CA2023903A1 - Apparatus and method of printing labels for use in a labeling machine - Google Patents
Apparatus and method of printing labels for use in a labeling machineInfo
- Publication number
- CA2023903A1 CA2023903A1 CA002023903A CA2023903A CA2023903A1 CA 2023903 A1 CA2023903 A1 CA 2023903A1 CA 002023903 A CA002023903 A CA 002023903A CA 2023903 A CA2023903 A CA 2023903A CA 2023903 A1 CA2023903 A1 CA 2023903A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- inking
- ribbon
- inking roller
- roller
- ink
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000002372 labelling Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 40
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 11
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000976 ink Substances 0.000 description 56
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007547 defect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000314 lubricant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001050 lubricating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003534 oscillatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010408 sweeping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001360 synchronised effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
- B65C9/46—Applying date marks, code marks, or the like, to the label during labelling
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F31/00—Inking arrangements or devices
- B41F31/16—Continuous, e.g. endless, band apparatus
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41K—STAMPS; STAMPING OR NUMBERING APPARATUS OR DEVICES
- B41K3/00—Apparatus for stamping articles having integral means for supporting the articles to be stamped
- B41K3/54—Inking devices
- B41K3/58—Inking devices using ink ribbons, ink sheets, or carbon tape or paper
Landscapes
- Impression-Transfer Materials And Handling Thereof (AREA)
- Labeling Devices (AREA)
- Inking, Control Or Cleaning Of Printing Machines (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure In a device for printing labels for use in a labeling machine with a stamping head carrying type and an inking roller on which a ribbon carrying ink runs, the drive of the inking ribbon is accomplished with a separate auxiliary motor that is independent of the main motor which drives the labeling machine and the inking roller. Thus, when the inking roller is at rest, for example, as when the labeling machine has undergone an emergency stop, the inking ribbon can continue to be driven to be refreshed with ink so that the ink on the ribbon will not be dry and there will be fresh ink on the inking roller so label printing can start immediately and good legible labels will be produced concurrently with restarting the labeling machine.
Description
u7 ~ ~fi ~
~ 1 --APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PP~INTING I~BELS
FOR USE IN A I~BELING ~CHINE:
Background of_the Invention The invention disclosed herein pertains generally to printing labels in preparation for applying them to articles such as bottles or cans and, in particular, to the apparatus and method for applying ink to the ink roller which transfers ink to the type on a label stamping head. The invention solves the problem resulting from ~he ink drying on the ink coated ribbon which transfers ink to the inking roller when the printing operation is suspended for a period of time such as occurs when the labeling machine has made an emergency or other stop.
In German Patent DE-PS 35 30 352 an inking system is described wherein the inking ribbon which translates through an ink reservoir translates in the same direction as does the inking roller and in synchronism therewith. The lineal speed of the tape is considerably lower than the peripheral speed of the inking roller. Even at high capacities and unfavorable operating conditions, this device operates in a satisfactory manner. However, when the labeling machine remains inactive for a period of time, the ink dries on that part of the inking rlbbon which is in - 2 - 2 ~
the open zone between the level of the ink in the reservoir and the point in which the inking ribbon contacts the inking roller. Drying of the ink is particularly problematical with the use of quick drying, solvent free printing inks. If the labeling machine is occupied by articles such as bottles or cans in readiness for being labeled at the time the machinery makes an emergency stop, drying of the ink can result in no printing or defective printing of the labels on the first few bottles which run through the machine when its operation resumes. Defective printing persists until a freshly ink wetted part of the ribbon comes into contact with the inking rollers.
The articles to be labeled and which have defective labels must then be sorted out manually or automatically.
In another known device described in European patent application EP-OS 268 079 the inking ribbon translates vertically and transversely to the circumference of the inking roller. In this case, the inking ribbon is always driven synchronously with the inking roller by means of a main motor which may also drive the labeling machine. In this patent, there is a guide plate provided in the relatively small area of revolution of the inking ribbon between the ink reservoir and the inking roller. ThiS contributes to prevent drying of the ink on the ribbon so that when the machine is not operating for a short time, there will be less delay in applying adequate ink to the roller than in the previously discussed patent. A
stamping head inker of the type presently being discussed is shown in U.S. Patent 4,824,514 and is owned by the assignee of this application. This patent discloses the basic concept of translating the inking ribbon across the peripheral surface of the 3 ~ s ? ~ ~ 3 ~ 3 --inking roller.
