Label Applicator

Abstract

A labeling machine comprising a conveyor (2) for containers (3) to be labeled along a forward path and at least one labeling station (6) arranged along said forward path, the labeling station (6) comprising a pay-out assembly (7) for a label ribbon (8) on which a number of labels (8a) are successively printed, and a cutting drum (10) which is movable by rotating about its axis and designed to receive said label ribbon (8) attached to its side. At least one cutting device (12) is arranged along the circumference of the cutting drum (10), the at least one cutting device (12) comprising a suction chamber (13) opening into a side surface (10a) of the cutting drum (10) and housing a blade (14) therein. The suction chamber (13) is connectable to air suction means for sucking the label ribbon (8) towards the inside of the suction chamber (13) and forcing it against the blade (14) so ​​as to cut the label ribbon (8). According to the invention, the cutting device (12) comprises a blade support element (15) which is connected to the cutting drum (10) and supports the blade (14). The blade support element (15) is elastically deformable in order to allow coupling or decoupling of the blade (14) to or from the blade support element (15).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a label applicator.

Background Art

[0002] Label applicators are known that enable labels obtained by cutting a continuous label ribbon, which is taken out from a reel and on which a plurality of labels are continuously printed, to be attached to a container.

[0003] The label ribbon may have a strip of adhesive pre-applied on the surface that contacts the container, or it can be adhesive-free. In this case, the label applicator (hereinafter also referred to as the machine) is provided with an adhesive unit designed to apply adhesive to the label.

[0004] Generally, a label applicator includes a conveyor, typically a rotating carousel, that transports the container to which the label is to be attached along a forward path, and at least one label application station designed to apply a label to the container moving on the conveyor. The label application station usually includes a payout assembly designed to take out the label ribbon from the reel and feed it to a rotating cutting drum. The cutting drum is designed to receive the label ribbon in close contact with the side surface of the cutting drum itself.

[0005] In some label applicators, the cutting drum is provided with an integrated blade that, by interacting with a fixed blade arranged on the side of the cutting drum, enables the cutting of the label ribbon in the separation area between two consecutive labels.

[0006] The label separated after cutting is transferred from the cutting drum to a transfer drum, and the transfer drum places those labels so that the labels adhere to each arriving container on the carousel.

[0007] The above-mentioned cutting drum has the drawback that, in order to accurately perform the cutting of the label, it is necessary to accurately adjust the position of the blade integral with the cutting drum with respect to the fixed blade.

[0008] In other labeling machines, in order to be able to perform the cutting of the label ribbon without the need for a fixed blade, the cutting drum is provided with blades that are moved by respective operating cylinders.

[0009] In this case, the cutting drum also directly transfers the separated label to the corresponding container after cutting. Therefore, it is more accurate to call it a "cutting and transfer drum".

[0010] The latter machine has fewer problems regarding the adjustment of the blade, but has the characteristic that its structure is more complex compared to the aforementioned machine.

[0011] In order to overcome these drawbacks and other drawbacks in the known art, a labeling machine described in Italian Patent No. 1423941 in the name of this applicant has been proposed. Therein, the cutting drum is provided with a plurality of cutting devices along its periphery. These cutting devices are spaced apart at an angle from each other, and each of the cutting devices is constituted by a respective blade integrally fixed to the cutting drum. Each blade is housed in a respective suction chamber formed inside the cutting drum and opening to the side surface of the cutting drum.

[0012] Connect the suction chamber of each cutting device to an air suction means so that in each case the portion of the label ribbon guided towards the suction chamber can be sucked towards the inside of the suction chamber, thereby being able to press the label ribbon against the blade for cutting.

[0013] This machine does not require the operation of adjusting the position of the blade and is structurally simple and can be provided, but when the blade wears, the replacement operation is accompanied by considerable inconvenience.

[0014] In particular, the operation of removing the blade from the suction chamber is a very cumbersome operation and requires a long time.

Disclosure of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0015] The aim of the present invention is to provide a labeling machine that can improve the known technology in one or more of the above aspects.

[0016] Within the scope of this aim, the object of the present invention is to provide a labeling machine that does not require precise adjustment of the blade and at the same time enables easy and convenient replacement of the blade.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labeling machine that is easy to provide structurally.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labeling machine that can provide the broadest guarantee regarding the reliability and safety in its operation.

[0019] A further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a way that replaces the existing solutions.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a labeling machine that can be manufactured at low cost so as to be competitive even from a purely economic perspective.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0021] This aim and these and other objects made clear hereinafter are achieved by the labeling machine according to claim 1 and, if necessary, by the labeling machine according to claim 1 with one or more features of the dependent claims.

[0022] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of a labeling machine according to the present invention, shown by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Referring to the drawings, a labeling machine according to the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral 1, includes a conveyor 2 that moves a container 3 to which a label is to be applied along a forward path.

