Labeling apparatus
The labeling device addresses the challenge of applying labels to containers of varying sizes by using an eccentric transfer drum with oscillating sectors, ensuring accurate and reliable labeling even at high speeds.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025166383
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2020-01-13
- Filing Date
- 2025-10-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing labeling devices struggle to accurately apply labels to containers with diameters larger than a certain limit, leading to deformation and misapplication of labels due to radial dimensional variations on the transfer drum, and require multiple units to operate at reduced speeds.
The transfer drum is designed with eccentric sectors that allow labels to be positioned accurately by oscillating relative to the drum's axis, reducing deformation and ensuring labels only contact intended containers, while maintaining a uniform sliding surface for the labeling ribbon.
This design enables reliable and accurate labeling of containers of various shapes and sizes, including non-circular forms, by minimizing label deformation and ensuring proper application, even at high production rates.
Smart Images
Figure 2026001167000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a labeling device.
[0002] A labeling device is known in which container labels are supplied by cutting a labeling ribbon that is unwound from a spool and has a series of labels printed on its surface.
[0003] The labeling ribbon may have a layer of adhesive pre-applied to its entire surface, or to the portions located at the head and tail ends of each label, on the side intended to contact the container, or it may not have pre-applied adhesive, in which case the labeling device is provided with an adhesive unit, usually consisting of an adhesive application roller, which is configured to spread adhesive on the labels at the moment of use, i.e., just before the labels are attached to the container.
[0004] Generally, a labeling device has a conveyor for containers, typically constituted by a rotating carousel with support pans around its periphery for supporting the individual containers, at least one labeling unit with a transfer drum arranged in the peripheral area of the rotating carousel and designed to apply labels to the containers arriving from the rotating carousel.
[0005] In some types of labelling machines, upstream of the transport drum there is provided cutting means which cut the labelling ribbon between one label and the next so that the cut label arrives at the transport drum, in other labelling machines the transport drum is provided with a blade which receives the labelling ribbon from the supply unit and cuts it in the separation area between two successive labels.
[0006] In either case, the transfer drum is provided with openings in its sides which communicate with suction means to ensure that the individual labels which are separated after cutting are held adherent to the sides of the transfer drum.
[0007] In particular, along the side of the transfer drum, one or more sectors or sections are typically provided, in each instance designed to receive and transfer a corresponding label to a corresponding container supported by a rotating carousel.
[0008] Typically, between one sector and the next on the side of the transport drum, there is a runner or pad on which the head or tail end of an individual label rests and which projects relative to the rest of the side, ensuring that a single label makes good contact only at its head and tail ends with the adhesive applicator roller, if any, and with the corresponding container from the rotating carousel for which the label is destined.
[0009] To enable a labeling machine to operate at high production rates, two or more labeling units are required to operate "alternately" or "tandem" around the rotating carousel. That is, one labeling unit applies a label to each first container arriving from the rotating carousel, and a second labeling unit applies a label to each second container arriving immediately after the first container from the rotating carousel. This allows each labeling unit in the labeling machine to operate at half the speed of a single labeling unit.
[0010] However, with this configuration, it is not possible to label containers having a diameter larger than the determined limit diameter, since containers not labeled by the labeling unit will come into contact with labels on the transport drum of that labeling unit that have not been applied to them.
[0011] To solve this problem, the transfer drum is constructed with sectors extending circumferentially over a distance greater than the length of each individual label, further spacing the labels received from the transfer drum. Instead of being cylindrical, as is typically the case, the labels are eccentric relative to the axis of the transfer drum, achieved using elements similar to the runners or pads described above, and are only positioned in certain areas. The remaining labels remain away from unintended containers and can therefore pass in front of the transfer drum without contacting them. Instead, the labels can come into contact with the containers they are intended to label at the front of the container.
[0012] In the above configuration, since the transport drum is provided with a cutting blade, when an uncut labeling ribbon is fed, the ribbon has to slide against the side of the transport drum, the sectors or sections on which are, as mentioned above, much longer than the labels to be cut.
[0013] Furthermore, in this case, the side of the transfer drum onto which the labeling ribbon slides is not uniformly cylindrical and is subject to radial dimensional variations relative to the axis of the transfer drum, which can easily cause the labeling ribbon to deform. When the labeling ribbon overheats and deforms, its vertical position can become distorted, and in extreme cases, it can even peel off from the side of the transfer drum. As a result, when the label is removed after cutting, it may not be applied correctly or may not be applied at all to the corresponding container.
