Labeling apparatus and method

Abstract

The labeling device (1) comprises a supply roller (11), a glue roller (12), a cutting roller (13) with a knife (130), and a transfer carousel (14) including a plurality of suction projection arrays (140) angularly distributed around the circumference of the transfer carousel (14) and provided with corresponding recesses (140R). The transfer carousel (14) is adapted to receive the web (2) from the supply roller (11) in a loading area (C), keep the web (2) adhered to one or more of the suction projection arrays (140), and bring the labels (20) into contact with corresponding bottles (21) in an unloading area (S). The transport carousel (14) is also configured to interact with the glue roller (12) in the gluing area (I) and the cutting roller (13) in the cutting area (T), and the rotation of the glue roller (12), the rotation of the cutting roller (13) and the rotation of the transport carousel (14) are synchronized such that the glue roller (12) acts in conjunction with the suction protrusion array (140) of the transport carousel (14) to apply adhesive and at least one knife (130) of the cutting roller (13) is periodically inserted into the recesses (140R) of the suction protrusion array (140) to cut the web (2) into labels (20).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a labeling device and a labeling method for attaching a label to the surface of a container. [Background technology]

[0002] Labeling is common in the beverage and other industries where labels need to be provided with an adhesive so that they can be applied to surfaces in a continuous cycle industrial process.

[0003] Typically, the labels are obtained from a web wound into a roll which is then cut to obtain the labels to be applied to the containers.

[0004] With regard to gluing, i.e., applying adhesive to appropriate areas of the web, some solutions known in the prior art involve the use of pre-glued webs, such as those described in patent documents EP 1 871 674 B1 and EP 2 507 135 B1.

[0005] However, with this type of solution there is a risk of defects due to the label not being applied correctly, suggesting that it would be preferable to adopt an alternative solution in which the adhesive is applied after the web has been unwound, for example just before or just after it has been cut.

[0006] An example of a system in which adhesive is applied after the web is unwound is described in patent document WO2019243203A1, where the adhesive is applied to the web by a spray gun.

[0007] In some cutting solutions known in the prior art, the web is transported by a drum equipped with an anvil and cut by one or more rotary knives attached to a cutting roller. The rotary knives interact with the anvil, and the web sandwiched between the knives and the anvil is cut by pressure cutting. Examples of this approach are described in patent documents EP 2067701B1, EP 2221154B1, EP 2279954B1, DE 102013215999A1, and EP 3919397A1. This approach involves the interaction of the knife with the anvil to perform the pressure cutting, which has the disadvantage of rapidly wearing the knife.

[0008] An alternative cutting method is described in patent documents WO2021239626A1, WO2021198072A1 and WO2022069415A1, in which a drum that carries the web while it is being cut is provided with slots to accommodate knives. However, this system has the disadvantage of being complex and increasing the cost of the apparatus.

[0009] Another method for cutting a web is described in patent document EP 3925743 A1, in which a conveying drum is provided with recesses that interact with a rotating knife attached to a cutting roller while the web is being cut. This cutting method has the advantage of being more economical than solutions in which the blade is housed in a slot in the conveying drum and more reliable than solutions in which the blade interacts with an anvil. However, the device in patent document EP 3925743 A1 has the disadvantage of being complex and cumbersome. Furthermore, the approach proposed in EP 3925743 A1, which applies tension to the web as it is being cut by combining the use of rotation of the conveying drum with the selective use of suction upstream and downstream of the recesses, is complex and not very reliable.

[0010] Patent document WO2020 / 088923A1 describes a labeling device, but this document also fails to meet market needs.

[0011] In this regard, there remains a need for a compact or miniaturized apparatus for gluing and cutting a web and then applying a label, which can apply adhesive to the web after the web is unwound, and which has a cutting system that is simple, robust, and reliable. Summary of the Invention

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure aims to provide a labeling apparatus and method that overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art.

[0013] More specifically, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a labeling device and method that allows the web to be unwound, glued and cut, and then the labels to be applied with a particularly miniaturized device. Another object of the present disclosure is to (glue and) cut the labels in a particularly simple, robust and reliable manner.

[0014] These objects are fully achieved by the labelling device and method of the present disclosure as characterized in the appended claims.

[0015] The purpose of the labeling machine is basically to provide a series of labels with adhesive thereon for application to respective containers.

[0016] More specifically, the label is made from a polymeric material, but can be made from other materials.

[0017] The labels are obtained by cutting the web such that each cut separates a piece of the web from the web itself, each piece defining a label. Preferably, the cuts are perpendicular to the web so that the labels are rectangular in shape, although embodiments in which the labels have a different shape (e.g., diamond-shaped) are not excluded.

[0018] Each label has adhesive at its leading and trailing end regions, and thus each strip (defining a corresponding label) has leading and trailing end regions that have adhesive at the time the label is ready to be applied to a container.

[0019] The apparatus comprises a supply roller, which serves to apply a pulling action to the web, and for this purpose the web is at least partially wrapped around the supply roller, and in one example the supply roller rotates about a vertical axis.

[0020] The labeling device also includes a glue roller that serves to spread adhesive over the surface of the web, more specifically over the surface of the web to define adhesive leading and trailing end regions. In one example, the glue roller rotates about a vertical axis.

[0021] The labeling device also includes a cutting roller. The cutting roller functions to cut the web to separate the pieces. The cutting roller includes at least one knife configured to cut the web. The at least one knife rotates integrally with the cutting roller. In one example, the cutting roller rotates about a vertical axis.

[0022] The labeling device also includes a transport carousel, which defines a path of travel for the web, along which the web is maintained attached to the transport carousel (e.g., a lateral surface of the transport carousel). The web interacts with cutting rollers in cutting regions along the path of travel. The transport carousel therefore interacts with the cutting rollers to cut the pieces.

[0023] In one embodiment, the web also interacts with a glue roller at a glue zone along the travel path, and thus the transport carousel also functions to interact with the glue roller to apply adhesive to the surface of the web.

[0024] A transfer carousel receives the web from the supply rollers at the loading area.

[0025] The transport carousel is configured in an unloading area to provide cut (and glued) labels at an exit.

[0026] In one embodiment, the travel path also includes a stretch located downstream of the cutting region, in which case the travel path is a path for moving the web up to the cutting region, and then, downstream of the cutting region, it is a path for moving the web pieces, i.e., the labels.

