EP3760550A1 - Unit for transferring reels of labelling material - Google Patents
Unit for transferring reels of labelling material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3760550A1 EP3760550A1 EP20170504.3A EP20170504A EP3760550A1 EP 3760550 A1 EP3760550 A1 EP 3760550A1 EP 20170504 A EP20170504 A EP 20170504A EP 3760550 A1 EP3760550 A1 EP 3760550A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- transfer unit
- stack
- reels
- gripping
- labelling
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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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
- B65C9/1892—Spools or cassettes for strips
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H19/00—Changing the web roll
- B65H19/10—Changing the web roll in unwinding mechanisms or in connection with unwinding operations
- B65H19/12—Lifting, transporting, or inserting the web roll; Removing empty core
- B65H19/123—Lifting, transporting, or inserting the web roll; Removing empty core with cantilever supporting arrangements
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2301/00—Handling processes for sheets or webs
- B65H2301/30—Orientation, displacement, position of the handled material
- B65H2301/32—Orientation of handled material
- B65H2301/325—Orientation of handled material of roll of material
- B65H2301/3251—Orientation of handled material of roll of material vertical axis
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2801/00—Application field
- B65H2801/75—Labelling machines
Definitions
- the present innovation relates to a reel transfer unit.
- the present innovation may be advantageously, but not exclusively, used to transfer, i.e. to load or feed, automatically reels of labelling material to the labelling module of a labelling machine configured to apply labels onto articles, in particular containers designed to contain a pourable product, preferably a food product.
- the bottling of pourable food or non-food products inside respective containers is usually accompanied by the labelling of these containers with respective labels, in the form of thin bands which are obtained from a strip of labelling material, during a labelling process.
- the strip of labelling material is wound onto one or more storage reels which typically have a disc-like form, with a height substantially equal to the transverse extension of the strip.
- the labelling of the container is performed before, during or after the filling thereof, by means of special labelling machines.
- Labelling machines which are configured to prepare, transport and apply, during a labelling process, labels onto respective containers designed to be filled with a pourable product are known.
- a succession of containers is moved forwards, along a predetermined travel path, towards a labelling module of the labelling machine configured to label each container.
- the strip of labelling material is firstly unwound from the respective storage device and then fed, along a predetermined feeding path, to a cutting device, typically a cutting blade, which is configured to separate the strip into a succession of single labels which have the same length.
- a cutting device typically a cutting blade
- the labelling module further comprises a label transfer device, typically a vacuum drum which is configured to receive each label, retain it on an outer surface thereof by means of suction and apply it onto a respective container, in an application station.
- a label transfer device typically a vacuum drum which is configured to receive each label, retain it on an outer surface thereof by means of suction and apply it onto a respective container, in an application station.
- a layer of glue is spread on an inner side of each label, namely on its rear side, namely the side which is intended to cooperate by means of contact, in particular to be pressed, onto the respective container, after application.
- the transfer or loading operation is performed by means of a transfer (or loading) unit usually comprising one or more robotic arms configured to remove the reels from the respective stack and release them to the labelling module.
- a transfer (or loading) unit usually comprising one or more robotic arms configured to remove the reels from the respective stack and release them to the labelling module.
- a transfer unit of the known type comprises one or more storage members, for example vertical supports, each consisting of a column supported in a vertical position by a base (for example a tripod); the reels are secured to the support by inserting the column concentrically inside the central hubs of the respective reels. In this way, stacks of concentric reel are obtained, said stacks being positioned, for example by an operator, in the vicinity of the labelling module.
- Each reel is then removed from the respective stack by means of the aforementioned robotic arm, for example by means of engagement of a respective gripping device mounted on the robotic arm with the associated central hub of the reel.
- the object of the present innovation is to provide a unit for transferring reels of labelling material, which is very reliable and has a low cost and which is able to overcome at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks associated with the units for transferring reels of labelling material of the known type.
- this object is achieved by a transfer unit according to Claim 1.
- 1 denotes in its entirety a labelling machine (shown in schematic form and with parts removed for greater clarity) configured to handle a labelling material in an automated labelling process.
- the labelling machine 1 forms part of a plant for packaging pourable products and is configured to apply labels 2 obtained from a strip 3 of labelling material onto articles.
- the articles consist of containers 4, for example bottles, cans or the like, which are made of plastic, metallic or glass material, able to contain (namely be filled with) a pourable product, preferably a food product.
- the labels 2 applied are glued labels, namely portions of labelling material of predefined length, which are cut from the strip 3 of labelling material and then covered with glue. These cut and glued labels 2 are then transferred and applied onto the outer surface of the respective containers 4.
- the labelling machine 1 comprises essentially:
- the strip 3 is initially wound - and stored - on respective storage reels 6 having a disc-like form and a height substantially equal to the transverse extension of the said strip 3.
- the labelling module 13 comprises essentially:
- the vacuum drum 10 has a substantially cylindrical-toroidal lobe-shaped form.
