EP1418127B1 - Labelling machine with releasable tape and drive unit and corresponding labelling installation - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an object labeling machine according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a machine is described in WO-99 / 20,533 .

The invention applies in particular to the labeling of fruits or vegetables.

Another machine is described for example in FR-2,619,079 . The arm has a blade around which the band passes to form the cusp. The arm is pivoted relative to the body and serves for the application of separate tags to crawl on fruits or vegetables. The machine includes a reel whose tape is unrolled as and when labeling.

Generally, several machines of this type are arranged next to one another above a conveyor belt to form a labeling installation, as described in FIG. FR-2,719,283 .

When the spool of a machine is empty, stop the installation and replace the empty spool directly in the machine with a full spool. Such an operation is delicate and long because it requires positioning the new band in the guide means and the drive mechanism of the machine. This therefore leads to significant downtime of the installation,

An object of the invention is to solve this problem by providing a labeling machine of the aforementioned type which can be reloaded in tape faster and allows to reduce the downtime of a labeling installation where it is disposed.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a machine of the aforementioned type, according to the characterizing part of claim 1.

According to particular embodiments, the machine may optionally comprise the features of the dependent claims 2 to 4.

The invention further relates to an installation according to claim 5.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique, partielle et en perspective d'une installation d'étiquetage selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique en perspective du bras d'une machine d'étiquetage de l'installation de la figure 1,
• les figures 3 à 5 sont des vues latérales, partielles et schématiques illustrant des phases successives du passage d'un plateau sous le bras d'une machine de l'installation de la figure 1, et
• les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues latérales, schématiques et partiellement en coupe, illustrant l'assemblage d'une machine de l'installation de la figure 1.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic, partial and perspective view of a labeling installation according to the invention,
• the figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the arm of a machine labeling the installation of the figure 1 ,
• the Figures 3 to 5 are side views, partial and schematic illustrating successive phases of the passage of a tray under the arm of a machine of the installation of the figure 1 , and
• the figures 6 and 7 are side views, schematic and partially in section, illustrating the assembly of a machine of the installation of the figure 1 .

• un tapis 2 de convoyage dont seule la surface supérieure est représentée et qui permet, comme décrit ultérieurement, d'entraîner dans un sens de convoyage C des objets tels que des fruits ou des légumes placés dans des conteneurs,
• plusieurs machines d'étiquetage 5 disposées les unes à côté des autres et portées par un portique 7 au-dessus du tapis de convoyage 2,
• un système 9 de pilotage des machines 5, le système 9 comprenant notamment un capteur 11 de détection et d'identification d'un conteneur convoyé par le tapis 2, une unité électronique 13 de traitement d'informations raccordée au capteur 11 et aux machines 5 pour déclencher leurs fonctionnements à partir d'informations fournies par le capteur 11.

The figure 1 illustrates a labeling installation 1 which essentially comprises:

• a conveyor belt 2 of which only the upper surface is shown and which makes it possible, as described later, to drive in a conveying direction C objects such as fruits or vegetables placed in containers,
• several labeling machines 5 arranged next to each other and carried by a gantry 7 above the conveyor belt 2,
• a system 9 for controlling the machines 5, the system 9 comprising in particular a sensor 11 for detecting and identifying a container conveyed by the belt 2, an electronic information processing unit 13 connected to the sensor 11 and to the machines 5 to trigger their operation from information provided by the sensor 11.

The machines 5 being identical, only one machine 5 will be described later.

• un corps 15,
• une bobine 16 d'une bande 17 enroulée, la bande 17 portant des étiquettes adhésives 18 régulièrement réparties sur sa longueur,
• un bras pivotant 20 comprenant des moyens 21 de guidage de la bande 17 selon un trajet présentant un rebroussement 22 de séparation des étiquettes 18 de la bande 17, et
• un mécanisme 24 d'entraînement de la bande.

As illustrated in particular by the Figures 1 to 3 the machine 5 comprises:

• a body 15,
• a coil 16 of a wound strip 17, the strip 17 carrying adhesive labels 18 regularly distributed over its length,
• a pivoting arm 20 comprising means 21 for guiding the strip 17 along a path having a crawling 22 for separating the labels 18 from the strip 17, and
• a mechanism 24 for driving the band.

The body 15, through which the machine 5 is mounted on the frame 7, comprises a plate 26 for supporting the coil 16 and a housing 28 enclosing a portion of the drive mechanism 24.

The plate 26 and the housing 28 are integral with each other, as will be described later with regard to the figures 6 and 7 .

The plate 26 is for example made of plastic and has openings, one of which delimits a gripping handle 30.

The housing 28 is for example made of metal.

The pivoting arm 20 comprises a substantially rectangular blade 32 bordered on the left (as seen in FIG. figure 2 ) by a lateral flange 33 which extends substantially over the entire length of the pivoting arm 20, and to the right by a first upper lateral wing 34 and a second shorter second lower lateral wing 35.

The arm 20 also comprises an angle bracket 37 which itself comprises a lateral flange 38 fixed, for example by screwing, on the lateral flange 33 and a plate 40 which extends under the blade 32 at a distance and substantially parallel to the blade 32. this. The plate 40 has substantially the same dimensions as the blade 32. In variants, the plate 40 may have a length different from that of the blade 32.

Thus, the blade 32 and the plate 40 delimit between them a flat passage 42. The plate 40 has for example two oblong openings 44. Note that the blade 32 may also have one or more openings.

A tab 46, carrying a lower wheel 48, is also mounted on the wing 33, to be disposed above the blade 32.

The upper end of the arm 20 is mounted via a pivot shaft 50 on the plate 26.

The arm 20 protrudes from the plate 26 downwards, that is to say toward the conveyor belt 2, and forwardly with respect to the conveying direction C.

The arm 20 is pivotable relative to the body 15 about a pivot axis P between a lowered position, illustrated by the figure 3 , and a raised position not shown.

As we see on the figure 1 , the machine 5 comprises a spring 52 for returning the arm 20 to its lowered position. Note that this spring 52 is provided on the side of the plate 26 opposite that on which the arm 20, the coil 16 and the drive mechanism 24 are arranged. This spring 52 is connected to the side wing 33 of the arm 20 through a screw passing through a slot 53 in an arc.

As we see on the figure 2 , the pivot shaft 50 extends between the lateral wings 33 and 34 and protrudes to the left beyond the wing 33.

The arm 20 further comprises a rod 54 arranged slightly rearwardly relative to the pivot shaft 50 and which also extends between the lateral wings 33 and 34 of the arm 20.

The strip 17 extends from the spool 16 downwards and rearwardly to the arm 20.

The band 17 then passes between the flanges 33 and 34 and around the pivot shaft 50 which forms upstream return member of the band 17 by changing the direction in which the band 17 extends.

The band 17 then extends downwardly and forwards until it recoils 22 by passing over the blade 32, under the tab 46 and between the wings 33 and 35. This is illustrated in particular by the part enlarged ring of the figure 3 where the section of the strip 17 located upstream of the cusp 22 has been designated by the reference numeral 56.

The cusp 22 is formed by passing the band 17 around the lower edge of the blade 32.

After the crawling 22, the band 17 passes into the flat passage 42 thus going upwards and backwards along the arm 20.

This is illustrated more particularly by the enlarged circled portion of the figure 3 on which the section of the strip 17 located downstream of the point 22 has been designated by the reference numeral 58. This section 58 is substantially parallel to the blade 32 and to the plate 40.

Then, the band 17 passes on the rod 54 which forms downstream member returning the band 17 to the mechanism 24 for driving the band.

The means 21 for guiding the band 17 thus comprise the shaft 50, the blade 32, the wings 33 to 35 and the rod 54.

It will also be noted that the section 56 of the strip 17, the strip 32, the section 58 of the strip 17 and the plate 40 are arranged one behind the other with respect to the conveying direction C.

• un rouleau fou 60,
• une roue 61 à picots, et
• une bobine 62 d'enroulement de la bande 17.

The drive mechanism 24 comprises successively from the arm 20:

• a crazy roll 60,
• a spur wheel 61, and
• a coil 62 for winding the band 17.

The spur wheel 61 and the spool 62 are made integral in rotation by means of a belt 63.

The pin wheel 61 is integral with a coaxial pinion 65.

The drive mechanism 24 further comprises motor means disposed in the housing 28.

These motor means comprise for example an electric motor or a linear electric actuator or a rotary pneumatic cylinder as described in FR-2,821,333 or a linear pneumatic cylinder as described in FR-2,619,079 . Such an element was not represented on the Figures 1 to 5 .

These motor means further comprise an output gear 66 meshing with the pinion 65 to cause the rotation of the pin wheel 61 and thus the driving of the band 17 and its rewinding on the coil 62.

The Figures 3 to 5 illustrate the behavior of the machine 5 when objects to be labeled 67 such as apples are placed in a crate or tray 68 having projecting side edges above the objects. In this case, it is the front and rear edges of the plate 68.

It will be noted that Figures 3 to 5 only the leading edge 70 of the tray 68 is visible.

The tray 68 is placed on the carpet 2 and is thus conveyed in the direction C.

When the leading edge 70 arrives near the machine 5, the sensor 11 detects the presence of the plate 68 and identifies it. The front edge 70 then bears against the plate 40 of the arm 20 and then pushes the arm 20 which pivots about the pivot axis P upwards, that is to say towards its raised position. The arm 20 can thus pass over the front edge 70 of the plate 68 as illustrated by the figure 4 , without the plate 68 coming into contact with the band 17.

The plate 68 continuing its movement, the arm 20 is then returned to the inside of the plate 68 by the spring 52. The drive of the band 17 by the drive mechanism 24 is then triggered by the unit 13 as a function of the type of tray 68 identified by the sensor 11. The unit 13 can also, in variants, control the lateral movement of machine 5 along the frame 7 to adapt to the type of tray 68. Labels 18 are then be separated one after the other at the cusp 22 and applied by the wheel 48 to the objects 67 as illustrated by the figure 5 .

After the labeling of the objects 67 by the machine 5, the trailing edge of the tray 68 will push the arm 20 which will thus leave the tray 68.

As in the case of the front edge 70, this thrust on the arm 20 will be effected through the plate 40 and therefore without contacting the plate 68 with the downstream section 58 of the strip 17.

Thus, during the passage of the arm 20 above the front and rear edges of the plate 68, the plate 68 will not pull the band 17 through the plate 40 which protects its downstream section 58.

It will be observed that means for protecting the band 17 having a structure other than that of the plate 40 may be arranged downstream of the cusp 22 to fulfill this same function and achieve the same result.

It will be observed that the position of the upstream return member 50 of the strip 17 also makes it possible, and independently of the presence of the plate 40 for protecting the strip 17, to limit the changes in the tension of the strip 17 and its position when raising the arm 20.

Indeed, the upstream return member 50 is centered on the pivot axis P. Thus, during the pivoting of the arm 20 about this axis P, the return member 50 does not move and is not likely to create a voltage or a loop in the band 17 likely to disturb the labeling.

Note that in a variant, the upstream return member may be distinct from the rotation shaft 50 and not be exactly centered on the pivot axis P but disposed at a short distance therefrom.

Note also that the downstream return member 54 is disposed near the pivot axis P. Thus, if labeling is performed while the arm 20 is raised relative to its lowered position, the return to this lowered position only slightly modifies the tension of the web 17. This characteristic, which does not intervene when the arm 20 passes over the edges of the plate 68, may, however, be advantageous.

The figures 6 and 7 illustrate optional features of the machine 5 which are advantageously present and which relate to the assembly of the support plate 26 and the housing 28.

In these figures, in addition to the pinion 66, the rest of the drive means of the drive mechanism 24 has been shown very schematically in phantom and designated by the numeral 71.

The body 15 comprises means 74 for assembling the plate 26 to the casing 28.

• un pivot 76 prévu dans le boîtier 28 et coopérant avec une gorge semi-circulaire 78 de la platine 26 pour former une liaison rotative autour d'un axe de rotation R1, et
• un doigt mobile d'encliquetage 80 comprenant une gorge 82 destinée à recevoir un ergot 84 prévu sur la platine 26.

These assembly means 74 comprise:

• a pivot 76 provided in the housing 28 and cooperating with a semicircular groove 78 of the plate 26 to form a rotatable connection about an axis of rotation R1, and
• a detent movable finger 80 comprising a groove 82 intended to receive a lug 84 provided on the plate 26.

The latching finger 80 is rotatably mounted on the housing 28 to be rotatable about an axis of rotation R2. The housing 28 further comprises a spring 86 for restoring the latching finger 80.

To assemble the plate 26 to the housing 28, we just place the pivot 76 in the groove 78 of the plate 26. This operation can be performed manually very easily thanks to the handle 30. The plate 26 can then rotate around the axis of rotation R1 relative to the housing 28. The plate 26 is then rotated downwards as illustrated by the arrow 88 on the figure 6 .

The lug 84 will then bear on a ramp surface 90 before the ratchet finger 80 and thus cause a rotation of the finger 80 about the axis R2 in the counterclockwise direction as seen on the figure 6 .

The spring 86 will then tighten. This rotation about the axis R2 of the finger 80 allows the pin 84 to engage in the groove 82. The spring 86 then recalls the finger 80 downwards so that the pin 84 is applied against the bottom of the 82. The finger 80 is then in the locking position of the lug 84.

The plate 26 is thus integral with the housing 28 and the pinions 65 and 66 mesh with each other, as illustrated by the figure 7 .

To release the plate 26, one can push, for example with a finger, the ramp surface 90 to move the latching finger 80 to a position The plate 26 can thus be pivoted in the direction opposite to the direction 88. Then, the pivot 76 is released from the groove 78 by raising the plate 26 upwards.

When the housing 28 is mounted on the gantry 7, it is sufficient to release the plate 26 to pull the handle 30 sufficiently strongly forward so that the lug 84, bearing on the front wall of the groove 82, pushes the finger 80 to its release position and thus emerges from the groove 82. Similarly, the pivot 76 is released from the groove 78. The plate 26 can be released from the housing 28 in a single gesture.

The assembly means 74 being snap-fitting means, the assembly of the plate 26 on the housing 28 is particularly fast.

The machine 5 thus comprises a belt unit 92, comprising the plate 26 and the band 17, and a drive unit 94 comprising the casing 28 and the motor means 66 and 71, which units 92 and 94 can be assembled and separated easily. and quickly.

Thus, it is possible, when using the installation 1, to provide a certain number of band units 92 previously loaded with full coils 16.

When a coil 16 of a machine 5 is empty, it suffices to replace its unit 92 by a new unit 92 provided with a coil 16 full.

Such an operation is particularly simple and fast, especially by comparison with the traditional method of replacing the coil 16 directly on the machine 5.

It will be noted that other structures of assembly means 74 than those described can be envisaged. In particular, the finger 80 and the pivot 76 can be provided on the belt unit 92, and the lug 84 and the groove 78 on the drive unit 94. More generally, the assembly means 74 are not not necessarily snap fit means.

It will also be observed that the latter aspect can be used independently of those described above and concerning the means for protecting the band 17 and the return members of the band 17.

Claims (5)

1. A machine (5) for labeling objects (67), comprising a tape unit (92) comprising a tape (17) bearing adhesive labels (18), a unit (94) for driving the tape (17), an arm (20) in turn comprising means (21) for guiding the tape along a path including a switchback (22) for separating the labels (18) from the tape (17), and releasable means (74) for assembling the tape unit (92) and the driving unit (94), the assembly means (74) being snapping assembly means, characterized in that the arm (20) belongs to the tape unit (92).
2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the assembly means (74) comprises:

   - complementary snapping members (80, 84) positioned on the tape unit (92) and the driving unit (94), and

   - a pivot (76) and a corresponding housing (78) provided on the tape unit (92) and the driving unit (94), the pivot (76) creating, when it is engaged in the corresponding housing (78), a link allowing the tape unit (92) to rotate relative to the driving unit (94) to make the complementary snapping members cooperate and thereby lock the tape unit (92) relative to the driving unit (94).
3. The machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tape unit (92) comprises a spool (16) for the tape (17) and a holder (26) holding the spool (16).
4. The machine according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the driving unit (94) comprises a housing (28) and motor means (66, 71) positioned in the housing (28).
5. A labeling system comprising at least one labeling machine (5) according to one of the preceding claims, and a means (2) for conveying objects (67) to be labeled.

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