EP4053028A1 - Machine d'étiquetage et procédé pour appliquer des étiquettes sur des articles conçus pour contenir un produit versable - Google Patents

Machine d'étiquetage et procédé pour appliquer des étiquettes sur des articles conçus pour contenir un produit versable Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4053028A1
EP4053028A1 EP21160857.5A EP21160857A EP4053028A1 EP 4053028 A1 EP4053028 A1 EP 4053028A1 EP 21160857 A EP21160857 A EP 21160857A EP 4053028 A1 EP4053028 A1 EP 4053028A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
labels
conveying
conveying member
distributor
work surface
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Withdrawn
Application number
EP21160857.5A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Nicola Veneziani
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sidel Participations SAS
Original Assignee
Sidel Participations SAS
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sidel Participations SAS filed Critical Sidel Participations SAS
Priority to EP21160857.5A priority Critical patent/EP4053028A1/fr
Publication of EP4053028A1 publication Critical patent/EP4053028A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • B65C9/10—Label magazines
    • B65C9/105—Storage arrangements including a plurality of magazines
    • 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
    • B65C9/12—Removing separate labels from stacks

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a labelling machine for applying labels onto articles, in particular containers, such as bottles, cans, jars, or the like, adapted to contain a pourable product, preferably a pourable food product.
  • the present invention also relates to a method for applying labels onto articles, in particular containers, such as bottles, cans, jars, or the like, adapted to contain a pourable product, preferably a pourable food product.
  • Labelling machines are known, which are commonly used to prepare, transport and apply labels onto articles, in particular containers such as bottles, cans, jars or the like, destined to be filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product.
  • glued labels i.e. portions of a labelling material that are cut at appropriate lengths from a web of labelling material initially wound around one or more storage reels and then sprinkled with glue.
  • the web of labelling material is unwound off the relative reel and then sequentially cut in successive labels of equal length, upon which glue is applied by gluing means, such as a gluing roller, spray or injector systems or the like.
  • the labels so obtained are conveyed and applied onto the respective articles to be labelled.
  • pre-cut labels which are initially stored in label loaders, or cartridges, containing a pre-determined amount of pre-cut labels. Such pre-cut labels are sequentially withdrawn from the cartridge, one at a time, in order to be sprinkled with glue and then applied to the respective articles.
  • the labelling module typically comprises:
  • the label transfer device comprises:
  • the cartridge has to be substituted with a new cartridge full of pre-cut labels.
  • number 1 indicates as a whole a labelling machine configured to apply labels 3 onto articles 2, in particular containers such as bottles, cans, jars, or the like, adapted to contain a pourable product, preferably a pourable food product.
  • labels 3 applied by labelling machine 1 are glued labels, i.e. strips of labelling material which are cut at predetermined lengths and to which glue is applied according to a manner that will be described in the following.
  • labelling machine 1 essentially comprises:
  • labels 3 are defined by pre-cut strips of labelling material which are initially stored in label storage members, in particular label loaders or, more in particular, label cartridges 6.
  • each cartridge 6 contains a predetermined amount of pre-cut labels 3.
  • Such pre-cut labels 3 are, in use, sequentially withdrawn from the respective cartridge 6, one at a time, in order to be sprinkled with glue and then applied to the respective articles 2.
  • each cartridge 6 comprises an outlet opening 6a (schematically shown in Figure 3 ) and pushing means 7 configured to exert a pushing force onto the labels 3 contained in the cartridge 6, so as to push and direct labels 3 towards outlet opening 6a and to ease the withdrawal of labels 3 off cartridge 6, as explained below.
  • elastic means 7 comprise a spring 7a fixed at a back wall 6b of cartridge 6 and a pushing element 7b coupled with spring 7a.
  • the pushing element 7b is mechanically interposed between the labels and the spring 7a.
  • the cartridge 6 is configured so that the pushing element 7b cooperates with the label 3 of cartridge 6 most proximate to back wall 6b so as to push, due to the action of spring 7a, such label 3 towards outlet opening 6a.
  • labelling module 5 For the sake of brevity, reference will be made in the following to a single labelling module 5. However, all the features hereby described in connection with labelling module 5 are equally applicable to each labelling module 5 present in labelling machine 1.
  • labelling module 5 comprises:
  • the label transfer device comprises:
  • each label 3, pushed by elastic means 7 within cartridge 6, is withdrawn from distributor 8 by one paddle 12 of the first rotor 11, which paddle 12 has been sprinkled with glue, and is picked by a hook 14 of second rotor 13, which applies the label 3 to a respective article 3.
  • each cartridge 6 has to be brought from a first position, at which cartridge 6 is away from receiving station R and, therefore, distributor 8, to a second position, at which cartridge 6 is at receiving station R and it is operatively coupled to distributor 8 for feeding labels 3 stored therein to distributor 8.
  • Cartridges 6 in the second position are visible in Figures 1 and 2 .
  • cartridge 6 In use, when each cartridge 6 is empty, i.e. all the pre-cut labels 3 contained therein have been withdrawn and applied onto the relative articles 3, cartridge 6 has to be substituted with a new cartridge 6 filled with pre-cut labels 3.
  • labelling machine 1 further comprises:
  • labelling machine 1 further comprises a magnetic-inductive interaction device 18, 19 between conveying members 17 and work surface 16 for imparting to conveying members 17 the levitating movement relative to work surface 16 (and support structure 15).
  • magnetic-inductive interaction device 18, 19 comprises individually-excitable solenoids 18 carried by work surface 16 and permanent magnets 19 carried by conveying members 17.