[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a labelling device that is able to improve upon the known art in one or more of the above mentioned aspects.
[0015] Within this objective, the object of the present invention is to provide a labeling device in which the sliding of the labeling ribbon on the transport drum of the labeling units operating in tandem can occur on a surface that does not undergo any radial dimensional changes relative to the axis of the transport drum.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labeling device with a transfer drum that can be made with more sectors than existing technology in order to reduce the space between the label in front of a container and the next label.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labeling apparatus that makes it possible to ensure accurate positioning of the label on the transfer drum to improve the quality of the final package.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labeling device that can be widely guaranteed to be reliable and safe during operation.
[0019] A further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in an alternative way to conventional solutions.
[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labelling device which is simple and practical to implement and which is also competitive from a purely economic point of view.
[0021] This object, as well as these and other objects that will become more apparent hereinafter, is achieved by a labelling device according to claim 1, optionally comprising one or more of the features of the dependent claims. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0022] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of a labeling device according to the invention. [Figure 1] 2 is a schematic, partially cut-away plan view from above of a machine according to the invention, in the step of feeding labels onto a transport drum; FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic, partially cutaway plan view from above of the apparatus according to the invention, showing the first step of application of labels to corresponding containers by the transfer drum of FIG. 1; [Figure 3]2 is a schematic, partially cutaway plan view from above of an apparatus according to the present invention at a step subsequent to the step of labeling the corresponding containers with labels by the transfer drum of FIG. 1, emphasizing that the transfer drum does not come into contact with the containers immediately after labeling them. [Figure 4] 1A-1C are schematic, partially cutaway plan views from above illustrating successive operating steps of different embodiments of the device according to the invention; [Figure 5] 1A-1C are schematic, partially cutaway plan views from above illustrating successive operating steps of different embodiments of the device according to the invention; [Figure 6] 1A-1C are schematic, partially cutaway plan views from above illustrating successive operating steps of different embodiments of the device according to the invention; [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic plan view from above of a possible embodiment of the device according to the invention having at least two labeling units; [Figure 8] 10 is a schematic plan view from above, partly in section, of another possible embodiment of the device according to the invention; [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a shell-like body providing a sector of a transfer drum of a device according to the invention; FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a plan view from above of a portion removed to simplify the description of the shell state in the state of FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a perspective view showing a part of the transport position of the shell-shaped body in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a plan view of the shell-shaped body in the state of FIG. 11, with portions omitted for the sake of simplicity of explanation; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] With reference to the drawings, a labelling apparatus according to the present invention, designated by the reference numeral 1, generally comprises a conveyor 2 for containers 3 to be labelled along a path 3a.
[0024] Such a conveyor 2 is constituted, for example, by a rotating carousel 2a which rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow 100 and which has, in its peripheral area, a rotating pan 2b which supports individual containers 3 and rotates around its own axis.
[0025] Furthermore, the device comprises at least one labelling unit 4 arranged along the path 3 a of travel of the containers 3 .
[0026] Each labeling unit 4 has a respective transfer drum 5 which is movable relative to a respective support base 6 by rotating about its own rotation axis 5a.
[0027] In particular, the transfer drum 5 of each labelling unit 4 is designed to receive the labels 8 to be affixed to the containers 3 from the supply unit 7 at a supply station 9, by gluing them to its side, and to transfer the labels 8 received at the supply station 9 to each container 3 arriving from the conveyor 2 at a transfer station 10 angularly spaced from the supply station 9 around the rotation axis 5a of the transfer drum.
[0028] The supply unit 7 is designed to apply the labels 8 to be transported to the containers 3 and to supply the transport drum 5 with a continuous labeling ribbon 11 taken from a spool 110, while the same labeling unit 4 may be provided with another spare spool 111 so that when the spool 110 runs out, a new labeling ribbon 11 can be supplied in a manner known per se.
[0029] In that case, the transport drum 5 is preferably provided with means for cutting the labelling ribbon 11 constituted by one or more blades 12 distributed around the periphery of the transport drum 5 and supported by the transport drum, which cuts one label 8 from the labelling ribbon 11.
[0030] In this case as well, the supply unit 7 is provided via, for example, a pair of counter-rotating supply rollers 13a and 13b.
