Machine and method for labelling containers - Patents.com

Abstract

A machine for labeling containers, comprising a transfer drum (2) fed by an unwinding assembly (3) for unwinding a label ribbon (4), the transfer drum comprising cutting means (6) angularly spaced apart from one another around the axis (2a) of the transfer drum. The unwinding assembly (3) is drivable by control means (14) adapted to command at least one change in the feed speed of the label ribbon (4) relative to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum (2) while the transfer drum (2) rotates about its axis (2a). According to the invention, the control means (14) is adapted to command at least one first reduction in the feed speed of the label ribbon (4) during operation of the cutting means (6).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine and method for labelling containers. [Background technology]

[0002] As is known, labelling machines generally comprise a conveyor which transports the containers to be labelled along a forward path, said conveyor typically being constituted by a rotating carousel which includes a number of supports for the individual containers, said supports being capable of rotating the containers themselves about their own axis.

[0003] Along the forward path defined by the container conveyor, there is at least one labelling assembly, which comprises a respective rotatably operable transfer drum, making it possible to apply a label to each container presented in sequence in front of said transfer drum, said label being obtained by cutting a label ribbon, on which a number of labels are successively printed and which is taken off from a reel.

[0004] The label ribbon can have a line of adhesive preapplied to the leading and trailing edges of each label or adhesive applied to the entire surface of each label along the direction of travel of the label ribbon on the side intended to contact the container.

[0005] Alternatively, the label ribbon may not have pre-applied adhesive, in which case the labeling machine includes an adhesive application assembly that applies adhesive to the labels at the time of use, i.e., immediately before the labels are applied to the containers.

[0006] In the known art, labeling machines designed to handle label ribbons without pre-applied adhesive usually have an unwinding assembly upstream of the transfer drum, along the forward direction of the label ribbon from its reel to the transfer drum. The unwinding assembly takes the label ribbon from its respective reel, feeds it to a cutting drum which cuts it between one label and the next, and then transfers the individual labels separated after cutting to the transfer drum. The transfer drum keeps the labels attached to its side by forced air suction obtained by means of suction holes on its side.

[0007] In this case, the adhesive application assembly faces the side of the transfer drum and is usually constituted by an adhesive application roller which applies two strips of adhesive to the leading and trailing edges of each label resting on the transfer drum before the label is transferred by the transfer drum for adhesion to a container transported by the conveyor.

[0008] In particular, the transfer drum is divided along its circumferential extension into sectors or divisions, each of which is adapted to receive a single label from the cutting drum. At either end of the various sectors of the transfer drum there are two adhesive bonding zones, which are in relief with respect to the main side of the transfer drum and are defined by respective blocks (usually called runners or skids), on which the leading and trailing edges of the label rest. This ensures that when the label passes in front of the adhesive applicator roller, the latter applies only two strips of adhesive to the leading and trailing edges of the label.

[0009] In conventional machines, as each separated label adheres to the transfer drum, it is common for the applicator roller to smear adhesive onto the transfer drum, which results in the machine having to be stopped for necessary cleaning.

[0010] To solve this and other problems of conventional labelling machines, a labelling machine has been proposed, described in Italian patent no. 102016000128413 in the name of this same applicant, in which a transfer drum is directly fed with a continuous label ribbon by a rewinding assembly and further comprises cutting means arranged around its sides, which are actuated on command by respective actuation means and cut the label ribbon fed to the transfer drum in a separation zone between two successive labels, and a glue application roller is characterised in that it applies at least one glue line to said labels whilst they are still on the label ribbon, before the labels separate from said label ribbon as a result of the actuation of said cutting means.

[0011] In particular, each one of the cutting means of such a labelling machine is constituted by a respective blade which is fixed integrally to the transfer drum and accommodated in a corresponding suction chamber which opens out at the side of the transfer drum and is connected to an air suction means, thereby making it possible to attract the label ribbon inwards into the chamber and against the blade, thus bringing about its cutting.

