling units required and the accessory devices to be mounted, and subsequently, as a function of these calculations, the base frame 2 is simply assembled, obtaining the necessary component elements from stores.

[0046] In particular, for example, two or more supporting sides 5a, 5b are obtained from stores, and a supporting element 6 and the longitudinal connecting members 11 are connected to these supporting sides 5a, 5b.

[0047] The linear conveyor 3 is also mounted on the supporting sides 5a, 5b.

[0048] To complete the machine, one or more supporting elements 8 are fixed in the desired position along the supporting element 6, and the labeling assembly or assemblies 4 and, optionally, the accessory devices, based on the user requirements, are mounted on them.

[0049] It must be noted that it is not necessary to make holes for fixing the supporting elements 8, because the supporting element 6 is already provided with engagement holes for the screws 10 that will be used to connect the supporting elements 8 to it.

[0050] The protections of the machine can then be fixed to the fixing elements 16.

[0051] In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a linear labeling machine which, by virtue of the peculiar modular structuring of its base frame, is extremely versatile, in addition to being capable of being produced in a relatively short time and at very competitive cost.

[0052] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0053] In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0054] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102023000013470 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0055] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, such reference signs have been inserted for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A linear labeling machine, comprising a base frame (2) supporting at least one linear conveyor (3) which is adapted to move products to be labeled along an advancement direction (100) and at least one labeling assembly (4) which is adapted to apply at least one label to the products transiting on said linear conveyor (3), characterized in that said base frame (2) has an interlocking modular structure provided by component elements that are configured to be assembled together.

2. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said component elements comprise at least two supporting sides (5a, 5b) and at least one longitudinally extended supporting element (6) which can be connected, at its ends, to said supporting sides (5a, 5b).

3. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one supporting element (8), which can be fixed freely along the longitudinal extension of said supporting element (6) and defines at least one resting surface for mounting said at least one labeling assembly (4) and / or at least one auxiliary device of the machine.

4. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one longitudinal connecting member (11) between said supporting sides (5a, 5b).

5. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said linear conveyor (3) is mounted on said supporting sides (5a, 5b).

6. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said supporting sides (5a, 5b) has at least two cross-members (12, 13) joined together by at least one pair of posts (14).

7. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supporting sides (5a, 5b) each have at least onerespective fixing element (16) for mounting at least one lateral protection of the machine.

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