EP4671148A1

EP4671148A1 - Glue distribution device with rotatable adjustment system

Info

Publication number: EP4671148A1
Application number: EP24183973.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Simone ARMONDI; Nicola Facchini; Cristian ANDREATO
Original assignee: Sidel Participations SAS
Current assignee: Sidel Participations SAS
Priority date: 2024-06-24
Filing date: 2024-06-24
Publication date: 2025-12-31
Also published as: WO2026002411A1; CN121605072A

Abstract

It is described a glue distribution device (17) for levelling the thickness of the layer of glue applied on an outer surface (15) of a gluing roller (14) comprising a first glue scraping group (18), a second glue scraping group (18') and a frame (19) to support alternatively the first scraping group (18) or the second scraping group (18'); each scraping group (18, 18') comprises a respective glue scraper (20) defined by a blade element and configured to be arranged peripherally to the gluing roller (14); wherein the first scraping group (18) is configured to be arranged in a first configuration, corresponding to a first orientation of the scraper (20) with respect to the surface (15) and the second scraping group (18') is configured to be arranged in a second configuration, corresponding to a second orientation of the scraper (20) with respect to the surface (15), the second orientation being different from the first orientation; wherein the distribution device (1) comprises a adjustment system (27) comprising a support structure (28) for supporting at least two adjustment elements(29, 29'); each adjustment element (29, 29') being configured for finely adjusting the position of the scraper (20) of a respective scraping group in the respective configuration. Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a glue distribution device and to a gluing system for applying glue on labels.

BACKGROUND ART

In the general field of packaging pourable food products by means of containers, it is known the use of labelling modules for decorating the containers with labels. A labelling module can comprise a gluing system for applying glue on each label, so that the label can be applied on a respective container by means of the applied glue.
Typically, a gluing system comprises a rotatable gluing roller configured for receiving glue on the lateral surface thereof. The gluing system can comprise also a glue distribution device for regulating the level of glue on the lateral surface of the gluing roller. The glue distribution device comprises a glue scraping group which comprises a glue scraper for scraping the surface of the gluing roller, to regulate the level of glue on the surface. The position of the scraper is to be finely regulated for regulating the level of glue.
There is a type of glue distribution device in which the device can operate by means alternatively of two scraping groups. The first scraping group operates in a first configuration in which the scraper adopts a first orientation with respect to the surface of the gluing roller, while the second scraping group operates in a second configuration in which the scraper adopts a second orientation with respect to the surface of the gluing roller. The selection of the specific scraping group, which corresponds to the selection of the respective orientation, depends on technical circumstances.
Currently, the position of the scraper can be finely regulated by an adjustment system which does not allow to maintain the adjustment already set, when the scraping group is replaced to change the orientation of the scraper. Practically, the desired position is to be set another time when the same scraping group is to be used again, leading to an increase in the global cost of operation of the gluing system and therefore of the labelling module.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A glue distribution device according to present description or according to any of the appended device claims leads to a reduction of the total cost of operation of the gluing system in which the distribution device operates.
A gluing system according to present description or according to any of the appended system claims comprises a glue distribution device according to present description or according to any of the appended device claims.
A labelling module according to present description or according to any of the appended module claims comprises a gluing system according to present description or according to any of the appended system claims.
The following brief description of the drawings and detailed description are referred to a possible embodiment of a glue distribution device according to present description, a possible embodiment of a gluing system according to present description, and a possible embodiment of a labelling module according to present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a schematic view of the labelling module;
figure 2 is a plan view of the glue distribution device with a glue scraping group adopting a first configuration and with the position of the scraper which is not already adjusted;
figure 3 is a plan view of the glue distribution device with a glue scraping group adopting a first configuration and with the position of the scraper which is adjusted;
figure 4 is a plan view of the glue distribution device with a glue scraping group adopting a second configuration and with the position of the scraper which is not already adjusted;
figure 5 is a plan view of the glue distribution device with a glue scraping group adopting a second configuration and with the position of the scraper which is adjusted;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the glue distribution device with the scraping group in the first configuration;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the glue distribution device with the scraping group in the second configuration.

