Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
  • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
  • B65C9/08—Label feeding
  • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
  • B65C9/1865—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels adhering on a backing strip
  • B65C9/1876—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels adhering on a backing strip and being transferred by suction means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
  • B65C3/00—Labelling other than flat surfaces
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
  • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
  • B65C9/26—Devices for applying labels
  • B65C9/36—Wipers; Pressers

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a labeling apparatus. More particularly it relates to an apparatus for automatically applying labels onto objects.
• a single stepper motor is utilized in conjunction with two gear trains to drive both the label cassette to supply the labels and to simultaneously rotate the head.
• the available labeling apparatuses appear to be quite wide and therefore when arranged in a parallel arrangement limit the minimum width of said arrangement.
• Another need addressed in the present invention is the need for a simpler assembly and maintenance of labeling apparatus.
• Another need is for a labeling apparatus to be simple, compact and easy to handle and operate, thereby reducing the cost of producing the labeling apparatus.
• the present invention addresses these needs and provides a labeling apparatus which is compact, has relatively fewer parts, is very simple to assemble and maintain and allows the installation of a plurality of banks of labeling apparatuses in a space normally occupied by a fewer number of labeling apparatuses. This feature on its own has a very great appeal in the labeling industry. It is an object of the present invention to provide a labeling apparatus, having a novel transmission system for transmitting motor power to both the labeling tape and the labeling applicator. It is another object of the present invention to provide a labeling apparatus, which is relatively simple to manufacture and maintain, and is relatively cheap to manufacture or maintain.
• a labeling apparatus for labeling objects with labels initially provided sequentially on a label carrier, each label to be applied on each object, the apparatus comprising: a motor; a transmission mechanism; a label applicator comprising a rotary bellows head, with a predetermined number of bellows distributed in a predetermined distribution about the rotary bellows head, each bellow capable of receiving a label off the label carrier at a label receiving position and sticking it onto the object; a hauling mechanism for hauling the label carrier so as to deliver labels, one at a time, to the label receiving position; a transmission mechanism for simultaneously transmitting power form the motor to the label applicator and the hauling mechanism; and a synchronization mechanism for synchronizing arrival of a label to the receiving position at the same time a bellow reaches the receiving position.
• the transmission mechanism includes two cooperating cogs, the first cog having a leading rim one a face of the first cog extending over a portion of a complete circle, and a protruding pin, and the second cog having on a corresponding face a protruding bulk with round recesses matching the leading rim, evenly distributed about it, and in between the recesses perpendicular slots into which the protruding pin may slide.
• the leading rim on the first cog extends about three-quarters of a circle, and wherein four round recesses are provided on the second cog.
• the label carrier is a tape.
• the label receiving position is located on a peeler blade.
• the transmission mechanism incorporates cogs with a dual cog formation consisting of a first cog having a circumference of a predetermined radius with a continuous teeth arrangement on the circumference, and a second, concentric, cog having a circumference of a predetermined radius with a discrete non-continuous teeth arrangement on the circumference, the discrete non-continuous teeth arrangement consisting of a predetermined number of teeth distributed on the circumference of the second cog in groups of one or more teeth.
• the groups of one or more teeth are evenly distributed on the circumference of the second cog.
• the first cog and the second cog of the dual cog formation have different radii.
• a spindle of the motor is communicating with the transmission mechanism via a drive belt, and wherein the spindle is positioned perpendicular to rotation planes of cogs of the transmission mechanism.
• the motor is communicating with a proximity sensor provided for detection of an approaching object and when such detection occurs the motor engages.
• the labeling apparatus is provided in plurality, and in a parallel formation.
• Fig. 1 illustrates a side view of a suggested mechanism for a labeling apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of a suggested mechanism for a labeling apparatus in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Fig. 3 illustrates an opposite side view of the mechanism of the apparatus of Fig. 2.
• Fig. 4 illustrates the synchronization mechanism of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 and 3.
• Fig. 5 illustrates a suggested bank of parallel labeling apparatuses in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• An aspect of the present invention is the provision of a labeling apparatus that has a low profile, aimed at facilitating the installation of a plurality of labeling apparatuses in parallel capable of labeling more objects than was previously available.
• a labeling apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises: a rotary bellows head adapted to pick up a label from a label carrier and stick it onto an object passing by the bellows head, a motor for driving the bellows head and the tape carrier, and a novel transmission mechanism that is discussed in details hereinafter.
• a single electric motor is 26 is utilized to drive both the label providing means 8 and the label applicator 24 simultaneously and in synchronized way.
• a labeling apparatus 40 comprises a label providing means 8 which basically consists of a label tape reel 2, carrying a plurality of labels 6 arranged sequentially, each label 6 designed to be attached to an object to be labeled, as the object is passed adjacent the label applicator 24, and a label applicator 24 (here in the form of a revolving bellows head), which receives the label 6 at a label receiving position located here at the tip of a peeler blade 12 and applies it onto the passing object (for example orange 42 in Fig. 5).