  • individually-excitable solenoids 18 are embedded in support structure 15, in particular are embedded in an upper portion of support structure 15 proximate to work surface 16.
  • Permanent magnets 19 are each one carried by one respective conveying member 17.
  • solenoids 18 can be carried, each, by respective conveying members 17 and permanent magnets 19 can be embedded in work surface 16.
  • Solenoids 18 and permanent magnets 19 are adapted to magnetically couple to one another so as to magnetically interact with one another to produce the movement and the levitation of conveying members 17 with respect to work surface 16.
  • each conveying member 17 levitates, in use and due to the interaction produced between the relative permanent magnet 19 and solenoids 18, onto the work surface 16, during its movement along work surface 16.
  • conveying members 17 are movable in a levitating manner onto and along work surface 16.
  • labelling machine 1 comprises a planar motor unit 20 defined by work surface 16 (support structure 15), the plurality of conveying members 17 and the magnetic-inductive interaction device 18, 19.
  • Each conveying member 17 is defined by a levitatable cart comprising a receiving portion 17a for receiving and supporting at least one cartridge 6 at a time (as schematically shown in Figure 3 ). Each conveying member 17 is mechanically independent from the others.
  • Work surface 16 has a storage portion 21 which is configured to store a number of cartridges 6 in their first positions and an exchange portion 22 which is operatively coupled with distributor 8 at receiving station R and is configured to receive cartridges 6 in their second positions.
  • Each conveying member 17 is movable between a conveying/rest position, at which it is away from receiving station R and, therefore, distributor 8, and a feed position, at which it is at receiving station R and it is operatively coupled to distributor 8 for feeding labels 3 to the distributor.
  • conveying members 17 in conveying/rest position are at the storage portion 21, whereas conveying members 17 in feed position are at the exchange portion 22.
  • each conveying member 17 conveys, by its levitating movement onto and along work surface 16 imparted by magnetic-inductive interaction device 18, 19, at least one cartridge 6 at a time filled with labels 3, from storage portion 21 to exchange portion 22, i.e. towards receiving station R, at which conveying member 17 interacts with distributor 8 for feeding labels 3 thereto.
  • conveying member 17 feeds the cartridge 6 it is transporting to distributor 8, which receives such cartridge 6 and arranges it for label withdrawal by first roller 11.
  • conveying member 17 is moved by magnetic-inductive interaction device 18, 19 away from receiving station R, thereby withdrawing cartridge 6 from distributor 8 and conveying it away from distributor 8 towards storage portion 21.
  • another conveying member 17 conveys a new cartridge 6 filled with labels 3 to distributor 8.
  • each conveying member 17 is configured to sequentially carry cartridges 6, at least one at a time, between storage portion 21 and exchange portion 22, so that the plurality of conveying members 17 determine, in use, a sequential change of cartridges 6 at distributor 8.
  • labelling machine 1 provides for an automatic change of cartridges 6, which can be performed automatically and without the intervention of an operator.
  • an appropriate, predetermined number of filled cartridges 6 are prepared in advance by putting them onto respective conveying members 17 at storage portion 21 of work surface 16.
  • labelling machine 1 comprises two or more labelling modules 5, as in the example shown, such labelling modules 5 are arranged peripherally to carousel 4 at respective application stations A ( Figures 1 and 2 ). Accordingly, work surface 16 is operatively coupled to each labelling module 5 at the respective receiving station R. In this case, conveying members 17 are configured to selectively convey at least one cartridge 6 at a time to or away from the relative labelling module 5 at the respective receiving station R, so as to feed or withdraw such at least one cartridge 6 to or from the respective distributor 8.
  • work surface 16 defines a common shared change device for changing i.e. substituting cartridges 6 for each labelling module 5.
  • labelling machine 1 provides for the above-mentioned automatic change of cartridges 6 for each labelling module 5 present in labelling machine 1.
  • labelling machine 1 comprises a control unit (known per se and not shown).
  • the control unit is configured to bias the solenoids 18 with a current, so that an electromagnetic coupling is established, in use, between said solenoids 18 and said permanent magnets 19.
  • the control unit is configured for regulating a distribution of said current on the work surface 16 and/or with respect to said work surface 16 so as to control the movement of each conveying member 17 to and away from the receiving station R (and distributor 8).
  • the control unit is configured for regulating said distribution, for each conveying member 17, based on the position of the conveying member 17 with respect to the work surface 16.
  • the magnetic-inductive interaction device 18, 19 comprises individually-excitable solenoids 18 carried by work surface 16 and permanent magnets 19 carried by conveying members 17.
  • Each conveying member 17 is movable between a conveying/rest position, at which it is away from the receiving station R, and a feed position, at which it is at the receiving station R and it is operatively coupled to the distributor 8 for feeding labels 3 to the distributor 8.
  • control unit For each conveying member 17, the control unit is configured for obtaining, when the conveying member 17 adopts the feed position, a physical quantity between the conveying member 17 and the work surface 16. For each conveying member 17, the control unit is configured for correlating the obtained quantity with the amount of labels 3 present in at least one label storage member 6 being carried by the conveying member 17.
  • control unit For each conveying member 17, the control unit is further configured to control a movement of the conveying member 17 from the feed position to the conveying/rest position when the obtained physical quantity reaches a predetermined value, so as to determine, in use, a sequential change of label storage members 6 at the distributor 8.