Summary of the Invention An objective of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus which assures that the inking ribbon will be applying fresh ink to the inking roller even during periods when the common drive for the inking roller and the labeling machine have ceased operation such that the very first label which is printed when the labeling operation resumes will be without any defect.
According to the invention, the conventional practice of driving the inking roller, the inking ribbon and the labeling machine synchronously, where if one stops the others stop is avoided. In other words, the ribbon continues to translate when the inking roller stops and proper printing is immediately obtained on the very first label when operation of the labeling machine resumes. The speed at which the inking ribbon is translated when the inking roller is not turning is low since practically no ink is taken from the ribbon. Since interruption of the inking rollers' rotation is relatively infrequent and there can be a high degree of 81ip between the inking ribbon and the inking roller due to the lubricating effect of the fresh ink, long life of the inking ribbon is assured.
According to the invention, the inking ribbon is translated or driven solely by means of an auxiliary electric motor so it is independent of the drive for the labeling machine. Thus, there is no need for any synchronizing gearing between the main motor drive for the labeling machine and the inking ribbon drive in which case the cost of producing the new device is low.
In labeling machines that have a low or ?~2~
moderate capacity of up to about 30,000 labels per hour (about 8 per second) it has been shown that the inking ribbon can be driven or translated at a constant speed. This speed must, of course, be sufficiently high to advance a sufficient amount of ink to the inking roller when the labeling machine is operating at its maximum rate. Nevertheless, there are no disadvantageous effects, since, while the inking roller is idling the relative speed between the rapidly moving inking ribbon and the stationary inking roller is proportionately lower than when the roller is operating.
In higher capacity labeling machines, it is beneficial, in accordance with the invention, to drive the inking ribbon at a lower speed when the inking roller is idling than during normal operation when the inking roller is turning at high speed. Accumulation of excessive ink on the stationary ink roller is thereby prevented.
The independent auxiliary motor drive for the inking ribbon, according to the invention, is advantageous in that it allows decreasing the translating speed of the ribbon when the labeling machine is running and there i8 a blockage of label extraction from the label storage magazine as a result of lack of bottles at the inlet of the machine.
Spattering of ink is thereby prevented.
An alternative method of operating the new inker is to drive the inking roller with the main motor during Gperation of the labeling machine and using the auxiliary motor only during idling of the inking roller. This permits exact synchronous running of the inking roller and inking ribbon during normal operation and uncoupling of the main motor drive and transfer to the auxiliary motor drive when the inking .
- 5 - ~ 3 roller has stopped rotating for any reason.
Another important feature of the invention is that the auxiliary motor and the housing for the printing device are implemented as a single unit assembly for making removal of the inking device easy and thereby facilitating cleaning the device.
How the foregoing features and other features of the invention are achieved will appear in the more detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which will now be set forth in reference to the drawings.
Description of the Dr~wings FIGURE 1 is a plan view of part of a labeling machine in conjunction with the new device - 15 for applylng ink to the inking roller and, hence, to the type on the stamping head which prints on the labels;
FIGURE 2 is a vertical section taken on a line corresponding to 2-2 in FIGURE l; and FIGURE 3 i5 a transverse section taken on a line corresponding to 3-3 in FIGURE 2 looking up from the bottom.
Description o~ a Preferred Embodi~ent FIGU~E 1 shows that part of a container labeling machine which cooperates with the new inking device to accomplish printing on labels before they are applied to a container such as a bottle or a can.
In FIGURE 1, the labeling machine parts include a drum shaped turret on which there are a plurality of pallets 3 which are supported for swiveling back and forth as indicated by the oppositely directed arrows on the two pallets 3 which are shown. The turret rotates in the direction indicated by the curved arrow applied to it. A magazine containing labels 4 presents the backsides of the yet unprinted labels to :,~ ,.. ..
2 ~
the curved surface of the pallets 3. Before making tangential contact with the labels the curved faces of the pallets 3 are coated with glue by means of a roller, not shown, in a conventional manner. As the turret 2 rotates, the pallets 3 rock back and forth so when a pallet makes contact with a label in a magazine 4, the label will be rolled onto the pallet and will be carried in a counterclockwise direction on the turret in this particular embodiment. After the 10 labels are printed as a result of passing in contact with a stamping head 5 on which there is type, not visible, for printing on the label, the labels are carried around to where they are gripped and transferred to a gripping cylinder, not shown, which 15 applies them to the articles such as bottles or cans.