- the drum 10 receives in sequence, during use, the labels 2 which have been cut beforehand by the cutting blade 9, retains the labels 2 by means of suction on its side surface and, after a rotation through a given angle about the axis X, releases these labels 2 in the application station A, so that they are applied onto the respective containers 4, in a manner known and not described in detail.
- the labelling module 13 comprises, furthermore, a glue application device 11, for example a glue roller, configured to apply a certain predetermined amount of glue onto each label 2, before the latter is applied onto the associated container 4.
- a glue application device 11 for example a glue roller, configured to apply a certain predetermined amount of glue onto each label 2, before the latter is applied onto the associated container 4.
- the application device 11 is configured to spread a layer of glue on an inner side of each label 2.
- inner side of the label 2 is understood as being the rear of the label 2, namely the side intended to cooperate by means of contact, namely to be pressed, onto the side surface of the respective container 4, after application.
- the inner side therefore forms the non-visible part of the label 2 after application.
- the labelling machine 1 further comprises a transfer unit 12 configured to feed - i.e. to transfer or load - in sequence the reels 6, in particular at least one reel 6 at a time to the labelling module 13.
- the transfer unit 12 is configured to position one reel 6 at a time on each shaft 7 of the labelling module 13 and to remove the empty reels 6 from the said shafts 7.
- the transfer unit 12 comprises:
- each of the two shafts 7 defines an aforementioned release station R.
- the support member 14 is arranged at the rear of the labelling module 13, in particular on the side of the labelling module 13 opposite to that of the carousel 5.
- the support member 14 comprises a vertical column 17 engaging, during use, with the central of hubs of the stacked reels 6 and a disc-like base 18 mounted slidably on the column 17 and supporting above it, during use, the stack 15.
- the reels 6 are stacked vertically on the disc-like base 18 with their central hubs engaged by the vertical column 17.
- the robotic arm 16 comprises a gripping member 20 configured to remove at least one reel 6 from the stack 15, at the gripping station G, and to release it at the corresponding release station R, namely onto the corresponding shaft 7.
- the stack 15 when the stack 15 is located at the gripping station G, it is arranged underneath the robotic arm 16, in particular underneath the gripping member 20.
- the gripping member 20 comprises vacuum suction means for removing and retaining one reel 6 at a time.
- the gripping member 20 is defined by a substantially circular plate comprising, on its bottom surface facing, during use, the stack 15 (and therefore directed downwards), a plurality of holes (not shown); these holes are connected in fluid communication with a vacuum source (known per se and not shown) designed to generate a sucking action in the region of the said holes.
- the gripping member 20, and therefore the robotic arm 16 is able to remove and retain in sequence the reels 6, in particular one reel 6 at a time.
- the sucking action is interrupted and the reel 6 is released to the corresponding shaft 7; in this condition the central hub of the reel 6 is engaged by this shaft 7 so that the shaft 7 itself rotatably supports the reel 6.
- the holes extend radially over the entire bottom surface of the gripping member 20; in this way it is possible to avoid the undesirable separation of the strip 3 from the reel 6 during transfer from the gripping station G to the associated release station R.
- the labelling module 13 comprises, on each shaft 7 of the means for raising the reels 6, in particular fork members 21 movable vertically between:
- the fork members 21 are slidably connected to respective vertical guides 30 which are fixed onto the labelling module 13.
- the empty reels 6 are transferred, by means of the robotic arm 6, to a special collection device 22 (schematically shown).
- the support member 14 is movable horizontally, during use, at least from a remote position, where the reels 6 are arranged stacked vertically on the said support member 14, to the gripping station G, where the transfer unit 12 is configured to eliminate the vertical distance between the stack 15 and the robotic arm 16, namely between the stack 15 and the bottom surface of the gripping member 20.
- the transfer unit 12 comprises a trolley 23 carrying the support member 14, in particular carrying on top of it the support member 14 and movable horizontally at least from the remote position to the gripping station G.
- the column 17 is fixed to the trolley 23 and therefore transported, during use, by the trolley 23.
- the trolley 23 is provided with wheels and the transfer unit 12 further comprises a guide rail 24 extending horizontally at least from the remote position to the gripping station G and configured to seat slidably the trolley 23, in particular the wheels of the trolley 23.
- the transfer unit 12 further comprises a control unit 25 configured to control the sliding movement of the trolley 23 along the guide rail 24 at least from the remote position to the gripping station G. Consequently, the trolley 23 defines an automatic robotic trolley.
- the trolley 23 could be moved manually by an operator.
- the trolley 23 When the trolley 23 is located in the remote position, it carries the support member 14 which supports, in turn, a plurality of reels 6 organized in a vertical stack 15, as specified above.
- the trolley 23 is operated by the control unit 25 so as to move from the remote position to the gripping station G where the stack 15 is arranged underneath the gripping member 20 of the robotic arm 16.
- the transfer unit 12 eliminates the vertical distance between the stack 15 and the gripping member 20.
- the transfer unit 12 comprises raising means designed to move vertically the stack 15 when the support member 14 is located at the gripping station G and therefore when the stack 15 is located underneath the gripping member 20.
