Patent ID: 12214926

With reference to the figures, the labeling machine according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral1, comprises a conveyor2of the containers3to be labeled along an advancement path3a.

Such conveyor2is, for example, constituted by a rotating carousel2awhich rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow100, which has, on its peripheral region, rotating pans2beach of which supports an individual container3, making it rotate about its own axis.

The machine is, furthermore, provided with at least one labeling unit4which is arranged along the advancement path3aof the containers3.

The (or each) labeling unit4has a respective transfer drum5, which can move by rotation about its own axis5awith respect to a supporting base6.

In particular, the transfer drum5of the (or each) labeling unit4is designed to receive, in adhesion to its lateral surface, labels8from a feeder unit7, at a feeding station9, which are to be applied to the containers3, and to transfer the labels8received at the feeding station9to respective containers3that arrive from the conveyor2at a transfer station10which is angularly spaced apart from the feeding station9about the axis5aof that transfer drum.

It is possible for the feeder unit7to be designed to feed the transfer drum5with a continuous labeling ribbon11, which bears in succession the labels8to be transferred to the containers3, and which is taken from a spool110, while another, reserve spool111can be provided, on the same labeling unit4, ready to supply, in a manner that is known per se, a new labeling ribbon11when the spool110runs out.

In such case, the transfer drum5is, conveniently, provided with means for cutting the labeling ribbon11which are constituted by, for example, one or more blades12distributed about the perimeter of the transfer drum5and supported by that transfer drum, which cut the single labels8from the labeling ribbon11.

Also in this case, the feeder unit7can be, for example, provided via a pair of contra-rotating feeding rollers13aand13b.

Alternatively, as in the case of the embodiment of the invention shown inFIG.8, the labeling ribbon11can arrive at the transfer drum5already cut by a cutting roller30, interposed between the feeder unit7and the transfer drum5, so that the transfer drum5is fed by individual labels8separated from the labeling ribbon11.

The labeling ribbon11can be previously provided with portions of preapplied adhesive at the head and at the tail of each individual label8. Otherwise, as in the embodiment ofFIG.8, the machine can be provided with means of application of the adhesive on the labels8which can, for example, comprise an adhesive applicator roller31, which can be arranged facing the transfer drum5.

Advantageously, as is usual, in order to keep the labeling ribbon11and/or of the labels8in adherence to the lateral surface of the transfer drum5, the transfer drum5is provided, on its lateral surface, with openings that are connected to air extraction means, as will also be described below.

On the lateral surface of the transfer drum5, furthermore, at least one sector14is defined which extends along at least one portion of the circumferential extension of the lateral surface of the transfer drum5and is designed to accommodate, in each instance, a single label8to be transferred to the corresponding container3.

According to the invention, at least one portion14aof the sector14is rotatably movable, with respect to the remaining part of the transfer drum5, about an oscillation axis15a, which is substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the axis5aof the transfer drum5, in order to pass from a label receiving position, it which it is arranged at a first radial distance from the axis5aof the transfer drum5, to a transfer position, in which it is arranged, with at least one part thereof, at a second radial distance from the axis5aof the transfer drum5, greater than the first distance, and vice versa.

In particular, the rotatably movable portion14aof the sector14is in the receiving position, at least when it is passing by the feeding station9, during the rotation of the transfer drum5about its own axis5a, while it is in the transfer position, at least when it is passing, again during rotation of the transfer drum5about its own axis5a, by the transfer station10.

Advantageously, there are actuation means16adapted to actuate the transition of the rotatably movable portion14aof the sector14between the receiving position and the transfer position.

In particular, the actuation means16are, conveniently, adapted to bring the rotatably movable portion14aof the sector14from the receiving position to the transfer position, before the portion14reaches the transfer station10in its movement from the feeding station9to the transfer station10, during the rotation of the transfer drum5, and they are, advantageously, adapted to bring the rotatably movable portion14aof the sector14from the transfer position to the receiving position, before the portion14areaches the feeding station9in its movement from the transfer station10to the feeding station9, during the rotation of the transfer drum5.

In more detail, the transfer drum5comprises a base structure17, mounted so that it can rotate on the supporting base6, which supports at least one shell-like body18which defines at least one part of the sector14, while the rotatably movable portion14aof the sector14is provided by an oscillating body19, which is hinged with respect to the base structure17about the oscillation axis15a, conveniently at a region of the base structure17that is proximate to the lateral surface of the transfer drum5.

Conveniently, the oscillating body19extends for at least one portion of the circumferential extension of the sector14and has an external surface shaped so as to correspond to the remaining part of the lateral surface of the transfer drum5and, in particular, of the sector14.

Advantageously, the oscillating body19is arranged, when it is in the receiving position, substantially aligned, with its external surface, to the remaining part of the lateral surface of the transfer drum5i.e. of the sector14, so that there are no points of discontinuity on the lateral surface of the transfer drum5.