The pallets 3 are driven in an oscillatory manner and the turret 2 is driven rotationally by a mechanism in a gear box housing 19 about which the new labeling device 1 is depicted as in FIGURE 2. The turret and 20 pallets are driven in a predetermined synchrony by means of a main motor 25 which also drives the other components, not ehown, of the labeling machine. For example, motor 25 through the mechanism in housing 19 will also drive the rotating transport tables, not 25 shown, on which bottles or cans are put in a position where a label can be applied to them.
The device 1 which is shown in FIGURES 1-3 does the actual printing of the labels by use of the type carrying stamping head 5 which has its rubber 30 type coated with ink by means of a metal inking roller 6. The stamping head 5 is actually located in the housing 19 and is driven synchronously with turret 2 at a circumferential speed that corresponds to the speed of the glue pallet 3. The stamping head 5 and 35 turret 2 both rotate about a vertical axis. The inkinq roller 6 which applies ink to the rubber type also rotates about a vertical axis. Roller 6 is driven by a splined shaft 18 and the roller normally stays at one position on the shaft 18 but is adapted for being pulled off the shaft which allows the entire inking device 1 to be separated from the labeling machine for maintenance or cleaning or other purposes.
There is a known type of translatable inking ribbon 7 arranged inside of housing 26 of inking device 1. The inking ribbon may be composed of polyester. There is an ink container or reservoir 8 which is detachably fastened to inking device housing 26. The ribbon 7 is translated through the ink in container 8 and the ink coating picked up in the container by the ribbon is transferred to the periphery of ink roller 6. The corners 10 of the ink roller 6 are rounded so that the ribbon will glide over the periphery without encountering any high friction or sharp edges. When the ribbon 7 is in contact with the periphery of ink roller 6, the ribbon is running vertically and the periphery of the rotating ink roller is sweeping past it and picking up ink from the ribbon.
As can be seen in F~GURE 2, ribbon 7 runs on several ribbon direction changing rollers or deflection rollers 11, 12, 13 and 14 and also over a stationary deflection pin 30. One roller 11 is spherical or crowned which induces the ribbon to center on the rollers 11 to 14. Before reaching the inking roller 6, the ribbon 7 is guided in its direction of translation indicated by the arrow over a guide plate 21 and in contact therewith. Guide plate 21 has ends 22 and 23 that are curved upwardly.
The curved end 23 which is near the inking roller 6 serves to deflect or change the direction of the ~23~3 ribbon to a vertical orientation for contacting with the periphery of inking roller 6. Guide plate 21 is composed of metal and is fastened to the side of the inking device housing 26 by means of a bracket 24.
Guide plate 21, being in contact with the ink coated ribbon also tends to inhibit drying of the ribbon when - the ribbon is at rest because the ribbon remains in contact with the guide plate and the ink is inhibited from drying out. The feature of having the ribbon run in contact with guide plate 21 is illustrated in previously cited U.S. Patent No. 4,824,514.
The deflection roller 14 which is positioned in the ink container 8 is spring biased for the purpose of keeping the ribbon 7 taut. There is a bar 15 extending downwardly through housing 6 into ink container 8. Deflection rollers 12 and 13 are mounted for rotation on this bar. Roller 14 which extends into ink container 8 is mounted to a double-arm lever 16 which is pivotally mounted to bar 15. A coil spring 17 is preloaded in tension by reason of being anchored at one end to bar 15 and having its other end attached to double-arm lever 16 outside of the pivot axis for the lever.
As shown in the drawings, an electric motor 28 is mounted to inking device housing 26. This is called an auxiliary motor. The motor has a worm and wheel drive, not visible, mounted to it inside of a housing 27. The power output shaft 20 of the worm drive in housing 27 has a deflection roller 11 pinned on it. Thus, auxiliary electric motor 28 provides the power for driving deflection roller 11 rotationally and, hence, for translating ribbon 7 through the ink container and to the periphery of ink roller 6 to which the ink is transferred from the ribbon. The other rollers 12, 13 and 14 are idlers which rotate - 9 - ,~,t, i~
freely. It may be observed that the housing 26 together with electric motor 28 and worm drive 27 constitute an integral assembly which can be taken off in its entirety from the labeling machine for maintenance or other purposes. Auxiliary motor 28 is supplied with power through a plug 29 which is at the end of a power supply cord. By means which are not shown, the motor 28 can be caused to run at preselected speeds to thereby change the translational rate of the ribbon 7.
It will be observed then, that the inking ribbon 7 has a prime mover or drive in the form of electric motor 28 which is completely independent of the main motor 25 which drives the labeling machine, the ink roller 6 and stamping head 5 of inking device 1.