- the raising means comprise a vertical guide 26 and a lifting fork 27 slidably engaged with the vertical guide 26.
- the fork 27 is configured to cooperate by means of contact with the disc-like base 18, more particularly with a bottom surface of the disc-like base 18.
- the fork 27 raises, during use, the disc-like base 18 so as to move vertically the stack 15 itself and bring the first reel 6 (that arranged highest) in the stack 15 within the reach of the gripping member 20.
- the fork 27 is operated by the control unit 25 so as to move downwards, so that the reel 6 to be transferred remains gripped by the said gripping member 20 and so that the stack 15 does not interfere with the subsequent movement of the gripped reel 6.
- the fork member 27 When the next reel 6 must be transferred, the fork member 27 will be operated so as to move again upwards, thus bringing the new first reel 6 within the reach of the gripping member 20.
- control unit 25 causes the displacement of the trolley 23 from the gripping station G to the remote position.
- the robotic arm 16 is fixed pivotably, in particular rotatably, to a rear portion of the labelling module 13.
- the robotic arm 16 comprises:
- the bar element 29 is arranged perpendicularly with respect to the axis Y.
- the robotic arm 16 is configured to move the gripping member 20 along a substantially circular gripping path W concentric with the axis Y and passing through the gripping station G and the release stations R.
- the robotic arm 16 is fixed to the ground supporting the labelling module 13, the transfer unit 12 and the carousel 5.
- the gripping member 20 is movable vertically towards/away from the support member 14 when the support member 14 is in the gripping station G.
- the spindle 28 of the robotic arm 16 is extendable/retractable along the axis Y; since the bar element 29 is mounted integrally with the spindle 28, it causes a corresponding vertical movement of the gripping member 20.
- the gripping member 20 is mounted so as to be movable with the bar element 29, for example by means of a coupling extendable telescopically in the vertical direction.
- the gripping member 20 is able to reach the aforementioned first reel 6 in the stack 15 and grip it, at the gripping station G.
- the transfer unit 12 comprises at least two support members 14 each configured to support a respective plurality of reels 6 organized vertically in respective stacks 15.
- At least two gripping stations G1 and G2 are defined and passed through by the gripping path W defined, during use, by the gripping member 20 of the robotic arm 16 about the axis Y.
- the trolley 23 is operated by the control unit 25 so as to move from the remote position to the gripping station G, or is already located in the gripping station G. Moreover, the robotic arm 16 is operated to move into the gripping station G (situation shown in Figure 2a ).
- the labelling module 13 so as not to interrupt production, draws material from the full reel 6 which has already been loaded onto the other one of the shafts 7 by means of a system for splicing the strip 3, known per se and not described in detail.
- the robotic arm 16 is operated to move along the path W towards the associated release station R in order to pick up the empty reel 6, unload it onto the collection device 22 ( Figure 2b ) and move towards the gripping station G.
- the fork 27 raises the stack 15 and the gripping member 20 grips the new reel 6 from the stack 15.
- the gripping member 20 moves down vertically towards the stack 15 in order to pick up the new reel 6, as specified above.
- the robotic arm 16 is operated to move again into the release station R in order to release the reel 6 to the respective shaft 7 ( Figure 2c ).
- the process is repeated whenever it is required to transfer a new reel 6 to the labelling module 13.
- the labels 2 applied, during use, by the labelling machine 1 could be of the PSL type, namely self-adhesive labels which are initially attached to a backing strip defining the strip 3 of labelling material.
- the labels 2 could consist of sleeve labels, namely tubular labels which are fitted loose onto the containers 4 in a known manner by means of special spindles and which then undergo heat-shrinking.
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- Labeling Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present innovation relates to a reel transfer unit. In particular, the present innovation may be advantageously, but not exclusively, used to transfer, i.e. to load or feed, automatically reels of labelling material to the labelling module of a labelling machine configured to apply labels onto articles, in particular containers designed to contain a pourable product, preferably a food product.
- The bottling of pourable food or non-food products inside respective containers is usually accompanied by the labelling of these containers with respective labels, in the form of thin bands which are obtained from a strip of labelling material, during a labelling process.
- Generally, the strip of labelling material is wound onto one or more storage reels which typically have a disc-like form, with a height substantially equal to the transverse extension of the strip.
- The labelling of the container is performed before, during or after the filling thereof, by means of special labelling machines.
- Labelling machines which are configured to prepare, transport and apply, during a labelling process, labels onto respective containers designed to be filled with a pourable product are known.
- In detail, during this process, a succession of containers is moved forwards, along a predetermined travel path, towards a labelling module of the labelling machine configured to label each container.
- Various types of labelling processes are known where glued labels, adhesive labels (PSL) or sleeve labels may be used. The present description will refer specifically to labels of the glued type, although this is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.