[0027] In this case, in one embodiment, the transport carousel, in cooperation with the labeling machine (or central carousel), transports the labels to the containers (in the unloading area) along a movement path downstream of the cutting area. The transport carousel therefore also serves to transport the cut and glued labels to the containers (located on the labeling machine and moving along the respective container movement path, e.g., the labeling machine may be a rotary machine).

[0028] The unloading area is angularly spaced apart from the loading area along the web's path of travel. The gluing and cutting areas are angularly interposed between the loading and unloading areas relative to the web's path of travel. Preferably, but not necessarily, the gluing area is located before the cutting area in the feed direction of the web from the loading area to the unloading area. It is also possible for the cutting area to be located before the gluing area in the feed direction; an example of this particular case is shown in patent document IT102023000014994 of the same applicant, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0029] In one embodiment, the transport carousel includes a plurality of suction projection arrays (suction pads or suction shoes) angularly distributed around the periphery of the transport carousel.

[0030] Each suction protrusion array may consist of one suction protrusion (i.e., a single suction protrusion) or a pair of suction protrusions (i.e., one gluing suction protrusion and one cutting suction protrusion).

[0031] Unless otherwise specified, the following description applies to both the first embodiment, which is comprised of one (single) suction protrusion, and the second embodiment, which is comprised of a pair of suction protrusions (for each suction protrusion array).

[0032] Preferably, the plurality of suction prong arrays are mounted on a transport carousel, and in particular, the plurality of suction prong arrays are configured to move together with the transport carousel.

[0033] The transport carousel may rotate about an axis of rotation, for example at a constant speed. Preferably, the array of suction protrusions is configured to move (about the axis of rotation) at a speed equal to the speed of the transport carousel.

[0034] Each protrusion of the suction protrusion array is provided with a recess (radially oriented, i.e., a radial recess). The recess divides each suction protrusion into two parts, i.e., extensions, such that each suction protrusion includes a leading extension and a trailing extension, with the recess interposed between the leading and trailing extensions. For each suction protrusion, the leading extension and the trailing extension protrude radially from the periphery of the transport carousel, away from the axis of rotation of the transport carousel. For each suction protrusion, the leading extension is located ahead of the trailing extension in the direction of rotation of the transport carousel.

[0035] Preferably, each suction protrusion of the suction protrusion array comprises a pair of portions (or extensions) and a recess, the recess being interposed between the extensions, and the extensions being provided on the same body. In other words, each suction protrusion comprises a body having a pair of extensions and a recess interposed between the two extensions.

[0036] The transport carousel is configured to keep the web (received from the supply rollers in the loading area) adhered to one or more suction projection arrays. In one example, the transport carousel is also configured to hold the labels with the suction projections while bringing the labels into contact with the corresponding bottles.

[0037] The rotation of the cutting roller and the rotation of the transport carousel are synchronized so that at least one knife of the cutting roller is periodically inserted into the recesses of the suction projection array to cut the web. Interaction between the knife of the cutting roller and the recesses of the suction projection array of the transport carousel occurs during the cutting step. Thus, the web is cut during the cutting step to separate pieces thereof.

[0038] The rotation of the glue roller is synchronized with the rotation of the transport carousel, and the glue roller cooperates with the suction projection array of the transport carousel to apply adhesive to areas of the web corresponding to the leading and trailing end areas of the label. Interaction between the glue roller and the suction projection array of the transport carousel occurs during the gluing step. Thus, adhesive is applied to the web during the gluing step to form adhesive (or sticky) areas on the web.

[0039] Thus, there are at least a first embodiment and a second embodiment. In the first embodiment, each suction protrusion array of the plurality of suction protrusion arrays is composed of one suction protrusion (i.e., a single suction protrusion), in which case the suction protrusion preferably interacts with both the glue roller and the cutting roller, i.e., the glue roller and the cutting roller are configured to interact with the same suction protrusion. In the second embodiment, each suction protrusion array of the plurality of suction protrusion arrays is composed of one glue suction protrusion and one cutting suction protrusion (defining a pair of suction protrusions), the glue suction protrusion being configured to interact with the glue roller during the gluing step, and the cutting suction protrusion being configured to interact with the cutting roller during the cutting step.

[0040] In one embodiment, the knife has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, preferably in operative contact with the web. The knife has a first side extending between the first and second ends of the knife and a second side extending between the first and second ends of the knife, the second side being opposite the first side. The cutting edge is preferably located at the first end of the knife.

[0041] In one example, the angle θ formed by a plane passing through the rotational axis of the transport carousel and the rotational axis of the cutting roller and one side of the knife (either the first side or the second side) is evaluated with the knife inserted into the recess and is between -45° and +45°, preferably between -20° and 20°, and more preferably between -15° and 15°.

[0042] In preferred examples, θ is comprised between −20° and −15° or between 20° and 15°, it being noted that the angle θ represents the inclination of the knife relative to the plane passing through the axes of rotation of the cutting roller and the transport carousel.

[0043] The apparatus also includes a control unit.

[0044] It should be noted that the synchronization can be performed (exclusively) by a mechanical system. However, also since the cutting roller, the glue roller and the transport carousel each include their own drive motor units configured to rotate them about their respective rotation axes, the synchronization is preferably performed via a control unit. In this case, the control unit is connected to the glue roller, the cutting roller and the transport carousel (i.e., the motor drive units of the glue roller, the cutting roller and the transport carousel) and synchronizes their respective rotations so that the glue roller applies glue with leading and trailing extensions in cooperation with the suction protrusion array of the transport carousel, and at least one knife of the cutting roller is periodically inserted into the recesses of the suction protrusion array to cut the web.

[0045] The fact that the cutting, gluing and transfer of the labels to the bottles occurs on the same transfer carousel with the recesses makes the device particularly compact and reliable: in fact, this configuration reduces the number of components, allows them to be placed in tight spaces and eliminates the need for the knife to interact with an anvil or other contact surface.

[0046] Preferably, in a work cycle, the glue roller is configured to apply adhesive (i.e., the glue roller is configured to cooperate with the suction protrusion array of the transport carousel to apply adhesive), and the cutting roller is configured to cut the labels from the web (i.e., at least one knife of the cutting roller is inserted into a recess of the suction protrusion array to cut the labels from the web). In other words, the work cycle includes a gluing step and a cutting step of the labels from the web.

