AU665795B2 - A labeller for self-adhesive labels - Google Patents

Description

p. -v ii 665795 1

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 C3C~LPFEriE SIE'EGI FI GAT IQ~UT

APPLICANT:

NUMBER:

FILING DATE: Invention Title: PETER JAMES O'BRIEN A LABELLER FOR SELF ADHESIVE LABELS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: WP51\JMSPEC\O'BRIEN.CAP\29 January .1993\D1 r L 7 Ki 2 i, Title: A LABELLER FOR SELF ADHESIVE LABELS Field of the Invention: This invention relates to a labeller, which removes self adhesive labels from a backing web, and applies them to a cylindrical product.

B Background of the Invention: In the past, machines of this type for labelling, have been label dispensers that have been adapted by the addition of two rollers i beneath a peel plate a peel plate generally being a flat, thin piece of metal, at i 45 which point the label peels away from the backing web]. One of the rollers was motorised.

The operator would place a cylindrical container to be labelled, on the two rollers.

Depending on the cylinder's diameter, one roller would need to be adjusted toward or away from the other roller in order to raise or lower the container's circumference in relationship to the end of the peel plate (as seen in Figure 6).

Depending on the size of the container, the peel plate had to be adjustable to gauge the appropriate angle for the labels' delivery to the container surface.

An additional third roller, mounted above the end of the peel plate, would be manually brought down to make contact with the ejecting label and the rotating container, in order to rub the label down onto the container surface.

Gravity, humidity and temperature would effect the label as it left its backing material, particularly when thin labels were used, as they would drop or flex onto the container surface necessitating set up adjustments.

In all of these processes the operator had to have an in depth understanding of a cause and effect in the labelling process, for failure to understand any of these oo processes would result in crinkled or damaged labels, or air bubbles under the labels. The entire process was erroneous, time consuming and wasteful in terms .o of production time, lost labels and damaged product.

Among the objects of the invention, it is proposed to avoid the requirement for o adjustment to deal with container size. Furthermore, it is desired to avoid the need to adjust the peel plate. Again, the operation of the labeller should not be affected to a significant amount by gravity, humidity or temperature. Yet again, it is desired to avoid the need for secondary drives, for example, of a roller rotating the container.

This invention seeks to meet the desiderata set out above.

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7 3 Brief Summary of the Invention: This invention, therefore, provides a Slabeller for the application of one or more labels to a cylindrical object which comprises a supply means for a web bearing labels on one side of the web in I longitudinally spaced relationship, the supply means being adapted to deliver the i web to a label stripping means located adjacent a first nip between a first driven j roller and the cylindrical object and take-off means for removing the web from i~ the labeller, wherein one or more labels may be applied by the operation of the K 80 label removing means to the cylindrical object and the labels are flattened as they Spass through the nip.

Brief Description of the Drawings: i Figure 1 relates to a perspective view of the invention.

Figure 2a relates to a plan view of the invention.

Figure 2b relates to a side elevation of the invention.

Figure 3 relates to a perspective view of the tensioner on the machine.

Figure 4 relates to a side view of the relationship of the rollers to the peel plate.

Figure 5 relates to a side view of the relationship of the rollers to the peel plate, on a motorised version of the invention.

Figure 6 relates to a side view of a known labelling system.

Detailed Description of the Invention: Preferably the supply means comprises a support for a roll of web.

Preferably guide means are provided adapted to guide the web to the label stripping means.

Preferably a label stripping means comprises a plate for peeling labels from the web, the plate being located at a selected angle with respect to a common tangent :f o o00 line through a nip.

Preferably the labeller comprises a second driven roller the cylindrical object 0 resting upon both the first and second driven rollers, the take-off means S comprising the second driven roller and an idler roller which form a second nip S. through which the web minus the labels passes.

S Alternatively the labeller comprises a second driven roller the cylindrical object resting upon both the first and second driven rollers, the take-off means comprising a separate, third driven roller and an idler roller which forms a 8:4i second nip through which the web minus the labels passes.