- According to this type of labelling process, within the labelling module, the strip of labelling material is firstly unwound from the respective storage device and then fed, along a predetermined feeding path, to a cutting device, typically a cutting blade, which is configured to separate the strip into a succession of single labels which have the same length. The labels thus obtained are then transferred and glued onto the outer side surface of respective articles.
- The labelling module further comprises a label transfer device, typically a vacuum drum which is configured to receive each label, retain it on an outer surface thereof by means of suction and apply it onto a respective container, in an application station.
- Before application onto the respective container, a layer of glue is spread on an inner side of each label, namely on its rear side, namely the side which is intended to cooperate by means of contact, in particular to be pressed, onto the respective container, after application.
- Whatever the type of labelling process involved, in order to ensure the uninterrupted feeding of labelling material to the transfer device of the labelling unit, new reels must be transferred:
- from a storage position, where a plurality of reels are positioned, usually stacked, in a special support or storage member;
- to a working position, where each reel is transferred (loaded) from the storage member to a receiving shaft of the labelling module, designed to support and unwind the strip of labelling material from the respective reel in order to feed it to the vacuum drum.
- The transfer or loading operation is performed by means of a transfer (or loading) unit usually comprising one or more robotic arms configured to remove the reels from the respective stack and release them to the labelling module.
- Typically a transfer unit of the known type comprises one or more storage members, for example vertical supports, each consisting of a column supported in a vertical position by a base (for example a tripod); the reels are secured to the support by inserting the column concentrically inside the central hubs of the respective reels. In this way, stacks of concentric reel are obtained, said stacks being positioned, for example by an operator, in the vicinity of the labelling module.
- Each reel is then removed from the respective stack by means of the aforementioned robotic arm, for example by means of engagement of a respective gripping device mounted on the robotic arm with the associated central hub of the reel.
- An example of the aforementioned transfer unit is described in
WO-A-2019048044 . - Although the known transfer units are functionally valid, the Applicant has realized that they may be subject to further improvements. In particular, in the sector there exists the need to increase the degree of automation of the labelling process and increase the flexibility of the known labelling modules, without complicating the architecture of the entire labelling machine.
- The object of the present innovation is to provide a unit for transferring reels of labelling material, which is very reliable and has a low cost and which is able to overcome at least some of the aforementioned drawbacks associated with the units for transferring reels of labelling material of the known type.
- According to the innovation, this object is achieved by a transfer unit according to Claim 1.
- For a better understanding of the present innovation, a preferred non-limiting embodiment thereof is described purely by way of example with the aid of the attached drawings, in which:
-
Figure 1 is a perspective view, with parts removed for greater clarity, of a labelling machine comprising a labelling module and a transfer unit designed according to the present invention; -
Figures 2a-2c show schematic top plan views, on a larger scale and with parts removed for greater clarity, of the labelling module and the transfer unit according toFigure 1 , in three different operating conditions; -
Figure 3 shows a schematic top plan view, on a larger scale and with parts removed for greater clarity, of the transfer unit and the labelling module according toFigure 1 , during a different operating mode. - With reference to the attached
figures, 1 denotes in its entirety a labelling machine (shown in schematic form and with parts removed for greater clarity) configured to handle a labelling material in an automated labelling process. - In particular, the labelling machine 1 forms part of a plant for packaging pourable products and is configured to apply
labels 2 obtained from astrip 3 of labelling material onto articles. - More particularly, the articles consist of
containers 4, for example bottles, cans or the like, which are made of plastic, metallic or glass material, able to contain (namely be filled with) a pourable product, preferably a food product. - In the example shown, the
labels 2 applied are glued labels, namely portions of labelling material of predefined length, which are cut from thestrip 3 of labelling material and then covered with glue. These cut and gluedlabels 2 are then transferred and applied onto the outer surface of therespective containers 4. - The labelling machine 1 comprises essentially:
- a
carousel 5 rotating about a vertical axis Z, designed to convey a plurality ofcontainers 4 in succession along a horizontal travel path P in the form of a circle arc; - an inlet station I through which the
containers 4 to be labelled are fed to thecarousel 5; - an outlet station O receiving the labelled