[0012] The labelling machine further comprises control means which make it possible to vary the feeding speed of the label ribbon by the unwinding assembly onto the transfer drum during the rotation of the transfer drum, thereby determining steps of operation of the machine in which the feeding speed of the label ribbon is the same as the label transfer speed or the circumferential speed of the transfer drum and which are interposed by other steps of operation of the machine in which the feeding speed of the label ribbon onto the transfer drum is different and slower than said label transfer speed.

[0013] In particular, starting from a state in which the label ribbon feed speed and the label transport speed are equal, the control means commands a first slowdown of the label ribbon feed speed with respect to the label transport speed in order to position the cutting means in a separation zone between two successive labels to which the application roller has previously finished applying adhesive. The control means then returns the ribbon feed speed to the same value as the label transport speed and, after the cutting means has been activated and the label has been completely separated from the label ribbon, commands a second slowdown of the label ribbon feed speed with respect to the label transport speed in order to separate the cut label from the remainder of the label ribbon. The label ribbon feed speed is then returned to the same value as the label transport speed by the control means.

[0014] Although this machine has been shown to be conceptually effective, it has been found that in the presence of vacuum leaks in the suction chamber or wear of the cutting means blade, the label cutting action may be partially absent or incomplete, causing the machine to stall.

[0015] The aim of the present invention is to provide a labelling machine which makes it possible to improve upon the known art in one or more of the above mentioned aspects.

[0016] With this aim, one object of the present invention is to provide a labelling machine that is able to reliably cut labels even with a relatively worn blade.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labelling machine which is able to perform label cutting even when the suction conditions of the label ribbon are not optimal.

[0018] Another object of the invention is to provide a labelling machine which, thanks to its unique mounting characteristics, is able to offer the highest reliability and security guarantees in its operation.

[0019] A further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in an alternative manner to any existing solutions.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labelling machine that is easy and low cost to produce. Summary of the Invention

[0021] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a labelling machine according to claim 1, optionally comprising one or more of the features of the dependent claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] Further features and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a labelling machine according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic view from above of a machine according to the invention in a sequence of its operational steps; FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic view from above of a machine according to the invention in a sequence of its operational steps; FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic view from above of a machine according to the invention in a sequence of its operational steps; FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic view from above of a machine according to the invention in a sequence of its operational steps; FIG. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic view from above of a machine according to the invention in a sequence of its operational steps; FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic view from above of a machine according to the invention in a sequence of its operational steps; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along a radial plane of a portion of a transfer drum of a machine according to the invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a detail of the transfer drum taken along a plane perpendicular to its axis of rotation; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] With reference to the drawings, a labelling machine according to the present invention (generally designated by reference numeral 1) comprises a transfer drum 2 which is rotatably operated at a predetermined peripheral speed about its own axis 2a.

[0024] The transfer drum 2 is fed by a rewind assembly 3 for rewinding a label ribbon 4. A plurality of labels 5 are successively printed along the length of the label ribbon.

[0025] The label ribbon 4 may be of the pre-glued type or, as in the case shown, there may be provided means for applying adhesive onto the label ribbon 4, which will be better explained below.

[0026] The portion of the label ribbon 4 received from the labelling drum 2 remains attached to the side of the transfer drum itself thanks to the suction effect obtained by means of air suction holes formed in the side of said transfer drum.

[0027] The transfer drum 2 further comprises cutting means 6, more preferably a number of cutting means 6 arranged angularly spaced apart from one another around the axis 2a of the transfer drum itself.

[0028] The cutting means 6 can be actuated on command by respective actuation means in order to effect a cut of the label ribbon 4 at a separation zone 7 between two successive labels 5 arranged along the label ribbon 4 .

[0029] In its rotational movement, the transfer drum 2 transfers the individual labels 5, which have been cut and separated, into contact with the corresponding containers 10, which are moved by a conveyor 11 which, as shown in the drawings, is conveniently constituted in its peripheral area by a carousel 12 provided with a number of rotating pans 13 supporting the individual containers 10.