[0031] Alternatively, in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 8, the labelling ribbon 11 can arrive at the transport drum 5 already cut by a cutting roller 30 sandwiched between the supply unit 7 and the transport drum 5, so that the transport drum 5 is supplied with individual labels 8 cut from the labelling ribbon 11.
[0032] The labeling ribbon 11 can be provided with pre-applied adhesive at the head and tail of each label 8. Alternatively, as in the embodiment of Figure 8, the device can be provided with means for applying adhesive to the labels 8, which can consist, for example, of a roller 31 that can be arranged facing the transport drum 5.
[0033] Advantageously, as is customary, in order to keep the labelling ribbon 11 and / or the labels 8 adhered to the side of the transport drum 5, the latter is provided with openings on its side connected to air extraction means, also described below.
[0034] Furthermore, the side of the transfer drum 5 defines at least one sector 14 extending along at least a portion of the circumferentially extending portion of the side of the transfer drum 5, the transfer drum 5 being designed in each case to accommodate a single label 8 to be transferred to the corresponding container 3.
[0035] According to the invention, at least a portion 14a of the sector 14 is rotatable about an oscillating axis 15a substantially parallel to and spaced from the rotation axis 5a of the transfer drum 5 relative to the rest of the transfer drum 5 so as to pass from a label receiving position located at a first radial distance from the rotation axis 5a of the transfer drum 5 to a transfer position at least a portion of which is located at a second radial distance from the rotation axis 5a of the transfer drum 5 that is greater than the first distance, and vice versa.
[0036] In particular, the rotating movable part 14a of the sector 14 is in a receiving position when passing by the supply station 9, at least while the transfer drum 5 is rotating about its axis of rotation 5a, but is in a transfer position when passing by the transfer station 10, at least while the transfer drum 5 is rotating again about its axis of rotation 5a.
[0037] Advantageously, it comprises actuating means 16 adapted to actuate the movement of the rotatable mobile part 14a of the sector 14 between the receiving position and the transfer position.
[0038] Preferably, in particular, the actuating means 16 is adapted to bring the rotatable part 14a of the sector 14 from the transfer position to the receiving position during the rotation of the transfer drum 5 in its movement from the supply station 9 to the transfer station 10 before the part 14 reaches the transfer station 10, and advantageously, the actuating means is adapted to bring the rotatable part 14a of the sector 14 from the transfer position to the receiving position during the rotation of the transfer drum 5 in its movement from the transfer station 10 to the supply station 9.
[0039] More specifically, the transfer drum 5 comprises a base structure 17 rotatably mounted on a support base 6 which supports at least one shell-like body 18 which defines at least part of the sector 14, the rotatable part 14a of which is provided by a rocker 19 hinged to the base structure 17 about a rocking axis 15a, preferably in an area of the base structure 17 adjacent to the side of the transfer drum 5.
[0040] Advantageously, the rocker 19 extends over at least part of the circumferential extension of the sector 14 and has an outer surface shape that corresponds to the side of the transport drum 5, in particular to the remaining part of the sector 14.
[0041] Advantageously, when in the receiving position, the rocker 19 is substantially aligned with its outer surface to the remaining part of the side of the transfer drum 5, i.e., the sector 14, so that no discontinuities occur in the side of the transfer drum 5.
[0042] Advantageously, the rocker 19 is substantially hinged to the base structure 17 at the end 19a of its extension, which is located rearward relative to the direction of rotation of the transport drum 5, and is capable of angular movement about the rocking axis 15a of its opposite end 19b, which is located forward relative to the direction of rotation of the transport drum 5, so that the head end of the label 8 moves substantially closer to or away from the rotation axis 5a of the transport drum 5, and more specifically closer to or away from the remainder of the side of the transport drum 5.
[0043] Optionally, the transfer drum 5 can be provided with a plurality of sectors 14 distributed along the circumferential extension of the side of the transfer drum 5, each sector being designed in each case to receive and accommodate a single label 8 to be transferred to a corresponding container 3. In this case, each sector 14 has at least one respective part 14a rotatable relative to the rest of the transfer drum 5 between a receiving position and a transfer position about a respective pivot axis 15a, preferably implemented by a respective pivot body 19.
[0044] 9 to 12 show an embodiment of a shell-like body 18 making it possible to provide the sectors 14 of the transport drum 5. In FIG.
[0045] With particular reference to the embodiment, each shell-like body 18 has a convex outer surface 18a which, together with the convex outer surfaces 18a of the other shell-like bodies 18 of the transfer drum 5, defines the side of the transfer drum.