  • the machine 1 comprises at least one sensor system.
  • the sensor system is configured for detecting at least said quantity.
  • the sensor system communicates with the control unit to enable the control unit to obtain the physical quantity.
  • the control unit, the planar motor unit 20, the storage members 6, the magnetic-inductive interaction device 18, 19, the work surface 16, and the conveying members 17, define an automatic storage for storing the labels to be used by the at least one labelling module 5.
  • the automatic storage comprises the control unit, the work surface 16, the planar motor unit 20, the magnetic-inductive interaction device 18, 19, the storage members 6, and the conveying members 17.
  • the automatic change of the storage members 6 can be considered an automatic storage function.
  • the control unit for each conveying member 17, the control unit is configured for obtaining, when the conveying member 17 adopts the feed position, the current needed to maintain the conveying member 17 at a predetermined vertical distance from the work surface 16.
  • "Vertical distance” means a distance along a vertical direction which is transversal or orthogonal with respect to the work surface 16. The predetermined vertical distance can correspond to the operative distance occurring during the labelling operation.
  • the control unit is configured for correlating the obtained needed current with the amount of labels 3 present in at least one label storage member 6 being carried by the conveying member 17.
  • control unit is further configured for automatically controlling a movement of the conveying member 17 from the feed position to the conveying/rest position when the obtained needed current reaches a predetermined value, for example when the needed current falls below a given threshold current value.
  • the physical quantity corresponds to the needed current.
  • the sensor system comprises at least one current sensor, or at least one current sensor and at least one distance sensor.
  • the first embodiment allows a simple setting of the control unit for enabling the automatic storage to carry out the automatic storage function.
  • Each conveying member 17 comprises a receiving portion 17a for receiving and carrying at least one label storage member 6 at a time.
  • the receiving portion 17a is provided with a load cell configured to detect a load exerted thereon by at least one label storage member 6 being carried by the conveying member 17.
  • control unit For each conveying member 17, the control unit is configured for obtaining, when the conveying member 17 adopts the feed position, the load exerted on the load cell by the at least one label storage member 6 being carried by the conveying member 17. For each conveying member 17, the control unit is configured for correlating the obtained load with the amount of labels 3 present in said at least one label storage member 6 being carried by the conveying member 17.
  • control unit is further configured for automatically controlling a movement of the respective conveying member 17 from the feed position to the conveying/rest position when the obtained load reaches a predetermined value.
  • the physical quantity corresponds to the load.
  • the sensor system comprises at least said load cell.
  • This second embodiment allows the automatic storage function to be less affected by possible vibrations.
  • control unit for each conveying member 17, the control unit is configured for obtaining, when the conveying member 17 adopts the feed position, a vertical distance of the conveying member 17 relative to the work surface 16, for a given current biased to the solenoids to keep the conveying member 17 levitating.
  • control unit is configured for correlating the obtained distance with the amount of labels 3 present in said at least one label storage member 6 being carried by the conveying member 17.
  • control unit is further configured to control a movement of the conveying member 17 from the feed position to the conveying/rest position when the obtained distance reaches a predetermined value.
  • the physical quantity corresponds to the distance.
  • the current biased by the control unit to the solenoids 18 is to be considered always the same given current, whereas the vertical distance between the conveying member 17 and the work surface 16 can vary, i.e. can increase due to the decreasing weight of cartridge 6.
  • the sensor system comprises at least one distance sensor, or at least one current sensor and at least one distance sensor.
  • the third embodiment allows for a very precise detection of the amount of labels 3 present in the storage member 6.
  • distributor 8 comprises a buffer portion (not shown) adapted for storing a predetermined number of labels 3.
  • a non-zero number of labels 3 is stored into the buffer portion, between a movement of a first conveying member 17 away from distributor 8 and a movement of a second conveying member 17 to distributor 8, so as to ensure the continuity of the labelling operation when cartridges 6 have to be substituted.
  • an undetermined number of new cartridges 6 can be provided on empty conveying members 17 during the operation of labelling machine 1, since conveying members 17 are substantially free to move along work surface 16 and, therefore, they can be controlled as not to hinder the movement of one another.
  • the present invention is particularly advantageous in case a label format change is necessary. In fact, in such a case it is sufficient to provide cartridges 6 containing labels of a new format onto respective conveying members 17 and this operation can be done during the labelling operation, without the need for stopping labelling machine 1.
  • conveying members 17 are movable along work surface 16 in a levitating manner, overall wear is strongly reduced, thereby resulting in a decreased need for maintenance and in a reduction of overall costs.
  • the present invention could also be implemented in labelling machines operating with other types of glued labels, such as labels obtained from a web of labelling material initially wound in storage reels.
  • the label storage members are defined by reels of labelling material in the form of a continuous web and labelling modules comprise unwinding rollers, a cutting device, a glue roller and a vacuum drum.
  • conveying members 17 are configured to convey the reels of labelling material from the storage portion 21 to the exchange portion 22.