Advantageously, the oscillating body19is hinged with respect to the base structure17substantially at an end19aof its extension that is arranged at the rear with respect to the direction of rotation of the transfer drum5, so as to obtain the capacity for angular movement, about the oscillation axis15a, of its opposite end19b, located at the front, with respect to the direction of rotation of the transfer drum5, on which the head end of the labels8substantially comes to be positioned, toward or away from the axis5aof the transfer drum5and, more particularly, toward or away from the remaining part of the lateral surface of the transfer drum5.

Optionally, the transfer drum5can be provided with multiple sectors14distributed along the circumferential extension of the lateral surface of the transfer drum5, each one of which is designed to receive and accommodate, in each instance, a single label8to be transferred to the corresponding containers3. In this case, each sector14has at least one respective portion14athat is rotatably movable with respect to the remaining part of the transfer drum5, about a respective oscillation axis15a, between the receiving position and the transfer position, and conveniently implemented by a respective oscillating body19.

FIGS.9-12show an embodiment of a shell-like body18that makes it possible to provide a sector14of the transfer drum5.

In particular, with reference to such embodiment, each shell-like body18has a convex external surface18a, which defines, with the external surface18aof the other shell-like bodies18of the transfer drum5, the lateral surface of the transfer drum.

Again with reference to the embodiment ofFIGS.9-12, each shell-like body18is, conveniently, provided with means for fixing to the base structure17of the transfer drum5, which are provided, advantageously, by screws, which can be maneuvered, for example, using wing nuts25or other, similar elements that are easily accessible for a convenient mounting and dismounting of the shell-like body18onto and from the transfer drum5.

Conveniently, each shell-like body18is further provided, at least in the region of its external surface18athat is intended to receive the labels8, with intake ports27, connected to connectors27a, defined on the end wall of the shell-like body18, which constitutes the contact surface of the shell-like body18with the base structure17of the transfer drum5, in order to allow the connection of the intake ports27to a vacuum source, not shown, so as to ensure, in a manner that is known per se, that the labels8are maintained in adhesion on its outer surface18a.

In the embodiment ofFIGS.9-12, an oscillating body19is hinged to the shell-like body18and defines a part of the region of the external surface of the shell-like body18that is destined to receive the labels8.

According to the embodiment ofFIGS.1,2and3, the actuation means16comprise a fluid-operated cylinder20which acts between the oscillating body19and the base structure17of the transfer drum5.

In particular, the fluid-operated cylinder20is hinged, with its stein20a, to the end19bof the oscillating body19.

For example, the fluid-operated cylinder20is supplied with its process fluid through one or more connection couplings26present on the shell-like body18to which the corresponding oscillating body19is hinged.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS.4-6, the actuation means16are provided by a cam assembly that comprises a cam-like profile21, fixed with respect to the supporting base6, which is arranged conveniently inside the diameter of the transfer drum5, in a position facing substantially the portion of the lateral surface of the transfer drum5that is directed toward the conveyor2.

In particular, the oscillating body19is integrally associated with an abutment element22constituted, for example, by a wheel, which acts, in practice, as a tappet of the cam assembly and which slideably engages the cam-like profile21, during the rotation of the transfer drum5about its own axis5a.

Conveniently, there are also elastic means23constituted, for example, by a helical spring connected, at one end, to a first engagement element24athat is integral with the abutment element22and, at the other end, to a second engagement element24bthat rotates integrally with the transfer drum5, which make it possible to keep the abutment element22in contact with the cam-like profile21.

The cam-like profile21is, advantageously, shaped according to a first inclined portion21a, arranged upstream of the transfer station with respect to the direction of rotation of the transfer drum5, and a portion with a circular arc progression21b, substantially concentric with respect to the lateral surface of the transfer drum5.

The first inclined portion21aextends progressively farther from the axis5aof the transfer drum5, proceeding along the direction of rotation of the transfer drum5, so that the sliding of the abutment element22along the first inclined portion21aproduces the transition of the oscillating body19from the receiving position to the transfer position, while the portion with a circular arc progression21bmakes it possible, following its engagement by the abutment element22, for the oscillating body19to be maintained in the transfer position.

Also along the cam-like profile21, at a certain distance downstream of the transfer station10, with respect to the direction of rotation of the transfer drum5, there is a second inclined portion21c, which extends progressively closer to the axis5aof the transfer drum5, so that, following its engagement by the abutment element22, the oscillating body19can pass, under the action of the elastic means23, from the transfer position to the receiving position.

Conveniently, substantially at the second inclined portion21c, there can be, outside and in a position directed toward the lateral surface of the transfer drum5, a counter-cam24, fixed to the base structure6, which is slideably engaged by the abutment element22, so as to cause, in cooperation with the elastic means23, the transition of the oscillating body19from the transfer position to the receiving position.

