EP0389393B1 - Device for automatically applying labels to boxes and pallets - Google Patents

Abstract

This device comprises, in a chassis (2) which is vertically adjustable with respect to a fixed frame, means (3) for storage of a paper tape (4), possibly pre-printed, having lateral perforations, means (5) for driving the tape (4) cooperating with its lateral perforations and capable of displacing this tape through at least the length of one label (1), means (9) capable of applying, onto a horizontal plate (6), at least one end of the tape after displacement of the latter, means (7) for transversely cutting off the end of the tape in order to separate a label (1), means (15) depositing on the non-printed back of the label (1) at least two parallel and longitudinal rows of spaced spots of paste, means (22-23) capable of standing the pasted label vertically and applying it to the package, with compression of elastic means (19), and control means coordinating the abovementioned means with the sequential progress of the packages which are to receive the label. <IMAGE>

Description

To identify the manufacturer, the elements of a lot or the recipient of cardboard products, cases or pallets, it is known, after packaging and / or packaging, to affix the appropriate labels on the substantially vertical walls thereof.

This operation is currently carried out manually and requires a time all the longer as the format of the labels is large.

Indeed, if it is possible for small format labels to use self-adhesive supports which are fixed by contact on the packaging, this is no longer possible beyond a 13 × 10 cm format because the cost of the label becomes too high compared to the time saved. Because of this, large format labels are produced on demand on a non-pre-glued support and manually glued to the packaging. As a result, very often, in a fully automated manufacturing and / or packaging line, the only position requiring human intervention is that of labeling.

We know, from French patent application FR A. 2557491, a machine, according to the preamble of claim 1, designed for cutting and laying sections of flexible ribbons on moving objects step by step synchronized with the machine, comprising a chassis adjustable in position, means for storing a strip of paper, means for cyclically driving this strip, sizing means, cutting means, and means for applying to the support to be labeled of the pre-glued label obtained.

Such a machine cannot be used to form pre-glued labels from a pre-printed strip, and this because of the strip / roller sliding favoring the offset of the printing with respect to the sectioning area of the label in the strip, and also can not put a label on one of the side and vertical walls of a support stopped on a longitudinal conveyor and, even less, on the edges of the dividers of separation of the elements of a package.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device overcoming the above drawbacks and ensuring the production of large, variable and large format pre-glued labels from pre-printed paper strips and the automatic positioning of the labels obtained on the vertical or substantially vertical walls of the supports to be labeled.

In this device, the storage means consist of a tray capable of receiving a pre-printed strip, folded in an accordion and comprising two lateral rows of perforations, while, on the one hand, the drive means consist of toothed belts with pins, cooperating with the perforations of the strip, capable of communicating with the latter, firstly, a displacement of at least the length of a label on a horizontal downstream receiving plate, and then in the phase sectioning, and between these drive means and plating means on the plate, a tension upstream, that, on the other hand, the means for plating the strip and the label on the plate are constituted by vacuum suction cups, that, in addition, the gluing means are at least two in number and are arranged to deposit on the unprinted back of the label two parallel and longitudinal rows of glue and that, finally, means of application of the pre-glued label on the stopped support, are constituted by a structure carrying the aforementioned suction cups, which can rotate alternately, between a horizontal position corresponding to that of reception and gluing of the label and a vertical position of deposit on the support and comprising a jack capable of moving the application means towards the support in order to place the label there.

Such a device produces glued labels from strips with lateral perforations, not glued, of the type used for computer printers, that is to say uses an inexpensive support and the transverse dimensions of which can be adapted to requirements. . The transverse cutting of the strip makes it possible, if necessary, to adjust the length of the label as required.

The pre-printing of the strip can be carried out very easily on a common printer. It is thus adapted to variations in identification and, for example, to variations in batch references.