When inking device 1 is used with a labeling machine having an output of approximately 30,000 labels per hour, the inking ribbon 7 is permanently driven by auxiliary electric motor 28 at a predetermined speed independent of whether main motor 25 and, accordingly, inking roller 6 i5 moving or is standing still as would be the case after an emergency stop of the machine or when bottles or cans to be labeled are lacking. The translating speed of the ribbon 7 must be sufficiently great to supply enough ink to inking roller 6 to assure good quality printing of the labels when labels must be provided at a rate corresponding to the labeling machine having a throughput of 30,000 labels per hour. In practice, the inking ribbon 7 feed or translation rate is about 2 mm per second which corresponds to about 1 meter per minute. This speed, which is extremely low, with respect to the rotational speed of the inking roller causes no problem relative to an inking roller that is ~ ~ ,f~ 3 at rest.
In a high capacity labeling machine which handles up to 80,000 labels per hour, the inking ribbon 7 is driven by auxiliary electric motor 28 at one speed when the inking roller 6 is being driven along with the labeling machine and at a lower speed when the inking roller 6 is standing still. I~ the main motor 25 and inking roller 6 are running, the inking ribbon 7 is constantly driven at the higher speed of ~ meters per minute to cope with the capacity of 80,000 bottles per hour. If the main motor 25 and labeling machines stop along with inking roller 6, the inXing ribbon is then automatically switched to be driven at the constant low speed of 1.5 meters per minute, for instance. In other words, the translational speed of the inking ribbon 7 is reduced to about 1/2 of its speed when the inking roller 6 is turning and the labeling machine is in production.
Thus, on one hand, sufficient ink is supplied to allow maximum labeling speed and on the other hand, excess accumulation of ink on the resting inking roller is avoided.
In applications where more exact ink dosing is required, such as when the labeling machine Bpeed is ~requently changed during a production run, whenever the main motor 25 i8 running, the inking ribbon 7 is driven in synchronism with the main motor 25 by electric motor 28. Although the control is not shown, in an actual embodiment there is a common control of the main motor 25 and of electric motor 28 which keeps the two in synchronism. The electric motor 28 can be regulated by using a tachometer generator, not shown, which measures any rotating element driven by main motor 25 and produces an electric signal which is proportional to the speed of ., the element which may be the inking roller itself.
When the main motor 25 is not operating, a constant minimum speed is also sufficient for the inking ribbon.
With the previously described alternatives for controlling electric motor 28, it is generally true that the inking ribbon 7 is moving continuously at a relatively low speed when the inking roller 6 is not rotating. Thus, the ink on the translating inking ribbon 7 is continually refreshed with new ink taken from ink container 8 so that any drying of the inking ribbon 7 is avoided. Because there is always ink on the inking ribbon, the ink serves as a lubricant for the inking ribbon 7 as it runs over the peripheral surface of inking roller 6. Any excessive ink runs off of the inking roller periphery and flows back into the ink container 8 along the bottom of the housing 27. This means that when the labeling machine and ink roller 6 are not operating for an extended period of time, there will be no excessive ink pro~lem and when the labeling machine is restarted, inking roller 6 and the stamping head 5 can immediately print an acceptable label.
~ 1 --APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PP~INTING I~BELS
FOR USE IN A I~BELING ~CHINE:
Background of_the Invention The invention disclosed herein pertains generally to printing labels in preparation for applying them to articles such as bottles or cans and, in particular, to the apparatus and method for applying ink to the ink roller which transfers ink to the type on a label stamping head. The invention solves the problem resulting from ~he ink drying on the ink coated ribbon which transfers ink to the inking roller when the printing operation is suspended for a period of time such as occurs when the labeling machine has made an emergency or other stop.
In German Patent DE-PS 35 30 352 an inking system is described wherein the inking ribbon which translates through an ink reservoir translates in the same direction as does the inking roller and in synchronism therewith. The lineal speed of the tape is considerably lower than the peripheral speed of the inking roller. Even at high capacities and unfavorable operating conditions, this device operates in a satisfactory manner. However, when the labeling machine remains inactive for a period of time, the ink dries on that part of the inking rlbbon which is in - 2 - 2 ~
the open zone between the level of the ink in the reservoir and the point in which the inking ribbon contacts the inking roller. Drying of the ink is particularly problematical with the use of quick drying, solvent free printing inks. If the labeling machine is occupied by articles such as bottles or cans in readiness for being labeled at the time the machinery makes an emergency stop, drying of the ink can result in no printing or defective printing of the labels on the first few bottles which run through the machine when its operation resumes. Defective printing persists until a freshly ink wetted part of the ribbon comes into contact with the inking rollers.
