Device for restraining bottles and supporting a bottle alignment mark reading system, in labeling machinery

The device forms part of a bottle labeling machine, and is designed to restrain bottles (23), champagne bottles especially, by descending onto the corks, at the same time positioning an optical recognition device capable of reading a reference mark molded into or otherwise applied to the bottle to assist in bringing about its proper alignment in readiness for the subsequent labeling operation; each bottle is restrained, and the reader then positioned to detect its alignment mark, by a pair of pneumatic cam-operated mechanisms of which the ascending and descending movement coincides with the vertical axis of a single fixed head (1) by which both are slidably accommodated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to a device which functions as a means to restrain 
bottles and support a bottle alignment mark reading system, in labeling 
machinery. 
In conventional bottle labeling machines, and more especially in labelers 
used for champagne bottles and liquor bottles generally, each bottle must 
be correctly orientated, for a twofold reason. 
In the case of shaped bottles, for example square or oval in section, the 
bottle must be aligned in such a manner as to permit applying the label 
correctly to the proper face and in the prescribed position. 
In the case of ordinary circular section bottles, on the other hand, to 
which additional features are added such as bands and seals, the position 
of such features must be taken into account when applying the main label. 
Accordingly, the need arises for suitable optical reference marks, which 
generally take the form of small projections molded into the glass of the 
bottle, or reference notches for capsules or seals in the case of 
champagne bottles. 
Conventional labelers comprise a revolving carousel supporting two sets of 
heads, identical in number. Each head of the first set is designed to 
clamp a bottle by the cap or cork, whilst the heads of the remaining set 
carry means (photocells or optical fibers) capable of recognizing a 
reference mark afforded by the bottle and piloting the operation of a 
stepping motor by which the bottle is rotated into alignment. 
The use of a second set of heads stems from the need to prevent 
obstruction, by distancing the recognition means, during the labeling 
operation. A head of the first set descends and secures the bottle, 
whereupon a head of the second set carrying the photocell or optical fiber 
descends to read the position of the bottle, reascending before the 
labeling operation commences. 
Such an embodiment is characterized by high cost, complexity in 
construction and considerable bulk, given that each bottle passing through 
the machine is serviced by two heads. 
Moreover, the heads will normally comprise height adjustment systems 
incorporating springs, of which the pressure exerted downwardly on the 
bottles is neither uniform, being dependent upon the height of the bottle, 
with or without its cap or cork, nor able to guarantee a secure clamping 
action with the pedestal plate in the case that the bottle has been capped 
or corked defectively. 
These spring loaded clamping systems in fact betray poor reliability 
inasmuch as the lack of uniform pressure, especially when such pressure is 
weakly applied, can result in the bottle being overturned. Furthermore, 
failure of the springs can not only cause serious damage to the machine, 
but the spring loaded system also imposes notable limitations on the speed 
of the alignment step. 
The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks mentioned 
above, and in particular to provide a device of simple, economical and 
compact embodiment that is dependable in operation and free from the risk 
of hitches and stoppages attributable to spring loaded systems and their 
inability to exert a uniform restraining pressure on the caps or corks of 
bottles. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The stated object is comprehensively realized in a device for restraining 
bottles and supporting a bottle alignment mark reading system in a 
labeling machine, as disclosed and claimed herein. According to the 
invention, such a device comprises a single set of heads associated with 
the carousel of the labeler, each head slidably accommodating means for 
restraining a bottle by its cap or cork, together with means by which to 
support a reference mark reader for the alignment of the bottle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
With reference to the drawings, 1 denotes a head of hollow embodiment, 
mounted rigidly to a carousel 2 (shown in part) and accommodating a 
cylindrical element 3, encircled by a distance ring 5 with lip seals 6, 
which is slidable internally of a relative chamber 15 along the center 
axis of the head 1. 11 denotes a rod rigidly associated with the bottom 
end of the cylindrical element 3 and carrying an optical fiber 12 
connected to reader equipment not shown in the drawings. 
The cylindrical element 3, the distance ring 5 and the rod 11 thus provide 
means to support the mark reader of a bottle alignment system. 8 denotes a 
plunger positioned internally of the cylindrical element 3, of which the 
top part 8a is greater in section than a bottom part 8b, thereby enabling 
it to strike against a bushing denoted 13; the plunger 8 likewise is 
encircled by a distance ring 9 and lip seals 10, which serve to create a 
fluid-tight fit with a second chamber 14, disposed coaxially in relation 
to the center axis of the head, internally of which the plunger is 
slidably accommodated. 
The lower end of the plunger 8 carries an alignment socket 22 of 
frustoconical embodiment, designed to descend firmly onto the cap or cork 
of a bottle 23. The plunger 8, the relative distance ring 9 and the 
alignment socket 22 provide means by which bottles are restrained. 
16 denotes a roller positioned at the top end of the cylindrical element 3 
and in engagement with a cam 25 mounted rigidly to a frame member 19 of 
the labeler. 
17 denotes a pivot passing transversely through the top end of the 
cylindrical element 3, of which one end carries a further roller 20 
designed to engage with a second cam denoted 18, mounted rigidly to the 
frame member 19 that supports the cam 25. 
Also mounted to the frame member 21 is a sensor 21 which serves to shut off 
the labeling machine in case of emergency. 
The head 1 affords an inlet port 4 through which to supply air under 
pressure, and an outlet port 7 from which the air is exhausted, connected 
one with the other by way of the two chambers 14 and 15, and of two 
further ports 24 afforded by the cylindrical element 3. 
In operation, a device thus embodied passes through a number of distinctly 
identifiable steps, which are illustrated graphically in FIG. 2, thus: 
at-rest, with the cylindrical element urged upward toward the cam, and the 
plunger directed downwards onto the bushing, in response to pressure of 3 
bar (45 psi) or thereabouts through the inlet; 
initial change of cam profile, occasioning the descent of the cylindrical 
element and the plunger through a distance of 30 mm (11/4") approx, in 
such a way as to bring the alignment socket down onto the cap or cork of 
the bottle, and thus restrain the bottle; 
second change of cam profile, causing both the cylindrical element and the 
rod holding the optical fiber to descend 90 mm (31/2") approx and thus 
permit of reading a reference mark afforded by the bottle (the exact 
descent distance being dependent on the position of the mark); 
alignment and orientation of the bottle effected by way of a stepping motor 
(not illustrated, but as disclosed in application n.sup.o 40088 A/88 for 
Italian Patent filed by the same applicant); 
third change of cam profile, causing reascent of the cylindrical element; 
fourth change of cam profile, occasioning reascent of both the cylindrical 
element and the plunger and full release of the bottle. 
In the event of malfunction occurring, for example such as a loss of air 
pressure from the chambers 14 and 15, the sensor 21 responds to the 
defective position of the pivot 17 immediately by inhibiting further 
operation of the device; thereafter, with contact established between the 
second cam 18 and the roller 20, the cylindrical element and plunger will 
be supported by the second cam and prevented from descending onto the 
bottles beneath. 
Compared with conventional embodiments of the type of device in question 
which have two sets of heads, the device disclosed affords the further 
advantage of allowing a closer spacing of the heads on the carousel of the 
labeler.