CA2126520A1 - Device for driving labels or the like in particular into meat and simultaneously printing information onto the labels - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract:

DEVICE FOR DRIVING LABELS OR THE LIKE IN PARTICULAR INTO MEAT AND
SIMULTANEOUSLY PRINTING INFORMATION ONTO THE LABELS

A device for driving labels (2), guarantee seals or the like into products such as meat of any type, for example poultry or the like, or into containers in particular of expanded material for such products, comprises a label dispensing member (1) with a label-carrying guide (6) positioned at the end of said member (1), an actuator for expelling the labels (2) from the device or rather from a magazine (3), and means for mobilizing the actuator. To the front of said member (1) there is provided a stamper (14) comprising a type-carrying plate (24) associated with an arm (23) guidedly movable within a support (15) with which a cartridge (18) containing ink is associated, said plate (24) being arranged to penetrate a seat (35) provided in said member (1) so as to arrive at and print characters on a label (2) before its expulsion from the magazine (3).

Description

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DEVICE FOR DRIVING LAH~LS OR THE LIKE IN PARTICULAR INTO MEAT AND
SIMULTANEOUSLY PRINTING INFORMATION ONTO THE LABELS

This invention relates to a device for driving labels, guarantee seals or the like into products such as meat of any type, or into containers in particular of expanded material for such products, comprising a label dispensing member with a label-carrying guide positioned at one end of the dispensing member, an actuator for expelling the labels from said member, and mobilizing means for the actuator.

Devices of the aforesaid type have been known for some time.

Stampers are also known comprising a type-carrying base associated with an arm guidedly movable within a support frame with which a cartridge containing ink is associated.

Generally, such stampers are used independently to apply dates, guarantee inscriptions and the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device of the aforesaid type with which a stamper of the stated type is associated, the resultant combination enabling inscriptions to be sequentially and reliably applied to labels (or the like) which are then associated with products or product containers.
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A further object is to provide a device of the aforesaid type `~
which is of simple construction and easy to use, and wllich has a very hi~h operatin~ capacity. ~ -~

::: -~126~20 2These and further ob~jects which will be apparent to the expert of the art are attained by a device in accordance with the characterizing part of the independent claim and the other accompanying claims.

The invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawing, which is provided by way of non-limiting example and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of part of Figure l; and FiKure 3 is a partial front perspective view of the device according to the invention.

~ith reference to said figures. the device of the invention comprises a pneumatic member or gun 1 of known type for driving, for example into meat such as poultry or the like, labels 2 carrying information such as the name of the producer or its method of preservation.

The gun 1 comprises a magazine 3 movable within a receiver 4 terminating at the front end 5 of the gun in proximity to a label-carrying guide 6. At this end there are provided usual hydraulic means 8 (for example a single-acting piston opposed by a spring, not shown) acting on an actuator (of known type and not shown~ for expelling the labels 2 from the receiver 4. The actuator supports an element 10 movable within a guide 11 provided on a wall 12 of the end 5.

A bracket 13 is fixed perpendicularly to the wall 12 (in known manner, for example by screws, not shown) and supports a stamper 14 of known type. This latter is fixed to the bracket in any known manner, for example by screws, not shown.
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The stamper comprises a frame 15 on the top of which there is a seat 17 for an ink cartridge 1~ of known type. The frame comprises arcuate guides 20 in side walls 21 within which there . ~
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move rollers 22 associated with an arm 23 carrying at its top a type-carrying plate 24. The arm 23 is associated with known levers 25 and 26. The lever 26 is torsionally fixed onto a shaft 30 which can be rotated by a usual hydraulic means, such as an impeller (not shown) contained in a casing 33 to the side of the frame 15.

The plate 24 can be inserted into a through seat or slot 35 provided in the wall 12 of the gun 1 so as to come into contact with the label 2 present in the receiver and maintained adhering to said wall in knoun manner.

Firlally, the gun 1 comprises known means 36 for connection to a usual air line (not shown), the means 36 being connected by a first line 37 to a slide valve 38. This latter is connected to the casing 33 via feed and return lines 39 and 40 and to the hydraulic means 8 via a feed line 41. A usual trigger 42 enables the device of the invention to be used.

In this respect, on pulling said actuator or trigger, the valve 38 firstly feeds air to the line 39 causing the plate 24 to firstly approach the wall 12 of the gun 1, then enter the hole 35 and press against the label 2 present in the receiver 4 (as shown in Figure 2). The symbols present on the plate (for e~ample defining a date) are hence printed onto the label. The air is then returned from the casing 33 via the line 40 by the valve 38 and is fed to the line 41. This causes the plate to firstly withdraw from said wall 12, then return into the frame 15 and press against a usual pad (not shown) associated with the cartridge 18 (as shown in Figure 1). The air fed into the line 41 then mobilizes the gun actuator to expel the label 2 from the gun.

One embodiment of the invention has been described. Further ~ ~-embodiments are however possible in the light of the present description. Such embodiments are to be considered as falling within the scope of the present document. ~

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Claims (3)

1. A device for driving labels, guarantee seals or the like into products such as meat of any type, or into containers in particular of expanded material for such products, comprising a label dispensing member with a label-carrying guide positioned at one end of the dispensing member, an actuator for expelling the labels from said member or rather from a label receiver of this latter, and means for mobilizing the actuator, characterised in that to the front of a wall (12) defining the end (5) of said dispensing member (1) there is provided a stamper member (14) comprising a movable stamping element (23) supporting a type-carrying plate (24) arranged to penetrate a through hole (35) provided in said wall (12) and opening into said receiver (4), so as to arrive at and print characters on a label before its expulsion from the receiver.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that a bracket (13) supporting the stamper member (14) is fixed to the wall (12) defining the end (5) of the label dispensing member (1).

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised by comprising a valve (38) for distributing feed air for operating the stamper member (14) and then the label dispensing member (2) so that a label is dispensed after it has been stamped, said valve being connected by an air feed line (39) and return line (40) to usual means for mobilizing the stamping element (23) and at least by an air feed line (41) to means for mobilizing the actuator for expelling the seals or labels (2).