• a label providing means 8 which basically consists of a label tape reel 2, carrying a plurality of labels 6 arranged sequentially, each label 6 designed to be attached to an object to be labeled, as the object is passed adjacent the label applicator 24, and a label applicator 24 (here in the form of a revolving bellows head), which receives the label 6 at a label receiving position located here at the tip of a peeler blade 12 and applies it onto the passing object (for example orange
• the label providing means comprising a reel hub 8 on which a label cassette or a label reel 2 is mounted, means for transferring the label tape 4, peeling means 12 for peeling the labels off the tape, and optional means for receiving the label carrier's residue 38 (or discarding means).
• the transmission mechanism of the label providing means is described in detail hereinafter.
• the label reel 2 comprises a label tape 4 having labels 6 arranged sequentially at regular intervals or without any intervals therealong. The faces of the labels 6 adjacent the carrier tape are coated with an adhesive layer.
• the label tape 4 is fed from the label reel 2 through optional guide rolls 34a, 34b, 34c, towards the peeling blade 12. The separation of the labels 6 from the label tape 4 takes place at the label receiving position.
• the peeling means may consist of a peeling blade 12 or a guide pin or similar device.
• the label tape 4 is wound over a sharp end of the peeling means 12 and as label tape 4 advances label 6 is released from the label tape 4, at the label receiving position and is picked up by a bellow 22 of the label applicator 24.
• the label tape 4 is led from the peeling means 12 through optional gear 31.
• Hauling gear 10 is provided with spikes or teeth for insertion into matching perforation in the label tape, so as to advance the tape, and from there the tape is fed into an optional waste receiving means 38.
• the waste receiving means 38 can for example a basket, a waste container or an empty bobbin over which the tape is wound.
• the tension in the label carrier 4 is maintained preferably by a pressure roller 36, but this may be achieved in alternative ways too.
• the label applicator 24 comprises a rotary application head which is adapted to be driven rotatably by cog.
• the rotary applicator head carries a plurality of bellows 22.
• the bellows 22 are expandable, and are preferably equally spaced around the periphery of the rotary application head 20.
• the expandable feature of the bellows 22 enables the bellows to reach objects of different sizes.
• a possible configuration of the rotary application head 20 and the bellows 22 is disclosed in European Patent No.
• each bellow 22 fluidly communicates via pipe 72 (and corresponding conduit 73, see fig. 2) with a vacuum reservoir (where it is needed to be retracted) or via pipe 70 (and corresponding conduit 71, see fig. 2) with a high pressure air reservoir (where it is needed to deploy the below in order to apply the label onto an object) alternatively.
• the label providing means 8 and the label applicator 24 are driven by a single common electric motor 26 which drives the label providing means 8 to supply labels 6 and at the same time drives the label applicator 24 to receive the label 6 and to apply the label to an object 42.
• a transmission mechanism is provided in the form of a set of cogs. Basically the set of cogs is designed to transmit the driving force of the motor to the bellows head 20 continuously and at the same time advance the label tape 4 at a rate of one label 6 per approaching bellow 22, which means that the speed of the advanced label tape 4 must be synchronized with the rotation of the bellows head in such a way that conforms with this requirement.
• the transmission mechanism includes a dual cog formation (see cog 46), or two coupled cogs, a first cog with a continuous formation of teeth on its circumference 37 and a second, concentric cog with a discrete non-continuous set of teeth distributed on its circumference 35 in a predetermined manner.
• the distribution of the discrete non-continuous set of teeth is preferably distributed evenly around the cog in groups, each group consisting of one or more teeth, the number groups of teeth equal to the number of bellows.
• the even distribution of teeth groups around the second cog is of course dependant on the even distribution of labels on the label tape, if the labels are not evenly distributed on the label tape (which is considered highly impractical) then the distribution of the groups of teeth around the second cog would have to match that distribution.
• the dual cog formation 46 rotates the continuous formation of teeth along the circumference of the first cog turns the transmission cogs communicating continuously via optional transmission cogs with the bellows head 20, rotating it, whereas the discrete non- continuous set of teeth provided on the second cog communicates in a discrete manner via optional transmission cogs with the hauling wheel 10, the latter pulling the labels discretely and in a synchronized way with respect to the bellows head revolution.
• Cog 32 communicates both with bellows head cog 24 and with the continuous cog teeth 37 of synchronization mechanism 35 here having a dual cog formation 46, turning both cogs in the same direction.
• the dual cog" formation 46 rotates, its discrete non- continuous set of teeth provided on the second cog 35 communicates in a discrete manner with hauling wheel 10 via transmission cog 31 and thus turns the hauling wheel in the opposite direction to the dual cog formation 46 pulling the label tape 4 from the label cassette 2.
• this transmission mechanism as the motor is engaged, the bellows head rotates bellows 22 in a continuous manner, driving the bellows from label receiving position 62 to label applying position 64, while on the same time advancing label tape 4 at a rate of one label 6 per bellow 22.