The glue distribution device 17 is for levelling the thickness of the layer of glue applied on an outer surface 15 of a gluing roller 14. The distribution device 17 comprises a first glue scraping group 18 and a second glue scraping group 18'. The distribution device 17 comprises a frame 19 for support alternatively the first scraping group 18 or the second scraping group 18'. In Figures 2, 3, and 6, the frame 19 supports the first scraping group 18. In Figures 4, 5, and 7, the frame 19 supports the second scraping group 18'.
The gluing system 13 is for applying glue on labels 2. The labels 2 are shown in Figure 1.
The gluing system 13 comprises a rotatable gluing roller 14 configured to receive the glue on an outer lateral surface 15 thereof and to transfer the glue to the labels 2.
The gluing system 13 comprises a glue feed circuit 16 for feeding in continuous the glue to the gluing roller 14.
The gluing system comprises the glue distribution device 17.
The labelling module 6 is configured for labelling containers 4 being conveyed by a conveyor 5. The labelling module 6 comprises a transfer drum 12 for applying the labels on respective containers 4 being conveyed by the conveyor 5. The labelling module 6 comprises the gluing system 13. The gluing system 13 operates on the drum to apply glue on each label being transferred by the drum 12. The labelling module 6 is part of a labelling machine 1 which comprises the conveyor 5 for conveying the containers and the labelling module 6.
The gluing roller 14 is rotatable around a first axis Y, which is an axis Y of the gluing roller 14. The drum 12 is rotatable around a second axis, to receive, transfer, and apply sequentially the transferred labels 2 on respective containers 5. The second axis corresponds to an axis of the drum 12. The conveyor 5 comprises a carousel which is rotatable around a third axis Z for conveying the containers 5. The third axis Z is an axis of the carousel. The first axis Y, the second axis, and the third axis Z are parallel with respect to each other. The labelling module 6 comprises a cutting unit 11 which operates upstream of the drum 12 or on the drum 12, for cutting sequentially a web of labelling material 3, to define the labels 2. The labelling module comprises one or more rollers 10. One of the roller 10 can be a feed roller 10 for feeding the web 3 along a feeding path P. The labelling module 6 comprises a supplying unit 9 for supplying the web 3. The supply unit 9 supports a reel 7 of labelling material, so that the feeding of the web 3 along the path P corresponds to the web 3 being unwound from the reel 7. The labelling module 6 can comprise a web buffer operating between the supply unit 9 and the transfer drum 12.
Each scraping group 18 or 18' comprises a respective glue scraper 20 defined by a blade element. Each scraping group 18 or 18' is configured to be arranged peripherally to the gluing roller 14. The first scraping group 18 is configured to be arranged in a first configuration, corresponding to a first orientation of the scraper 20 with respect to the surface 15. The second scraping group 18' is configured to be arranged in a second configuration, corresponding to a second orientation of the scraper 20 with respect to the surface 15. The second orientation is different from the first orientation. The first orientation can correspond to a first angle V defined between the scraper 20 and the tangent to the lateral surface 15. The second orientation can correspond to a second angle W defined between the scraper 20 and the tangent to the lateral surface 15. The first angle V is different from second angle W.
The distribution device 17 comprises a handle 25 for locking the scraping group 18 or 18' in the respective configuration. Therefore, when the selected scraping group is the first scraping group 18, the handle 25 is used to lock the first scraping group 18 in the first configuration, while, when the selected scraping group is the second scraping group 18', the handle 15 is used to lock the second scraping group 18' in the second configuration.
In Figure 3, the first scraping group 18 is locked in the first configuration. In Figure 5, the second scraping group 18' is locked in the second configuration.
The distribution device 1 comprises an adjustment system 27. The adjustment system 27 comprises a support structure 28 for supporting at least two adjustment elements 29 and 29'.
Each adjustment element 29 or 29' is configured for finely adjusting the position of the scraper 20 of a respective scraping group in the respective configuration. Therefore, a first adjustment element 29 is configured for finely adjusting the position of the scraper 20 of the first scraping group 18, and a second adjustment element 29' is configured for finely adjusting the position of the scraper 20 of the second scraping group 18'. The adjustment of the position of the scraper 20 is performed by a displacement of the respective adjustment element 29 or 29' with respect to the support structure 28, and corresponds to a regulation of the radial distance between the tip of the scraper 20 and the surface 15 of the gluing roller 14. Each adjustment element 29 or 29' can be for example an adjustment screw.