[0025] For example, the conveyor 2 is constituted by a carousel 4. The carousel 4 rotates about its own axis and has a plurality of pans 5 at its peripheral region that support individual containers 3. The containers 3 rotate about their axes (i.e., about their own axes) together with the pans.

[0026] At least one label - applying station 6 is arranged along the forward path of the container 3. This label - applying station 6 comprises, for example, a pay - out assembly 7 constituted by a pair of mutually - facing entrainment rollers 7a, 7b. The pay - out assembly 7 is designed to receive a label ribbon 8 printed with a plurality of labels 8a from a reel (not shown), and the label ribbon 8 is conveniently passed through a tension - adjusting device 9 as is known per se.

[0027] The label - applying station 6 is further provided with a cutting drum 10. The cutting drum 10 can move by rotating about its axis and is designed to receive the label ribbon 8 in close contact with its side surface 10a.

[0028] For this purpose, the side surface 10a of the cutting drum 10 has a plurality of holes 11 connected to air - suction means. This air - suction means is constituted, for example, by a vacuum pump 100 schematically shown, and enables the label ribbon 8 to be pressed against and held on the side surface 10a of the cutting drum 10.

[0029] Furthermore, at least one cutting device 12 is arranged along the periphery of the cutting drum 10 and is provided with a suction chamber 13 for that purpose. The suction chamber 13 opens to the side surface 10a of the cutting drum 10 and houses a blade 14 inside. The blade 14 is designed to cut the label ribbon 8 and, conveniently, is located in a plane radial with respect to the axis of the cutting drum 10.

[0030] More specifically, the suction chamber 13 can be connected to air - suction means constituted, for example, by the same vacuum pump 100 to which the holes 11 are connected. The suction chamber 13 can thus suck the label ribbon 8 towards the inside of the suction chamber 13, press the label ribbon 8 against the blade 14, and as a result, cut the label ribbon 8.

[0031] According to the present invention, each of the one (or each) cutting device 12 is provided with a respective blade support element 15. This blade support element 15 is preferably removably coupled to the cutting drum 10 and supports the blade 14.

[0032] Also according to the present invention, this blade support element 15 is elastically deformable to enable coupling / decoupling of the blade 14 to / from the blade support element 15.

[0033] As in the illustrated example, a plurality of cutting devices 12 can also be present along the peripheral region of the cutting drum 10. These plurality of cutting devices 12 are arranged at a circumferential distance from each other that is at least equal to the length of the label 8a.

[0034] In this case, at least one of these cutting devices 12, more preferably each of them, is provided with a corresponding blade support element 15.

[0035] More specifically, the blade support element 15 of each cutting device 12 is advantageously constituted by a box-shaped body 15a. This box-shaped body 15a defines an aspiration chamber 13 of the corresponding cutting device 12 inside, and the corresponding blade 14 is coupled to this box-shaped body 15a.

[0036] Since this box-shaped body 15a is formed of an elastically deformable material such as rubber, for example, due to its deformation, the blade 14 can be removed from the box-shaped body 15a and taken out from the aspiration chamber 13.

[0037] In particular, in order to enable the blade 14 to be coupled to the box-shaped body 15a, the box-shaped body 15a is provided with at least one locking pin 16 that removably engages with a corresponding holding opening 17. The holding opening 17 is formed in the blade 14 and is preferably elongate in shape to facilitate engagement by the locking pin 16.

[0038] In fact, when an elastic deformation that causes the lock pin 16 to be pulled out of the corresponding holding opening 17 is applied to the box-shaped body 15a, the lock pin 16 can be disengaged from the holding opening 17 and the blade 14 is released from the connection with the box-shaped body 15a.

[0039] Preferably, on the box-shaped body 15a, there are a plurality of lock pins 16 arranged at intervals along a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the cutting drum 10, and thus substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the blade 14.

[0040] The lock pin 16 can be formed integrally with the box-shaped body 15a (i.e., as a single piece). Alternatively, the lock pin 16 can also be constituted by an insert made of a material different from the material constituting the box-shaped body 15a and partially embedded in the box-shaped body 15a.

[0041] More specifically, the box-shaped body 15a includes a pair of walls 18a, 18b facing each other in the suction chamber 13, and at least a part of the blade 14 is inserted between the pair of walls 18a, 18b.

[0042] In particular, as a result of the elastic deformation of the box-shaped body 15, the walls 18a, 18b can be arranged further apart from each other.

[0043] More specifically, since the lock pin 16 is formed on at least one of the walls 18a, 18b, when the walls 18a, 18b move apart from each other as a result of the elastic deformation of the box-shaped body, the lock pin 16 can be disengaged from the holding opening 17 of the blade 14, and the blade 14 can be separated from the box-shaped body 15a.