In one embodiment relating more particularly the deposition of labels on the section of dividers dividing rows of bottles superimposed on a pallet, the receiving plate is horizontal, is fixed and has longitudinal lights for the passage, with clearance, of heads of deposition pistols glue, heads arranged below this plate and at the end of means able to move them longitudinally, while the suction cups for gripping and pressing the label are fixed to the ends of a cross member and connected to a source of empty under the control of the control means, this cross member being wedged on the rod of a jack whose body is articulated around a horizontal, transverse axis and disposed above the downstream end of the label.

With this device, the label is arranged with its back printed above, that is to say opposite the tray. Its front receives, from below, several continuous rows of glue and is then brought, by the gripping and plating means, in a vertical position so that the rows of glue extend on either side of the edge of the one of the dividers. Thus, the variations in vertical positioning of the interlayer to receive the label do not affect the fixing of this label.

In another embodiment aimed at labeling boxes or cases, the tray, on the one hand, is provided with at least two vacuum suction cups constituting means for gripping and pressing a label on it, and, on the other hand, is carried by a support which, pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis, is connected to means able to rotate it, between a horizontal position for receiving the downstream end of the strip and a vertical position for depositing the label, and is carried by a slide, movable on slides and connected to means capable of moving it between an upstream position for preparing the label and a downstream position for transfer to the packaging, while the sizing means consist of at least two fixed guns arranged above the tray and depositing, the paper strip and when moving it relative to the tray, at least two longitudinal zones of glue dots.

With this device, the strip of paper, arranged with its reverse side printed opposite the tray, receives on its front, and when moving on this tray, at least two rows of glue dots. After sectioning the label, the plate constituting gripping and plating means pivots to bring the label to a vertical position then moves transversely to press the label on the cardboard.

With this arrangement, it is possible to adjust the length of the rows of glue dots to adapt it as needed and for example to reduce the consumption of glue by eliminating the deposit of glue dots in the area of the label coming opposite a non-rigid part of a box or carton.

• Figure 1 est une vue de côté en élévation et coupe partielle représentant de manière schématique les différents composants d'une première forme d'exécution de ce dispositif,
• Figures 2 à 5 sont des vues de côté illustrant les différentes phases de fonctionnement du dispositif de figure 1, respectivement lors de l'avance de la bande, lors de son plaquage sur le plateau, lors du sectionnement de l'étiquette, lors du dépôt de la colle,
• Figure 6 est une vue de face en élévation montrant les rangées de colle déposés sur l'étiquette,
• Figures 7, 8 et 9 sont des vues de côté en élévation similaires aux figures 2 à 5 et respectivement lors du soulèvement de l'étiquette, lors de son redressement vertical, et lors de son plaquage sur un intercalaire,
• Figure 10 est une vue de côté en élévation avec coupe partielle montrant une autre forme d'exécution du dispositif dans la phase d'avancement de la bande et de dépôt des rangées de point de colle,
• Figures 11 à 13 sont des vues schématiques montrant les autres phases de fonctionnement du dispositif de figure 10 respectivement lors du sectionnement de l'étiquette, après pivotement du plateau et lors du plaquage de l'étiquette sur un carton.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing two embodiments of this device.

• FIG. 1 is a side view in elevation and partial section schematically representing the various components of a first embodiment of this device,
• Figures 2 to 5 are side views illustrating the different operating phases of the device of Figure 1, respectively during the advancement of the strip, during its pressing on the plate, during the sectioning of the label, during deposition glue,
• FIG. 6 is a front elevation view showing the rows of adhesive deposited on the label,
• FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 are side views in elevation similar to FIGS. 2 to 5 and respectively when the label is lifted, when it is straightened vertically, and when it is pressed onto an interlayer,
• FIG. 10 is a side view in elevation with partial section showing another embodiment of the device in the phase of advancing the strip and depositing the rows of glue points,
• Figures 11 to 13 are schematic views showing the other operating phases of the device of Figure 10 respectively during the sectioning of the label, after pivoting of the plate and during the plating of the label on a carton.

This device is composed of a chassis, generally designated by 2 and mounted in an adjustable manner on a frame not shown. This frame supports a tray 3 for storing a strip of paper 4 folded in accordion and comprising lateral perforations, drive means 5, a plate generally designated by 6, means 7 for cutting the strip, means 8 for gluing the back of the label and means 9 for gripping this label.

