Dual-configuration supporting unit for a label transfer drum

Abstract

A support unit (13) for a transfer drum (8) of labels (6) of a labelling machine (1) for containers (2); the support unit (13) comprises: a front pad (14) configured to support a front end portion (10) of the label (6); and a rear pad (15) configured to support a rear end portion (11) of the label (6). The support unit (13) is configured to assume a first configuration, which corresponds to a first orientation of the front pad (14) and a first angular encumbrance of the label (6), and a second configuration which corresponds to a second orientation of the front pad (14) and a second angular encumbrance of the label (6), so as to compensate for the non-nominal length of the label (6) and / or the length (H) of a flap (16) protruding from the rear pad (15).

Description

[0001] DUAL -CON FIGURATION SUPPORTING UNIT FOR A LABEL

[0002] TRANSFER DRUM

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] FIELD OF THE ART

[0005] The present invention concerns a support unit for a label trans fer drum of a labelling machine , in particular to improve the flexibility ( i . e . the ease of assuming a new and di f ferent configuration) of the trans fer drum .

[0006] The present invention also relates to a trans fer drum provided with said support unit .

[0007] PRIOR ART

[0008] The use of labelling machines is known in the field of packaging products that can be poured through containers .

[0009] Typically, the labelling machine comprises a feeding roller for feeding a strip of labelling material with a rotation speed and a cutting unit for sequentially cutting the fed strip, so that the cut labels are released sequentially at a receiving station in the respective sectors of a trans fer drum . The trans fer drum comprises a plurality of sectors distributed angularly around an axis of the drum .

[0010] The trans fer drum is configured such that , by rotating about the axis , the sectors sequentially receive the labels at a receiving station, sequentially trans fer the received labels through a gluing station, where the glue is sequentially spread on the respective front and rear end portions of the transferred labels, and, at an application station, sequentially apply the transferred labels onto the respective containers.

[0011] Generally, the labelling machine comprises a gluing unit, for spreading the glue in the gluing station. The glue is spread sequentially on the respective front end portion and rear end portion of the labels to be transferred.

[0012] The labelling machine also comprises a conveyor for transporting the containers. The labelling machine is configured so that the containers are labelled while being transported by the conveyor.

[0013] Each sector comprises a front pad configured to support a front end portion of the label and a rear pad configured to support a rear end portion of the label.

[0014] However, the need may arise to manage larger labels (for example due to the involuntary elongation of the label strip during its management) or to vary the length of the so-called "flag", i.e. the length of the rear end portion of the label that protrudes (in particular projects) from the respective rear pad.

[0015] In the currently known transfer drums, in order to try to satisfy this need, it is required to replace the pad previously in use with a new pad of different dimension. However, this replacement requires a significant intervention, as the operator must disassemble the components from the trans fer drum and subsequently assemble the new components .

[0016] Furthermore , in the known trans fer drums , a pair of pads of suitable dimension is uniquely assigned to each dimension ( in particular length) of the label to be trans ferred . Considering that each trans fer drum comprises a plurality of sectors , the number of pads to be replaced is high and requires a considerable warehouse with the various si zes of pads .

[0017] In Patent Document US2009236023A1 , a vacuum drum assembly for use with a labeling apparatus is disclosed, which includes apertures for supporting labels on an outer surface using vacuum pressure . The vacuum drum assembly may include air distributors for providing vacuum pressure to selected apertures to accommodate various lengths or widths of labels . The vacuum drum assembly may also be adj ustable to vary the spacing between apertures to accommodate various lengths of labels .

[0018] In Patent Document DE202013103475 , a vacuum drum is disclosed having pads which can be adj ustable in position to adapt to di f ferent label lengths .

[0019] DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0020] A support unit for a label trans fer drum of a labelling machine according to the present disclosure or according to any of the appended apparatus claims effectively allows an improvement in flexibility of the transfer drum with respect to configuration variations.

[0021] The label transfer drum of a labelling machine provided with said support unit in accordance with the present description exhibits an improvement in flexibility with respect to configuration variations.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings, which show a non-limiting embodiment thereof, wherein:

[0024] - Figure 1 is a schematic and top plan view (with some parts removed for clarity's sake) of a labelling machine;

[0025] - Figure 2 is a schematic and perspective view (from below) of a transfer drum of Figure 1 in a first configuration;

[0026] - Figure 3 is a schematic and enlarged view of a part (sector) of the transfer drum of Figure 2;

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic and perspective view (from below) of the transfer drum of Figure 1 in a second (different) configuration;

[0028] - Figure 5 is a schematic and enlarged view of a part (sector) of the transfer drum of Figure 4;

[0029] - Figure 6 is a schematic and enlarged view of a front pad of the transfer drum; and - Figure 7 is a schematic and top plan view comparing the two configurations between them .

