EP0118925A2

EP0118925A2 - A device to transfer labels or adhesive tags previously detached from a siliconated base between two handling stations

Info

Publication number: EP0118925A2
Application number: EP84102784A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Emilio Negri
Original assignee: LEPTONS ITALIA SpA
Current assignee: LEPTONS ITALIA SpA
Priority date: 1983-03-15
Filing date: 1984-03-14
Publication date: 1984-09-19
Also published as: IT8321122V0; EP0118925A3

Abstract

A device to transfer labels (12) or adhesive tags detached from a siliconated base (13) between two handling stations comprising at least one conveyor belt (19a) driven by two pulleys (20a, 21a) rotatably driven by a motor through a driving device (26) is characterized by the fact that the transport surface of said conveyor belt (19a) is provided by suitably spaced apart, transversal projecting portion. The pulley (21a) arranged at the outlet zone has side flanges (22) extending beyond the projecting portions of the belt, to help the separation of the label (12) from said belt (19a).

Description

This invention relates to a device to transfer labels, tags or the like (hereinafter referred to as labels for simplicity) between two handling stations after being detached from the respective siliconated base.
Many ways have been already attempted to solve the problem of transferring labels previously detached from the siliconated base thereof, and thus having a face covered by adhesive or glue, from an apparatus (where, for example, they have been filled in by printing) to a different handling station (for example, where said labels are applied to a desired surface).
At present, the most economical apparatus for handling the series of previously printed labels, normally sequentially arranged, provides that sane previously filled in labels are moved beyond the printer to the detaching device providing for the detachment of the siliconated base. Then, the label is applied to the desired surface by known pressing means. Therefore, in such an apparatus there are always sane labels waiting to be applied and which are arranged between the printing device, detaching device and application pressing means. Accordingly, it occurs that a determined label, carrying for example a printed weight, and thus strictly correlated to the container to which it should be applied, has to be handled by sophisticated and costly expedients to provide that it is always caused to adhere to the correct container.
Another apparatus provides that a label is detached by its base just after being filled in and immediately applied to the corresponding container; however, the devices for transferring said label to the application station are costly and sophisticated, frequently using the application or creation of a depression on the face without adhesive or glue.
Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a device for the transfer of the last handled label (for example, as filled in and detached by its base) to the next handling station (for example, for application to a preselected surface), in the most economical and reliable way as possible, always maintaining the position of said label correctly centered, without irreparably damaging the surface provided with glue and such as to allow a reliable adhesion of the label to the desired surface.
The object is attained by providing a device canprising at least one conveyor belt, driven and guided, as well known, by two pulleys rotatably driven by a motor through a driving device, wherein the transport surface of said belt has suitably spaced apart, transversal projecting portions.
A preferred embodiment provides that the end pulley located at the outlet zone of the transferred label has laterally of said belt flanges extending beyond the projecting portions of the belt to help the label detachment at the end of transfer.
A preferred modified embodiment provides the provision of a plurality of conveyor belts, each driven and guided by two pulleys in suitable timing relationship with the other pulleys, the mutual spacing thereof is made adjustable in order to be accommodated according to the different label lenghts.
Another approach provides the further provision of a pressure roller located at the top of the transfer surface or plane for the labels, the distance of which relative to the inlet side of the labels in the device is made adjustable in order to be accommodated according to the different label lengths.
Finally, a further improvement provides that the distance of said roller from the label transfer plane is selectively adjustable and made fixed.
The invention will now be further described with reference to an exemplary embodiment which is shown by mere way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is schematic view showing the device according to the _I invention at the outlet from a printing ;
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the label outlet zone from the device according to the invention;
Fig. 4 is a detailed top view of one of the pulleys at the outlet zone from the device; and
Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 1, the device 10 is arranged with one end at the outlet zone of a printing device, in which the supporting plane 14 carries the belt 11 comprising the siliconated base 13 and a raw of labels 12. At the end of said plane 14 there is provided a printing head 15 of conventional type, which provides for suitably writing or filling in the labels in accordance with information which are supplied by a suitable device, not shown.
