Linear labeling machine for containers

Abstract

A linear labeling machine for containers, which comprises a base frame (2), which supports at least one linear conveyor (3), configured to move the containers to be labeled along an advancement direction (100), and at least one labeling station (4), arranged along the above-mentioned advancement direction (100) and configured to apply at least one label to the containers transiting on the linear conveyor (3); the base frame (2) comprises at least one longitudinally extended supporting element (5), which extends substantially parallel to the advancement direction (100) of the containers; coupling means (7) are defined along the supporting element (5) for fixing the at least one labeling station (4) to the supporting element (5), in any position with respect to the longitudinal extension of the supporting element (5).

Description

[0001] LINEAR LABELING MACHINE FOR CONTAINERS

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

[0003] Linear labeling machines are known which comprise, on a supporting structure, a linear conveyor which makes it possible to move the containers to be labeled along an advancement direction, and one or more labeling stations, arranged along the longitudinal extension of the linear conveyor, which are configured to automatically apply the labels onto the containers transiting on the linear conveyor.

[0004] Currently, the supporting structure of linear labeling machines 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 resting surface, on which the linear conveyor and the labeling stations are mounted.

[0005] This structure of linear labeling machines, in addition to being extremely cumbersome, does not allow a rapid and convenient substitution of the labeling stations, so as to be able to adapt the machine to the application of different types of labels.

[0006] Furthermore, in current linear labeling machines, the number and the position of the labeling stations, as well as of other auxiliary devices that contribute to the execution of the labeling, such as video cameras, screw feeders or the like, need to be established at the design and construction stage of the machine and, if modifications are required after the initial configuration of the machine, it is necessary either to change the machine, with evident increase in costs, or to carry out considerable intervention operations, which are not always possible, such as perforating the tables of the footing, in order to be able to reposition the labeling stations and the auxiliary devices, with considerable expenditure of time and labor.

[0007] 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.

[0008] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a linear labeling machine which allows a simple and rapid modification of its configuration, so as to be extremely versatile.

[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a linear labeling machine which in terms of construction is simple to provide.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a linear labeling machine which in terms of dimensions less cumbersome than traditional machines.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a linear labeling machine that is capable of offering the highest guarantees of reliability and safety in its operation.

[0012] A further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the known art in an alternative manner to any existing solutions.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a linear labeling machine which is competitive from a purely economic viewpoint as well.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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:

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine according to the invention, in a possible configuration thereof;

[0017] Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of the machine according to the invention, with parts omitted for the sake of simplicity;

[0018] Figure 3 is a plan view from below of the machine according to the invention;

[0019] Figure 4 is a plan view from above of the machine according to the invention;

[0020] Figure 5 is a side view of the machine according to the invention;

[0021] Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the machine according to the invention;

[0022] Figure 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of the machine according to the invention.

[0023] With reference to the figures, the linear labeling machine for containers 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 configured to move the containers to be labeled along a substantially straight advancement direction 100.

[0024] For example, the linear conveyor 3 can be constituted by a conveyor belt moving in the advancement direction 100, on which the containers to be labeled are placed.

[0025] The base frame 2 furthermore supports labeling means, which make it possible to apply one or more labels on the containers transiting on the linear conveyor 3.

[0026] In particular, such labeling means comprise at least one labeling station 4, which is arranged along the advancement direction 100 of the containers which is defined by the linear conveyor 3 and is configured to apply at least one label on each individual container.

[0027] For example, the labeling station 4 can be structured to handle adhesive labels carried by a backing tape wound on a spool, which are applied to the containers by means of a separator, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the containers and which makes it possible to separate the individual labels from the backing tape, in order to transfer them to the individual containers.

[0028] The labeling station 4 can also be of the type that can apply labels obtained by cutting a label ribbon, wound on a spool and bearing printed a plurality of labels printed in succession, which can be pre-glued or without adhesive and, in such case, the labeling station is provided with means for applying glue on the labels.

[0029] The labeling means can, furthermore, also comprise labeling auxiliary devices, such as for example video cameras or the like, which make it possible to achieve an optimal application of the labels on the containers.

[0030] According to the invention, the base frame 2 comprises at least one longitudinally extended supporting element 5, which extends substantially parallel to the advancement direction 100 of the containers.

[0031] Also according to the invention, one or more coupling means 7 are defined along this supporting element 5, and are configured to enable the fixing of at least one supporting element 8, which supports at least part of the labeling means, to the supporting element 5 at any desired position with respect to the longitudinal extension of the supporting element 5 and, therefore, of the linear conveyor 3.

[0032] Advantageously, the supporting element 8 can support at least one labeling station 4.

[0033] The supporting element 8 can also support at least one auxiliary labeling device.

[0034] By virtue of this structuring, it is possible to modify the initial configuration of the machine by fixing supporting elements 8 that support other labeling stations in addition to those already present, or new auxiliary devices with respect to those initially present on the machine, to the supporting element 5, thus making the machine proper extremely flexible and versatile.

[0035] Advantageously, the coupling means 7 are of the removable type, so as to allow the possibility of detaching the supporting element 8 with the labeling means mounted on it from the supporting element 5, so as to be able to fix it again to the supporting element 5 later, in a different position along the longitudinal extension of that supporting element, again using the coupling means 7, or in order to allow it to be substituted with another supporting element 8 which supports other labeling means, such as, for example, a different type of labeling station or other auxiliary devices, such as a different video camera, and the like, so as to make the machine extremely flexible and versatile.

[0036] Advantageously, the coupling means 7 are arranged along at least one of the longitudinal edges of the supporting element 5 and, more preferably, along both of the longitudinal edges of the supporting element 5.