[0030] The portion of the side of the transfer drum 2 between two consecutive cutting means 6 defines a "sector" or "division" of the transfer drum intended to be occupied by a single label 5 to be transferred to a container 10.

[0031] The rewind assembly 3 conveniently comprises a pair of motorised synchronised rollers 3a, 3b which oppositely engage the label ribbon 4 and are drivable by a control means 14, the function of which is to control the speed at which the label ribbon 4 is fed by the rewind assembly 3 onto the transfer drum 2.

[0032] In particular, the control means 14 is adapted to command a variation in the speed at which the label ribbon 4 is supplied to the transfer drum 2 by the rewinding assembly 3 relative to the normal supply speed of the label ribbon 4 to the transfer drum 2 during rotation of the transfer drum 2 (which is substantially equal to the circumferential speed of the transfer drum 2 and the arrival speed of the containers 10 on the conveyor 11).

[0033] According to the invention, the control means 14 is adapted to command at least a first deceleration of the feeding speed of the label ribbon 4, with respect to the circumferential speed of the transfer drum 2, during the operation of the cutting means 6 which separates from the label ribbon 4 the label 5 intended to be applied to the first container 10 arriving from the conveyor 11 immediately after the last container which has been labeled.

[0034] More specifically, the control means 14 are adapted to command such a first deceleration of the feeding speed of the label ribbon 4 to the transfer drum 2 immediately after the start of the activation means of the cutting means 6 .

[0035] In this way, during operation of the cutting means 6, the label ribbon 4 is subjected to a traction effect caused by the slowdown of the feeding speed to the transfer drum 2, and the resulting slipping of the sides of the transfer drum 2 on the label ribbon 4 favours the cutting action by the cutting means 6 and therefore ensures successful cutting of the label ribbon 4 in any operating conditions of the cutting means 6.

[0036] If a label ribbon 4 without pre-applied adhesive is used, the machine according to the invention, as described above, comprises means for applying adhesive, which is preferably provided by an adhesive application roller 15 arranged towards the side of the transfer drum 2.

[0037] In this case, the transfer drum 2 is provided around its periphery with a number of adhesive bonding zones 16 which are angularly spaced apart from one another around the axis 2a of the transfer drum 2.

[0038] In particular, the adhesive bonding zone 16 is constituted by “runners”, at least part of which is arranged in relief relative to the side of the transfer drum 2 .

[0039] More specifically, the adhesive bonding zone 16 is intended to receive, by resting thereon, the leading and trailing edges of two successive labels 5 on the label ribbon 4 in order to enable, in cooperation with the application roller 15, the leading and trailing edges of two successive labels 5 on the label ribbon 4 to receive strips of adhesive 17a, 17b, respectively, prior to their separation as a result of the operation of the cutting means 6 (which operates in the separation zone 7 between the two successive labels 5).

[0040] In the embodiment shown, each one of the adhesive bonding zones 16 is associated with a respective cutting means 6 which is arranged behind the corresponding adhesive bonding zone 16 along the direction of rotation of the transfer drum 2 .

[0041] In this case, prior to the above-mentioned first reduction in the feeding speed of the label ribbon 4, there is preferably at least a second reduction in the feeding speed of the label ribbon 4 in order to position the cutting means 6 of the transfer drum 2 in a separation zone 7 between the label 5 to be cut off from the label ribbon 4 in order to be transferred to the container 10 arriving from the conveyor 11 and the label 5 which is placed immediately following on the label ribbon 4.

[0042] More specifically, in this case, the control means 14 is preferably programmed to first command such a second deceleration of the supply speed of the label ribbon 4 to the transfer drum 2 with respect to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum itself, and subsequently to command the above-mentioned first deceleration of the supply speed of the label ribbon 4.

[0043] In particular, the second deceleration of the feeding speed of the label ribbon 4 is performed after the passage of the adhesive bonding zone 16 on which the label ribbon 4 rests, in front of the application roller 15, so as to bring the cutting means 6 corresponding to the adhesive bonding zone 16 on which the label ribbon 4 rests, into the separation zone 7 of two successive labels 5 on which the application roller 15 has finished applying adhesive.

