AU2006202169A1 - An improved label applicator - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT AN IMPROVED LABEL APPLICATOR The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me: AN IMPROVED LABEL APPLICATOR TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to label applicator machines such as are used

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for rapid, high volume automated labeling of articles.

BACKGROUND

Any reference to prior art in the following description is not to be taken to imply that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Labels such as stickers are often applied to fruit and vegetables prior to sale.

The labels are printed with an identifier which corresponds to the type of fruit to which the label is applied. These labels are typically used to assist checkout operators with identifying the type of fruit during purchasing.

Figure 1 depicts a portion of a labeling machine similar to one presently available to the public. The machine shown in Figure 1 directs a backing tape 4, that carries adhesive labels from a supply spool, (not shown), about a peel plate 43 by means of a number of rollers 30-41. The empty backing tape is then fed over guide roller 41 to a take up spool, (not shown). The backing tape's progress about peel plate 43, and guide rollers 30, 35, 37 and 41, is due to the rotation of drive roller 59 in cooperation with pressure rollers 33 and 39. The sharp angle of the peel plate causes label 47 to detach from backing tape 4. Reattachment of label 47 is prevented by virtue of a curtain of air 51 induced by blowing an air stream 63 through an air inlet pipe 49 that is mounted within an air amplifier 55. By blowing sufficient air through inlet 49 label 47 is held against the perforated underside 53 of air amplifier 55. The label is held until an object 57, to be labeled, is positioned beneath air amplifier 55. Once object 57 is suitably positioned a blast of air 65, induced by air current 61 into the control inlet of air amplifier 55, forces label 47 down onto article 57.

One problem that arises with the arrangement shown in Figure 1 is that air stream 63 must be relatively substantial in order that air curtain 51 is sufficient to hold the label against the underside 53 of air amplifier 55. It would be desirable if the volume of pressurized air required to hold label 47 to the underside of air amplifier 53 were reduced as far as possible. One reason for this is that less power would be consumed in the operation of the machine.

Furthermore, the size, and hence the cost of the air pump required to power the machine might also be reduced.

A further problem is that the skirt portion 54 of air amplifier 55 may require modification to accommodate air inlet 49. Such modification adds to manufacturing costs.

Another problem associated with the arrangement of Figure 1 is that the distance between the edge of peel plate 43 and the underside 53 of air amplifier 55 must be to within a small tolerance in order for the detachment of the labels, and hence their transfer to the air amplifier, to predictably occur.

Locating the peel plate to within the required tolerance is a relatively time consuming step during the manufacture of the machines.

Furthermore, during operation of the machine adhesive from the labels accumulates between the peel plate and the bottom edge of the air amplifier.

In time the build up of adhesive causes the machine to clog and require servicing, which is an added expense.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved labeling machine that addresses one or more of the above problems, or which at least constitutes a useful alternative to presently available labeling machines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a labeling apparatus including: IDan eject air amplifier to eject labels onto an article for labeling; and 0 C)an air inlet pipe located within the eject air amplifier and including an air inlet located proximal an outlet port of the eject air amplifier for holding labels to be ejected.

r1-, Preferably the apparatus further includes a source of low air pressure coupled to an end of the air inlet pipe remote from the air inlet. Alternatively, the air inlet pipe could be attached to a permanent source of low air pressure at its installation site.

.CO The source of low air pressure preferably includes a hold air amplifier.

Alternatively, the source of low air pressure may be provided in the form of a vacuum pump.

The hold air amplifier is preferably located within a footprint of the eject air amplifier.

Preferably the air inlet pipe and the hold air amplifier are located concentrically with the eject air amplifier in order to provide a compact arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment the outlet port of the eject air amplifier is at least partially covered by an air porous, or perforated, web.

Preferably the air porous, or perforated, web comprises a mesh.

Preferably he air inlet is located adjacent the air porous, or perforated, web on a side of said web opposite the label in use.

In a preferred embodiment the labeling apparatus further includes: a peel plate for assisting in the transfer of labels from a backing tape to a holding position relative to the air inlet.