In the embodiment shown with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, the means for driving the strip 5 are constituted by belts 10 with spikes carried by idler wheels 12 and drive wheels 13. In practice, these drive means 5 are mounted on a transverse support with the possibility of modifying their spacing, in order to be able to adapt to variations in transverse dimensions of the strips 4 and to variations in spacing of the lateral perforations.

The plate 6 is horizontal and integral with the chassis 2, it is crossed near its downstream end relative to the direction of travel of the strip by longitudinal slots 14 in each of which can move the head 15a of a sizing gun 15. Each gun 15 is articulated at 16 at the end of the rod 17 of a jack whose body 18 is fixed to the chassis 2. The adhesive deposited by the gun is of the holt-melt type. The number of guns depends on the needs and is between 2 and 4.

The gripping means 9 consist of at least two vacuum suction cups 19 connected to a vacuum source not shown and having a possibility of compression. These two suction cups are carried by a cross member 20 wedged at the end of the rod of a jack 22 whose body is articulated at 23 around a transverse horizontal axis disposed above the downstream part of the horizontal plate 6. It is it is obvious that the suction cups are arranged so as to cooperate with the zones of the plate not comprising the openings 14.

Finally, the cutting means 7 consist of a knife 24 carried by a slide 25 movable transversely above the plate 6, and more precisely above a groove formed in this plate.

Such a device is more particularly intended for placing labels on the edge 26a of dividers 26 for separating superimposed rows of bottles 27 carried by a pallet. It applies more particularly to pallets in which the spacers protrude relative to the rows of bottles 27.

The operation of this device is as follows. The pre-printed strip 4 is moved in the direction of arrow 21 by the drive means 5 on the plate 6 with its printed side facing upwards. When the strip exceeds a length corresponding to the length of the label, as shown in FIG. 2, its advancement is interrupted by a control automaton, not shown, controlling all the functions of the device. In a following phase (Figure 3), the gripping means 9 come into action so that the suction cups 19 come into contact as shown in Figure 3 with the downstream end of the bane 4 to press this end on the plate 6. A this stage and to avoid that the fold 4a of the strip disturbs cutting, the drive means 5 are actuated to move the strip in the direction of arrow 31. Due to the plating of the downstream end of the strip and the drive by the means 5, the fold 4a is erased and the label 1 is cut off by the means 7.

As shown in Figure 5, the machine controls the supply of the glue guns 15 and their movement in the direction of arrow 32 over a stroke whose length depends on the length of the beads of glue that we want to obtain.

At the end of the operation and as shown in FIG. 6, the back of the label is covered with as many lines of glue 33 as the device has glue guns 15. The lines of glue are of course arranged in the lights 14 and do not soil the device in any way.

It is obvious that the open time of the adhesive retained is sufficient long so that it retains its adhesive characteristics until it comes into contact with the edge of the inserts 26.

In the next phase shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9, the cylinder 22 is actuated in the direction of its retraction so as to lift vertically in the direction of the arrow 34 the cross 20 but also the downstream end of the label 1 and then is pivoted substantially 90 ° in the direction of the arrow 35 so as to come into the deposition position shown in FIG. 8. It is obvious that the chassis 2 carrying the the entire device is positioned vertically on the frame so that the lines of glue 33 projecting longitudinally from the back of the label extend on either side of the edge 26a of the tab 26 on which the label is to be stuck . In a final phase represented in FIG. 9, the jack 22 is supplied in the direction of the extension so as to press the lines of glue 33 against the edge 26a of the interlayer while benefiting from the compression of the suction cups to compensate for the variations transverse positioning of the dividers. At the end of this movement, the supply of the suction cups 19 is stopped, the jack is retracted and is brought into a vertical position above the downstream end of the horizontal table 6, ready to secure the moving strip 4 which has been debited in the meantime.