[0046] Referring again to the embodiment of Figures 9 to 12, each shell-like body 18 is preferably provided with fixing means relative to the base structure 17 of the transfer drum 5, these means being advantageously provided by screws which can be operated using, for example, wing nuts 25 or other similar, easily accessible elements to suitably attach and detach the shell-like body 18 to the transfer drum 5.
[0047] Preferably, each shell-like body 18 further comprises, at least in the area of its outer surface 18a intended to receive the label 8, an air intake port 27 connected to a connector 27a defined in the end wall of the shell-like body 18, which constitutes the contact surface between the shell-like body 18 and the base structure 17 of the transfer drum 5, and which allows the air intake port 27 to be connected to a vacuum source (not shown), so that the label 8 is maintained in an adhesive state on its outer surface 18a, as is known per se.
[0048] In the embodiment of FIGS. 9-12, the rocker 19 is hinged to the shell 18 and defines a portion of the area of the outer surface of the shell 18 intended to receive the label 8.
[0049] According to the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the actuating means 16 constitute a fluid actuated cylinder 20 acting between the rocker 19 and the base structure 17 of the transfer drum 5 .
[0050] In particular, a fluid-operated cylinder 20 is hinged with its stem 20a to an end 19b of the rocker 19.
[0051] For example, the fluid actuating cylinders 20 are supplied with hydraulic fluid through one or more connection joints 26 on the shell 18 to which the corresponding rocker 19 is hinged.
[0052] In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 6, the actuating means 16 is provided by a cam assembly including a cam-like contour 21 and fixed relative to the support base 6, and the actuating means 16 is preferably positioned on the inner diameter side of the transport drum 5 in a position substantially facing the part of the side of the transport drum 5 directed towards the conveyor 2.
[0053] In particular, the rocker 19 is integrally associated with an abutment element 22 constituted, for example, by a wheel which in effect acts as a tappet of a cam assembly and which slidably engages with a cam-like contour 21 during rotation of the transport drum 5 about its own axis of rotation 5a.
[0054] Preferably, it also has elastic means 23, for example constituted by a coil spring, one end of which is connected to a first engagement element 24a integral with the abutment element 22 and the other end of which is connected to a second engagement part 24b integral with the rotating transport drum 5, which elastic means 23 is able to keep the abutment element 22 in abutment against the cam-shaped contour 21.
[0055] The cam-like contour 21 is advantageously formed by a first inclined portion 21a arranged upstream of the transfer station relative to the direction of rotation of the transfer drum 5 and a portion 21b continuing in an arc shape substantially concentric with the side surface of the transfer drum 5.
[0056] The first inclined portion 21a extends in a direction gradually moving away from the rotation axis 5a of the transfer drum 5 so as to continue along the rotation direction of the transfer drum 5, and the sliding of the abutment element 22 along the first inclined portion 21a causes the rocking body 19 to move from the receiving position to the transfer position, while the arc-shaped continuous portion 21b enables the rocking body 19 to be maintained in the transfer position as it engages with the abutment element 22.
[0057] Also provided along the cam-shaped contour 21 is a second inclined portion 21c which extends gradually closer towards the rotation axis 5a of the transfer drum 5 at a certain distance downstream of the transfer station 10 in relation to the direction of rotation of the transfer drum 5, so that following its engagement by the abutment element 22, the rocker 19 can pass from the transfer position to the receiving position by the action of the elastic means 23.
[0058] Preferably, there may be a counter cam 24 fixed to the base structure 6 in a position directed outward and towards the side of the transfer drum 5, substantially at the second inclined portion 21c, the counter cam being slidably engaged by an abutment element 22, which, in cooperation with the elastic means 23, moves the rocker 19 from the transfer position to the receiving position.
[0059] Preferably, as shown schematically in Figure 7, the apparatus can have at least two labelling units arranged along the path 3a of travel of the containers 3, each consisting of at least one first labelling unit 4a and at least one second labelling unit 4b arranged downstream of the first labelling unit 4a along the forward direction of the containers 3 along the path 3a, each labelling unit having its own transport drum 5, and both labelling units adapted to apply labels 8 in tandem to the respective containers.
[0060] More specifically, the transfer drum 5 of the first labelling unit 4 a is designed to transfer the labels 8 received at the corresponding supply station 9 to each first container 3 arriving from the conveyor 5 at the corresponding transfer station 10 , and the transfer drum 5 of the second labelling unit 4 b is designed to transfer the labels 8 received at the corresponding supply station 9 to each second container 3 arriving from the conveyor 2 .