[0047] In one embodiment, during a work cycle, the transport carousel rotates at a constant angular velocity, so that the peripheral speed of the transport carousel (i.e., the peripheral speed of the area of ​​the transport carousel adapted to receive the web and keep it adhered thereto) is also constant.

[0048] Furthermore, the angular velocity of the transport carousel is variable, for example, depending on the production speed of the apparatus (from one work cycle to the next or within the same work cycle), and more specifically, depending on the angular velocity of a central carousel configured to receive multiple bottles and interact with the transport carousel to bring the cut labels into contact with the bottles.

[0049] In one embodiment, the supply roller can be configured to vary its rotational speed between a maximum value and a minimum value (i.e., a value reduced from or less than the maximum value) within the same working cycle. For example, the control unit can be programmed to vary the rotational speed of the supply roller between a maximum value and a minimum value (preferably within the same working cycle). In this case, the maximum speed of the supply roller is set to impart a moving speed to the web equal to the circumferential speed of the transport carousel. Thus, when the supply roller rotates at the maximum speed, the moving speed imparted to the web by the supply roller matches the circumferential speed of the transport carousel. On the other hand, when the supply roller rotates at the minimum speed (or in any case reduced, lower, or less than the maximum speed), the moving speed imparted to the web by the supply roller is less than the circumferential speed of the transport carousel. This causes slippage, where the transport carousel (moving at high speed along its moving path) and the web attached to it (also moving at a slower speed along its moving path) slide (i.e., slip) relative to each other.

[0050] The rotation of the supply roller is synchronized (i.e., coincident) with the rotation of the transport carousel (in other words, the control unit is programmed to coordinate the rotation) and with the rotation of the glue roller and the cutting roller, so that the supply roller has its maximum speed during the gluing and cutting steps. The rotation of the supply roller is also synchronized (i.e., coincident) with the rotation of the supply roller so that the supply roller has its minimum speed during a deceleration time interval after the label cutting step (and before the next label cutting step), preferably between the label cutting step and the gluing step in the next cycle. Additionally or alternatively, the deceleration time interval may be located between the label gluing step and the label cutting step. In this regard, the speed of the supply roller may be at a first minimum speed during a first deceleration time interval located between the label gluing step and the label cutting step, and at a second minimum speed during a second deceleration time interval located between the label cutting step and the label gluing step in the subsequent work cycle. In this regard, the deceleration time interval includes a first deceleration time interval and a second deceleration time interval.

[0051] It should be noted that the term "minimum" includes both relative minimums and absolute minimums (e.g., a first minimum speed may be a relative minimum and a second minimum speed may be an absolute minimum, or vice versa).

[0052] Thus, during the deceleration time interval, the supply rollers cause slippage between the web placed in contact with the periphery of the transport carousel and the transport carousel itself.

[0053] The rotation of the supply roller is synchronized (i.e., coincident) with the rotation of the transport carousel (in other words, the control unit is programmed to adjust the rotation) so that at the end of the deceleration time interval, when the speed of the supply roller again reaches its maximum value, the web is positioned on the transport carousel and a portion of the web to be cut is located in one recess of the suction protrusion array.

[0054] It should be noted that in operation, the suction projection arrays are arranged around the transport carousel such that two successive suction projection arrays are spaced apart by an arc greater than the length of the label (the web strip that makes up the label has a predetermined length). Therefore, slippage caused by slowing down the supply roller relative to the transport carousel has the effect of spacing the just-cut strip from the rest of the web (because the cut strip continues to move with the transport carousel while the web is slowing down). Furthermore, slippage caused by slowing down the supply roller relative to the transport carousel has the effect of precisely readjusting the web position for the next portion of the web to be glued and cut, so that this portion is aligned with the next suction projection array.

[0055] It should be noted that the gluing roller is configured to interact with the suction lug array to apply adhesive to the surface of the web at leading and trailing extensions (without applying adhesive to the portion of the web interposed between the leading and trailing regions, i.e., the region of the web facing the recess of the suction lug), so that each piece has a leading region and a trailing region with adhesive (and the portion of the web interposed between the two adhesive regions is adhesive-free and is the portion to be cut). In other words, with each interaction between the gluing roller and a web coupled to one of the suction lugs, the adhesive is spread in two regions (i.e., a pair of regions) that are close to each other but separated by a gap along the direction of web movement, and these regions of the pair correspond to the trailing end portion of one piece and the leading end portion of the next piece; in fact, the cutting takes place after the step of gluing the region of the web interposed between the two adhesive regions of the pair.

[0056] It should be noted that for each suction lug, the leading extension and the trailing extension are suction extensions, e.g., the leading extension and the trailing extension are provided with suction ducts connected to a compressor or vacuum source.

[0057] In one embodiment, each suction protrusion is configured to generate a suction effect (also) in the recess. This suction effect in the area where the recess is located has the function of tensioning the portion of the web placed in the recess. Tensioning the web in the area where it is to be cut has the advantage of improving the quality of the cut in a particularly simple manner. Alternative solutions are also conceivable for achieving a tensioning effect on the portion of the web facing the recess. For example, the two extensions of the suction protrusion may move back and forth towards and away from each other along the movement path.

[0058] In one embodiment, when each suction protrusion array of the plurality of suction protrusion arrays is composed of a glue suction protrusion that interacts with a glue roller and a cutting suction protrusion that interacts with a cutting roller, the supply roller is configured to cause a first sliding motion between the web and the transport carousel during a first deceleration time interval and to cause a second sliding motion between the web and the transport carousel during a second deceleration time interval, so that at the end of the second deceleration time interval, the web is positioned on the transport carousel and the portion of the web to be cut is located in the recess of the cutting suction protrusion.

[0059] The present disclosure also provides a labeling method.

[0060] The method includes the step of feeding a web (a web made of label material), preferably the step of feeding the web is performed by a feed roller.

[0061] The method also includes cutting the web to separate the web into web sections that form the labels, the cutting step being performed by a cutting roller having at least one knife attached thereto.

[0062] The method also includes a gluing step, i.e., applying adhesive to the surface of the web, which is preferably performed by a gluing roller.

[0063] The method also includes moving the web along a path of travel.

[0064] This movement is carried out by a transport carousel.