The adjustment system 27 is rotatable with respect to the frame 19 between a working position and a replacement position in which the scraping group can be replaced, to replace the first scraping group 18 with the second one or viceversa. In the working position, each adjustment element 29 or 29' can adjust the position of the scraper 20. In the replacement position, none of the adjustment elements 29 and 29' can adjust the position of the scraper 20.
In Figures 3 and 5, the adjustment system 27 adopts the working position.
In Figures 2 and 4, the adjustment system 27 is moving between the working position and the replacement position.
The adjustment system 27 is rotatable between the working position and the replacement position around a fourth axis X. The fourth axis X is parallel to the first axis Y.
In this way the adjustment position already set for any one of the adjustment elements 29 and 29' can be maintained also during the replacement. In this way, when the new scraping group 18 or 18' is locked in the respective configuration, the respective adjustment element 29 or 29' can be already in the correct adjustment position corresponding to the desired position of the scraper 20 or 20'. Therefore, between two different uses the same scraping group, with a use of the other one in between, the adjustment position of the respective adjustment element 29 or 29' can be maintained, without the need of performing again the adjustment of the position of the scraper 20 when the same scraping group is used again.
Therefore, a reduction of the downtime of the labelling module 6 is obtained, to have a reduction of the costs of operation of the labelling module 6. Moreover, there is also an improvement in terms of safety because there is no need of removing the regulation system 27 for replacing the scraping group. In fact, without the possibility of rotating the regulation system 27, the regulation system 27 itself would have to be replaced each time the scraping group is replaced.
Each scraping group 18 or 18' comprises a respective support 21 or 21' for supporting the scraper 20 or 20'. In the working position of the adjustment system 27, each adjustment element 29 or 29' can adjust the position of the scraper 20 by contacting the support 21 or 21'.
In the second scraping group 18', the support 21' comprises a wedge 36 for receiving the contact of the respective adjustment element 29'. The wedge 36 renders the support 20' very accessible for the second adjustment element 29' also with the second configuration adopted by the second scraping group 18', without the need of supporting the second adjustment element 29' in a complicated position. In fact, the need of having the second orientation of the scraper 20', in the second configuration adopted by the second group 18', can make the accessibility to the support 20' of the second group 18' for the second adjustment element 29' lower than the accessibility for the first adjustment element 29 to the support 20 of the first group 18. The wedge 36 helps the second adjustment element 29' to access the support 20' for regulating the position of the scraper 20 also in the second configuration adopted by the second scraping group 18' .
Each support 21 or 21' comprises a respective arm 22 or 22' which is provided with a body 23 projecting upwards from the arm 22 or 22'.
The arm 22 or 22' is connected at a first end thereof to the scraper 20 or 20' and at a second end thereof to a connecting element 24 of the frame 19. The arm 22 or 22' is configured to be coupled in a releasable manner to connecting element 24.
The distribution device 17 comprises a guiding system for guiding the support structure 28 between said working position and replacement position. The guiding system comprising a slit 33 and a pin 34 sliding in the slit 33. One of the slit 33 and the pin 34 is integral with one of the support structure 28 and the frame 19. The other one of the slit 33 and the pin 34 is integral with the other one of the support structure 28 and the frame 19. In the example which is shown, the slit 33 is made on a bracket 32 which is integral with the support structure 28. In the example which is shown, the pin 34 is integral with the frame 19. Therefore, in the example shown the slit 33 is integral with the support structure 28 and the pin 34 is integral with the frame 19.
The distribution device 17 comprises a blocking system for blocking the adjustment system 27 in the working position. The blocking system comprises a hole 35 and a blocking element 37 which can engage the hole 35 for blocking the support structure 28 in the working position. The hole 35 is integral with that of the support structure 28 and the frame 19 to which the slit 33 is integral. The blocking element 37 is supported by that of the support structure 28 and the frame 19 to which the pin 34 is integral.
In this way, the slit 33 and the hole 35 can be made in the same element, as to simplify the production to reduce the costs of production.
In the example shown, also the hole 35 is made in the bracket 32, and therefore is integral with the support structure 28. In the example shown, the blocking element 37 is supported by the frame 19.
In Figures 3 and 5, the adjustment system 27 is blocked in the working position.
The frame 19 comprises a connecting element 24 provided with a second through hole configured to be engaged by the blocking element 37, for blocking the bracket 30 in the working position of the adjustment system 27.