[0061] Preferably, the overall movement of the container on the conveyor 2 and the rotation of the transfer drums of the labeling units 4a, 4b are synchronized so that when the rotating movable part 14a, more specifically the rocking body 19 of the sector 14 of the transfer drum 5 of one of the labeling units 4a, 4b, arrives at the corresponding transfer station 10 with its front end 19b, the rocking body itself is already in the transfer position so that the leading edge of its label 8 can come into contact with the surface of the corresponding container 3 to be labeled, and the tail portion of the same label 8, positioned close to the rocking point of the rocking body 19, is in a position facing but spaced from the subsequent container 3 that is moving along the conveyor 2 and is to be labeled by the other labeling unit 4a, 4b.
[0062] The operation of the device according to the invention is as follows.
[0063] The transport drum 5 of each labelling unit 4a, 4b receives the labelling ribbon 11 on its lateral sector 14 from the supply unit 7 at the corresponding supply station 9 and supplies the corresponding rocker 19 to the receiving position.
[0064] The labeling ribbon 11 is then cut and the label 8 thus obtained continues its movement adjacent to the transfer station 10 while still attached to the rocker 19 of the corresponding sector 14 .
[0065] Before the rocker 19 with the label 8 attached thereto arrives at the transfer station 10, the actuating means 16 moves the rocker 19 from the receiving position to the transfer position.
[0066] In this way, the head of the label 8 attached to the rocker 19 moves away from the rotation axis 5a of the transfer drum 5 and approaches the container 3 intended to reach the transfer station 10, while its tail remains close to the rest of the side of the transfer drum 5 and is kept away from other containers 3 passing on the conveyor 2 that should not be labeled by the corresponding labeling units 4a, 4b.
[0067] When the rocker 19 passes the transfer station 10, in any case before it reaches the supply station 9 again, the actuating means 16 returns the rocker 19 from the transfer position to the receiving position so that the corresponding labelling unit 4a, 4b is ready to receive a new label 8 for the next container 3 that is called for labelling.
[0068] In fact, the inventors have found that the intended object is fully achieved by providing a labeling device in which the radius of the side of the transfer drum varies, i.e. the projections and depressions are not fixed to the side of the transfer drum, as is the case with conventional transfer drums with padding in the peripheral area, but are formed by an outward angular movement of at least some of the individual sectors or portions of the transfer drum, which takes place only after the label has been cut, and therefore after the step of sliding the labeling ribbon, and in any case before or just before applying the label to the corresponding container.
[0069] In this way, sliding of the labeling ribbon on the transfer drum occurs on a uniform surface rather than an uneven surface.
[0070] In addition to this, with respect to known technology, the present invention makes it possible to reduce the degree of slippage of the labeling ribbon on the sides of the transport drum by the ability to increase the number of sectors or divisions along the circumferential extension of the transport drum.
[0071] Indeed, the possibility of angular movement of at least some of the individual sectors makes it possible, with respect to known techniques, to reduce the space between one label and the next label in front of a container transported on the corresponding conveyor.
[0072] Another advantage of the present invention is that the portion of each sector of the transport drum that protrudes by swinging around the swing axis distorts the position of the label to a lesser extent than existing solutions, resulting in an improvement in the quality of the final labeling of the container.
[0073] A further important advantage of the present invention is that it enables reliable labeling of containers to be achieved even when the spacing, i.e., distance, between one container and the next on the conveyor is extremely reduced, at which point the angular movement capability of the sector portions of the transport drum can ensure that the label only comes into contact with the intended container.
[0074] Another important advantage of the present invention is that it allows reliable labeling of containers of various shapes, in particular containers having shapes other than circular, such as containers across a cross section, for example containers whose cross section is polygonal or elliptical, or more generally containers having sides with a variation in their distance from the axis of the container.
[0075] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all details may be substituted by other technically equivalent elements.
[0076] In practice, the materials used may be any suitable for the particular application, provided that they are of a certain size and shape, as required and in accordance with the state of the art.
[0077] The disclosure of Italian Patent Application No. 102020000000400, from which this application claims priority, is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0078] Where technical features described in a claim are followed by reference signs, these reference signs are included solely for the purpose of enhancing the comprehension of the claim, and therefore, such reference signs shall not have a limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by the reference sign.