[0037] Conveniently, the coupling means 7 comprise a plurality of coupling regions, which are distributed along the longitudinal extension of the supporting element 5 and which are selectively engageable, by way of fixing means 9, in order to enable the connection of the supporting element 8 to the supporting element 5.

[0038] More specifically, as in the embodiment shown, the cited coupling regions advantageously comprise a plurality of engagement holes 10, which are arranged uniformly spaced apart along the longitudinal extension of the supporting element 5 and are engageable by connecting screws 11, which pass through the supporting element 8, so as to allow for the possibility to fix the supporting element 8 to the supporting element 5, at any desired point of the longitudinal extension of the supporting element 5.

[0039] The supporting element 8 can, for example, comprise at least one bracket which can be fixed in a cantilevered manner, by way of the coupling means 7, to the supporting element 5 and which defines at least one resting surface on which the labeling means can be mounted.

[0040] As in the example shown, the supporting element 8 can extend transversely to the supporting element 5 so as to provide, basically, two mutually opposite ledges, protruding from both longitudinal edges of the supporting element 5, on which, for example, respective labeling stations 4 and / or respective auxiliary labeling devices can be mounted. Multiple supporting elements 8 can, optionally, be fixed to the supporting element 5, each one supporting respective labeling means, such as for example a respective labeling station 4 and / or a respective auxiliary labeling device.

[0041] Advantageously, the labeling stations 4 are mounted on the corresponding supporting element 8 by means of the interposition of a corresponding linear guide 12, which extends along a direction which is substantially transverse with respect to the advancement direction 100 of the containers, so as to allow the possibility to adjust the distance of the labeling stations 4 from the linear conveyor 3.

[0042] With reference to the embodiment shown, the supporting element 5 can conveniently be constituted by at least one beam which is mounted, at its ends, on supporting sides 13, 14 which rest on the floor and which optionally are joined to each other by longitudinal connecting elements 15, 16.

[0043] Conveniently, the linear conveyor 3 extends, in this case, through the sides 13, 14, while the supporting element 5 is advantageously positioned below the linear conveyor 3.

[0044] Conveniently, the supporting element 5 is associated with at least one graduated scale 17 along its longitudinal extension.

[0045] More specifically, the beam that provides the supporting element 5 preferably has at least one upper flat face, on which one or more graduated scales 17 can optionally be applied along the longitudinal edges of the supporting element 5 in order to allow the precise positioning of the supporting element 8 and, therefore, of the labeling stations 4, and at least one lower flat face, on which the engagement holes 10 are defined.

[0046] The use of the machine, according to the invention, is the following.

[0047] The machine can be, for example, configured with a supporting element 8, which supports the labeling stations 4 and is fixed, by means of the coupling means 7, to the supporting element 5, in a desired position with respect to the longitudinal extension of the supporting element 5.

[0048] With this configuration, the machine can be activated so that the linear conveyor 3 can move the containers to be labeled in the advancement direction 100 and the labeling stations 4 can apply the labels on the containers transiting on the linear conveyor 3.

[0049] If a different configuration of the machine is required, the supporting element 8 can be removed, in order to be replaced with another supporting element 8 which supports different labeling stations with respect to those present initially or in order to be moved from its initial position, along the longitudinal extension of the supporting element 5.

[0050] Other labeling means can also be added to the machine, such as, for example, other labeling stations and / or other auxiliary labeling devices, simply by fixing other supporting elements 8, on which the additional labeling stations or auxiliary devices are mounted, to the supporting element 5, by means of the coupling means 7.

[0051] In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a linear labeling machine which makes it possible to achieve a high level of versatility with respect to the known art, by virtue of the possibility of using the coupling means to freely fixing, by the coupling means, to the supporting element of its frame, the supporting elements on which to mount all the labeling means required, such as labeling stations, video cameras and the like.

[0052] The machine according to the invention furthermore has the advantage of offering the possibility to vary, at a later stage, the initial configuration of the machine, via the possibility to easily modify the position and number of supporting elements on which the labeling means can be mounted, without requiring complex intervention operations, as in the known art.

[0053] 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.

[0054] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and to the state of the art.

[0055] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102023000013473 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0056] 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 for containers, which comprises a base frame (2) which supports at least one linear conveyor (3), configured to move the containers to be labeled along an advancement direction (100), and labeling means, arranged along said advancement direction (100), for applying at least one label to the containers transiting on said linear conveyor (3), characterized in that said base base frame (2) comprises at least one longitudinally extended supporting element (5), which extends substantially parallel to said advancement direction (100), coupling means (7) being defined along said supporting element (5) for fixing, to said supporting element (5), in any position with respect to the longitudinal extension of said supporting element, at least one supporting element (8), which supports at least part of said labeling means.

2. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said coupling means (7) are of the removable type.

3. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling means (7) are arranged along at least one of longitudinal edges of said supporting element (5).

4. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling means (7) comprise a plurality of coupling regions which are distributed along the longitudinal extension of said supporting element (5) and are selectively engageable by way of fixing means (9) for connecting said at least one supporting element (8) to said supporting element (5).

5. The machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said coupling regions comprise a plurality of engagement holes (10) which are arranged uniformly spaced apart along the longitudinal extension of said supporting element (5) and are engageable by connecting screws (11) adapted to fix said at least one supporting element (8) to said supporting element (5).

6. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one supporting element (8) comprises at least one bracket which can be fixed in a cantilever manner, by virtue of said coupling means (7), to said supporting element (5) and which defines at least one resting surface for mounting said labeling means.

7. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supporting element comprises at least one beam which is mounted, at its ends, on supporting sides (13, 14) which rest on the floor, said linear conveyor (3) extending through said sides (13, 14).

8. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said labeling means comprise at least one labeling station (4).

9. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said labeling means comprise at least one auxiliary labeling device.

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