WP51/JM.SPEC/O'BRIEN, CAP/1 February 1995/D2 e I Sr 1 110 4 Preferably there is an adjustable tensioner mounted beneath the label support means and more preferably the tensioner is made of sprung stainless steel.

Preferably an adjustable label gap indicator is mounted to the side of the labeller.

115 Preferably a rubber roller is mounted forward of a label gap indicator.

Preferably a roller with rubber rings affixed, is mounted forward of the rubber Sroller and more preferably this roller is able to be rotated by a handle fastened to j. one end.

Preferably an adjustable idler roller is mounted beneath and against the previous i 120 roller and more preferably, it is made of a high friction material.

Preferably tensioners are mounted on both sides of the machine to apply pressure to the idler roller and more preferably, these tensioners are adjustable.

Preferably an adjustable label indicator is mounted on either side of the machine.

Preferably brackets are fixed to the base of the machine, for attaching the machine S125 to work benches.

In one suitable example, the overall dimensions of the device are: height 100mmn width 190mm length 500mm.

Preferably the major portion of the labeller is of aluminium and/or stainless steel.

130 Turning to Figure 1: Numeral 1 indicates a roller Numeral 2 indicates a roller.

Numeral 3 indicates a tensioner.

Numeral 4 indicates a guide arm.

.0 Numeral 5 indicates a guide arm.

Numeral 6 indicates a thumb screw.

Numeral 7 indicates a label gap indicator.

S Numeral 8 indicates a rubber roller to rub the labels onto the surface of the 'container.

Numeral 9 indicates a peel plate.

S Numeral 10 indicates a drive roller.

Numeral 11 indicates robber rings affixed to drive roller Numeral 12 indicates a handle.

.1.4.5 S' Numeral 13 indicates tensioning bolts.

Numeral 14 indicates a label positioning indicator.

'BRIEN, CAP/1 February 1995/D2

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Numeral 15 indicates a thumb screw.

150 Numeral 16 indicates an idler roller.

Numeral 18 indicates a side plate of the machine.

Numeral 19 indicates locking bolts.

I A roll of labels is placed on rollers 1' and 2. Guide arms 4 and 5 moved to lightly touch each side of the roll of labels. The distance of the roll from the right hand i 155 side of the machine, corresponds to the label height on the container. The labels pass under roller 2, and label tension 3 is used to apply pressure to the back of the label web. Labels pass under rubber roller 8 and then pass up between it and peel Ii plate 9. The backing material passes between drive roller 10 and idler roller 16.

1 Idler roller 16 is tensioned against drive roller 10 by tensioners 13, and locked into it160 i' 0position'by lock bolts 19. Labels are advanced by rotating handle 12 in a clockwise direction. When a label has fully removed itself at the edge of peel plate 9, the rotation of handle 12 is stopped. The label gap indicator 7 is positioned above a gap between the labels and locked in this position by thumb screw 6. To apply a 165 second label to a product, label position indicator 14 is used to orientate the first label affixed to the container and fastened into position by thumb screw Turning to Figure 2a: Numeral 1 indicates a roller.

170 Numeral' 2 indicates a roller.

Numeral 3 indicates a tensioner.

Numeral 4 indicates a guide arm.

Numeral 5 indicates a guide arm.

i g Numeral 6 indicates a thumb screw.

75 Numeral 7 indicates a label gap indicator.

Numeral 8 indicates a rubber roller to rub the labels onto the surface of the o ie S. container.

SNumeral 9 indicates a peel plate.

:i:180 Numeral 10 indicates a drive roller.

Numeral 11 indicates rubber rings affixed to drive roller Numeral 12 indicates a handle.

Numeral 13 indicates tensioning bolts.

Numeral 14 indicates a label positioning indicator.

1 85 Numeral' 15 indicates a thumb screw.

WP51/JM.SPEC/O'BRIEN, CAP/1 February 1995/D2 i m I -i i 6 Numeral 16 indicates an idler roller.

i Numeral 17 indicates brackets to affix the machine to work benches.

i Numeral 19 indicates locking bolts.