[0030] PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0031] In Figure 1 , the reference numeral 1 schematically denotes a labelling machine for labelling containers 2 , such as bottles , j ars or containers of this type , suitable for containing a pourable product , such as a food product , a home care product or a personal care product .

[0032] Labelling machine 1 comprises a feeding drum 3 which feeds a strip 4 of labelling material with a rotation speed . Feeding drum 3 delimits a receiving station SR .

[0033] Labelling machine 1 comprises a cutting unit 5 for sequentially cutting feeding strip 4 , so that cut labels 6 are released sequentially to the receiving station SR . Cutting unit 5 defines a cutting station ST . Labels 6 are cut sequentially in order to be separated from the remaining part of the strip 4 at the cutting station ST . Labels 6 are released to respective sectors 7 of a trans fer drum 8 . Trans fer drum 8 comprises a plurality of sectors 7 distributed angularly around the axis X of trans fer drum 8 . Trans fer drum 8 comprises a rotation axis Y . The axis X is a central rotation axis of drum 8 . Trans fer drum 8 is configured so that , by rotation about the axis X, sectors 7 sequentially receive labels 6 at the receiving station SR and are sequentially trans ferred through the cutting station ST. In particular, transfer drum 8 is configured so that, by rotating about the axis Y, sectors 7 transfer sequentially labels 6 received through the cutting station ST, which is angularly interposed between the receiving station SR and a gluing station SI. The gluing station SI is defined by a gluing unit 9. Labelling machine 1 (in particular transfer drum 8) comprises gluing unit 9.

[0034] Transfer drum 8 is configured so that, by rotating about the axis Y, sectors 7 transfer sequentially labels 6 received through the gluing station SI, where gluing unit 9 spreads the glue sequentially on respective end portions 10 and 11 of labels 6 to be transferred. Portion 10 is the front end portion; while portion 11 is the rear end portion of the same label 6 and is opposite to end portions 10.

[0035] Transfer drum 8 is configured so that, by rotating about the axis Y, sectors 7 apply sequentially, at an application station SA, labels 6 transferred onto the respective containers 2.

[0036] Labelling machine 1 comprises a transport carousel 12 for transporting containers 2, in particular along an arcuate path P. Labelling machine 1 is configured so that containers 2 are labelled while being transported by conveyor 12. Conveyor 12 is preferably a carousel.

[0037] According to the present invention, as shown in the attached figures, transfer drum 8 (in particular each sector in detail in figures 2-5 ) .

[0038] Support unit 13 comprises a front pad 14 configured to support front end portion 10 of label 6 and a rear pad 15 configured to support a rear end portion 11 of label 6 ( as schematically shown in Figure 1 ) .

[0039] Support unit 13 is configured to assume two configurations . The first configuration ( schematically shown in Figures 2 and 3 ) corresponds to a first orientation of front pad 14 and a first angular encumbrance of label 6 about the central axis Y . The second configuration ( schematically shown in Figures 4 and 5 ) corresponds to a second orientation of front pad 14 and a second angular encumbrance of label 6 about said central axis Y, so as to compensate for the non- nominal length of label 6 and / or to vary the length H of a flap 16 protruding from rear pad 15 ( as schematically shown in Figures 7A and 7B ) . While in the first configuration and in the second configuration rear pad 15 has the same orientation . In other words , while the orientation of front pad 14 changes between the two configurations , the orientation of rear pad 15 remains unchanged between the two configurations .

[0040] The first orientation is di f ferent from the second orientation . The first encumbrance is di f ferent from the second encumbrance . The compensation of the non-nominal length of label 6 and / or the length H of a flap 16 protruding from rear pad 15 ( as schematically shown in schematic figures 7A and 7B ) obtainable with the present invention is less than 5 mm, in particular less than 2 mm, preferably in the order of 1 mm .

[0041] A preferred (but non-limiting) embodiment of front pad 14 is schematically shown in Figure 6 . Front pad 14 has a longitudinal extension L . Front pad 14 ( as well as rear pad 15 ) is mounted on support unit 13 with the longitudinal extension L oriented vertically .