containers 4 from thecarousel 5; and - at least one labelling module 13 (shown schematically and only with the parts essentially needed for understanding of the present invention) arranged on the periphery of the
carousel 5 and configured to feed a plurality oflabels 2 to thesaid carousel 5 and apply them onto therespective containers 4, in an application station A. - As is known, the
strip 3 is initially wound - and stored - onrespective storage reels 6 having a disc-like form and a height substantially equal to the transverse extension of thesaid strip 3. - The
labelling module 13 comprises essentially: - at least one
shaft 7, two in the example, each configured to support rotatably arespective storage reel 6 from which, during use, thestrip 3 of labelling material is unwound; - a plurality of unwinding and
feeding rollers 8 which support thestrip 3 unwound from thereel 6 and guide it along a feeding path, which is preferably horizontal; - a cutting device, for example a
cutting blade 9, designed to separate, in particular cut, in sequence eachlabel 2 from thestrip 3 of labelling material, thus forminglabels 2 which have the same length; - a transfer device, in particular a
vacuum drum 10 for transferring thelabels 2, rotatable about its axis X, positioned peripherally with respect to thecarousel 5 and configured to receive, retain and feed eachlabel 2 which has been previously cut and to apply thislabel 2 onto therespective container 4, in the application station A. - Preferably, the
vacuum drum 10 has a substantially cylindrical-toroidal lobe-shaped form. - More precisely, the
drum 10 receives in sequence, during use, thelabels 2 which have been cut beforehand by thecutting blade 9, retains thelabels 2 by means of suction on its side surface and, after a rotation through a given angle about the axis X, releases theselabels 2 in the application station A, so that they are applied onto therespective containers 4, in a manner known and not described in detail. - The
labelling module 13 comprises, furthermore, aglue application device 11, for example a glue roller, configured to apply a certain predetermined amount of glue onto eachlabel 2, before the latter is applied onto theassociated container 4. - In particular, the
application device 11 is configured to spread a layer of glue on an inner side of eachlabel 2. - It is pointed out that "inner side" of the
label 2 is understood as being the rear of thelabel 2, namely the side intended to cooperate by means of contact, namely to be pressed, onto the side surface of therespective container 4, after application. The inner side therefore forms the non-visible part of thelabel 2 after application. - In order to ensure the uninterrupted feeding of
labels 2 to thevacuum drum 10 of thelabelling module 13, the labelling machine 1 further comprises atransfer unit 12 configured to feed - i.e. to transfer or load - in sequence thereels 6, in particular at least onereel 6 at a time to thelabelling module 13. - In detail, the
transfer unit 12 is configured to position onereel 6 at a time on eachshaft 7 of thelabelling module 13 and to remove theempty reels 6 from the saidshafts 7. - In greater detail, the
transfer unit 12 comprises: - a
support member 14 configured to support a plurality ofreels 6 organized vertically to form astack 15; and - a
robotic arm 16 configured to remove at least onereel 6 at a time from thestack 15 at a gripping station G and to release it at a release station R. - In the example described, each of the two
shafts 7 defines an aforementioned release station R. - According to this preferred non-limiting embodiment, the
support member 14 is arranged at the rear of thelabelling module 13, in particular on the side of thelabelling module 13 opposite to that of thecarousel 5. - The
support member 14 comprises avertical column 17 engaging, during use, with the central of hubs of thestacked reels 6 and a disc-like base 18 mounted slidably on thecolumn 17 and supporting above it, during use, thestack 15. - In other words, during use, the
reels 6 are stacked vertically on the disc-like base 18 with their central hubs engaged by thevertical column 17. - In the example described, the
robotic arm 16 comprises a grippingmember 20 configured to remove at least onereel 6 from thestack 15, at the gripping station G, and to release it at the corresponding release station R, namely onto thecorresponding shaft 7. - As shown in the attached drawings, when the
stack 15 is located at the gripping station G, it is arranged underneath therobotic arm 16, in particular underneath the grippingmember 20. - In other words, in this condition, it is possible to define, or identify, a vertical distance between the stack 15 - namely between the
first reel 6 of thestack 15, namely that located highest up - and the grippingmember 20. - Conveniently, the gripping
member 20 comprises vacuum suction means for removing and retaining onereel 6 at a time. - In detail, the gripping
member 20 is defined by a substantially circular plate comprising, on its bottom surface facing, during use, the stack 15 (and therefore directed downwards), a plurality of holes (not shown); these holes are connected in fluid communication with a vacuum source (known per se and not shown) designed to generate a sucking action in the region of the said holes. - By means of this sucking action, the gripping
member 20, and therefore therobotic arm 16, is able to remove and retain in sequence thereels 6, in particular onereel 6 at a time. - Once the release station R is reached, the sucking action is interrupted and the