The articles to be labeled and which have defective labels must then be sorted out manually or automatically.
In another known device described in European patent application EP-OS 268 079 the inking ribbon translates vertically and transversely to the circumference of the inking roller. In this case, the inking ribbon is always driven synchronously with the inking roller by means of a main motor which may also drive the labeling machine. In this patent, there is a guide plate provided in the relatively small area of revolution of the inking ribbon between the ink reservoir and the inking roller. ThiS contributes to prevent drying of the ink on the ribbon so that when the machine is not operating for a short time, there will be less delay in applying adequate ink to the roller than in the previously discussed patent. A
stamping head inker of the type presently being discussed is shown in U.S. Patent 4,824,514 and is owned by the assignee of this application. This patent discloses the basic concept of translating the inking ribbon across the peripheral surface of the 3 ~ s ? ~ ~ 3 ~ 3 --inking roller.
Summary of the Invention An objective of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus which assures that the inking ribbon will be applying fresh ink to the inking roller even during periods when the common drive for the inking roller and the labeling machine have ceased operation such that the very first label which is printed when the labeling operation resumes will be without any defect.
According to the invention, the conventional practice of driving the inking roller, the inking ribbon and the labeling machine synchronously, where if one stops the others stop is avoided. In other words, the ribbon continues to translate when the inking roller stops and proper printing is immediately obtained on the very first label when operation of the labeling machine resumes. The speed at which the inking ribbon is translated when the inking roller is not turning is low since practically no ink is taken from the ribbon. Since interruption of the inking rollers' rotation is relatively infrequent and there can be a high degree of 81ip between the inking ribbon and the inking roller due to the lubricating effect of the fresh ink, long life of the inking ribbon is assured.
According to the invention, the inking ribbon is translated or driven solely by means of an auxiliary electric motor so it is independent of the drive for the labeling machine. Thus, there is no need for any synchronizing gearing between the main motor drive for the labeling machine and the inking ribbon drive in which case the cost of producing the new device is low.
In labeling machines that have a low or ?~2~
moderate capacity of up to about 30,000 labels per hour (about 8 per second) it has been shown that the inking ribbon can be driven or translated at a constant speed. This speed must, of course, be sufficiently high to advance a sufficient amount of ink to the inking roller when the labeling machine is operating at its maximum rate. Nevertheless, there are no disadvantageous effects, since, while the inking roller is idling the relative speed between the rapidly moving inking ribbon and the stationary inking roller is proportionately lower than when the roller is operating.
In higher capacity labeling machines, it is beneficial, in accordance with the invention, to drive the inking ribbon at a lower speed when the inking roller is idling than during normal operation when the inking roller is turning at high speed. Accumulation of excessive ink on the stationary ink roller is thereby prevented.
The independent auxiliary motor drive for the inking ribbon, according to the invention, is advantageous in that it allows decreasing the translating speed of the ribbon when the labeling machine is running and there i8 a blockage of label extraction from the label storage magazine as a result of lack of bottles at the inlet of the machine.
Spattering of ink is thereby prevented.
An alternative method of operating the new inker is to drive the inking roller with the main motor during Gperation of the labeling machine and using the auxiliary motor only during idling of the inking roller. This permits exact synchronous running of the inking roller and inking ribbon during normal operation and uncoupling of the main motor drive and transfer to the auxiliary motor drive when the inking .
- 5 - ~ 3 roller has stopped rotating for any reason.
Another important feature of the invention is that the auxiliary motor and the housing for the printing device are implemented as a single unit assembly for making removal of the inking device easy and thereby facilitating cleaning the device.
How the foregoing features and other features of the invention are achieved will appear in the more detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which will now be set forth in reference to the drawings.
Description of the Dr~wings FIGURE 1 is a plan view of part of a labeling machine in conjunction with the new device - 15 for applylng ink to the inking roller and, hence, to the type on the stamping head which prints on the labels;
FIGURE 2 is a vertical section taken on a line corresponding to 2-2 in FIGURE l; and FIGURE 3 i5 a transverse section taken on a line corresponding to 3-3 in FIGURE 2 looking up from the bottom.
Description o~ a Preferred Embodi~ent FIGU~E 1 shows that part of a container labeling machine which cooperates with the new inking device to accomplish printing on labels before they are applied to a container such as a bottle or a can.