[0042] The longitudinal extension is parallel to the central axis X of drum 8 .

[0043] Front pad 14 is configured to be rotated by an angle A ( schematically indicated in Figure 6 ) about an axis X of rotation, which is transverse , in particular orthogonal , to a longitudinal extension thereof L, to move from the first orientation to the second orientation, and vice versa . The angle A is in particular equal to 180 ° . The axis X of rotation is in particular arranged transversely, in particular orthogonally, to label 6 trans ferred by trans fer drum 8 . The axis X extends in particular radially to the axis Y of rotation of trans fer drum 8 . The position of the axis X does not vary in the two configurations .

[0044] Each front pad 14 comprises two chamfers 17 and 18 extending parallel to the longitudinal extension L and defining between them a supporting surface 19 of label 6. Two chamfers 17 and 18 are inclined by two different angles Bl and B2 with respect to supporting surface 19. The angle B2 is greater than the angle Bl.

[0045] Advantageously, chamfer 17 is inclined by the angle Bl that is between 20 and 45°, preferably is between 30 and 40° in particular is equal to 35°; and chamfer 18 is inclined by an angle B2 which is between 30° and 60°, preferably is between 40° and 50°, in particular is equal to 45°.

[0046] Therefore, thanks to the angles Bl and B2 of inclination of chamfers 17 and 18 that are different from each other, a different dimension of the surface of chamfer 17 (in particular greater as shown in Figures 7A and 7B) with respect to the surface of chamfer 18 is derived. This difference in dimension entails a variation of the relative position of label 6 with respect to support unit 13 (as schematized in figures 7A and 7B) .

[0047] With reference to Figures 7A and 7B, subdividing the position of label 6 into the following points: Pl- position of end extremity 10 of label 6 upstream of chamfer 17, Pi- position of the point of label 6 downstream of chamfer 17, P3- position of the point of label 6 upstream of chamfer 18 and P4- position of end extremity 11 of label 6, it can be noted how the point P2 of Figure 7B is shifted (by an amount Q) with respect to the point P2 of Figure 7B. Similarly, point P3 of Figure 7A is shi fted (by amount Q) with respect to point P3 of Figure 7B . Thus , the length H of flap 16 of Figure 7B is reduced by the amount Q with respect to the length H of flap 16 of Figure 7A. The distance between points P2 and P3 defines the dimension of supporting surface 19 and is the same for both Figures 7A and 7B .

[0048] As shown, at front pad 14 , label 6 is supported by one of two chamfers 17 or 18 and by a supporting surface 19 . In particular, as shown in Figure 7a, in the first configuration, label 6 is supported by chamfer 17 and by supporting surface 19 . While , as shown in Figure 7B, in the second configuration, label 6 is supported by chamfer 18 and supporting surface 19 .

[0049] Advantageously, as shown in figures 1-5 , front pad 14 and rear pad 15 are housed in respective seats 20 of support unit 13 . Seat 20 is configured to house front pad 14 in both configurations . In other words , when moving from the first configuration to the second configuration, and vice versa, it is suf ficient to rotate front pad 14 and it is not necessary to adapt ( i . e . modi fy) seat 20 .

[0050] As shown in Figures 2 and 4 , when moving from the first configuration to the second configuration, or vice versa, each support unit 13 ( in particular each front pad 14 of support unit 13 ) of trans fer drum 8 is rotated with the same orientation . In other words , there are no so-called mixed configurations , where some front pads 14 have the first orientation and other front pads 14 have the second orientation .

[0051] Advantageously, moving from the first configuration to the second configuration, or vice versa, takes place manually by the operator .

[0052] Therefore , in order to move from the first configuration to the second configuration, the operator must proceed exclusively to disassemble front pad 14 , rotate it by angle A ( i . e . 180 ° ) about the axis X and reassemble it with the new orientation in the same seat 20 .

[0053] Advantageously, front pad 14 and rear pad 15 , as well as support unit 13 , are provided with respective openings 21 through which, with the aid of suction air, it is possible to retain ( in a known manner ) label 6 to respective sector 7 .

[0054] Advantageously, as shown in Figure 6 , (vertical ) edge between chamfer 17 and supporting surface 19 , as well as (vertical ) edge between chamfer 18 and supporting surface 19 , are connected, so as to avoid possible edges that may damage label 6 . In Figures 7A and 7B (which are schematic views ) , the (vertical ) edge connection has been omitted .