[0044] In fact, following a second deceleration of the feeding speed of the label ribbon 4 onto the transfer drum 2, there is a slippage of the transfer drum 2 on the label ribbon 4, so that the cutting means 6 is positioned in the separation zone 7 between two successive labels 5, which corresponds to the adhesive bonding zone 16 (where the part of the label ribbon 4 which had previously received the strips of adhesive 17a, 17b from the application roller 15 was stationary).

[0045] It should be noted that the actuating means 14 is adapted to command the rewinding assembly 3 to bring the feeding speed of the label ribbon 4 to the transfer drum 2 to a value substantially the same as the peripheral speed of the transfer drum 2, in the time interval between the second deceleration and the first deceleration.

[0046] Essentially, following the second deceleration, the feed speed of the label ribbon 4 is maintained by the rewinding assembly 3 at a value lower than the peripheral speed of the transfer drum 2, at least until the cutting means 6 is brought into the separation zone 7 between two successive labels 5 (which have just received adhesive 17a, 17b on their leading and trailing edges). The control means 14 then commands the rewinding assembly 3 to bring the feed speed of the label ribbon 4 back to the same value as the peripheral speed of the transfer drum 2. This causes the label ribbon to move in synchronism with the peripheral surface of the transfer drum, so that the cutting means 6 remains in its reached position, located in the separation zone 7 between two successive labels 5.

[0047] However, after the first deceleration of the feed speed of the label ribbon 4, the rewinding assembly 3 maintains the feed speed of the label ribbon 4 at least as long as the actuating means of the cutting means 6 continues to operate and the label 5 to be cut has not been completely separated from the remainder of the label ribbon 4 due to the stretching that the label ribbon is subjected to due to the first deceleration of the feed speed of the label ribbon itself commanded by the control means 14.

[0048] The feed speed of the label ribbon 4 is preferably maintained at a value lower than the circumferential speed of the transfer drum 2 by at least one preset angle of rotation made by the transfer drum 2 even after the label 5 to be cut is completely separated from the remainder of the label ribbon 4. This ensures that the separated label 5 remains attached to the side of the transfer drum 2 and is separated from the remainder of the label ribbon 4 by at least one preset angle. The control means 14 then commands the rewinding assembly 3 to return the feed speed of the label ribbon 4 to the same value as the circumferential speed of the transfer drum 2.

[0049] Referring again to the embodiment shown in the figures, each one of the cutting means 6 includes a respective blade 18 fixed integrally to the transfer drum and housed in a respective cutting chamber 19 (open at the side of the transfer drum 2 and which can be connected to an air suction means).

[0050] As shown in Figure 7, the transfer drum 2 is mounted so that it can rotate on a fixed vacuum distributor 20. The vacuum distributor defines at least one vacuum chamber 21. The vacuum chamber 21 is connected to a vacuum generator 22 and has a communication opening 23 defined in the face of the distributor 20 facing the transfer drum 2.

[0051] Each one of the cutting chambers 19 of the cutting means 6 in turn preferably communicates with a connecting opening 24 defined on the face of the transfer drum 2 facing the distributor 20 .

[0052] In particular, the control means 14 is adapted to command, during the rotation of the transfer drum 2, a first deceleration of the feed speed of the label ribbon 4 as soon as the connection opening 24 of the cutting means 6, arranged in a separation zone 7 between the label 5 to be cut and the following label 5 arranged on the label ribbon 4, reaches the communication opening 23 of the vacuum chamber 21, with the resultant connection between the vacuum generator 22 and the cutting chamber 19. This determines the suction of the separation zone 7 into the cutting chamber 19 and thus causes the engagement of the separation zone 7 with the blade 18, as shown in Figure 8, and thus performs the cut of said separation zone.

[0053] It is noted that in order to prevent the cutting and transfer of the labels by the transfer drum in the absence of a container 10, there is a sensor 25, for example provided by a photocell, close to the conveyor 11. This sensor is designed to send a clearance signal to the control means 14 in order to command the supply of the label ribbon 4 by the rewinding assembly 3 as a consequence of the actual presence of the corresponding container 10 on the pan 13 of the carousel 12.

