Labelling machine

A labelling machine comprises a main supporting frame (2) on which a carrousel (6) is mounted, the carrousel being equipped with supporting means for the objects to be labelled. A plurality of labelling devices (12) is positioned radially along the edge of the carrousel (6) for applying labels to objects placed on the carrousel (6). The main supporting frame (2) has a guiding and supporting track (17) to which the labelling devices (12) are slidably connected so that they can be placed at different positions along the edge of the carrousel (6). The machine also comprises a plurality of connecting modules (26) equipped with first coupling means (27) allowing sliding coupling to the track (17), and second coupling means (28) for reversibly coupling each labelling device (12) to a connecting module (26).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a labelling machine of the type intended for applying a plurality of labels on a single product such as a bottle or another container. A typical example of use of this type of labelling machine is for labelling bottles of wine when labels have to be applied on the front, the back, on the neck, etc.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, this type of machine comprises a rotary carrousel, equipped with a plurality of supporting plates for the product to be labelled. The carrousel rotates about its own axis so that each product can be brought one after another to a plurality of labelling devices positioned along the edge of the carrousel and each designed to apply one or more labels to the product. Depending on the shape and type of label to be applied, the labelling devices have different structures.

Moreover, to guarantee correct application of each label, the supporting plates are advantageously able to rotate in a controlled fashion about their own axes. An electronic control (usually also known as an “electronic cam”) coordinates the movement of the carrousel, the plates and the labelling devices.

However, to guarantee correct machine operation, depending on the shape and size of the product to be labelled, the labelling devices must be located at predetermined angular positions around the edge of the carrousel. But such positions are not incompatible with labelling products of different shapes and sizes. Depending on the sizes and shapes of the bottles and the labels, the distance between one device and another must be adjusted to allow correct application.

Consequently, this type of labelling machine is not very versatile. Therefore, both the purchase and operating costs are relatively high compared to productivity.

According to the prior art, the most widespread solution for increasing the versatility of machines is to over-equip them in terms of the number of labelling devices, fitting the same machine with two or more identical devices (which apply the same type of label) at two or more different positions along the edge of the carrousel. On each occasion, depending on the type of product to be labelled, only some of the devices are used.

As can immediately be seen, said solution is extremely expensive both because it requires the purchase of two or more identical devices which will only be used alternately, and because it also requires oversizing of the machine as regards the diameter of the carrousel. But larger dimensions imply bigger purchase costs and more space occupied at the company premises.

In most of the machines currently used, the possible positions for the labelling devices along the edge of the carrousel are limited because they correspond to the centres of the sides of a polygonal structure surrounding the carrousel.

Some alternative solutions are described in patents WO 2005/011363, U.S. Pat. No. 4,362,594 and GB 2 138 388 which all allow labelling devices to be mounted at any angular position relative to the carrousel. In said patents, the labelling devices are rigidly fixed to a circular supporting track surrounding the carrousel.

Said solution, although allowing greater positioning variety, also has disadvantages, in particular relative to the need for size change-overs (that is to say, changes in the type of product to be labelled). With each size change-over each labelling device would have to be moved to clearly defined predetermined positions, disconnecting it from the body of the machine. In reality, said operation is very complicated given the weight and size of the labelling devices.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In this situation the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to provide a labelling machine which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages.

The technical purpose of this invention is also to provide a labelling machine which allows size change-overs to be performed very rapidly and precisely.

In particular, this invention has for a technical purpose to provide a labelling machine which guarantees great versatility for a relatively low cost.

The technical purpose specified and the aims indicated are substantially achieved by a labelling machine as described in the appended claims.

With reference to the accompanying drawings the numeral1denotes as a whole a labelling machine made in accordance with this invention.

The labelling machine comprises first a main supporting frame2which in the embodiment illustrated has a table-shaped lower parts3(FIG. 2). In the known way, the main supporting frame2illustrated also comprises supporting columns4and an upper portion5located at a predetermined height above the table-shaped part.