• the distances between each group of teeth on the second cog 35 of the dual cog formation 46 and the number of groups of teeth, as well as the radii ratio between the first cog and second cogs of the dual-cog formation determines the proper velocity of the label tape and the synchronization with the bellows head, so that each time label 6 is freed from the label tape 4 at the label receiving position 62, said label being picked up by a bellow 22.
• the dual cog formation 46, or only its second cog 35 having discrete non- continuous set of teeth, may be optionally replaceable to permit replacement with another cog in order to accommodate the labeling apparatus to labels of different sizes or distribution along the label tape.
• An optional proximity sensor (preferably hidden within the bellows head or in its vicinity - not shown in the figures) communicating with the motor (optionally via a controller) is provided for detecting the presence or the absence of an object to be labeled near the bellows head.
• the motor 26 is engaged, thus, the bellows head rotates the bellows, turning the bellows sequentially from label receiving position 62 to label applying position 64 whereas at the label receiving position the bellow picks up a label and at the applying position the bellow sticks a label onto the object, while on the same time advancing the label tape 4 at a rate of one label 6 per bellow 22.
• the position of the proximity sensor is chosen with regard to the number of steps that the label applicator 20 takes between receiving a label by a bellow 22 and arriving of the bellow at the position where the bellow sticks the label onto an object 42.
• the unique alignment of the labeling apparatus as described above and shown in the figures with the motor being positioned with its axis of rotation perpendicular to the cogs plane of rotation is important as it decreases the width of each labeling apparatus.
• the motor shaft 48 is substantially vertical to the base 50. Due to this alignment, a compact multiple labeling apparatus can be constructed by providing side by side plurality of labeling apparatuses as shown in Fig. 5.
• Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of a suggested mechanism for a labeling apparatus in accordance with anther preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the synchronization mechanism is based on two cooperating cogs 76, 78 (see also Fig. 4). Power is transmitted from the motor 26 via belt 30 to cog 32 which simultaneously rotates cog 76 and transmission cog 80 which takes care of keeping the rotation of bellows head 24 same as the rotation direction of cog 32. While cog 76 rotates continuously, cooperating cog 78 rotates discretely, four times per one complete rotation of cog 76 (this is suited for a quadraple bellows head - for different number of bellows the synchronization mechanism will have to be altered to rotate discretely cog 78 in the same number of bellows). At the same time cog 78 interacts with cog 82, rotating it.
• Cog 82 cooperates with cog 86 (see Fig. 3), which turns, via belt 84, hauling wheel 10 (also serving to pull the tape).
• Fig. 3 illustrates an opposite side view of the mechanism of the apparatus of Fig. 2. Here haulmg wheel 10 is shown with its transmission (belt 84 communicating with cog 86 and tension exerters 88).
• Fig. 4 illustrates the synchronization mechanism of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 and 3.
• Cog 76 is toothed (77) one of its faces in order to cooperate with cog 32. It is provided on the opposite face with a leading rim 90 extending about three-quarters of a complete circle, and a protruding pin 92 near its edge.
• Cog 78 is provided on a corresponding cooperating face with a protruding bulk 96 with four round recesses 99 matching the curvature of the leading rim, evenly distributed about it, and in between them four perpendicular slots 98 into which protruding pin 92 may slide.
• Cog 100 which is coupled to cog 78 is provided in order to cooperate with cog 82 (see Fig. 3). As cog 76 turns continuously cog 78 is held stationary while leading rim 90 occupies one of the round recesses 99, only when leading rim 90 ceases to hold the corresponding round recess does protruding pin 92 go into the adjacent slot 98 and forces cog 78 to turn a quarter turn.
• the transfer of a label to a bellow is more reliable, eliminating or at least greatly reducing the risk of missed labels.
• the labeling apparatus is relatively simple and cheap to manufacture and maintain. The unique alignment of the components of a labeling apparatus allows installation of a plurality of units of labeling apparatus in the same space that would have been normally required by fewer units of prior art labeling apparatuses.
• the labels can be made of paper, and can be of different length and sizes.
• a labeling apparatus can be constructed at different sizes. Applying of labels can be to a uniform or non uniform objects such as fruits, vegetables, containers and other such objects.
• the bellows 22 of the label applicator 18 can be made of any elastic material which will allow the bellow to contract and extend.

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• Labeling Devices (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=33485304

Family Applications (1)

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• 2003
  • 2003-10-30 IL IL15868403A patent/IL158684A0/xx unknown
• 2004
  • 2004-10-27 WO PCT/IL2004/000985 patent/WO2005042350A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2004-10-27 AU AU2004285775A patent/AU2004285775A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2004-10-27 MX MXPA06004841A patent/MXPA06004841A/es not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2004-10-27 EP EP04791847A patent/EP1682414A2/en not_active Withdrawn
• 2006
  • 2006-01-01 ZA ZA200603429A patent/ZA200603429B/en unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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