[0065] The transport carousel receives the web (from the supply rollers) at a loading area and keeps it attached as it moves along a travel path.

[0066] The cutting step is performed during the step of moving the web along the moving path, more specifically, the transport carousel interacts with the cutting rollers in a cutting zone, the cutting zone being located downstream of the loading zone with respect to the moving path of the web.

[0067] The transport carousel transports the pieces cut from the web to the unloading area, so the path of movement has a first stretch (upstream of the cutting area) where the web is not cut and a second stretch (downstream of the cutting area) where the label is located.

[0068] The gluing step is performed during the step of moving the web along the travel path. More specifically, the transport carousel interacts with the gluing roller in a gluing area. The gluing area (like the cutting area) is located downstream of the loading area. The gluing and cutting areas are located upstream of the unloading area. Thus, the gluing and cutting areas are angularly interposed between the loading and unloading areas with respect to the travel path of the web.

[0069] In the unloading area, the labels are transported to a labeling machine (or central carousel), for example, the labeling machine comprises a labeling carousel, and the labels are transferred to the labeling carousel, i.e. directly onto the bottles transported by the labeling carousel.

[0070] In one embodiment, the transport carousel includes a plurality of suction protrusion arrays angularly distributed around the circumference of the transport carousel, where in a (first) embodiment, each suction protrusion array may consist of one suction protrusion (i.e., a single suction protrusion) or in a (second) embodiment, a pair of suction protrusions (i.e., one gluing suction protrusion and one cutting suction protrusion).

[0071] It is emphasized that the concepts described in this disclosure with respect to the first and second embodiments of the apparatus also apply to the method.

[0072] Each suction protrusion in the suction protrusion array may be provided with a corresponding recess.

[0073] Preferably, the plurality of suction protrusion arrays are mounted on a transport carousel. In particular, the plurality of suction protrusion arrays move together with the transport carousel. The transport carousel can rotate around a rotation axis, for example at a constant speed. Preferably, the plurality of suction protrusion arrays move (around the rotation axis) at a speed equal to the speed of the transport carousel. Preferably, each suction protrusion of the suction protrusion array includes a pair of portions (or extensions) and a recess, the recess being interposed between the extensions, and the extensions being provided on the same body. In other words, each suction protrusion comprises a body having a pair of extensions and a recess interposed between the two extensions.

[0074] In this case, the web (or each piece of web) is kept attached to one or more arrays of suction projections (from the loading area to the unloading area) as the web moves along the travel path.

[0075] The method includes synchronizing the moving (on a transport carousel) and cutting steps. Preferably, the method includes synchronizing the moving, cutting and feeding steps. Even more preferably, the method includes synchronizing the moving, cutting, feeding and gluing steps.

[0076] In this regard, the rotation of the cutting roller and the rotation of the transport carousel are synchronized so that at least one knife of the cutting roller is periodically inserted into the recesses of the suction projection array to cut the web.

[0077] The rotation of the glue roller and the rotation of the transport carousel are synchronized so that the glue roller applies adhesive to the surface of the web disposed on the array of suction lugs of the transport carousel.

[0078] In one embodiment, the transport carousel rotates at a constant angular velocity. The circumferential velocity of the transport carousel is also constant.

[0079] Preferably, during a work cycle, the glue roller applies adhesive and the cutting roller cuts the labels from the web, so that during a work cycle, the transport carousel can rotate at a constant angular velocity, so that the peripheral speed of the transport carousel is constant.

[0080] The supply roller, for example, can change its rotational speed during a work cycle between a maximum value and a minimum value, at which the moving speed it imparts to the web is equal to the circumferential speed of the transport carousel. The speed of the supply roller thus varies periodically according to a predetermined curve, which defines a period corresponding to (i.e., dependent on) the work cycle of the device. The period (time interval) of the speed of the supply roller includes a synchronization phase (i.e., synchronization time interval) during which the rotational speed is at its maximum value and a deceleration phase (i.e., deceleration time interval) during which the rotational speed of the supply roller is less than the maximum speed. Thus, the minimum value of the rotational speed of the supply roller is adopted during the deceleration time interval. During the deceleration time interval, the supply roller causes slippage between the web, which is placed in contact with the periphery of the transport carousel, and the transport carousel itself. At the end of the deceleration time interval (during the synchronization time interval), the web is placed on the transport carousel, the portion of the web to be cut is positioned in one recess of the suction projection array, and the web resumes its movement in synchronization with the movement of the transport carousel.

[0081] In one embodiment, the rotation of the glue roller, the cutting roller and the transport carousel are synchronized so that the supply roller is at maximum speed during the gluing and cutting steps. In one embodiment, the rotation of the glue roller, the cutting roller and the transport carousel are synchronized so that a deceleration time interval is located in time between the step of cutting a label and the step of gluing the next label. In this case, preferably, each suction protrusion array consists of one (single) suction protrusion that interacts with the glue roller in the adhesive application step and with the cut roller in the cutting step.

[0082] In another example, the rotation of the gluing roller, the cutting roller, and the transport carousel are synchronized so that the deceleration time interval includes a first deceleration time interval located between the gluing step and the label cutting step, and a second deceleration time interval located between the label cutting step and the subsequent label gluing step. In this case, preferably, each suction protrusion array is configured with a gluing suction protrusion that interacts with the gluing roller in the adhesive application step and a cutting suction protrusion that interacts with the cutting roller in the cutting step. During the first deceleration time interval, the supply roller generates a first sliding motion between the transport carousel and the web, which is positioned in contact with the periphery of the transport carousel. At the end of the first deceleration time interval (during the synchronization time interval), the web is positioned on the transport carousel, the portion of the web to be cut is positioned in one recess of the suction protrusion array, and the web resumes movement synchronized with the movement of the transport carousel in the cutting step. During a second deceleration time interval, the supply roller creates a second sliding motion between the transport carousel and the web. At the end of the second deceleration time interval (during the synchronization time interval), the web is positioned on the transport carousel, the portion of the web to be glued is positioned in one recess of the suction projection array, and the web resumes movement synchronized with the movement of the transport carousel in the gluing step.

[0083] Preferably, in each work cycle, the gluing step precedes the cutting step, and in each case the cutting and gluing steps are carried out during synchronized time intervals (within the period during which the speed of the supply roller is changed).