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EP21160857.5A 2021-03-05 2021-03-05 Machine d'étiquetage et procédé pour appliquer des étiquettes sur des articles conçus pour contenir un produit versable Withdrawn EP4053028A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21160857.5A EP4053028A1 (fr) 2021-03-05 2021-03-05 Machine d'étiquetage et procédé pour appliquer des étiquettes sur des articles conçus pour contenir un produit versable

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21160857.5A EP4053028A1 (fr) 2021-03-05 2021-03-05 Machine d'étiquetage et procédé pour appliquer des étiquettes sur des articles conçus pour contenir un produit versable

Publications (1)

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EP4053028A1 true EP4053028A1 (fr) 2022-09-07

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EP21160857.5A Withdrawn EP4053028A1 (fr) 2021-03-05 2021-03-05 Machine d'étiquetage et procédé pour appliquer des étiquettes sur des articles conçus pour contenir un produit versable

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EP (1) EP4053028A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2889238A1 (fr) * 2013-12-31 2015-07-01 Sidel S.p.a. Con Socio Unico Dispositif de transfert d'articles le long d'un trajet
US20200056928A1 (en) * 2017-05-10 2020-02-20 Laitram, L.L.C. Weighing system in a maglev conveying system
EP3619121A1 (fr) * 2017-05-02 2020-03-11 Sidel Participations Machine d'étiquetage pour appliquer des feuilles d'étiquettes sur des articles
EP3760550A1 (fr) * 2019-07-04 2021-01-06 Sidel Participations Unité de transfert de bobines de matériau d'étiquetage

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2889238A1 (fr) * 2013-12-31 2015-07-01 Sidel S.p.a. Con Socio Unico Dispositif de transfert d'articles le long d'un trajet
EP3619121A1 (fr) * 2017-05-02 2020-03-11 Sidel Participations Machine d'étiquetage pour appliquer des feuilles d'étiquettes sur des articles
US20200056928A1 (en) * 2017-05-10 2020-02-20 Laitram, L.L.C. Weighing system in a maglev conveying system
EP3760550A1 (fr) * 2019-07-04 2021-01-06 Sidel Participations Unité de transfert de bobines de matériau d'étiquetage

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