An end of the peel plate toward a label ejection location of the labeling apparatus may be biased towards a stop so that said end of the peel plate is located to assist in the delivery of labels to the ejection location.

The peel plate may be biased by means including a pivot attachment to a chassis of the labeling apparatus.

The stop may comprise a roller or a fixed member such as a post.

In one embodiment the stop comprises a portion of the eject air amplifier.

The biasing means may further include a spring terminating on a point fast with the peel plate.

Alternatively, the peel plate is comprised of a springy material so that it is self biasing towards the stop.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a labeling apparatus including: a peel plate for assisting in the transfer of labels from a backing tape to a holding position relative to the air inlet; wherein an end of the peel plate toward a label ejection location of the labeling apparatus is biased towards a stop so that said end of the peel plate is located to assist in the delivery of labels to an ejection location of said apparatus.

The peel plate is preferably biased by means including a pivot attachment to a chassis of the labeling apparatus.

The stop may comprise a roller or a fixed member such as a post.

In one embodiment the stop comprises a portion of the eject air amplifier.

In a preferred embodiment the biasing means further includes a spring terminating on a point fast with the peel plate.

The peel plate may be comprised of a springy material so that it is self biasing towards the stop.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: Figure 1 is a diagram of a portion of a prior art labeling machine.

Figure 2 is a diagram of a portion of a labeling machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the labeling machine of Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 2 depicts various mechanisms of a labeling machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The labeling machine includes a chassis 10 to which various components, including guide rollers 17, and 13 are mounted. The guide rollers guide label tape 4 from a supply reel (not shown) about a peel plate 6 and ultimately onto a take up reel (not shown). A photovoltaic sensor 11 is situated in the path of the tape and generates a signal as each label passes it. Peel plate 6 pivots about pin 18, fast with chassis 10, and is biased by spring 25 so that its free end is forced towards a stop provided in the form of roller 19.

An applicator head 5 is provided in the form of an assembly including a label eject air amplifier 7 and a label hold air amplifier 8, each oppositely orientated Srelative to the other as shown. From the air intake port of hold air amplifier 8 San air inlet pipe 9 extends down to an air-porous web in the form of a mesh 23. Mesh 23 is fitted across the lower extent of air amplifier 7, being the air C outlet port of said amplifier. Air inlet pipe 9 terminates in an air inlet 31 t' 5 located on, or a little above, the mesh.

It will be noted that in order to provide a relatively compact arrangement the _hold air amplifier is located within a footprint, indicated by phantom vertical lines, of the eject air amplifier. Hold air amplifier 8 is controlled by application of air through pipe 27 into its control port. Similarly, eject air amplifier 7 is 0controlled by application of air through pipe 29 into its control port.

Articles to be labeled, such as punnet 1 are transported past applicator head by means of an endless belt 21. A second photovoltaic sensor 2 generates a signal to indicate the passage of each article.

Figure 3 is a block diagram depicting a number of functional blocks of the labeling machine. A controller in the form of microprocessor 50 executes a software program stored in memory 52 in order to monitor and control the labeling machine's various peripheral actuators and sensors via suitable interface circuitry 64. In particular, microprocessor 50 is able to advance conveyor 21 by means of conveyor transport system 58 and sense the passage of articles on the conveyor by means of photovoltaic sensor 2.

Similarly, microprocessor 50 is able to advance label tape 4 by means of tape transport system 60 and sense the advance of a label past photovoltaic cell 11. In response to the advance of a label microprocessor 50 operates air supply 54 in order to drive air through pipe 27 into the control port of hold air amplifier 8. Air amplifier 8 then causes a flow of air through pipe 9 to suck label 3 up against mesh 23 so that it is correctly located for subsequent ejection.

Upon processor 50 receiving a signal from photovoltaic sensor 2 indicating the correct positioning of punnet 1 the processor operates air supply 54 to turn off hold air amplifier 8. As the hold air amplifier is turned off air is directed through pipe 29 into the control port of eject air amplifier 7. Consequently a blast of air is directed out of the eject air amplifier 7 thereby projecting label 3 onto punnet 1 where it adheres.