It should be noted that if the interlayer 26 extends well beyond the rows of bottles 27, the end of the label can be stuck under the rim of the interlayer. Under these conditions, the rotation of the jack 22 takes place over an angle greater than 90 ° and can be of the order of 135 °.

Whatever the embodiment of the device, it makes it possible to continuously glue labels to spacers for separating containers without adhesive contact with these containers and in synchronization with the sequential movement of the pallets.

The embodiment shown in Figures 10 to 13 is the application of the device to the labeling of boxes or cartons moving sequentially. It differs from the previous device by the structure of the gripping and plating means and by the arrangement of the glue guns 15 which, in this case, are fixed and arranged above the plate 6. In this device, the plate 36 is provided near each of its longitudinal ends of at least two suction cups 40 connected to a vacuum source not shown. It is made integral in rotation with a support 42, itself integral with a shaft 43, of horizontal axis and mounted free in rotation in a slide 44. The connection between the plate 36 and the support 42 is ensured by rods 45 projecting from the back of the plate 36 passing through the support 42 and comprising heads 45a. These heads are pressed against the support 42 by compression springs 46 arranged around the rods 45 and tending to move the plate away from this support.

The shaft 43 is secured to at least one of its ends of a toothed wheel 47 meshing with a horizontal rack 48 secured to a crosspiece 49. The latter is fixed to the end of horizontal slides 50 mounted sliding in a fixed body 52. The end of each of the slides which protrude from the body 52 opposite the slide 44, is provided with a head 50a against which a compression spring 53 is supported, also bearing on the body 52. These springs provide a return force of value less than the force supplied by the rod of a jack 53 carrying the slide 44. When the plate is in the upstream position for preparing the label, shown in FIGS. 10 to 11, the springs 53 guarantee the positioning of the rack 48, for example by abutment of the end of this rack against an abutment face of the body 52.

In the starting position and as shown in FIG. 10, the plate 36 is horizontal and the rack 48 is in the position for preparing the label. During the movement of the strip 4 by the drive means 5, a length of strip is put in place on the plate 36 with its printed face facing this plate. During this movement, the guns 15 deposit beads of adhesive on the back of the label. They can also, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, deposit rows of glue dots. In this case, the injection of each point is carried out by control means which detect the passage of the lateral perforations.

When the strip has moved a length of label, the drive means 5 are stopped and the suction cups 40 of the plate are supplied with vacuum. As soon as the label is pressed and the drive means 5 have exerted on the strip a slight backward movement to ensure its tension, the means 7 cut the label 1 from the strip 4 (FIG. 11). From there, the jack 54 is fed in the direction of its extension, causing, first, by engagement of the toothed wheel 47 with the rack 48, the pivoting of the support 42 and of the plate 36, which thus passes from its horizontal position for receiving the strip to a vertical position shown in FIG. 12. The rotation of the support 42 takes place until the toothed wheel 47 comes onto a stop 48a opposing its advancement. From there, and under the thrust of the jack 54, the slide 44 moves with the slides 50 by compressing the springs 53. As shown in FIG. 13, the plate 36, carrying the adhesive label 51, is thus gradually brought and pressed against a cardboard 60. The springs 46 interposed between the plate and the support 42 are more or less crushed by compensating for the variations in position of the cardboard 60 relative to the plate 36. At the end of the stroke, the suction cups are supplied interrupted and the entire device returns to the starting position, shown in FIG. 10.

The rows of glue dots can be continuous or discontinuous and extend over all or part of the length of the label depending on the structure of the wall against which this label is to be affixed.

In the two embodiments which have just been described, the label is produced by cutting a preprinted strip. In an alternative embodiment, each of the devices comprises, between the receiving tray 3 of the strip folded in accordion and the cutting means 7, a printer making it possible to print the strip or to add thereto complementary prints adapted to the contents of the package. In this case, the means provided in the printer to ensure the drive of the strip, are used to replace the picot belts described in the two embodiments above.

Finally, the means for gripping the plate 36, described as being suction cups 40, can, without departing from the scope of the invention, be replaced by a porous plate constituting at least the active face of this plate.