reel 6 is released to thecorresponding shaft 7; in this condition the central hub of thereel 6 is engaged by thisshaft 7 so that theshaft 7 itself rotatably supports thereel 6. - Suitably, the holes extend radially over the entire bottom surface of the gripping
member 20; in this way it is possible to avoid the undesirable separation of thestrip 3 from thereel 6 during transfer from the gripping station G to the associated release station R. - Preferably, the
labelling module 13 comprises, on eachshaft 7 of the means for raising thereels 6, inparticular fork members 21 movable vertically between: - an upper position, where they receive, during use, the
new reels 6 from the grippingmember 20 or feed theempty reels 6 towards the grippingmember 20; and - a lower position, where they release the
new reels 6 onto the correspondingshafts 7 or remove theempty reels 6 from the saidshafts 7 in order to move them (raise them) towards the grippingmember 20. - In particular, the
fork members 21 are slidably connected to respectivevertical guides 30 which are fixed onto thelabelling module 13. - Suitably, the
empty reels 6 are transferred, by means of therobotic arm 6, to a special collection device 22 (schematically shown). - According to one aspect of the present innovation, the
support member 14 is movable horizontally, during use, at least from a remote position, where thereels 6 are arranged stacked vertically on the saidsupport member 14, to the gripping station G, where thetransfer unit 12 is configured to eliminate the vertical distance between thestack 15 and therobotic arm 16, namely between thestack 15 and the bottom surface of the grippingmember 20. - For this purpose, the
transfer unit 12 comprises atrolley 23 carrying thesupport member 14, in particular carrying on top of it thesupport member 14 and movable horizontally at least from the remote position to the gripping station G. - In detail, the
column 17 is fixed to thetrolley 23 and therefore transported, during use, by thetrolley 23. - Conveniently, the
trolley 23 is provided with wheels and thetransfer unit 12 further comprises aguide rail 24 extending horizontally at least from the remote position to the gripping station G and configured to seat slidably thetrolley 23, in particular the wheels of thetrolley 23. - Suitably, the
transfer unit 12 further comprises acontrol unit 25 configured to control the sliding movement of thetrolley 23 along theguide rail 24 at least from the remote position to the gripping station G. Consequently, thetrolley 23 defines an automatic robotic trolley. - In an alternative embodiment, the
trolley 23 could be moved manually by an operator. - During use, when the
trolley 23 is located in the remote position, it carries thesupport member 14 which supports, in turn, a plurality ofreels 6 organized in avertical stack 15, as specified above. - Then the
trolley 23 is operated by thecontrol unit 25 so as to move from the remote position to the gripping station G where thestack 15 is arranged underneath the grippingmember 20 of therobotic arm 16. - At this point, the
transfer unit 12 eliminates the vertical distance between thestack 15 and the grippingmember 20. - For this purpose, the
transfer unit 12 comprises raising means designed to move vertically thestack 15 when thesupport member 14 is located at the gripping station G and therefore when thestack 15 is located underneath the grippingmember 20. - According to this preferred non-limiting embodiment, the raising means comprise a
vertical guide 26 and a liftingfork 27 slidably engaged with thevertical guide 26. - In particular, the
fork 27 is configured to cooperate by means of contact with the disc-like base 18, more particularly with a bottom surface of the disc-like base 18. - In other words, when the
stack 15 is located at the gripping station G, thefork 27 raises, during use, the disc-like base 18 so as to move vertically thestack 15 itself and bring the first reel 6 (that arranged highest) in thestack 15 within the reach of the grippingmember 20. - During use, as soon as the gripping
member 20 grips thisreel 6, thefork 27 is operated by thecontrol unit 25 so as to move downwards, so that thereel 6 to be transferred remains gripped by the said grippingmember 20 and so that thestack 15 does not interfere with the subsequent movement of the grippedreel 6. - When the
next reel 6 must be transferred, thefork member 27 will be operated so as to move again upwards, thus bringing the newfirst reel 6 within the reach of the grippingmember 20. - This operation is repeated for each
reel 6 present in thestack 15. - When the
stack 15 is empty, namely when all thereels 6 in thestack 15 have been transferred to thelabelling module 13, thecontrol unit 25 causes the displacement of thetrolley 23 from the gripping station G to the remote position. - In this condition, two operations may be performed, in an alternating manner:
- a
new stack 15 is loaded onto thecolumn 17 of thesupport 14; or - the
empty trolley 23 is extracted from theguide rail 24 and replaced with anew trolley 23 which has been provided beforehand (preloaded) with astack 15 ofreels 6. - In this way, the efficiency of the labelling process is increased since it is possible to provide
several trolleys 23 preloaded withrespective stacks 15 ofreels 6. - Moreover, in the case where it is required to change the format of the
labels 2, it is sufficient to introduce atrolley 23 carrying astack 15 ofreels 6 with a different format, which is to be transferred to thelabelling module 13. - In this way the flexibility of the labelling machine 1 is improved.