[0044] Advantageously, the walls 18a, 18b are designed with abutment protrusions 19 that engage by abutting (butting against, leaning against) both sides of the blade 14 to ensure the accurate positioning of the blade 14 with respect to the box-shaped body 15a in the active state.

[0045] The box-shaped body 15 is coupled to the cutting drum 10, and it should be noted that, conveniently, the box-shaped body 15a can be withdrawn from or inserted into each accommodation seat formed on the peripheral portion of the cutting drum 10 by sliding the box-shaped body 15a in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the cutting drum.

[0046] In order to allow the label ribbon 8 to enter the suction chamber 13, the box-shaped body 15a has a suction opening 13a communicating with the suction chamber 13 on a face that is oriented outward. The suction opening 13a is substantially located on the side surface 10a of the cutting drum 10 when the box-shaped body 15a is inserted into its accommodation seat 20.

[0047] Conveniently, a coupling portion 22 that is removably engaged with a corresponding-shaped portion 23 of the accommodation seat 20 in a substantially dovetail shape is provided on the box-shaped body 15a on the opposite side of the suction opening 13a. This is to guide the sliding movement of the box-shaped body 15a in a direction parallel to the axis of the cutting drum 10 that enables the insertion and removal of the box-shaped body 15a into and from the accommodation seat 20, and at the same time, to prevent the box-shaped body 15a from moving radially with respect to the axis of the cutting drum 10 when the box-shaped body 15a is inserted into the accommodation seat 20.

[0048] It should be noted that, as in the illustrated example, it is possible to arrange respective skids 24 beside each cutting device 12 of the cutting drum 10. The skid 24 is arranged at a position immediately before the accommodation seat 20 for the box-shaped body 15a of the corresponding cutting device 12 in the rotational direction of the cutting drum 10. The skid 24 projects slightly from the side surface 10a of the cutting drum 10. This is to enable, in cooperation with the adhesive roller 25 arranged beside the cutting drum 10, an adhesive strip to be applied to the rear and front ends of two consecutive labels 8a on the label ribbon 8 before the label ribbon itself is cut by the adjacent cutting device 12.

[0049] The operation of the labeling machine according to the present invention is as follows.

[0050] In the initial state, the skid 24 on which the rear ends and front ends of two consecutive labels 8a of the label ribbon 8 are placed passes in front of the adhesive roller 25, enabling the adhesive roller 25 to apply a strip of adhesive. Then, the unwinding (pay-out) assembly 7 supplies the label ribbon 8 to the cutting drum 10 at a speed substantially corresponding to the peripheral speed of the cutting drum 10.

[0051] Subsequently, the pay-out assembly 7 feeds the label ribbon 8 to the cutting drum 10 at a speed slower than the peripheral speed of the cutting drum 10, and positions the cutting device 12, which is immediately behind the skid 24 (which was at the location of the adhesive roller 25 in the previous step) in the rotational direction of the cutting drum 10, in the separation region between the two labels 8a to which the strip has been attached.

[0052] When this cutting device 12 reaches the separation region between the two labels 8a, the label ribbon 8 is again supplied by the pay-out assembly 7 at a speed substantially matching the peripheral speed of the cutting drum 10. The suction chamber 13 of this cutting device 12 is connected to air suction means, which draws the label ribbon 8 into the suction chamber 13 and presses the label ribbon 8 against the corresponding blade 14. Thus, the label ribbon 8 is cut and one of the labels 8a is separated from the label ribbon 8.

[0053] At this time, the pay-out assembly 7 feeds the label ribbon 8 into the cutting drum 10 at a speed slower than the peripheral speed of the cutting drum 10. By doing so, the cut label 8a is separated from the remaining portion of the label ribbon 8 from which the label 8a has been separated. And when the skid 24 can be positioned at the trailing and leading edges of the next two consecutive labels 8a of the label ribbon 8, the pay-out assembly 7 again supplies the label ribbon 8 to the cutting drum 10 at a speed substantially corresponding to the peripheral speed of the cutting drum 10.

[0054] Subsequently, the cutting drum 10 advances its rotation to transfer the label 8a cut in this way to each container 3 being conveyed by the conveyor 2.

[0055] When it becomes necessary to replace one of the blades 14 of the plurality of cutting devices 12 of the cutting drum 10, the operator slides the corresponding box-shaped body 15a along a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the cutting drum 10 with the machine stopped, and pulls it out from the corresponding receiving seat 20, thereby removing the box-shaped body 15a from the cutting drum 10.

[0056] When the box-shaped body 15a is pulled out from the receiving seat 20, the operator removes the blade 14 from the box-shaped body 15a as follows. First, the box-shaped body 15a is elastically deformed to widen the distance between the walls 18a and 18b. As a result, the lock pin 16 is disengaged from the holding opening 17, and then the blade 14 is pulled out from the suction chamber 13 through the suction opening 13a.