In FIGURE 1, the labeling machine parts include a drum shaped turret on which there are a plurality of pallets 3 which are supported for swiveling back and forth as indicated by the oppositely directed arrows on the two pallets 3 which are shown. The turret rotates in the direction indicated by the curved arrow applied to it. A magazine containing labels 4 presents the backsides of the yet unprinted labels to :,~ ,.. ..
2 ~
the curved surface of the pallets 3. Before making tangential contact with the labels the curved faces of the pallets 3 are coated with glue by means of a roller, not shown, in a conventional manner. As the turret 2 rotates, the pallets 3 rock back and forth so when a pallet makes contact with a label in a magazine 4, the label will be rolled onto the pallet and will be carried in a counterclockwise direction on the turret in this particular embodiment. After the 10 labels are printed as a result of passing in contact with a stamping head 5 on which there is type, not visible, for printing on the label, the labels are carried around to where they are gripped and transferred to a gripping cylinder, not shown, which 15 applies them to the articles such as bottles or cans.
The pallets 3 are driven in an oscillatory manner and the turret 2 is driven rotationally by a mechanism in a gear box housing 19 about which the new labeling device 1 is depicted as in FIGURE 2. The turret and 20 pallets are driven in a predetermined synchrony by means of a main motor 25 which also drives the other components, not ehown, of the labeling machine. For example, motor 25 through the mechanism in housing 19 will also drive the rotating transport tables, not 25 shown, on which bottles or cans are put in a position where a label can be applied to them.
The device 1 which is shown in FIGURES 1-3 does the actual printing of the labels by use of the type carrying stamping head 5 which has its rubber 30 type coated with ink by means of a metal inking roller 6. The stamping head 5 is actually located in the housing 19 and is driven synchronously with turret 2 at a circumferential speed that corresponds to the speed of the glue pallet 3. The stamping head 5 and 35 turret 2 both rotate about a vertical axis. The inkinq roller 6 which applies ink to the rubber type also rotates about a vertical axis. Roller 6 is driven by a splined shaft 18 and the roller normally stays at one position on the shaft 18 but is adapted for being pulled off the shaft which allows the entire inking device 1 to be separated from the labeling machine for maintenance or cleaning or other purposes.
There is a known type of translatable inking ribbon 7 arranged inside of housing 26 of inking device 1. The inking ribbon may be composed of polyester. There is an ink container or reservoir 8 which is detachably fastened to inking device housing 26. The ribbon 7 is translated through the ink in container 8 and the ink coating picked up in the container by the ribbon is transferred to the periphery of ink roller 6. The corners 10 of the ink roller 6 are rounded so that the ribbon will glide over the periphery without encountering any high friction or sharp edges. When the ribbon 7 is in contact with the periphery of ink roller 6, the ribbon is running vertically and the periphery of the rotating ink roller is sweeping past it and picking up ink from the ribbon.
As can be seen in F~GURE 2, ribbon 7 runs on several ribbon direction changing rollers or deflection rollers 11, 12, 13 and 14 and also over a stationary deflection pin 30. One roller 11 is spherical or crowned which induces the ribbon to center on the rollers 11 to 14. Before reaching the inking roller 6, the ribbon 7 is guided in its direction of translation indicated by the arrow over a guide plate 21 and in contact therewith. Guide plate 21 has ends 22 and 23 that are curved upwardly.
The curved end 23 which is near the inking roller 6 serves to deflect or change the direction of the ~23~3 ribbon to a vertical orientation for contacting with the periphery of inking roller 6. Guide plate 21 is composed of metal and is fastened to the side of the inking device housing 26 by means of a bracket 24.
Guide plate 21, being in contact with the ink coated ribbon also tends to inhibit drying of the ribbon when - the ribbon is at rest because the ribbon remains in contact with the guide plate and the ink is inhibited from drying out. The feature of having the ribbon run in contact with guide plate 21 is illustrated in previously cited U.S. Patent No. 4,824,514.
The deflection roller 14 which is positioned in the ink container 8 is spring biased for the purpose of keeping the ribbon 7 taut. There is a bar 15 extending downwardly through housing 6 into ink container 8. Deflection rollers 12 and 13 are mounted for rotation on this bar. Roller 14 which extends into ink container 8 is mounted to a double-arm lever 16 which is pivotally mounted to bar 15. A coil spring 17 is preloaded in tension by reason of being anchored at one end to bar 15 and having its other end attached to double-arm lever 16 outside of the pivot axis for the lever.