It should be noted that, conveniently, as shown schematically inFIG.7, on the machine at least two labeling units can be arranged along the advancement path3aof the containers3, which are respectively constituted by at least one first labeling unit4aand by at least one second labeling unit4b, which is arranged downstream of the first labeling unit4aalong the direction of advancement of the containers3along the advancement path3a, each labeling unit having a respective transfer drum5and both labeling units being adapted to apply the labels8in tandem to respective containers3that arrive from the conveyor2.

More specifically, the transfer drum5of the first labeling unit4ais designed to transfer, at the corresponding transfer station10, the labels8received at the corresponding feeding station9to each first container3that arrives from the conveyor5, while the transfer drum5of the second labeling unit4bis designed to transfer, at the corresponding transfer station10, the labels8received at the corresponding feeding station9to each second container3that arrives from the conveyor2.

Conveniently, the advancement motion of the containers3on the conveyor2and the rotation of the transfer drums5of the labeling units4a,4bare synchronized so that, when the rotatably movable portion14aand, more specifically, the oscillating body19of a sector14of the transfer drum5of one of the labeling units4a,4breaches the corresponding transfer station10with its front end19b, with the oscillating body itself already in the transfer position, so that the head end of its label8can come into contact with the surface of a corresponding container3to be labeled, the tail portion of the same label8, which is positioned proximate to the pivot point of the oscillating body19, is in a position facing, but spaced apart from, the subsequent container3in transit on the conveyor2, destined to be labeled by the other labeling unit4a,4b.

The operation of the machine according to the invention is the following.

The transfer drum5of each labeling unit4a,4breceives, at the corresponding feeding station9, the labeling ribbon11from the feeder unit7on a sector14of its lateral surface, which presents the corresponding oscillating body19in the receiving position.

The labeling ribbon11is then cut and the label8thus obtained continues the movement approaching the transfer station10, while remaining in adherence to the oscillating body19of the corresponding sector14.

Before the oscillating body19with the label8adhering to it reaches the transfer station10, the actuation means16cause the transition of the oscillating body19from the receiving position to the transfer position.

In this manner, the head of the label8adhering to the oscillating body19is moved away from the axis5aof the transfer drum5, and consequently brought near to the container3for which it is intended, arriving at the transfer station10, while its tail remains nearer to the remaining part of the lateral surface of the transfer drum5, so as to be kept spaced apart from the other containers3in transit on the conveyor2, which are not to be labeled by the corresponding labeling unit4a,4b.

Once the oscillating body19has passed the transfer station10and in any case before it reaches the feeding station9again, the actuation means16return the oscillating body19from the transfer position to the receiving position, so that it is ready to receive a new label8for the next container3that the corresponding labeling unit4a,4bis called on to label.

In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a labeling machine in which variations of the radius of the lateral surface of the transfer drum, i.e. protrusions and recesses thereof, are not fixed on the lateral surface of the transfer drum, as is the case in traditional transfer drums provided with pads on their peripheral region, but are generated by an outward angular movement of at least one portion of the individual sectors or divisions of the transfer drum, which takes place only once the label has been cut and, therefore, after any step of slipping of the labeling ribbon and, in any case, before or just before the application of the label to the corresponding container.

In this manner, the slipping of the labeling ribbon on the transfer drum occurs on a uniform surface and not on a surface characterized by protrusions and recesses.

To this it can be added that, with respect to the known art, the invention makes possible a reduction in the extent of slipping of the labeling ribbon on the lateral surface of the transfer drum thanks to the capacity to increase the number of sectors or divisions along the perimetric extension of the transfer drum.

In fact, the possibility of angular movement of at least some portions of the individual sectors makes it possible to reduce the space between one label and the next in front of the containers transiting on the corresponding conveyor, with respect to the known art.

Another advantage of the invention is that the portion of each sector of the transfer drum that protrudes by oscillating about an oscillation axis distorts the position of the label to a lesser extent than in existing solutions, with consequent improvement of the quality of the final labeling of the containers.

A further important advantage of the invention is that it makes it possible to positively achieve the labeling of the containers even if the spacing, i.e. the distance, between one container and the next on the conveyor is extremely reduced, in that, by virtue of the capacity for angular movement of portions of the sectors of the transfer drum, it is possible to ensure the labels come into contact only with the containers for which they are intended.

Another important advantage of the invention is that it makes it possible to positively carry out labeling even of containers of various shapes, such as, in particular, containers that in transverse cross-section have a shape other than circular, such as, for example, containers that are polygonal or elliptical in cross-section, or, more generally, containers that have a lateral surface that presents variations of its distance from the axis of that container.

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

In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102020000000400 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.