[0055] Drum 8 is capable of assuming a first operating condition in which each support unit 13 assumes the first configuration, and a second operating condition in which each support unit 13 assumes the second configuration . In this way the flexibility of the drum is greatly increased, allowing the angular encumbrance of each label transported by the drum to be ef fectively varied . In this way, the ability of drum 8 to compensate for any non-nominal length of the label is increased . The flexibility of trans fer drum 8 with respect to the length of flap 16 is also increased, in case for example it is wished to vary the positioning of the glue applied on rear portion 11 with respect to the label itsel f .

[0056] Support unit 13 described so far allows to increase the flexibility of trans fer drum 8 thus allowing to easily adapt to a new configuration .

[0057] Support unit 13 thus allows trans fer drum 8 to be easily adapted to the variations in the non-nominal length of labels 6.

[0058] Support unit 13 also allows to easily adapt to the format change or other circumstances that might require a di f ferent length H of flap 16 protruding from rear pad 15 .

[0059] The advantages indicated above can be obtained, for example , by providing front pad 14 with two chamfers 17 and 18 having angles Bl and B2 of inclination di f ferent from each other, as previously described .

[0060] In an embodiment not shown, the first orientation of front pad 14 more generally corresponds to a first positioning of front pad 14 , and the second orientation of front pad 14 more generally corresponds to a second positioning of front pad 14 . The first positioning is di f ferent from the second positioning . In this embodiment not shown, in order to move the front pad between the first positioning and the second positioning, seat 20 is rotated by 180 ° .

Claims

DUAL -CON FIGURATION SUPPORTING UNIT FOR A LABELTRANSFER DRUM"1. A support unit (13) for a transfer drum (8) of labels (6) of a container labelling machine (1) for containers (2) , said drum having a central rotation axis (Y) ; the support unit (13) comprises:- a front pad (14) configured to support a front end portion (10) of the label (6) ; and- a rear pad (15) configured to support a rear end portion (11) of the label (6) ; wherein, the support unit (13) is configured to assume a first configuration, which corresponds to a first positioning of the front pad (14) and a first angular encumbrance of the label (6) about said central axis (Y) , and a second configuration which corresponds to a second positioning of the front pad (14) and a second angular encumbrance of the label (6) about said central axis (Y) , so as to compensate for a non-nominal length of the label (6) and / or to vary a length (H) of a label flap (16) protruding from the rear pad (15) , said first positioning being different with respect to said second positioning and said first encumbrance being different with respect to said second encumbrance ;wherein : said first positioning corresponds to a first orientation of said front pad (14) and said second positioning corresponds to a second orientation of said front pad (14) , said first orientation being different from said second orientation; the front pad (14) is configured to be rotated by a first angle (A) about an axis (X) of rotation, which is transverse, in particular orthogonal, to a longitudinal extension thereof (L) , to move from the first orientation to the second orientation, and vice versa, said longitudinal extension being operatively parallel to said central axis (Y) ; the first angle (A) is 180°.

2. The support unit (13) according to Claim 1, wherein the support unit (13) comprises a seat (20) configured to accommodate the front pad (14) in either configuration, said seat being rotatable to change the positioning of the front pad (14) between the first positioning and the second positioning .

3. The support unit (13) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the first configuration and in the second configuration the rear pad (15) has the same orientation.

4. The support unit (13) according to any preceding claim, wherein the front pad (14) comprises two chamfers(17, 18) extending parallel to the longitudinal extension (L) and defining between them a supporting surface (19) of the label (6) ; and the two chamfers (17, 18) are inclined by two further angles (Bl, B2) which differ from each other with respect to the supporting surface (19) .

5. The support unit (13) according to claim 4, wherein: the first chamfer (17) is inclined by a second angle(Bl) that is between 20° and 45°, preferably between 30° and 40°, preferably 35°; and the second chamfer (18) is inclined by a third angle (B2) , which is between 30° and 60°, preferably between 40° and 50° .

6. The support unit (13) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the third angle (B2) is greater than the second angle (Bl) .

7. A label transfer drum (8) of labels (6) of a container labelling machine (1) for containers (2) and comprising a plurality of support units (13) , each made according to any one of claims 1 to 6, said drum (8) being capable of assuming a first operating condition in which each support unit (13) assumes the first configuration, and a second operating condition in which each support unit (13) assumes the second configuration.

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