As shown in the drawings, an electric motor 28 is mounted to inking device housing 26. This is called an auxiliary motor. The motor has a worm and wheel drive, not visible, mounted to it inside of a housing 27. The power output shaft 20 of the worm drive in housing 27 has a deflection roller 11 pinned on it. Thus, auxiliary electric motor 28 provides the power for driving deflection roller 11 rotationally and, hence, for translating ribbon 7 through the ink container and to the periphery of ink roller 6 to which the ink is transferred from the ribbon. The other rollers 12, 13 and 14 are idlers which rotate - 9 - ,~,t, i~
freely. It may be observed that the housing 26 together with electric motor 28 and worm drive 27 constitute an integral assembly which can be taken off in its entirety from the labeling machine for maintenance or other purposes. Auxiliary motor 28 is supplied with power through a plug 29 which is at the end of a power supply cord. By means which are not shown, the motor 28 can be caused to run at preselected speeds to thereby change the translational rate of the ribbon 7.
It will be observed then, that the inking ribbon 7 has a prime mover or drive in the form of electric motor 28 which is completely independent of the main motor 25 which drives the labeling machine, the ink roller 6 and stamping head 5 of inking device 1.
When inking device 1 is used with a labeling machine having an output of approximately 30,000 labels per hour, the inking ribbon 7 is permanently driven by auxiliary electric motor 28 at a predetermined speed independent of whether main motor 25 and, accordingly, inking roller 6 i5 moving or is standing still as would be the case after an emergency stop of the machine or when bottles or cans to be labeled are lacking. The translating speed of the ribbon 7 must be sufficiently great to supply enough ink to inking roller 6 to assure good quality printing of the labels when labels must be provided at a rate corresponding to the labeling machine having a throughput of 30,000 labels per hour. In practice, the inking ribbon 7 feed or translation rate is about 2 mm per second which corresponds to about 1 meter per minute. This speed, which is extremely low, with respect to the rotational speed of the inking roller causes no problem relative to an inking roller that is ~ ~ ,f~ 3 at rest.
In a high capacity labeling machine which handles up to 80,000 labels per hour, the inking ribbon 7 is driven by auxiliary electric motor 28 at one speed when the inking roller 6 is being driven along with the labeling machine and at a lower speed when the inking roller 6 is standing still. I~ the main motor 25 and inking roller 6 are running, the inking ribbon 7 is constantly driven at the higher speed of ~ meters per minute to cope with the capacity of 80,000 bottles per hour. If the main motor 25 and labeling machines stop along with inking roller 6, the inXing ribbon is then automatically switched to be driven at the constant low speed of 1.5 meters per minute, for instance. In other words, the translational speed of the inking ribbon 7 is reduced to about 1/2 of its speed when the inking roller 6 is turning and the labeling machine is in production.
Thus, on one hand, sufficient ink is supplied to allow maximum labeling speed and on the other hand, excess accumulation of ink on the resting inking roller is avoided.
In applications where more exact ink dosing is required, such as when the labeling machine Bpeed is ~requently changed during a production run, whenever the main motor 25 i8 running, the inking ribbon 7 is driven in synchronism with the main motor 25 by electric motor 28. Although the control is not shown, in an actual embodiment there is a common control of the main motor 25 and of electric motor 28 which keeps the two in synchronism. The electric motor 28 can be regulated by using a tachometer generator, not shown, which measures any rotating element driven by main motor 25 and produces an electric signal which is proportional to the speed of ., the element which may be the inking roller itself.
When the main motor 25 is not operating, a constant minimum speed is also sufficient for the inking ribbon.
With the previously described alternatives for controlling electric motor 28, it is generally true that the inking ribbon 7 is moving continuously at a relatively low speed when the inking roller 6 is not rotating. Thus, the ink on the translating inking ribbon 7 is continually refreshed with new ink taken from ink container 8 so that any drying of the inking ribbon 7 is avoided. Because there is always ink on the inking ribbon, the ink serves as a lubricant for the inking ribbon 7 as it runs over the peripheral surface of inking roller 6. Any excessive ink runs off of the inking roller periphery and flows back into the ink container 8 along the bottom of the housing 27. This means that when the labeling machine and ink roller 6 are not operating for an extended period of time, there will be no excessive ink pro~lem and when the labeling machine is restarted, inking roller 6 and the stamping head 5 can immediately print an acceptable label.