[0084] In one embodiment, the method includes the step of generating a negative pressure in the recess, for example by suctioning air into the recess, which imparts tension to the portion of the web that is placed in the recess during the cutting step. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0085] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an apparatus 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] 1 illustrates an apparatus 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] 1 illustrates an apparatus 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 shows a cutting roller 13 interacting with a transport carousel 14 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 illustrates an apparatus 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates an apparatus 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figures 6A-6D] 1 illustrates an operation sequence of the device 1 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 7A] 1 shows a graph of the rotational speed of a feed roller 11 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7B] 1 shows a graph of the rotational speed of a feed roller 11 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates an apparatus 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0086] The labelling device is designated by the numeral 1 in the drawings. The device 1 comprises a supply roller 11, a glue roller 12, a cutting roller 13 and a transport carousel 14. The supply roller 11, the glue roller 12, the cutting roller 13 and the transport carousel 14 each rotate about a respective axis of rotation.

[0087] The apparatus 1 also includes a first roll 15A and a second roll 15B, each consisting of a web 2 of label material wound on a reel. The apparatus 1 includes a film buffer (or rocker arm) 16 configured to receive the web 2 unwound from the first roll 15A or the second roll 15B. Preferably, the film buffer 16 receives the web 2 unwound from the first roll 15A while the second roll 15B remains in a standby state, or vice versa; i.e., the film buffer 16 receives the web 2 unwound from the second roll 15B while the first roll 15B remains in a standby state. The function of the film buffer 16 is to maintain a constant tension in the web 2. The apparatus 1 includes a web guide 17 configured to receive the tensioned web 2 from the film buffer 16 and orient and align the web 2 for delivery to the supply roller 11.

[0088] The feed roller 11 receives the web from the web guide 17 in the loading area C and feeds the web 2 to the transport carousel 14 .

[0089] The glue roller 12 is configured to interact with a transport carousel 14 in the glueing area I to spread adhesive on the surface of the web 2 .

[0090] The cutting roller 13 includes a knife 130 configured to interact with the transport carousel 14 to cut the web 2 in a cutting region T to separate the web 2 into pieces that make up the labels 20 .

[0091] Thus, the transport carousel 14 receives the web 2 from the supply roller 11 in the loading area C, then interacts with the gluing roller 12 in the gluing area I to apply adhesive to the web 2, and with the cutting roller 13 in the cutting area T to divide the web 2 into labels 20.

[0092] The apparatus 1 comprises a central carousel 18 that rotates about its own axis, an infeed station 18A for a plurality of bottles 21 to be labeled, and an outfeed station 18B for the plurality of bottles 21 after the labels have been applied. The central carousel 18 is configured to receive the plurality of bottles 21 from the infeed station 18A. The transfer carousel 14 also interacts with the central carousel 18 in the unloading area S to bring the cut labels 20 into contact with the corresponding bottles 21. The central carousel 18 is also configured to transport the plurality of labeled bottles 21 to the outfeed station 18B.

[0093] Thus, within the device, the web 2 moves along a travel path, passing through a loading area C, a gluing area I and a cutting area T, where it is cut into labels 20 which are then applied to bottles 21 in an unloading area S.

[0094] More specifically, the transport carousel 14 includes a plurality of suction protrusion arrays 140. The suction protrusion arrays 140 are angularly distributed around the periphery of the transport carousel 14. Each suction protrusion of the suction protrusion array 140 includes a recess 140R, a leading extension 140T, and a trailing extension 140C. The recess 140R is interposed between the leading extension 140T and the trailing extension 140C and is oriented radially, such that the leading extension 140T and the trailing extension 140C protrude radially from the periphery of the transport carousel 14 away from the axis of rotation of the transport carousel 14. With respect to the direction of rotation of the transport carousel 14, the leading extension 140T is located ahead of the trailing extension 140C. For each suction lug 140, the leading extension 140T and the trailing extension 140C are provided with suction ducts connected to a compressor or vacuum source to create a suction action that keeps the web 2 (and individual labels 20) adhered to the periphery of the transport carousel along a portion of the travel path. More specifically, the suction keeps the web adhered to the suction lug array 140. The rotation of the transport carousel 14, the rotation of the glue roller 12, and the rotation of the cutting roller 13 are synchronized so that each suction lug array 40 performs three functions. The first function is to keep the web 2 adhered to the transport carousel 14 through the suction ducts. The second function is to apply adhesive to the areas of the web 2 that contact the leading extension 140T and the trailing extension 140C in cooperation with the glue roller 12 during the gluing step. More specifically, the leading extension 140T applies adhesive to the trailing end region 20B of the label 20, and the trailing extension 140C applies adhesive to the leading end region 20A of the subsequent label 20 in the feeding direction of the web 2 on the transport carousel. The third function is to cooperate with the cutting roller 13 in the cutting step, where the knife 130 of the cutting roller 13 is inserted into the recess 140R of the suction protrusion 140 to divide the web 2 into labels 20. More specifically, the knife 130 separates the trailing end region 20B of the label 20 from the leading end region 20A of the subsequent label 20 by cutting the web 2 at a separation region 20S between the trailing end region 20B and the leading end region 20A of the subsequent label 20.

[0095] In one embodiment, the cutting roller 13 includes a knife 130 having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the first end of the knife 130 being in operative contact with the web 2. The knife 130 has a first side extending between the first and second ends of the knife 130 and a second side extending between the first and second ends of the knife 130, the second side being opposite the first side. A cutting edge is located at the first end of the knife 130. In one example, the angle θ formed by a plane passing through the rotational axes of the transport carousel 14 and the cutting roller 13 and one side (either the first or second side) of the knife 130 is evaluated with the knife 130 inserted into the recess 140R and is preferably between -20° and -15°, or between 20° and 15°.

[0096] In the first embodiment, each suction protrusion array 140 consists of a single suction protrusion 140 (divided into two extensions with a recess between them) configured to interact with both the gluing roller 12 and the cutting roller 13, and thus the suction protrusion 140 performs both the gluing (second) function and the cutting (third) function.

[0097] In the second embodiment, each suction protrusion array 140 is composed of a pair of suction protrusions 140 (each of which is divided into two extensions with a recess between them), specifically a glueing suction protrusion 140' and a cutting suction protrusion 140". The glueing suction protrusion 140' is configured to interact with the glueing roller 12 in the gluing step and thus perform a gluing (second) function. The cutting suction protrusion 140" is configured to interact with the cutting roller 13 in the cutting step and thus perform a cutting (third) function.