[0057] At this time, with the box-shaped body 15a in a deformed state, after inserting a new blade 14 into the suction chamber 13 of the box-shaped body 15a and arranging it between the walls 18a and 18b, it is possible to elastically return the box-shaped body 15a to its non-deformed state, and the lock pin 16 can be inserted into the corresponding holding opening 17. Thus, the connection between the blade 14 and the box-shaped body 15a is obtained.

[0058] At this point, the box-shaped body 15a can be reconnected to the cutting drum 10 by inserting it into the corresponding receiving seat 20.

[0059] In fact, thanks to the elastic deformation ability of the blade support element of the cutting drum, the present invention can easily perform the operation of replacing the blade of the cutting drum and can perform the operation extremely quickly, and it has been found that the present invention fully achieves the aim and the intended purpose.

[0060] Furthermore, due to the elastic deformation ability of the blade support element, more specifically, the corresponding box-shaped body, in addition to ensuring a better seal of the suction chamber by the label ribbon, it becomes possible to easily clean the suction chamber.

[0061] Another advantage achievable by the present invention consists in the fact that the coupling between the box-shaped body made of an elastically deformable material and the corresponding receiving seat defined within the cutting drum has fewer problems from the point of view of air leakage compared to the known art. This is because the deformability of the box-shaped body ensures an appropriate seal and there is no need to use additional gaskets.

[0062] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of many modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Further, all the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0063] In practice, as long as it is adapted to a specific use, the materials, dimensions and shapes used may be of any kind, as required and according to the state of the art, as appropriate.

[0064] The disclosure of Italian patent application No. 102021000004820, to which this application claims priority, is incorporated herein by reference.

[0065] If reference signs are attached after the technical features mentioned in any claim, those reference signs are included only for the purpose of enhancing the clarity of the claim and, accordingly, such reference signs do not have a limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by such reference signs, by way of example.

Claims

1. A conveyor (2) for a container (3) to which a label is to be attached along a forward path, and at least one label attaching station (6) arranged along the forward path, The label attaching station (6) includes a feeding assembly (7) for a label ribbon (8) on which a plurality of labels (8a) are continuously printed, and a cutting drum (10). The cutting drum (10) can be moved by rotating about its axis and is designed to receive the label ribbon (8) in close contact with its side surface. At least one cutting device (12) is arranged along the circumference of the cutting drum (10). The at least one cutting device (12) has a suction chamber (13) that opens to the side surface (10a) of the cutting drum (10) and houses a blade (14) inside. The suction chamber (13) is connectable to an air suction means to suck the label ribbon (8) into the suction chamber (13) and press it against the blade (14) to cut the label ribbon (8). In a label applicator. The at least one cutting device (10) includes respective blade support elements (15) coupled to the cutting drum (10) to support the blade (14). The blade support element (15) is elastically deformable to enable attachment of the blade (14) to the blade support element (15) or detachment of the blade (14) from the blade support element (15). A label applicator characterized by this.

2. The label applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the blade support element (15) is removably coupled to the cutting drum (10).

3. The label applicator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the blade support element (15) includes a box-shaped body (15a) that defines the suction chamber (13) inside, and the box-shaped body (15a) is made of an elastically deformable material.

4. At least one locking pin (16) is formed on the box-shaped body (15a) and removably engages with a corresponding holding opening (17) formed on the blade. The at least one locking pin (16) is detachable from the holding opening (17) following elastic deformation applied to the box-shaped body (15a). The label applicator according to claim 3, characterized by this.

5. The box-shaped body (15a) has a pair of opposing walls (18a, 18b) inside the suction chamber (13), the blade (14) is at least partially inserted between the walls (18a, 18b), and the walls (18a, 18b) can be arranged further apart from each other as a result of the elastic deformation. The labeling machine according to claim 4, characterized in that.

6. The labeling machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one locking pin (16) is formed on at least one of the pair of opposing walls (18a, 18b).

7. The labeling machine according to claim 5, characterized in that abutting protrusions (19) that abut and engage with both surfaces of the blade (14) are provided on the pair of opposing walls (18a, 18b).

8. The labeling machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the box-shaped body (15a) can be withdrawn from or inserted into each accommodation seat (20) formed around the cutting drum (10) by sliding it along a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the cutting drum (10).

9. The box-shaped body (15a) has a suction opening (13a) on a surface intended to face outward, the suction opening (13a) communicates with the suction chamber (13), and in a state where the box-shaped body (15a) is inserted into the accommodation seat (20), it is located on a side surface (10a) of the cutting drum (10). The labeling machine according to claim 8, characterized in that.

10. The labeling machine according to claim 9, characterized in that the box-shaped body (15a) has a dovetail-shaped coupling portion (22) that removably engages with a region (23) having a corresponding shape of the accommodation seat (20) on the side opposite to the suction opening (13a).

Images