Claims

A glue distribution device (17) for levelling the thickness of the layer of glue applied on an outer surface (15) of a gluing roller (14) comprising a first glue scraping group (18), a second glue scraping group (18') and a frame (19) to support alternatively the first scraping group (18) or the second scraping group (18'); each scraping group (18, 18') comprises a respective glue scraper (20) defined by a blade element and configured to be arranged peripherally to the gluing roller (14); wherein the first scraping group (18) is configured to be arranged in a first configuration, corresponding to a first orientation of the scraper (20) with respect to the surface (15) and the second scraping group (18') is configured to be arranged in a second configuration, corresponding to a second orientation of the scraper (20) with respect to the surface (15), the second orientation being different from the first orientation;
wherein the distribution device (17) comprises a adjustment system (27) comprising a support structure (28) for supporting at least two adjustment elements (29, 29'); each adjustment element (29, 29') being configured for finely adjusting the position of the scraper (20) of a respective scraping group in the respective configuration; wherein the adjustment system (27) is rotatable with respect to the frame (19) between a working position, in which each adjustment element (29; 29') can adjust the position of the scraper (20), and a replacement position for replacing the scraping group (18; 18'), in which none of the adjustment elements (29) can adjust the position of the scraper (20).
Glue distribution device (1) according to Claim 1, wherein:
each scraping group (18; 18') comprises a respective support (21; 21') for supporting the scraper (20; 20');

in the working position of the adjustment system (27), each adjustment element (29; 29') can adjust the position of the scraper (20) by contacting the support (21; 21').
Glue distribution device according to Claim 2, wherein, in the second scraping group (18'), the support (21') comprises a wedge (36) for receiving the contact of the respective adjustment element (29').
A glue distribution device according to claim 2 or 3, comprising a guiding system for guiding the support structure (28) between said working position and replacement position, said guiding system comprising a slit (33) and a pin (34) sliding in the slit (33), one of said slit (33) and pin (34) being integral with one of the support structure (28) and the frame (19), and the other one of said slit (33) and pin (34) being integral with the other one of said support structure (28) and frame (19).
A glue distribution device according to claim 4, comprising a blocking system for blocking the support structure (28) in the working position of the adjustment system (27), said blocking system comprising a hole (35) and a blocking element (37) which can engage said hole (35) for blocking the support structure (28) in said working position, said hole (35) being integral with that of the support structure (28) and the frame (19) to which the slit (33) is integral, and the other one of said hole (35) and blocking element (37) being supported by that of the support structure (28) and the frame (19) to which the pin (34) is integral.
A gluing system (13) for applying glue on labels (2) comprising:
a rotatable gluing roller (14) configured to receive the glue on an outer lateral surface (15) thereof and to transfer the glue to the labels (2);

a glue feed circuit (16) for feeding in continuous the glue to the gluing roller (14); and

a glue distribution device (17) for levelling the thickness of the layer of glue applied on the outer surface (15) realized according to anyone of the previous claims.
Labelling module (6) for labelling containers (4) comprising:
a transfer drum for applying the labels on respective containers being conveyed;
a gluing system (13) according to claim 6, the gluing system operating on the drum (12) to apply glue on

each label being carried by the drum.