- According to this preferred non-limiting embodiment, the
robotic arm 16 is fixed pivotably, in particular rotatably, to a rear portion of thelabelling module 13. - In particular, the
robotic arm 16 comprises: - a
spindle 28 which is preferably cylindrical and mounted rotatably on the rear portion of thelabelling module 13 about a vertical axis Y; and - a
bar element 29 mounted integrally with thespindle 28 on a first end portion thereof and carrying the grippingmember 20 on a second end portion thereof opposite to the first end portion. - More precisely, the
bar element 29 is arranged perpendicularly with respect to the axis Y. - The
robotic arm 16 is configured to move the grippingmember 20 along a substantially circular gripping path W concentric with the axis Y and passing through the gripping station G and the release stations R. - According to an alternative embodiment (not shown) the
robotic arm 16 is fixed to the ground supporting thelabelling module 13, thetransfer unit 12 and thecarousel 5. - In the light of the above description, when the support member is in the gripping position G, it is the
stack 15 which must be moved vertically towards the grippingmember 20, while the latter remains fixed along the vertical direction. - According to an embodiment not shown, the gripping
member 20 is movable vertically towards/away from thesupport member 14 when thesupport member 14 is in the gripping station G. - In detail, according to a first alternative, the
spindle 28 of therobotic arm 16 is extendable/retractable along the axis Y; since thebar element 29 is mounted integrally with thespindle 28, it causes a corresponding vertical movement of the grippingmember 20. - According to a further alternative, the gripping
member 20 is mounted so as to be movable with thebar element 29, for example by means of a coupling extendable telescopically in the vertical direction. - In this way, the gripping
member 20 is able to reach the aforementionedfirst reel 6 in thestack 15 and grip it, at the gripping station G. - In this configuration, the presence of the vertical 26 and the
fork 27 is not necessary. Thestack 15 therefore remains fixed along the vertical direction. - According to a further alternative embodiment schematically shown in
Figure 3 , thetransfer unit 12 comprises at least twosupport members 14 each configured to support a respective plurality ofreels 6 organized vertically inrespective stacks 15. - In this case, at least two gripping stations G1 and G2 are defined and passed through by the gripping path W defined, during use, by the gripping
member 20 of therobotic arm 16 about the axis Y. - Operation of the
transfer unit 12 according to the present invention will be described below, with particular reference toFigures 2a-2c and to an initial condition in which areel 6 loaded onto one of theshafts 7 is nearly empty and there therefore exists the need to move away the roller supporting thisreel 6 and transfer a new reel to thelabelling module 13, taking it from thestack 15. - In this condition, the
trolley 23 is operated by thecontrol unit 25 so as to move from the remote position to the gripping station G, or is already located in the gripping station G. Moreover, therobotic arm 16 is operated to move into the gripping station G (situation shown inFigure 2a ). - At the same time, the
labelling module 13, so as not to interrupt production, draws material from thefull reel 6 which has already been loaded onto the other one of theshafts 7 by means of a system for splicing thestrip 3, known per se and not described in detail. - Then the
robotic arm 16 is operated to move along the path W towards the associated release station R in order to pick up theempty reel 6, unload it onto the collection device 22 (Figure 2b ) and move towards the gripping station G. - At this point, the
fork 27 raises thestack 15 and the grippingmember 20 grips thenew reel 6 from thestack 15. Alternatively, the grippingmember 20 moves down vertically towards thestack 15 in order to pick up thenew reel 6, as specified above. - Thereafter, the
robotic arm 16 is operated to move again into the release station R in order to release thereel 6 to the respective shaft 7 (Figure 2c ). - The process is repeated whenever it is required to transfer a
new reel 6 to thelabelling module 13. - From an examination of the characteristic features of the
transfer unit 12 according to the present innovation the advantages which may be obtained with said unit are clear. - In particular, the degree of automation of the labelling process is increased and consequently the risks of accidents involving operators during production are also reduced.
- In addition, owing to the possibility of providing
different trolleys 23 already pre-loaded withreels 6 having different formats (for example having different decorative patterns), the flexibility of thetransfer unit 12 and of the entire labelling machine 1 is increased, without complicating the architecture thereof. - It is clear that the
transfer unit 12 described and illustrated here may be subject to modifications and variations without thereby departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims. - In particular, the
labels 2 applied, during use, by the labelling machine 1 could be of the PSL type, namely self-adhesive labels which are initially attached to a backing strip defining thestrip 3 of labelling material. - Alternatively, the
labels 2 could consist of sleeve labels, namely tubular labels which are fitted loose onto thecontainers 4 in a known manner by means of special spindles and which then undergo heat-shrinking.
Claims (14)
- Transfer unit (12) for feeding reels (6) of labelling material to a labelling module (13) configured to apply labels (2) onto articles (4); said transfer unit (12) comprising:- a support member (14) configured to support a plurality of said reels (6) organized vertically in at least one a stack (15); and- a robotic arm (16) configured to remove at least one reel (6) at a time from said stack (15) at a gripping station (G) and to release it at a release station (R);said support member (14) being movable horizontally, during use, at least from a remote position, where said reels (6) are arranged stacked vertically on said support member (14), to said gripping station (G), where said transfer unit (12) is configured to eliminate a vertical distance between said stack (15) and said robotic arm (16).
- Transfer unit according to Claim 1, further comprising a trolley element (23) carrying said support member (14) and movable horizontally at least from said remote position to said gripping station (G).
- Transfer unit according to Claim 2, further comprising a guide rail (24) configured to seat slidably said trolley element (23) and extending horizontally at least from said remote position to said gripping station (G) .
- Transfer unit according to Claim 3, further comprising a control unit (25) configured to operate slidably said trolley element (23) along said guide rail (24) at least from said remote position to said gripping station (G).
- Transfer unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said robotic arm (16) comprises a gripping member (20) configured to remove, during use, at least one reel (6) one at a time from said stack (15), at said gripping station (G), and to release it in said release station (R) ; wherein said support member (14) is movable horizontally into said gripping station (G) so as to position said stack (15), during use, below said gripping member (20); said vertical distance being defined between said stack (15) and said gripping member (20).
- Transfer unit according to Claim 5, wherein said gripping member (20) comprises vacuum suction means for removing and retaining at least one reel (6) at a time from said stack (15).