190 Numeral 19a indicates one of a number of bolts.

A roll of labels is placed on rollers 1 and 2. Guide arms 4 and 5 are moved to lightly touch each side of the roll of labels. The distance of the roll form the right hand side of the machine, corresponds to the label height on the container. The labels pass under roller 2, and label tensioner 3 is used to apply p;essure to the 195 Sback of the label web. Labels pass under rubber roller 8 and then pass up between it and peel plate 9. The backing material passes between drive roller 10 and idler roller 16. Idler 16 is tensioned against drive roller 10 by tensioners 13, and locked i into position by lock bolts 19. Labels are advanced by rotating handle 12 in a clock 200 wise direction. When a label has fully removed itself at the edge of peel plate 9, the rotation of handle 12 is stopped. The label gap indicator 7 is positioned above a gap between the labels and locked in this position by thumb screw 6. To apply a second label to a product, label position indicator 14 is used to orientate the first label affixed to the container and fastened into position by thumb screw 205 Turning to Figure 2b: Numeral 4 indicates a guide arm.

Numeral 7 indicates a label gap indicator.

Numeral 8 indicates a rubber roller to rub the labels onto the surface of the container.

1, 210 Numeral 11 indicates rubber rings affixed to drive roller Numeral 12 indicates a handle.

Numeral 13 indicates tensioning bolts.

Numeral 14 indicates a label positioning indicator.

3 •0 Numeral 19 indicates locking bolts.

Numeral 19a indicates one of a number of bolts.

Numeral 19b indicates a cut away section of the side plate.

In Figure 2b numeral 19b shows a cut away section of the side panel the purpose of which is to allow longer cylindrical products to protrude over the edge of the labeller while being labelled.

Turning to Figure 3: /O'BRIEN, CAP/1 February 1995/D2 r i7 S 225 Numeral 20 indicates the side plate of the machine.

Numeral 21 indicates a shaft.

Numeral 22 indicates a tensioner.

Numeral 23 indicates a locking screw.

Tension is applied to the label web by rotating 22 on shaft 21, so that the label web 230 230 is pressed against a roller and locked into the selected position with locking screw 23.

i In figures 4 and 5, numerals in brackets indicate parallel numerals in Figures 1,2a,2b, 3 and 4.

235 Turning to Figure 4: SNumeral 30 indicates labels on a backing web.

!Numeral 31 indicates a rubber roller to rub the labels onto the surface of the Scontainer.

Numeral 32 [10] indicates a drive roller with rings affixed.

240 Numeral 33 [91 indicates a peel plate.

Numeral 34 indicates a cylindrical container with a diameter range of between and 120mm.

Numeral 35 indicates the backing material with labels removed and its direction.

Numeral 36 indicates the direction that roller 32 turns.

245 Numeral 37 indicates the direction that roller 31 turns.

Numeral 38 [16] indicates an adjustable idler roller. 4 Figure 4 illustrates the unique relationship of drive roller 32 to rubber roller 31, and peel plate 33. Drive roller 32 is in contact with idler roller 38, between which i the backing material passes. As drive roller 32 is rotated, it draws the backing 250 material 35 over the peel plate 33, removing the labels 30 at this point. At the same time drive roller 32 rotates container 34, ensuring that the speed of the label I and the container are exactly the same.

i: Turning to Figure 5 Numeral 40 indicates labels on a backing web.

Numeral 41 indicates a rubber roller to rub the labels onto the surface of the container.

S" Numeral 42 [10] indicates a drive roller with rings affixed.

S Numeral 43 indicates a drive roller with rings affixed.

P1/JM.SPEC/O'BRIEN, CAP/1 February 1995/D2 W t L L IT 260 8 Numeral.44 indicates a peel plate.

Numeral 45 indicates a container with a diameter range of between 50mm and 120mm.

265 Numeral 46 indicates an idler shaft.

Numeral 47 indicates the direction that roller 41 rotates.