[0098] Unless otherwise specified, the present disclosure applies to both the first and second embodiments.

[0099] Thus, the device 1 cyclically performs the steps of gluing the web 2 and cutting the web 2 into labels 20 .

[0100] The transport carousel 14 also includes a plurality of suction elements 141 angularly distributed around the transport carousel 14. The suction elements 141 are spaced apart from one another and from the suction protrusion array 140. The suction elements 141 protrude less from the transport carousel 14 than the suction protrusion array 140. More specifically, in one embodiment, the suction elements 141 protrude less from the transport carousel 14 than a single suction protrusion 140. In another embodiment, the suction elements 141 protrude less from the transport carousel 14 than a pair of suction protrusions, or less than the gluing suction protrusion 140′ and / or the cutting suction protrusion 140″. The suction elements 141 are also provided with suction ducts connected to a compressor or vacuum source to generate a suction action that keeps the web 2 (and individual labels 20) adhered to the suction elements 141 during transport along the travel path.

[0101] More specifically, the suction prong arrays 140 are spaced apart from one another along the circumference of the transport carousel 14 covering an arc of length L. Each label 20 is characterized by a length l, such that each suction element 141 is spaced apart from the succeeding suction prong array 140 (in the direction of rotation of the transport carousel 14) by a distance l equal to the length of the label 20. Thus, once the step of cutting the label 20 is completed, the trailing end region 20B of the label 20 is held on the transport carousel 14 by the suction of the leading extension 140T of the suction prong 140 at which the cut was made, while the leading end region 20A of the label 20 is held on the transport carousel 14 by the suction element 141 located ahead of the suction prong 140 at which the cut was made (in the direction of rotation of the transport carousel 14).

[0102] The suction element 141 also has the function of transferring the leading end region 20A of the label 20 cut from the web 2 to the bottle 21 (placing it on the bottle 21).

[0103] More specifically, the length I of the label 20 is l such that each suction element 141 is spaced from the next suction projection array 140 by an arc of length Ll = dl. <Lである。

[0104] During the working cycle, which includes the gluing and cutting steps, the transport carousel 14 rotates at a constant angular velocity, so that the circumferential speed V t is constant, but the supply roller moves at a speed V a to the value V a =V a min and the speed of the supply roller is V a =V a The maximum speed of the supply roller is Vmax. a max=V t and the minimum speed of the supply roller is V a min <V t is.

[0105] Therefore, the speed V of the supply roller 11 a V a max, the feed roller 11 applies the web 2 with a speed V t gives it a movement speed equal to

[0106] Next, the supply roller 11 is V a min, then accelerate again to V a Back to max. That's V a max and V a Drive at a speed equal to max, V a min and then V a The time it takes to reach max is the cycle period T c It is called V a min, V a min, V a Accelerate to max and then V again a The time required to reach max is the deceleration time interval T dec It is called the deceleration time interval T decThen, the rotation speed V of the supply roller 11 is a is always the rotation speed of the transport carousel V t is smaller than (in other words, it is V a min<=V a <V a (The time interval at which the deceleration time is maximum.) More specifically, the deceleration time interval T dec , the web 2 slides against the periphery of the transport carousel 14 .

[0107] Therefore, the gluing and cutting steps are carried out when the speed of the supply roller 11 is at its maximum speed.

[0108] Therefore, in the first embodiment in which the suction protrusion array 140 is composed of only one (i.e., a single) suction protrusion 140, and in the second embodiment in which the suction protrusion array 140 is composed of a gluing suction protrusion 140′ and a cutting suction protrusion 140″, the speed V a can vary in the first and second modes, respectively.

[0109] In a first mode (shown merely by way of example in FIG. 7A), after the cutting step, a deceleration time interval T dec , the supply roller 11 slows down while the cut label 20 moves along the travel path at the speed V of the transport carousel. t Meanwhile, the uncut web 2 slides and repositions the web 2 so that the separation region 20S (i.e., the region between the trailing edge region 20B of the next label 20 to be cut and the leading edge region 20A of the label 20 after that) is located in the recess 140R of the suction protrusion 140 following the suction protrusion 140 where the cut was made. More specifically, it takes a deceleration time interval T dec is necessary.

[0110] In the second mode (shown merely by way of example in FIG. 7B), after the gluing step, which is carried out when the glue suction lug 140′ contacts the glue roller 12 at the glue suction lug 140′, the supply roller 11 decelerates for a first deceleration time interval T decDuring 1, the first minimum speed V a The supply roller 11 then decelerates to a speed V min1, which is equal to the speed of the transport carousel 14 during the cutting step. The deceleration of the supply roller 11 relative to the transport carousel 14 causes a first slippage of the web 2 relative to the transport carousel 14, and the adhesive-coated portion of the web is placed on the cutting suction protrusion 140'' (specifically, the separation area 20S of the label is placed in the recess 140R of the cutting suction protrusion 140''). a After the cutting step, the supply roller 11 returns to the maximum speed for a second deceleration time interval T dec During 2, the second minimum speed V a During this step, the just-cut label 20 advances with the transport carousel 14, and the remaining portion of the web 2 slides to be repositioned so that the separation region 20S (i.e., the region between the trailing edge region 20B of the next label 20 to be cut and the leading edge region 20A of the next label 20) is positioned in the recess 140R of the glue suction projection 140′.

[0111] Thus, in the operating sequence of the device 1, the supply roller 11 first supplies the web 2 in a continuous form to the transport carousel 14 in the loading area C. The web 2 is transported by the transport carousel 14 to the gluing area I, where the gluing roller 12 applies adhesive to the web 2 in the trailing end area 20B of the label 20 and then in the leading end area 20A of the label 20. During the gluing step, in particular, the trailing end area 20B of the label 20 comes into contact with the leading extension 140T of the suction lug 140, and the leading end area 20A comes into contact with the trailing extension 140C of the suction lug 140. The web 2 then proceeds together with the transport carousel 14 to the cutting area, where the cutting roller 13 is synchronized so that the knife 130 is inserted into the recess 140R of the suction lug 140 between the leading extension 140T and the trailing extension 140C to separate the label 20. Specifically, the trailing end region 20B of the label 20 is separated from the leading end region 20A of the following label (which is then cut in the separation region 20S). The label 20 separated from the web 2 proceeds with the transport carousel 14 to the unloading region S, where it is applied to a bottle 21. More specifically, from the cutting region to the unloading region S, the trailing end region 20B of the label 20 is held around the transport carousel 14 by the suction of the leading extension 140T, while the leading end region 20A of the label is held around the suction element 141 located ahead of the suction protrusion 140 from which the cut has just been made.