On the main supporting frame2, between the lower part3and the upper portion5, a carrousel6is rotatably mounted so that it can rotate about a vertical axis of rotation. Carrousel6rotation is controlled by a main motor7located above the upper portion5of the main supporting frame2. The outside of the carrousel6is equipped with a plurality of supporting means for objects to be labelled. The accompanying drawings only show the lower plates8of the supporting means. In plan view, the part of the carrousel6supporting the plates8is circular and the plates8are evenly spaced out close to its outer edge.

In the known way, therefore not described in detail, the machine1also comprises means9for feeding the objects to be labelled to the supporting means, and means10for picking up the labelled objects from the supporting means. In the embodiment illustrated the feed means9and the supporting means are supported in a containment structure11having an overall parallelepiped shape (FIG. 1) and they comprise screw feeder and star-wheel transfer mechanisms (of the known kind).

The machine also comprises a plurality of labelling devices12positioned radially along the edge of the carrousel6which in practice apply labels to objects placed on the supporting means which pass them during carrousel6rotation. The embodiments illustrated show, by way of example, a device121for applying adhesive labels and a cold glue application device122.

In the embodiment illustrated, the labelling devices12advantageously comprise a secondary supporting frame13, the bottom of which is fitted with wheels14and parking feet15. The wheels14and/or the feet15can also be adjusted vertically, allowing the operator to choose whether to rest the wheels or the feet on the ground, thus adjusting the height of the labelling device12relative to the ground, if necessary. To allow the device12to be moved when the wheels14are resting on the ground, the devices12illustrated also comprise a movement bar16which can be gripped by an operator. Otherwise, since the structure of the labelling devices12is of the known type, it is not described in further detail herein.

The labelling devices12are slidably connected to a guiding and supporting track17belonging to the main frame2, so that they can be placed at different angular positions along the edge of the carrousel6.

The lower part3of the main supporting frame2, shown inFIGS. 2 to 4, comprises three legs18with adjustable feet19which support a supporting surface20having a shape slightly resembling a truncated cone and pierced at the centre (for rotatably supporting the carrousel6), below which the track17is fixed. The track extends along approximately three quarters of the edge of the supporting surface20, between a track first end21and a second end22. At the zone between the first end21and the second end22of the track17, the frame also comprises two radial brackets23used for connecting the feed means9and the pickup means10. The track17comprises two elements24, shaped in such a way that they have a trapezoidal cross-section at the first approximation, and connected in such a way that they are opposite, giving the lateral surfaces of the track17a concave shape. Applied below the track17there is a rack25having the shape of an arc of a circle, extending along the entire length of the track17(and described in more detail below).

According to the preferred embodiment of this invention, there is a plurality of connecting modules26present, each interposed between the main supporting frame2and a labelling device12.

Said connecting modules26are equipped with first coupling means27for allowing sliding coupling to the track17, and second coupling means28for the reversible coupling of a labelling device12to the connecting module26.

FIGS. 2 to 9illustrate a first preferred embodiment of a connecting module26. As can be seen, it comprises first a C-shaped plate29extending substantially along the oblique sides and the smaller base of a trapezium. Mounted on the plate29there are both the first coupling means27and the second coupling means28(the latter positioned at the end of the arms of the C). In practice, the plate29lies in a horizontal plane (perpendicular to the carrousel6axis of rotation) and the first and second coupling means27,28extend upwards from it. Moreover, the plate is below the supporting surface20with the ends of the C projecting radially towards the labelling device12.

According to the preferred embodiments, the first coupling means27usually comprise at least one roller30which can be connected to the track17. Advantageously, for that purpose, the track17has at least a first concave or convex connecting surface31, and the roller30has a second connecting surface32which is substantially shaped to match that of the track17.