- Transfer unit according to Claim 5 or 6, further comprising raising means (26, 27) designed to move vertically said stack (15) of reels towards/away from said gripping member (20) when said support member (14) is at said gripping station (G), in order to eliminate said vertical distance.
- Transfer unit according to Claim 7, wherein said raising means comprise a vertical guide (26) and a lifting fork (27) slidably connected to said vertical guide (26) and configured to move, during use, said stack (15).
- Transfer unit according to Claim 8, wherein said support member (14) comprises a vertical column (17) configured to engage inside the central hubs of the respective stacked reels (6) and a disc-like base (18) configured to support at the top said stack (15) and mounted slidably on said column (17); said fork (27) cooperating by means contact, during use, with said disc-like base (18) so as to move said disc-like base (18) along said column (17).
- Transfer unit according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein said gripping member (20) is movable, in particular vertically movable, towards/away from said support member (14) when said support member (14) is at said gripping station (G).
- Transfer unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said robotic arm (16) is fixed to said labelling module (13).
- Transfer unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein said robotic arm (16) is fixed to the ground supporting said transfer unit (12).
- Transfer unit according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two or more support members (14) configured to support respective pluralities of reels (6) organized vertically in respective stacks.
- Labelling machine (1) configured to apply labels (2) onto containers (4) designed to contain a pourable product, said machine (1) comprising:- at least one labelling module (13), configured to form a plurality of labels (2) from a strip (3) of labelling material wound onto one or more reels (6) and to apply them onto said containers (4); and- a transfer unit (12) according to any one of the preceding claims for feeding said reels to said labelling module (13).
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT201900002196 | 2019-07-04 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3760550A1 true EP3760550A1 (en) | 2021-01-06 |
Family
ID=70390813
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20170504.3A Withdrawn EP3760550A1 (en) | 2019-07-04 | 2020-04-21 | Unit for transferring reels of labelling material |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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EP (1) | EP3760550A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN113581943A (en) * | 2021-10-07 | 2021-11-02 | 南通优睿半导体有限公司 | SOT product braid reel placing and bearing device convenient to manage and control |
EP4053028A1 (en) * | 2021-03-05 | 2022-09-07 | Sidel Participations | Labelling machine and method for applying labels onto articles adapted to contain a pourable product |
WO2024099559A1 (en) * | 2022-11-10 | 2024-05-16 | Sidel Participations | Web feeding system for a labelling module for preparing the splicing operation |
WO2024160507A1 (en) * | 2023-02-03 | 2024-08-08 | Sidel Participations | Decoration apparatus for containers with movable magazines for supplying reels |
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US4863112A (en) * | 1986-04-18 | 1989-09-05 | Bruderer Ag | Method for storing coils of wound band-like blank material and for charging a processing machine, and an installation for this purpose |
US5486081A (en) * | 1992-05-26 | 1996-01-23 | G.D Societa' Per Azioni | Device for feeding reels on to a user machine |
EP1211554A1 (en) * | 2000-12-04 | 2002-06-05 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of and apparatus for transferring rolls, and roll supply carriage |
EP2982628A1 (en) * | 2014-08-08 | 2016-02-10 | Sidel S.p.a. Con Socio Unico | An automated web reel loading apparatus |
WO2019048044A1 (en) | 2017-09-07 | 2019-03-14 | Sidel Participations | Method and apparatus for splicing webs |
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2020
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US4863112A (en) * | 1986-04-18 | 1989-09-05 | Bruderer Ag | Method for storing coils of wound band-like blank material and for charging a processing machine, and an installation for this purpose |
US5486081A (en) * | 1992-05-26 | 1996-01-23 | G.D Societa' Per Azioni | Device for feeding reels on to a user machine |
EP1211554A1 (en) * | 2000-12-04 | 2002-06-05 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of and apparatus for transferring rolls, and roll supply carriage |
EP2982628A1 (en) * | 2014-08-08 | 2016-02-10 | Sidel S.p.a. Con Socio Unico | An automated web reel loading apparatus |
WO2019048044A1 (en) | 2017-09-07 | 2019-03-14 | Sidel Participations | Method and apparatus for splicing webs |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP4053028A1 (en) * | 2021-03-05 | 2022-09-07 | Sidel Participations | Labelling machine and method for applying labels onto articles adapted to contain a pourable product |
CN113581943A (en) * | 2021-10-07 | 2021-11-02 | 南通优睿半导体有限公司 | SOT product braid reel placing and bearing device convenient to manage and control |
CN113581943B (en) * | 2021-10-07 | 2021-11-26 | 南通优睿半导体有限公司 | SOT product braid reel placing and bearing device convenient to manage and control |
WO2024099559A1 (en) * | 2022-11-10 | 2024-05-16 | Sidel Participations | Web feeding system for a labelling module for preparing the splicing operation |
WO2024160507A1 (en) * | 2023-02-03 | 2024-08-08 | Sidel Participations | Decoration apparatus for containers with movable magazines for supplying reels |
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