As labels pass between the free end of peel plate 6 and roller 19 adhesive may accumulate about roller 19. Since peel plate 6 is not fixed, but rather is free to pivot about pin 18, subject to the biasing action of spring 25, the free end of peel plate 6 is able to descend as necessary without passage of the labels being blocked by detritus such as accumulated adhesive.

Variations and other embodiments of the invention are quite possible. For example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that hold air amplifier 8 might be replaced by another suitable means for applying low air pressure to an end of pipe 9 at a point remote from air inlet 31. Furthermore, although the air inlet point and eject air amplifier are shown concentrically located relative to the eject air amplifier in Figure 2, they could be offset from the axis of the eject air amplifier. Similarly, in less preferred embodiments of the invention mesh 23 might only partially cover the outlet port of eject air amplifier 7.

Indeed, it may be possible to do away with the mesh entirely in some embodiments.

In the embodiment described with reference to Figure 2, the free end of peel plate 6 is biased against a roller 19. In less preferred embodiments the free end of the peel plate may instead be biased against a fixed post, in place of the roller, or even against the lower edge of eject air amplifier 7. Furthermore, the biasing means does not necessarily have to comprise spring 25 as shown in Figure 2, rather the peel plate might be made of a springy material such as sprung steel so that it is self-biasing.

It will then be realised that in compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

8 It is also to be understood that in the present specification and claims, the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (23)

1. A labeling apparatus including: an eject air amplifier to eject labels onto an article for labeling; and an air inlet pipe located within the eject air amplifier and including an air inlet located proximal an outlet port of the eject air amplifier for holding labels to be ejected. IND

2. A labeling apparatus according to claim 1, further including a source of IND low air pressure coupled to an end of the air inlet pipe remote from the air inlet.

3. A labeling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the source of low air pressure includes a hold air amplifier.

4. A labeling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the source of low pressure is provided in the form of a vacuum pump.

A labeling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the hold air amplifier is located within a footprint of the eject air amplifier.

6. A labeling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air inlet pipe and the hold air amplifier are located concentrically with the eject air amplifier.

7. A labeling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outlet port of the eject air amplifier is at least partially covered by an air porous, or perforated, web.

8. A labeling apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the air porous, or perforated, web comprises a mesh.

9. A labeling apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the air inlet is located adjacent the air porous, or perforated, web on a side of said web opposite the label in use.

A labeling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further including: a peel plate for assisting in the transfer of labels from a backing tape to a holding position relative to the air inlet.

11. A labeling apparatus according to claim 10, wherein an end of the peel plate toward a label ejection location of the labeling apparatus is biased towards a stop so that said end of the peel plate is located to assist in the delivery of labels to the ejection location.

12. A label apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the peel plate is biased by means including a pivot attachment to a chassis of the labeling apparatus.

13. A labeling apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the stop comprises a roller or a fixed member such as a post.

14. A labeling apparatus according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the stop comprises a portion of the eject air amplifier.

A labeling apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the biasing means further includes a spring terminating on a point fast with the peel plate.

16. A labeling apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the peel plate is comprised of a springy material so that it is self biasing towards the stop.

17. A labeling apparatus including: a peel plate for assisting in the transfer of labels from a backing tape to a holding position relative to the air inlet; wherein an end of the peel plate toward a label ejection location of the labeling apparatus is biased towards a stop so that said end of the peel plate is located to assist in the delivery of labels to an ejection location of said apparatus.

18. A label apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the peel plate is biased by means including a pivot attachment to a chassis of the labeling apparatus.

19. A labeling apparatus according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the stop comprises a roller or a fixed member such as a post.

A labeling apparatus according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the stop comprises a portion of the eject air amplifier.

21. A labeling apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the biasing means further includes a spring terminating on a point fast with the peel plate.

22. A labeling apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the peel plate is comprised of a springy material so that it is self biasing towards the stop.

23. A labeling apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to Figure 2. Dated this 2 3 rd day of May 2006 DAVID BARTLETT by my attorneys Eagar Buck Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys