EP1640276A1

EP1640276A1 - Mechanical label applicator

Info

Publication number: EP1640276A1
Application number: EP99908973A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pedro Astintze Kalea 24 LAISECA INCHAURRONDO
Original assignee: Dibal SA
Current assignee: Dibal SA
Priority date: 1999-03-17
Filing date: 1999-03-17
Publication date: 2006-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-17
Also published as: DE69938680D1; EP1640276B1; ES2306508T3; WO2000055049A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an applicator (1) inserted into an air intake housing (4) fitted with a lateral axial extractor (3) and an elastic (4.1) perforated (4.2) plate and a groove (4.3.) in which a slight negative pressure is produced that holds the borders of the label (5). Another radial air extraction (1.1) is effected by a vacuum pump through the cylinder of the applicator (1) and the axle (2.1) of the elastic part (2) inserted in the lower end thereof. The central part of the label (5) is also held by the negative pressure generated on its inner side.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention expounded herein comprises a mechanical label applicator, from among those applicators of adhesive labels which include label positioning means in air extraction circuits, for the purpose of supporting these up to their final placement.
Said invention is characterised in that the applicator is of special construction, being mounted at the extremity of the floor of an air intake enclosure and being provided with a punched elastic plate, as well as a cylinder with an axial perforation, through which are produced the suction and retention of the label by pressure reduction, said cylinder being motor-driven and guided from the label collecting position up to another lower one of label placement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The mechanical means of applying self-adhesive labels are many and all have to cater for the difference in height of the containers, conventionally fed via a conveyor belt, whilst the individual labels are obtained, also in standard practice, from a conveniently unwound reel or bandolier.
In certain cases the label supporting means employs the reduction in pressure produced by sucking air from the inside face of the label itself and, afterwards, different procedures permit the placing of the label, either by interrupting the air flow with the subsequent risk of warping the label and positioning it unevenly, or else by reversing the air flow and the subsequent propelling or blowing of the label against the opposing container surface.
The applicant is unaware of the existence of mechanical label applicators, motor-driven and guided, which run from the floor plane of the label suction and retention chamber up to the surface of the container to be labelled, suitably positioned underneath the label retaining vent.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention object of the present specification is related with a mechanical label applicator, from among those adhesive label applicators which have the means for positioning of the labels previously individualised and coming from a bandolier, which are located in air extraction circuits, for the purpose of supporting the latter by pressure reduction until their final placement, especially from among those means of support which have a flat, punched surface, of size according to the format of the label to be supported.
This invention is characterised in a special construction of the applicator, mounted at the extremity of the floor of an air intake enclosure and provided with a general air extractor, side-mounted, and also occupied by a punched elastic plate, in such a way that the continuous, main air stream passes over the opposite side of this floor, into a lower chamber of the enclosure which houses the lower extremity of the applicator and which is linked with the end of the elastic plate, in the coupling groove of which is produced a small drop in pressure which retains the borders of the label.
Thus once the air extraction current is set up through the cylinder on the end of which is fitted the elastic piece, both of which come with a common axial perforation, the suction and retention are produced of the main, central part of the label also through the pressure reduction effect thereon.
The cylinder is motor-driven and guided, from the flush position of the label piece, with the elastic piece inserted behind it, to another, lower position of placement of the label on the pertinent object, which is conventionally pull-carried and positioned underneath by the conveyor belt.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to complete the description being made and to assist in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the present specification is accompanied by a set of drawings forming an integral part thereof, in which, by way of illustration and not restrictively, the following is shown:

Figure 1 shows the applicator, frontally sectioned, in its label suction position.
Figure 2 shows the same applicator, moved underneath and ready to apply the label.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the light of the foregoing exposition, the present invention relates to a mechanical label applicator, from among those applicators which include means for placing individual adhesive labels obtained from a reel or bandolier, which are located in air extraction circuits, for the purpose of supporting these by pressure reduction up to their final placement, which have a flat, punched surface, of a size according to the format of the label to be retained; essentially characterised in that the applicator (1) is incorporated within an air intake enclosure (4), fitted with a standard side axial extractor (3), as well as with an elastic plate (4.1), punched (4.2) and having a groove (4.3) for attachment of the applicator (1), in which a small pressure drop is produced which retains the borders of the label (5).
The axial extraction (1.1) of air, by a standard vacuum pump, not shown in the figure, is carried out through the elastic duct (1.2), via the applicator (1) cylinder it is done before along the shaft (2.1) of the elastic piece (2) inserted in the lower end of the applicator (1),the retention of the central part of the label (5) also be achieved by the pressure drop produced on the inside face thereof.
The cylinder is motor-driven (6) and guided (7), its feed head (1.3), joined to the pulling means (8) of the motor (6), being pulled from the flush position of the label piece up to its lower placement position of the label (5) on the pertinent object (9) beneath.
This description is not extended further on the clear understanding that any expert in this matter should have sufficient information to appreciate the scope of the invention and the advantages stemming therefrom, as well as how to proceed to its reproduction.
It is further understood that, if they do not alter the essential nature of the invention, both the variation in the materials and the form, size and disposition of the elements are capable of variation within the same characterisation.
The terms employed in the course of the description and the significance of the latter must always be considered in a non-restrictive manner.

Claims

Mechanical label applicator, from among those which have means of positioning individual adhesive labels obtained from a reel or bandolier, which are lodged in air extraction circuits, for the purpose of retaining these by pressure reduction up to their final placement, which have a flat, punched surface of size according to the format of the label to be retained, which has an air intake enclosure (4), fitted with a standard axial extractor (3), side mounted, essentially characterised in that this enclosure (4) incorporates:
- and elastic plate (4.1), punched (4.2) and having a groove (4.3) for attaching the applicator (1), in which a small pressure drop is produced which retains the borders of the label (5),

- an axial extraction (1.1) of air, through the cylinder of the applicator (1) itself and of the shaft (2.1) of the elastic piece (2) inserted on its lower end, which is performed by means of a vacuum pump, through the elastic duct (1.2), the retention of the central part of the label (5) being achieved by the pressure reduction produced on the inside face thereof.
Mechanical label applicator according to claim 1, characterised in that the applicator (1) cylinder is motor-driven (6) and guided (7), its feed head (1.3), joined to the pulling means (8) of the motor (6), being pulled from the flush position of the label piece up to its lower placement position of the label (5) on the pertinent object (9) underneath.