[0054] The operation of the machine according to the invention is as follows.

[0055] 1 shows a first step of the operation of the machine, in which the label ribbon 4 is fed by the unwinding assembly 3 to the transfer drum 2 at a feed speed substantially equal to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum 2 and the label ribbon 4 remains attached to the side of the transfer drum 2 with the trailing and leading edges of two successive labels 5 and the corresponding separation zones 7 being located in the adhesive bonding zone 16 of the transfer drum 2.

[0056] In particular, in the step of Fig. 1, the adhesive bonding zone 16 on which the trailing and leading edges of two successive labels 5 rest passes over an application roller 15, which applies strips of adhesive 17a, 17b to the leading and trailing edges of each of said two labels 5.

[0057] 2 shows the operation of a second step after the first step, in which the control means 14 commands the unwinding assembly 3 to perform a second deceleration of the feeding speed of the label ribbon 4 to the transfer drum 2, in order to bring the feeding speed of the label ribbon 4 to a value lower than the peripheral speed of the transfer drum 2. As a result, following slipping of the transfer drum 2 on the label ribbon 4, the cutting means 6 immediately after the adhesive bonding zone 16, which in the first step has passed the application roller 15, is brought to the separation zone 7 between the two labels 5 on which the application roller 15 has finished applying the strips of adhesive 17a, 17b.

[0058] 3 shows the operation of the third step after the second step. In this third step, when the cutting means 6 reaches the separation zone 7 of two consecutive labels 5, the rewinding assembly 3 is operated again under the command of the control means 14, so that the feeding speed of the label ribbon 4 is substantially equal to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum 2, so that the cutting means 6 and the corresponding separation zone 7 between the two labels 5 brought by the cutting means 6 can move in a synchronous manner towards the conveyor 11.

[0059] 4 shows the fourth step of the operation, in which the cutting means 6 arranged in the separation zone 7 between two successive labels 5 reach an angular position in which the corresponding actuation means are activated, i.e. their connecting openings 24 reach the communication openings 23 of the vacuum chamber 21, the separation zones 7 are sucked into the cutting chamber 19 and brought against the blade 18, whereby the cut begins to be carried out.

[0060] As shown in figure 4, during the operation of the actuation means of the cutting means 6, preferably immediately after starting the suction of the separation zone 7 into the cutting chamber 19, the control means 14 commands the rewinding assembly 3 to carry out a first deceleration of the feeding speed of the label ribbon 4 to the transfer drum 2, so as to bring the feeding speed of the label ribbon 4 to a value lower than the peripheral speed of the transfer drum 2. This applies a traction effect to the label ribbon 4, facilitating the cutting action performed on the label ribbon 4 by the cutting means 6, or in any case (for example when the cut performed on the label ribbon 4 by the cutting means 6 becomes incomplete or partial, for example as a result of wear of the blade 18), facilitating the final separation of the label 5 to be cut from the remainder of the label ribbon. As a result, a successful cutting of the label 5 can be ensured in any operating conditions of the machine.

[0061] After deactivation of the actuating means of the cutting means 6, i.e. after the connecting opening 24 of the cutting chamber 19 has passed the area in which the communication opening 23 of the vacuum chamber 21 is located, while the transfer drum 2 continues to rotate about its axis 2a, the suction action of the cutting chamber 19 on the label ribbon 4 is interrupted as a result. The feed speed of the label ribbon 4 is maintained by the unwinding assembly 3 at a value lower than the circumferential speed of the transfer drum 2, thereby separating the cut label 5 from the remainder of the label ribbon 4 and positioning the subsequent adhesive bonding zone 16 in the separation zone between two subsequent successive labels 5 of the label ribbon 4, as shown in FIG. 5 .