[0112] In particular, in the gluing and cutting steps, the speed of the supply roller V a is always at its highest value V a is maintained at max.

[0113] In the first mode, the feed roller 11 is rotated by V a min, and the web 2 slides around the transport carousel 14 so that the trailing edge region 20B of the label 20 following the label that was just cut and the leading edge region 20A of the next label 20 are placed on the suction protrusion 140 following the suction protrusion 140 where the cut was just made (and are therefore placed in the separation region 20S in the recess 140R).a is again at maximum speed V a max, and the next cycle begins. Thus, each cycle begins when the speed of the supply roller Va is at its maximum speed and the speed of the transport carousel 14 V t a first step F1 including gluing and cutting steps, the speed of the feed roller being equal to V a max to V a and a second step F2 including a rearrangement step in which the deceleration time interval T dec It should be noted that the trailing end region 20B of the label 20 and the leading end region 20A of the label following the label 20 are placed on the suction protrusion 140, while the leading end region 20A of the label 20 is placed on the suction element 141.

[0114] In the second mode, the feed roller 11 is moved to the V a The web 2 is decelerated to min1, and slides around the transport carousel 14, so that the trailing end region 20B and the leading end region 20A of the label 20, to which adhesive has just been applied, are placed on the cutting suction protrusion 140'' following the gluing suction protrusion 140' to which adhesive has just been applied (and are therefore placed in the separation region 20S in the recess 140R of the cutting suction protrusion 140''). Simultaneously with the repositioning, the speed V of the supply roller a is again at maximum speed V a After the cutting step, the feed roller 11 immediately moves to V a min2, the web 2 slides around the transport carousel 14, and the trailing edge 20B of the label 20 following the label just cut and the leading edge 20A of the next label 20 are placed on the glue suction lug 140' following the cutting suction lug 140'' where the cut was just made, and the next cycle begins. In the second mode, each cycle is performed at a speed V a is the maximum speed and the speed V of the transport carousel 14 t The first step F11 includes a gluing step, the speed of the feed roller being equal to V a max to V aA second step F12 includes a repositioning step in which the speed of the feed roller is changed to min1 and vice versa, and a is the maximum speed and the speed V of the transport carousel 14 t and a third step F13 including a cutting step, the speed of the feed roller being equal to V a max to V a A fourth step F14 is included which includes a rearrangement step, changing the sigma to min2 and vice versa.

[0115] Generally speaking, V a min1 and V a min2 may be the same, or V a min1 is V a It can be greater or less than min2.

[0116] Meanwhile, the central carousel 18 receives bottles 21 to be labeled from the infeed station 18A.

[0117] The suction element 141 conveys the leading edge region 20A of the label 20 to the unloading area S for application of the label 20 to the bottles 21 arranged on the central carousel 18. Finally, the labeled bottles 21 are transported to the outfeed station 18B. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0118] [Patent Document 1] EP1871674B1 [Patent Document 2] EP2507135B1 [Patent Document 3] WO2019243203A1 [Patent Document 4] EP2067701B1 [Patent Document 5] EP2221154B1 [Patent Document 6] EP2279954B1

Patent document 7

Patent document 8

Patent Document 9

Patent document 10

Patent document 11

Patent document 12

Patent document 13

Patent document 14

Claims

1. A labeling device (1), comprising: a supply roller (11) configured to supply a web (2) made of label material; a glue roller (12) configured to spread adhesive on the surface of said web (2); a cutting roller (13) equipped with at least one knife (130) adapted to cut said web (2) and divide said web into web pieces (2) constituting the labels (20); a transport carousel (14) comprising a plurality of suction projection arrays (140) angularly distributed around the circumference of the transport carousel (14) and provided with corresponding recesses (140R), the transport carousel (14) receiving the web (2) from the supply roller (11) in a loading area (C), keeping the web (2) adhered to one or more of the suction projection arrays (140), and placing the label (20) at an angularly spaced distance from the loading area (C) along the path of movement of the web (2); a transport carousel (14) configured to bring the web into contact with a corresponding bottle (21) in an unloading area (S) attached to the web, the transport carousel (14) being configured to interact with the glue roller (12) in a gluing area (I) and with the cutting roller (13) in a cutting area (T), the glueing area (I) and the cutting area (T) being angularly interposed between the loading area (C) and the unloading area (S) with respect to the movement path (2) of the web, The labeling device (1), wherein the rotation of the glue roller (12), the rotation of the cutting roller (13) and the rotation of the transport carousel (14) are synchronized so that the glue roller (12) works in conjunction with the suction protrusion array (140) of the transport carousel (14) to apply adhesive, and so that the at least one knife (130) of the cutting roller (13) is periodically inserted into the recess (140R) of the suction protrusion array (140) to cut the web (2).

2. In a working cycle in which the glue roller (12) is configured to apply the adhesive and the cutting roller (13) is configured to cut the labels (20) from the web (2), the transport carousel (14) moves at a peripheral speed (V ｔ ) is constant, and the supply roller (11) rotates at a constant angular velocity so that its rotation speed (V ａ ) to the highest value (V ａ max) and minimum value (V ａ min), and the maximum speed (V ａ max) is the peripheral speed (V ｔ 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) is configured to impart to the web (2) a moving speed equal to

3. The rotation of the glue roller (12), the rotation of the cutting roller (13) and the rotation of the transport carousel (14) the gluing roller (12) acts in conjunction with the suction projection array (140) of the transport carousel (14) to apply adhesive during the gluing step; During the cutting step, the at least one knife (130) of the cutting roller (13) is periodically inserted into the recess (140R) of the suction projection array (140) to cut the web (2); The supply roller (11) operates at its maximum speed (V ａ max), and a deceleration time interval (T ｄｅｃ ) at the minimum speed (V ａ 3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the device is synchronized so as to have a time constant (Tmax) of 1 / 2 min.