Whilst in some embodiments, not illustrated, the roller30(or the rollers30) may rest on top of the track17, in the case illustrated in the accompanying drawings the first coupling means27comprise at least two pairs33of opposite rollers30, spaced out and positioned in such a way that each pair33can grip the track17. As already indicated and as shown inFIG. 4, the track17is fixed to the rest of the main frame2by its upper face and has two first connecting surfaces31(the outer surface and the inner surface), whilst each roller30is rotatably mounted (idly in the accompanying drawings) on a rod34perpendicular to the plate29, with its axis of rotation parallel with that of the carrousel6. Moreover, advantageously, the rollers30of a connecting module26all lie in the same plane.

To mount each connecting module26on the track17, in the embodiment illustrated there are two possibilities. With the first method the modules26can be connected to the track17by end insertion at least at one of the two ends21,22, positioning the module between the two ends of the track17, with the rollers30aligned with it and making the module move along the track17.

Alternatively, each module can be connected to the track17at any point by adjusting the distance between the rollers30of each pair33. Advantageously, at least one roller30of each pair33can move relative to the other between a first, minimum distance position in which the two rollers30can retain the track17between them and a second, maximum distance position in which the track17can be inserted between the two rollers30. In the preferred embodiment (not illustrated in detail) this is done by fixing the rod34to the plate29at a point which is eccentric relative to the axis of rotation of the respective roller30, and rotating the rod34and the respective roller30relative to the fixing point.

In the preferred embodiment the second coupling means28comprise quick coupling means.

In the embodiment illustrated, in particular, the second coupling means28comprise the combination of at least one pin35and snap-on means36for coupling the pin35, integral respectively with each other between the labelling device12and the connecting module26. More particularly, each connecting module26comprises two sets of snap-on means36positioned on the radially projecting ends of the C formed by the plate29, whilst each labelling device12comprises two vertical pins35whose axes of extension are parallel with the carrousel6axis of rotation.

In turn, as shown inFIG. 10, the snap-on means36comprise first a hole37for the pin35and at least one element38able to move between a first position in which it allows pin35insertion in the hole37and removal (right-hand element38inFIG. 10), and a second position in which it locks the pin35in the hole37(left-hand element38inFIG. 10). In the accompanying drawings the element38can move between the two positions by rotating about an axis parallel with that of the carrousel6, and it comprises three shaped projections, a first projection39being for coupling the pin35.

To keep the element38in the first position, in the absence of the pin35, there are means40for returning the element38to the first position (elastic means in the accompanying drawings, comprising a spring connected between the plate29and a second projection41of the mobile element38). In contrast, to keep the pin35in the hole37once inserted, there are means42for retaining the element38in the second position which interact with a third projection43of the element38. The retaining means42comprise a containment block44having an open cavity45facing towards the element38, in which a spring46and a sliding element47are inserted, the sliding element moving between a first position in which it projects from the containment block44and the spring46is extended, and a second position in which it is retracted inside the containment block44and the spring46is compressed. The spring46is also positioned in such a way that it drives (by pulling it) the sliding element47towards the element38. To allow the pin35to be released, there are also means48for disabling the retaining means42which in the embodiments illustrated comprise a movement rod49connected to the sliding element47by a connecting element inserted in such a way that it passes through a slot50made between the cavity45of the containment block44and its outer surface, and which extends parallel with the direction of movement of the sliding element47.

Finally, to facilitate connection of the labelling device12to the connecting module26, there are also locking means51for locking the sliding element47in the second position, freeing the movement of the coupling element38. In the embodiment the locking means51comprise a bearing grub screw52which is elastically activated, mounted on the plate29and interacting with a recess53made in the movement rod49(FIG. 13).

According to an alternative embodiment and/or one complementing this invention, the machine comprises means54for the controlled movement of each labelling device12along the track17.

Depending on requirements, the movement means54may be connected either to the connecting modules26or, in the absence of the latter, directly to the labelling devices12(which in such a case are directly slidably coupled to the track17). Reference is made below mainly to the case illustrated in which there are connecting modules26, although what is shown also applies for the other case (in which it is as if the connecting modules26were an integral part of the labelling devices12).