At the end of said surface, the siliconated base 13 is deviated, forming a determined acute angle to cause the separation thereof from the label 12. This is conventional from the prior art. Now the label, having exposed the surface provided with adhesive or glue, is ready to be placed on the device 10 according to the invention for transfer thereof.
Said device is shown in side view in Fig. 1 and in plan view in Fig. 2. As shown, it has a series of four conveyor belts 19a, 19b, 19c and 19d, respectively, each of which driven by operating pulleys 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d, respectively, and end pulleys 21a, 21b, 21c and 21d. Drive is given by rotation of the operating pulleys 20a, 20b, 20c and 20d rotatably driven by motor 27 and gear driving device 26. The operating pulleys and end pulleys are supported by axes 24 and 25, so that the mutual spacing thereof can be made adjustable, such as by adjusting screws. As shown in Fig. 3, each of the conveyor belts 19 have a surface provided with transversal projecting portions 29 providing partial adhering surfaces for the face of label 12 provided with adhesive or glue, which therefore will adhere thereto only at particular zones of a small area. The end pulleys at the outlet of the labels from the device, respectively 21a, 21b, 21c and 21d, have side flanges 22 extending beyond the projecting portions 29 of the belt, as particularly shown in Fig. 3. Still at the end portion, a guide roller 40 is provided, also comprising a plurality of parts as in this case, for label application to the desired surface.
The device according to the invention is completed by a pressure roller 30 (Fig. 1) applied to guides 31 along the device casing 32. Said roller is displaceable to adjust its distance from the label inlet side to the device. Fig. 5 is a detailed view showing the sliding engagement means along the guides 31. A resilient pressure means 23 could also be provided.
Now, it clearly appears that a label 12 previously separated from the siliconated base 13 is supplied to the conveyor belts and adheres thereto only at distinct small areas comprising the suitably spaced apart projecting portions 29. Therefore, it is firmly retained in position without irreparably damaging its adhesive surface, thus enabling its application to the desired surface. The pressure roller 30 will be suitably positioned to start to exert its action on the label end 12a when the end portion 12b thereof is about to be separated from the siliconated base 13 (Fig. 1). The suitably arranged resilient means 23 also regulates the pressure being exerted on the conveyor belts 19 and accordingly on the label 12, thereby enabling the separation of the end portion 12b without modifying the desired position for the label. Then, the label 12 can be completely made to pass under the pressure roller 30, to increase the adhesion thereof on the projecting portions 29. At the outlet end, the flanges 22 provide for lifting it again and separating it from the conveyor belts 19. At the same time the surface 41, to which the label is to be applied, is brought at the outlet zone of device 10, so as to lift the guide roller 40. The zone 40a forms a conveyance slit for the label 12 separated from the transfer means to wards the surface to which it will be applied. In turn, said guide roller 40 also acts as a pressure means to correctly apply of the label thus transferred.

Claims

1. A device to transfer labels (12) or adhesive tags detached from a siliconated base (13) between two handling stations, comprising at least one conveyor belt (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) conventionally driven by two pulleys (20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) rotatably driven by a motor (27) through a driving device (26), characterized by the fact that the transport surface of said conveyor belt (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) has suitably spaced apart, transversal projecting portions (29).

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, characterized by the fact that the end pulley (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d), arranged at the outlet zone of the label (12), has on its sides flanges (22) extending beyond the projecting portions (29) on said belt (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d), to help the label detachment from said belt at the end of transfer.

3. A device as claimed in the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of conveyor belts (19a, 19b, 19c, 19d) are provided, each of which driven by two synchronized pulleys, and that the mutual spacing between said conveyor belts is made adjustable.

4. A device as claimed in the preceding claims, further comprising a pressure roller (30) arranged at the top of the transfer surface for the labels (12), the distance of which from the label inlet side in the device is made adjustable by a sliding engagement along a guide for accommodation thereof to labels of different length.

5. A device as claimed in Claim 4, characterized by the fact that the distance of said roller (30) from the label transfer surface or plane is adjustable.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 4, characterized by the fact that a resilient means (23) for pressing said pressure roller against the label transfer surface or plane is provided.