Claims (7)
1. Apparatus for printing labels for use in a labeling machine, including a stamping head on which there is printing type, a rotating inking roller for applying ink to the type, an ink container, an inking ribbon which translates in said container and picks up ink in the container, said inking ribbon contacting said inking roller for applying ink onto the inking roller, a plurality of deflection rollers on which said ribbon translates, a main drive motor and means for operatively coupling said main drive motor to said inking roller to drive said inking roller rotationally, and an auxiliary electric motor operatively coupled to at least one of said deflection rollers for driving said deflection roller to effect translation of said ribbon independently of said main drive motor.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said inking ribbon is driven translationally solely by said auxiliary electric motor when said inking roller is not rotating and is driven by said main drive motor when said inking roller is rotating.
3. A method of operating apparatus for printing labels for use in a labeling machine, which machine includes a stamping head on which there is printing type, a rotating inking roller for applying ink to the type, an ink container, an inking ribbon which translates in the container and picks up ink in the container for applying ink onto the inking roller, the method comprising the steps of:
driving said inking ribbon translationally at a predetermined speed in continuous contact with said inking roller, and driving said inking roller rotationally separately from said inking ribbon and independently of the speed at which said inking ribbon is translated.
driving said inking ribbon translationally at a predetermined speed in continuous contact with said inking roller, and driving said inking roller rotationally separately from said inking ribbon and independently of the speed at which said inking ribbon is translated.
4. The method according to claim 2 wherein said inking ribbon is caused to continue to translate when said inking roller is at zero rotational speed.
5. The method according to claim 2 wherein said inking ribbon is driven translationally at the same speed when said inking roller is rotating or not rotating.
6. The method according to claim 2 wherein when said inking roller is rotating said ribbon is translated at a higher speed than when said inking roller is not rotating.
7. The method according to claim 2 wherein said inking ribbon is driven translationally at a constant minimum speed when said inking roller is not rotating and synchronously with said inking roller when said inking roller is rotating.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE3927934A DE3927934A1 (en) | 1989-08-24 | 1989-08-24 | DEVICE FOR PRINTING LABELS IN LABELING MACHINES |
| DEP3927934.0 | 1989-08-24 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2023903A1 true CA2023903A1 (en) | 1991-02-25 |
Family
ID=6387765
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002023903A Abandoned CA2023903A1 (en) | 1989-08-24 | 1990-08-23 | Apparatus and method of printing labels for use in a labeling machine |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0414259B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH0717082B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9004178A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2023903A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE3927934A1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2032147T3 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102006001204C5 (en) * | 2006-01-10 | 2015-06-18 | Khs Gmbh | Method for labeling bottles or similar containers and labeling machine for carrying out the method |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1216184B (en) * | 1957-12-30 | 1966-05-05 | Geo J Meyer Mfg Company | Labeling machine |
| DE2105383A1 (en) * | 1971-02-05 | 1972-10-05 | Anker Werke Ag | Cassette-like coloring device, in particular for data processing machines and devices |
| US4036132A (en) * | 1975-11-13 | 1977-07-19 | Interface Mechanisms, Inc. | Label stripping apparatus for label printers |
| DE3225378A1 (en) * | 1982-07-07 | 1984-01-12 | Koenig & Bauer AG, 8700 Würzburg | INK |
| DE3530352A1 (en) * | 1985-08-24 | 1987-03-05 | Kronseder Maschf Krones | Apparatus for the printing of labels, especially in labelling machines |
| DE8706876U1 (en) * | 1986-10-22 | 1987-12-10 | Krones Ag Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik, 8402 Neutraubling | Device for printing labels in labeling machines |
-
1989
- 1989-08-24 DE DE3927934A patent/DE3927934A1/en active Granted
-
1990
- 1990-08-23 BR BR909004178A patent/BR9004178A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1990-08-23 CA CA002023903A patent/CA2023903A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-08-24 ES ES199090116257T patent/ES2032147T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-08-24 EP EP90116257A patent/EP0414259B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1990-08-24 JP JP2224164A patent/JPH0717082B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-08-24 DE DE9090116257T patent/DE59000147D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH03150185A (en) | 1991-06-26 |
| EP0414259A1 (en) | 1991-02-27 |
| DE3927934A1 (en) | 1991-02-28 |
| EP0414259B1 (en) | 1992-06-03 |
| DE3927934C2 (en) | 1991-06-06 |
| BR9004178A (en) | 1991-09-03 |
| DE59000147D1 (en) | 1992-07-09 |
| JPH0717082B2 (en) | 1995-03-01 |
| ES2032147T3 (en) | 1993-01-01 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Dead |