Advantageously, the controlled movement means54comprise mechanical meshing between each labelling device12and the main frame2, which, in the preferred embodiments illustrated, is achieved by interposing the connecting modules26. The controlled movement means54comprise the rack25fixed to the main frame •2and a gear wheel55rotatably connected to the connecting module26(in other embodiments the gear wheel55may be connected directly to a labelling device12) and meshing with the rack25.

Advantageously, there are also manual or motor-driven means connected to each connecting module26(or, more generally, to each labelling device12) for making the gear wheel55rotate and consequently producing controlled movement of the device12along the track17. In the embodiments shown inFIGS. 5 and 12the controlled movement means54comprise a motor56connected to the gear wheel55(different types in the two figures), whilst in the embodiment inFIG. 11, the controlled movement means54are manual and comprise a knob57connected to the gear wheel55shaft to make it rotate. Moreover, in all of the embodiments illustrated, there are advantageously reversible fastening means58for selectively enabling and preventing the movement of each device along the track17, advantageously acting on gear wheel55rotation. In the accompanying drawings they comprise a stop which is not visible, which can be operated using a special handle59.

Moreover, in other embodiments not illustrated, the controlled movement means54may be incorporated in the first coupling means27, for example by making the rack25coincide with the track17and the gear wheel55with at least one of the rollers30.

Operation of the machine according to this invention derives immediately from the description of the structure above.

Initially, either as many connecting modules26, if present, as there are labelling devices12, or directly just the labelling devices12are slidably mounted on the track17. Then, either using the movement means54, or with simple sliding along the track17, the connecting modules26or the labelling devices12are brought to the correct angular positions and fastened with the fastening means58.

If connecting modules26are present, the labelling devices12are then fastened to the connecting modules26using the second coupling means28. In particular, with the mobile elements in the first position, the device is moved forward against the supporting frame until the pins35make contact with the mobile elements. Another forward movement causes the pins35to be inserted in the holes and rotation of the mobile element38until it reaches the second position (achieved by pushing the sliding element47towards the second position). When the third projection43passes the sliding element47, the latter return to its first position, locking the mobile element38and guaranteeing device fastening to the connecting module26.

Finally, if necessary, the height of the labelling devices12relative to the carrousel6may be adjusted by acting on the height of the wheels14and of the feet15.

In contrast, when a size change-over is required for the products to be labelled, if the labelling devices12are fastened to the connecting modules26, to move them the operator can simply detach them from the connecting modules26by acting on the second coupling means28(and in particular freeing the mobile element38by means of the movement rod49which is brought into the position in which the bearing grub screw52interferes with the relative recess53), move the connecting modules26to the desired position (by simply sliding them or using the movement means54), then fasten the labelling devices12to the connecting modules26again.

In contrast, in the alternative embodiment which has no connecting modules26, the devices are coupled directly to the track17and their position can be adjusted directly using the movement means54, after disabling the fastening means58.

This invention brings important advantages.

First, both of the embodiments proposed guarantee significant simplicity for precise positioning of the labelling devices along the edge of the carrousel, so that size change-overs can be performed very rapidly and precisely.

Second, both of the embodiments guarantee a high level of versatility for a relatively low cost, thanks to the fact that both the number of labelling devices and the machine dimensions can be minimised.

Moreover, whilst the embodiment which has no connecting modules is particularly suitable for devices with limited weight (which can be moved more easily by the movement means), the embodiment with the connecting modules is also excellent for moving heavy labelling devices.

It should also be noticed that the present invention is relatively easy to produce and that even the cost linked to implementing the invention is not very high.

The invention described above may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

Moreover, all details of the invention may be substituted with other technically equivalent elements and in practice all of the materials used, as well as the shapes and dimensions of the various components, may vary according to requirements.