Whatever its embodiment, the device according to the invention allows labels to be deposited automatically on packages moving sequentially using simple and reliable means and starting from inexpensive commercial tapes.

Claims (7)

1. A device for the automatic application of non pre-glued labels, of the type including a frame (2) vertically adjustable with respect to a fixed structure, means (3) for storing a strip of paper (4), means for driving (5), cutting (7), glueing (15) and application of a pre-glued fragment of the strip of paper on the support to be labelled and means for synchronisation between the device and the passage of the supports to be labelled, characterised in that the storing means are constituted by a box (3) adapted to receive a strip (4) preprinted, folded into pleats and having two lateral rows of perforations, whilst, on the one hand, the driving means are constituted by toothed belts (10) having pegs cooperating with the perforations in the strip (4), adpated to communicate thereto, firstly, movement over at least the length of one label on a horizontal downstream reception plate (6-36), and then, in the cutting stage and between these drive means and means for laying flat on the plate, an upstream tension, that, on the other hand, the means for laying flat the downstream end of the strip (4) and of the label (1) on the plate (6-36) are constituted by suction nozzles (19-40), that moreover, the glueing means (15) number at least two and are disposed to place on the non-printed back of the label (1) two parallel and longitudinal lines of glue, and that, finally, the means for applying the pre-glued label (1) to the stopped support are constituted by a structure (20-36) carrying the aforementioned nozzles (19-40), which can pivot alternatively between a horizontal position corresponding to the reception and glueing position of the label and a vertical position of application on the support, and having a jack (22-54) adapted to move the application means towards the support in order to apply the label thereon.
2. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the reception plate (6) is fixed and has longitudinal slots (14) for the passage, with play, of the heads (15a) of guns (15) for depositing glue, which heads are disposed below this plate (6) and at the end of means (18) adapted to move them longitudinally, whilst the two nozzles (19) for gripping and laying flat the label are compressible, fixed to the ends of a cross-member (20) and connected to a vacuum source under the influence of control means, this cross-member (20) being fixed on the rod of a jack (22) of which the body is pivoted at (23) about a transverse horizontal axis disposed above the downstream end of the plate (6).
3. A device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the plate (36), on the one hand, is provided with at least two vacuum nozzles (40), constituting means for gripping and placing a label thereon, each connected to a vacuum source under the influence of control means, and, on the other hand, is carried by a support (42), which, pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis, is connected to means (47-48) adapted to cause it to pivot between a horizontal reception position for the downstream end of the strip and a vertical label application position, this support (42) being carried by a slide (44), movable on guides (50) and connected to means adapted to move it between an upstream label preparation position and a downstream position for transfer to the packaging, whilst the glueing means (15) are constituted by at least two fixed guns disposed above the plate (36) and applying at least two longitudinal areas of glue to the strip of paper when this latter is moved with respect to the plate.
4. A device according to Claim 3, characterised in that the means (42) for driving the support in rotation are constituted by at least one toothed wheel (47), rigid with this support (42), coaxial with its axis of rotation and meshing with a horizontal rack (48), whilst the means for moving the slide are constituted by the rod of a jack (53) of which the body is fixed.
5. A device according to Claims 3 and 4 taken together, characterised in that the guides (50) for the slide (44) are slidably mounted in a fixed body (52), are rigid with a cross-member (49) carrying the rack (48) and are urged towards their upstream abutment position by spring means (53) having a return force less than the force of the jack (53) which moves the slide, whilst the rack (48) is associated with a longitudinal abutment (48a) stopping the movement of the slide (44) with respect thereto as soon as the plate (36) is in its vertical application position.
6. A device according to Claim 5, characterised in that the plate (36) is rigid with rods (45) which, perpendicular to its face receiving the strip (4), are slidably mounted in the rotatable support (42) and are each associated with spring return means (46) holding the plate spaced from the support under the control of abutment means (45a).
7. A device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the means for driving the strip (4) are constituted by the pegged wheels of a printer interposed between the storage magazine (3) for the strip (4) and the transverse cutting zone thereof.

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