[0062] It should be noted that the feed speed of the label ribbon 4 is maintained at a value lower than the circumferential speed of the transfer drum 2 at least until the subsequent adhesive bonding zone 16 reaches the separation zone 7 between two successive labels 5 of the label ribbon 4, not necessarily after deactivation of the actuating means of the cutting means 6.

[0063] As soon as the following adhesive bonding zone 16 is located in the separation zone 7 between two following successive labels 5 of the label ribbon 4, the control means 14 commands the rewinding assembly 3 to restore the feed speed of the label ribbon 4 to a value equal to the circumferential speed of the transfer drum 2, so that, as shown in Figure 6, the transfer drum 2 continues to rotate about its axis 2a, carrying the cut labels 5 towards the zone of transfer to the corresponding container 10 arriving on the conveyor 11, while the separation zone 7 between two following successive labels 5 can reach the zone in which the application roller 15 is located, so that the above-mentioned cycle of operation can be resumed.

[0064] If the sensor 25 detects the absence of one or more containers 10 on the conveyor 11, the control means 14 commands the unwinding assembly 3 to stop, or possibly slow down, after the adhesive bonding zone 16, on which the trailing edge of the label 5 intended for the last container 10 before the absence rests, has passed in front of the application roller 15, so that no labels are dispensed by the transfer drum 2 in the absence of a container.

[0065] Thereafter, when the sensor 25 detects the presence of the first container 10 after an absence of a container, the control means 14 commands reactivation of the rewind assembly 3. This allows the transfer drum 2 to resume dispensing labels to containers 10 arriving from the conveyor 11.

[0066] In fact, it has been found that the present invention fully achieves its intended aims and objectives by providing a container labelling machine which is able to reliably cut the labels even under non-optimal operating conditions of the cutting means.

[0067] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims, and all details may be substituted with other technically equivalent elements.

[0068] Thus, for example, the cutting means may also be provided by blades mounted on the transfer drum 2 and operable to move by respective actuating means, preferably constituted by respective actuating cylinders.

[0069] In practice, the materials used and the shapes and dimensions can be arbitrary depending on the requirements and the state of the art.

[0070] The disclosures of Italian Patent Application No. 102020000006937, from which this application claims priority, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0071] Where reference signs are provided following technical features described in a claim, these are provided solely for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the claim, and therefore do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of the respective elements illustratively identified by these reference signs.

Claims

1. 1. A machine for labeling containers, comprising: a transfer drum (2) rotatably movable about its own axis (2a) at a predetermined peripheral speed and supplied by a rewinding assembly (3) for rewinding a label ribbon (4) along the extension of which a plurality of labels (5) are successively printed, said transfer drum comprises cutting means (6) arranged angularly spaced from one another around the axis (2a) of said transfer drum, said cutting means being actuable on command by respective actuating means to effect a cut of said label ribbon (4) in a separation zone (7) between two successive labels (5); said transfer drum being adapted in its rotational movement about its axis (2a) to transfer the individual labels (5) separated after cutting into contact with the corresponding containers (10) moved by a conveyor (11); said unwinding assembly (3) being drivable by control means (14) adapted to command at least one variation of the speed of feeding of said label ribbon (4) by said unwinding assembly (3) onto said transfer drum (2) with respect to the circumferential speed of said transfer drum (2) while said transfer drum is rotating about its axis (2a), an adhesive application roller (15) facing the transfer drum (2); The transfer drum (2) is peripherally provided with a plurality of adhesive bonding zones (16) angularly spaced from one another around the axis of the transfer drum (2), a respective cutting means (6) corresponding to the cutting of said label ribbon (4) is associated with each one of said adhesive bonding zones (16) and is arranged behind said corresponding adhesive bonding zone (16) along the direction of rotation about said axis (2a) of said transfer drum (2), The control means (14) is adapted to command a first and a second deceleration of the feeding speed of the label ribbon (4) to the transfer drum (2) during operation of the cutting means (6), The transfer drum (2) is rotatably mounted on a fixed vacuum distributor (20) which is connected to a vacuum generator (22) and defines at least one vacuum chamber (21) with a communication opening (23) defined on a face of the fixed vacuum distributor (20) facing the transfer drum (2), Each one of the cutting chambers (19) of the cutting means (6) has a connecting opening (24) defined on a face of the transfer drum (2) directed towards the fixed vacuum distributor (20), The control means (14) During the rotation of the transfer drum (2) about its own axis (2a): After the connection opening (24) of the cutting means (6), which is arranged in the separation zone (7) between the label to be cut (5) and the following label (5) of the label ribbon (4), has reached the communication opening (23) of the vacuum chamber (21), commanding said first reduction in the feed speed of said label ribbon (4), The control means (14) further comprises: prior to the first deceleration, a second deceleration of the supply speed of the label ribbon (4) to the transfer drum (2) relative to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum (2) is instructed; said second deceleration is performed after the passage of the adhesive bonding zone (16) carrying said label ribbon (4) in front of said adhesive application roller (15), so as to bring the cutting means (6) corresponding to the adhesive bonding zone (16) carrying said label ribbon (4) to the separation zone (7) of two consecutive labels (5) to which the adhesive application roller (15) has finished applying adhesive; Then, the feeding speed of the label ribbon (4) to the transfer drum (2) is commanded to return to a value substantially equal to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum, followed by the first deceleration. A machine characterized by:

2. 2. The machine of claim 1, The control means (14) is adapted to command the first deceleration of the feeding speed of the label ribbon (4) to the transfer drum (2) immediately after the start of the operation of the operating means of the cutting means (6). A machine characterized by:

3. 3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2, The adhesive bonding zone (16) is At least a part of this adhesive bonding zone is arranged in relief relative to a side surface of the transfer drum (2), It is designed to receive, by resting on its adhesive bonding zone, the leading and trailing edges of the labels (5) present on the label ribbon (4) in order to enable, in cooperation with the adhesive application roller (15), the application of respective strips of adhesive (17a, 17b) to the leading and trailing edges of two successive labels (5) present on the label ribbon (4) prior to the separation of the labels from the label ribbon (4) following the activation of the cutting means (6). A machine characterized by:

4. 3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2, The cutting means (6) comprise respective blades (18) which are fixed integrally to the transfer drum (2) and housed in respective cutting chambers (19) which open at the side of the transfer drum (2) and which can be connected to air suction means. A machine characterized by:

5. A method for labeling containers by means of a machine as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of: feeding, by means of an unwinding assembly (3), a label ribbon (4) along the extension of which a plurality of labels (5) are successively printed, to a transfer drum (2) provided with cutting means (6) at a feeding speed substantially equal to the peripheral speed of said transfer drum; performing a cut of said label ribbon (4) in a separation zone (7) between two consecutive labels (5); bringing the individual labels (5) separated after cutting into contact with the corresponding containers (10) arriving from the conveyor (11) by the transfer drum (2); Including, The above method is the first and second steps of reducing the feeding speed of the label ribbon (4) to the transfer drum (2) relative to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum (2) at least during the operation of the cutting means (6), The first step is: During the rotation of the transfer drum (2) about its own axis (2a): After the connection opening (24) of the cutting means (6), which is arranged in the separation zone (7) between the label to be cut (5) and the following label (5) of the label ribbon (4), has reached the communication opening (23) of the vacuum chamber (21), commanding said first reduction in the feed speed of said label ribbon (4), The second step is: prior to the first deceleration, a second deceleration of the supply speed of the label ribbon (4) to the transfer drum (2) relative to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum (2) is instructed; said second deceleration is performed after the passage of the adhesive bonding zone (16) carrying said label ribbon (4) in front of said adhesive application roller (15), so as to bring the cutting means (6) corresponding to the adhesive bonding zone (16) carrying said label ribbon (4) to the separation zone (7) of two consecutive labels (5) to which the adhesive application roller (15) has finished applying adhesive; Then, the feeding speed of the label ribbon (4) to the transfer drum (2) is commanded to return to a value substantially equal to the peripheral speed of the transfer drum, followed by the first deceleration. A method comprising:

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