Numeral 48 indicates the direction that roller 42 rotates.

Numeral 49 indicates the direction that roller 43 rotates.

Numeral 50 indicates the backing material.

270 Numeral 51 [16] indicates an adjustable idler roller.

iDrive roller 42 is motorised and rotates container 45 to be labelled. An electric clutch engages roller 33, which is then geared directly to roller 43 in a 1:1 ratio.

Roller 43 is in contact with an adjustable idler roller 51 between which the backing material 50 passes. When engaged roller 43 draws the backing material 275 50 over the end of the peel plate 44, releasing the labels 40. When a label has been applied a signal, for example from a micro switch, is sent to disengage the clutch, and consequently roller 43. This allows the container to freely turn so that a second label may be applied if required. This can be done by sending a timed Ssignal for the clutch to re engage roller 43. To lessen the force needed to motorise 280 this labeller, an idler shaft 46 has been added beneath roller 41 to free the path of the labels 40 and backing material Turning to Figure 6: Numeral 60 indicates the peel plate of a known labelling system.

~285 Numeral 61 indicates a label.

S Numeral 62 indicates the backing material.

Numeral 63 indicates a rubber roller.

Numeral 64 indicates the direction of rubber roller 63.

i Numeral 65 indicates container to be labelled.

290 Numeral. 66 indicates an adjustable roller.

Numeral 67 indicates a drive roller.

Numeral 68 indicates direction that roller 66 can be adjusted.

Numeral 69 indicates direction that roller 67 rotates.

Numeral 70 indicates direction that roller 66 rotates.

In this embodiment of a known labeller, roller 66 is adjusted as indicated by 68, toward or away from roller 67. This adjustment raises or lowers container 65, in WP51I/JM.SPEC/O'BRIEN, CAP/1 February 1995/D2 9 3OO relation to the peel plate 60. Labels 61 are removed from the backing material 62 by being drawn around the edge of peel plate 60. Rubber roller 63 which rubs the labels down, is moved in direction 64.

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Ir i a 1 f r I t a WP51/JM.SPEC/O'BRIEN, CAP/I February 1995/D2

Claims (5)

1. 3. A labeller as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein guide means are provided adapted to guide the web to the label stripping means. 320
2. 4. A labeller as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the label stripping means comprises a plate for peeling the labels from the web, the plate being located at a selected angle with respect to the common tangent line through the first nip. 325 A labeller as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, which comprises a second 00.. driven roller, the cylindrical object resting upon both the first and second S"o :0 driven rollers, the take-off means comprising the second driven roller and an idler roller which form a second nip through which the web minus the 3 30 labels passes. o 0
3. 6. A labeller as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, which comprises a second i' driven roller, the cylindrical object resting upon both the first and second driven rollers, the take-off means comprising a separate, third driven 5 «roller and an idler roller which forms a second nip through which the web minus the labels passes.
4. 7. A labeller as claimed in claim 1 substantially as described with reference to Figures 1,2a,2b,3 and 4. /JM.SPEC/O'BRIEN, CAP/1 February 1995/D2 S= 3 4
5. 8. A. labeller claimed in claim 1 substantially as described with reference to Figures 1,2a,2b, 3 and 4 44 44 4 4 4 4 9 4 4 4* 4 44 P EC/O'BRIEN, CAP/i February 1995/D2 345DATED ihis 2nd day of February, 1995. PETER JAMES O'BRIEN by His Patent Attorney JAMES MURRAY CO. l/jM.SPEC/O'BRIEN, CAP/i February 1995/D2 "a N) Q$v wimmimumm I Abstract. A labeller for the application of one or more labels, from a web bearing the labels in longitudinal relationship, to a cylindrical object [34, 45] is provided with a label removing means [33, 44] located close to the nip between the cylindrical object and a driven roller [37, 47]. 0 a 0I o 0 0 0 o o o o 0 0 i o 0 0 o o O 0 e a G 0 0)0 a t l t O o o y s