4. The supply roller (11) is ｄｅｃ ), which is configured to cause slippage between the web (2) placed in contact with the periphery of the transport carousel (14) and the transport carousel (14) itself, so that the deceleration time interval (T ｄｅｃ 4. The labeling device (1) according to claim 3, wherein at the end of the cutting step, the web (2) is placed on the transport carousel (14) and the portion (20) of the web to be cut is placed in the recess (140R) of one of the suction projection arrays (140).

5. 5. The device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the web piece (2) constituting the label (20) has a predetermined length (l), and the suction projection arrays (140) are arranged along the periphery of the transport carousel such that two consecutive suction projection arrays (140) are spaced apart by an arc (L) greater than the length (l) of the label (20).

6. 6. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a control unit connected to the glue roller (12), the cutting roller (13), the transport carousel (14) and the supply roller (11) for synchronizing their respective rotations.

7. 7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each suction protrusion has a leading extension and a trailing extension that protrude radially from the periphery of the transport carousel away from the rotation axis of the transport carousel, the leading extension being located before the trailing extension in the direction of rotation of the transport carousel, the recess being interposed between the leading extension and the trailing extension, the glue roller being configured to interact with the suction protrusion array to apply the adhesive to the surface of the web at the leading extension and the trailing extension, and each piece having a leading region and a trailing region to which adhesive is applied.

8. 8. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each suction projection array (140) is configured to create a suction effect within the recess (140R) to apply tension to the portion of the web (2) disposed in the recess (140R).

9. 9. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the gluing area (I) is angularly interposed between the loading area (C) and the cutting area (T) relative to the path of movement of the web (2).

10. 10. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each suction protrusion array (140) of the plurality of suction protrusion arrays (140) comprises a suction protrusion (140) configured to interact with both the glue roller (12) and the cutting roller (13).

11. Each of the plurality of suction protrusion arrays (140) comprises: a glue suction lug (140') configured to interact with said glue roller (12) in a gluing step; a cutting suction protrusion (140'') configured to interact with the cutting roller (13) in the cutting step; The supply roller (11) operates at a maximum speed (V ａ a first deceleration time interval (T max) located in time between the step of gluing and the step of cutting the label (20); ｄｅｃ 1) at the first minimum speed (V ａ a second deceleration time interval (T min 1) arranged in time between the step of cutting the label (20) and the step of gluing the label in a subsequent work cycle; ｄｅｃ 2) at the second minimum speed (V ａ 10. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, having a minimum of 2000 rpm.

12. 1. A labeling method comprising: - feeding a web (2) made of label material through a feed roller (11); - applying adhesive to the surface of said web (2) via a glue roller (12); - cutting said web (2) via a cutting roller (13) equipped with at least one knife (130) in order to divide said web (2) into web pieces (2) constituting the labels (20); - providing a transport carousel (14), said transport carousel (14) comprising a plurality of suction protrusion arrays (140) angularly distributed along the periphery of said transport carousel (14), each suction protrusion (140) being provided with a corresponding recess (140R); via said transport carousel (14), - receiving said web (2) from said supply roller (11) in a loading area (C); - keeping said web (2) attached to one or more of said suction projection arrays (140), moving said web (2) along a movement path from said loading area (C) to an angularly spaced apart unloading area (S) along said movement path, and bringing said labels (20) into contact with corresponding bottles (21) in said unloading area (S), the transport carousel (14) interacts with the glue roller (12) in a gluing area (I) and with the cutting roller (13) in a cutting area (T), the glue area (I) and the cutting area (T) being angularly interposed between the loading area (C) and the unloading area (S) with respect to the movement path of the web (2); the rotation of the glue roller (12) and the rotation of the transport carousel (14) are synchronized so that the glue roller (12) applies the adhesive to the surface of the web (2) disposed on the suction lug array (140) of the transport carousel (14); The rotation of the cutting roller (13) and the rotation of the transport carousel (14) are synchronized so that the at least one knife (130) of the cutting roller (13) is periodically inserted into the recess (140R) of the suction projection array (140) to cut the web (2).

13. In a working cycle in which the glue roller (12) applies the adhesive and the cutting roller (13) cuts the labels (20) from the web (2), The transport carousel (14) rotates at a constant angular velocity, resulting in a circumferential velocity (V ｔ ) is constant, The supply roller (11) rotates at a speed (V ａ ) which causes the web (2) to move at the peripheral speed (V ｔ The highest value (V ａ max) and deceleration time interval (T ｄｅｃ ) the lowest value (V ａ min), and the deceleration time interval (T ｄｅｃ ) the supply roller (11) creates slippage between the transport carousel (14) and the web (2) placed in contact with the periphery of the transport carousel (14) itself, The deceleration time interval (T ｄｅｃ 13. The labeling method according to claim 12, wherein at the end of step 130, the web (2) is placed on the transport carousel (14) and the portion of the web (2) to be cut is placed in the recess (140R) of one of the suction projection arrays (140).

14. The rotation of the glue roller (12), the rotation of the cutting roller (13) and the rotation of the transport carousel (14) The supply roller (11) operates at its maximum speed (V ａ max), 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the deceleration time interval (Tdec) is synchronized so as to be located in time between the step of cutting the label (20) and the step of gluing in the next cycle.

15. 15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, comprising the step of creating a negative pressure in the recess (140R) to apply tension to the portion of the web (2) located in the recess (140R) during the cutting step.

16. 16. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein in each work cycle the gluing step precedes the cutting step.

17. At least one of the following conditions is true: i) each suction protrusion array (140) of the plurality of suction protrusion arrays (140) comprises a suction protrusion (140) configured to interact with both the glue roller (12) in the step of applying the adhesive and the cutting roller (13) in the step of cutting; ii) each of the plurality of suction protrusion arrays (140) comprises: a glue suction lug (140') configured to interact with the glue roller (12) in the step of applying the adhesive; a cutting suction protrusion (140'') configured to interact with the cutting roller (13) in the cutting step; The supply roller (11) operates at a maximum speed (V ａ a first deceleration time interval (T max) located in time between the step of gluing and the step of cutting the label (20); ｄｅｃ 1) at the first minimum speed (V ａ a second deceleration time interval (T min 1) arranged in time between the step of cutting the label (20) and the step of gluing the label in a subsequent work cycle; ｄｅｃ 2) at the second minimum speed (V ａ 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the solubility of ...

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