Claims
1. The labeling system comprises a conveyor (2) for labeling containers (3) along a travel path (3a), and at least one labeling unit (4) arranged along the travel path (3a) and provided with respective transfer drums (5) rotatably movable about their own rotation axis (5a) relative to a support base (6), the transfer drums receiving labels (8) to be affixed to the containers (3) from a supply unit (7) at a supply station (9) by adhering them to their sides, and transferring the labels (8) received at the supply station (9) from the supply station (9) to the respective containers arriving from the conveyor (2) at a transfer station (10) angularly spaced apart from the rotation axis (5a) of the transfer drum (5), the transfer drums (5) having labels on their sides:
1. A labeling device comprising: at least one sector (14) extending along at least a portion of the circumferential extension of the side of the transfer drum (5), each sector (14) adapted to accommodate a single label (8) to be transferred to a corresponding container (3); and at least one part (14a) of the at least one sector (14) being rotatably movable about an oscillating axis (15a), substantially parallel to the rotation axis (5a) of the transfer drum (5), relative to the rest of the transfer drum (5), in order to pass from a receiving position arranged at a first angular distance from the rotation axis (5a) of the transfer drum (5) to a transfer position arranged at a second distance from the rotation axis (5a) of the transfer drum (5) that is greater than the first distance, and vice versa.
2. 2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising actuating means (16) adapted to actuate the movement of said at least one rotatable part (14a) of said at least one sector (14) between said receiving position and said transfer position.
3. 10. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer drum (5) comprises a base structure (17) supporting at least one shell-like body (18) defining at least a part of the at least one sector (14), and at least one rotatable part (14a) of the at least one sector (14) comprises a swing body (19) hinged to the base structure (17) about the swing axis (15a).
4. 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the rocker (19) has an outer surface that extends over at least a portion of the circumferential extension of the at least one sector (14) and is configured to correspond to the remaining part of the side surface of the transfer drum (5).
5. 10. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the receiving position, the rocker (19) is arranged on the remaining part of the side of the transfer drum (5) in substantial alignment with its outer surface.
6. 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the rocker (19) is hinged to the base structure (17) approximately at the end of an extension arranged rearward in the direction of rotation of the transfer drum (5).
7. 10. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one rotating movable part (14a) of at least one sector (14) is in said receiving position during the rotation of said transfer drum (5) about its own axis of rotation (5a), at least when it passes through said supply station (9).
8. 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at least one rotating movable part (14a) of at least one sector (14) is in said transfer position during rotation of said transfer drum (5) about its own axis of rotation (5a) when passing through at least one transfer station (10).
9. 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the actuating means (16) are adapted to move the at least one rotating part (14a) of the at least one sector (14) from the receiving position to the transfer position before the at least one rotating part (14a) reaches the transfer station (10), the at least one rotating part (14a) reaching the transfer station (10) during its movement to the transfer station (10) during rotation of the transfer drum (5).
10. 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said actuating means (16) are adapted to move at least one rotating part (14a) of said at least one sector (14) from said transfer position to said receiving position during the rotation of the transfer drum (5) about its axis of rotation (5a), before said at least one rotating part (14a) reaches said supply station (9) during its movement from said transfer station (10) to said supply station (9).
11. 10. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating means (16) comprise a fluid actuated cylinder (20) acting between the rocker (19) and the base structure (17) of the transfer drum (5).
12. 10. A device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating means (16) comprise a cam-shaped contour (21) fixed relative to the support base (6), the rocker (19) having an abutment element (22) slidably engaging with the cam-shaped contour (21), and resilient means (23) are provided which are configured to bring the abutment element (22) into contact with the cam-shaped contour (21).
13. 10. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two labelling units (4a, 4b) are arranged along the path (3a) of travel of the containers (3), each comprising a first labelling unit (4a) and a second labelling unit (4b) arranged downstream of the first labelling unit (4a) along the direction of travel of the containers (3) along the path (3a), the labelling units (4a, 4b) having respective transfer drums (5) and adapted to label in tandem each container (3) arriving from the conveyor (2).
14. 10. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer drum (5) of the first labelling unit (4a) is designed to receive the label (8) at a supply station (9) corresponding to each first container (3) arriving from the conveyor (2) and transfer it to a corresponding transfer station (10), and the transfer drum (5) of the second labelling unit (4b) is designed to receive the label (8) at a supply station (9) corresponding to each second container (3) arriving from the conveyor (2) and transfer it to a corresponding transfer station (10).