ES2448601T3 - Labeling machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A labeling machine comprising: a support structure (2); a carousel (3) mounted on the support structure (2) so that it can rotate around a vertical axis of rotation (X), the edge of the carousel being equipped with a plurality of support means (4) for the objects to be labeled ; means (5) for moving the carousel (3) in relation to the structure (2) and, if necessary, the means (4) discarding in relation to the carousel (3); means (9) for feeding the objects to be labeled to the support means (4) and means (10) for collecting the labeled objects from the support means (4); and at least one labeling device (14) located radially along the edge of the carousel (3) to apply labels to the objects placed on the support means (4) that pass during the rotation of the carousel (3); the labeling device (14) being detachably connected to the structure (2) so that it can be freely positioned in different angular positions relative to the axis of rotation (X) of the carousel (3); actuation means (17) for the labeling device (14); at least one control unit that is operatively connected to at least the movement means (5) and the drive means (17) to control its operation in a synchronized manner; the machine being characterized in that it also comprises means for detecting the angular position of the labeling device (14) relative to the axis of rotation (X), the detection means being operatively connected to the control unit, and also being characterized in that the control unit It is programmed to: store the angular position of the labeling device (14) detected by the detection means such as the position detected; and control the movement means (5) and the drive means (17) depending on the detected position that is stored.

Description

Labeling machine

Technical field

This invention relates to a labeling machine of the type that has a rotating carousel, and in particular to

5 a labeling machine with a variable configuration, that is, a machine equipped with a plurality of labeling devices that can be arranged in different positions along the edge of the carousel. A labeling machine and a method for managing a labeling machine according to the preamble of claims 1 and 12 respectively, are known from GB 2138388.

Prior art

Examples of such a machine are described in WO 2005/011363, US 4362594 and GB 2138388 and in the recent patent application PCT / IT2009 / 000398 of the same applicant.

In general, the labeling machines for which this invention is intended comprise a support structure on which a carousel is mounted such that it can rotate about a vertical axis of rotation. The shaft of the carousel is equipped with a plurality of support means, such as plates, for the elements a

15 tag.

The machine also comprises means for moving the carousel in relation to the structure and, if necessary, the support means in relation to the carousel.

The feeding of the products to be labeled to the support means and the subsequent collection of the labeled products are achieved respectively through feeding means and collection means.

20 (both normally consist of a transfer star wheel coupled to a product feed rail).

Located around the carousel there is at least one labeling device that is designed in practice to apply labels to the objects that are placed on the support means and that pass during the rotation of the carousel. In the labeling machines for which this invention is intended, the labeling device is

25 detachably connected to the structure so that it can be freely positioned according to different angular positions relative to the axis of rotation of the carousel. In general, this is done by attaching the labeling device to a circular rail that is integral with the structure and that extends substantially along the edge of the carousel. Suitable drive means guarantee the operation of the labeling device.

30 In addition, in the case of more complex machines, there are two or more labeling devices distributed along the edge of the carousel to apply two or more labels to the same products.

Finally, the entire operation of the machine is controlled by at least one control unit that is operatively connected to at least the movement means and the drive means to control its operation in a synchronized manner.

35 With labeling machines, when the size or type of the package to be labeled must be changed, the labeling devices must move to a different position. However, each time this is done, the control unit must be reprogrammed, in particular in the case of the machine described in patent application number PCT / IT2009 / 000398 where each labeling device can be placed in any position around the carousel .

40 Obviously, to reprogram the machine the position of each of the labeling devices must be known.

However, reprogramming is a tedious operation exposed to the risk of operator error. Before continuing production, some functional tests are always necessary to verify that everything is in order.

Accordingly, prior art machines with variable configuration have serious drawbacks in terms of productivity if frequent resizing operations are required.

Description of the invention

In this situation, the technical purpose that forms the basis of this invention is to provide a labeling machine that overcomes the drawbacks described above.

In particular, the technical purpose of this invention is to provide a labeling machine with variable configuration that allows changes to be made much faster than with prior art machines.

This invention also has the technical purpose of providing a labeling machine in which after moving the labeling devices a minimum number of operations is required before production can continue.

The specified technical purpose and the objectives indicated are substantially achieved by a labeling machine 5 as described in the appended claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features and advantages of this invention are more evident in the detailed description with reference to the attached figures illustrating various preferred and non-limiting embodiments of a labeling machine, in which:

10 - Figure 1 is an axonometric view partially from above of a labeling machine of the type to which this invention can be applied;

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 Figure 2 shows the machine of Figure 1 with some parts removed and others displaced; Y

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 Figure 3 is a schematic top view of the invention applied to the labeling machine of the type illustrated in Figure 1.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, reference number 1 denotes as a whole the labeling machine according to this invention.

Similar to the prior art machines, this machine according to this invention comprises a first support structure 2 on which a carousel 3 (visible in Figure 1) is mounted so that 20 can rotate around a vertical axis of rotation X. The edge of the carousel 3 is provided with a plurality of support means 4 for the objects to be labeled. In the illustrated embodiment, the support means 4 are plates that rotate around their own vertical central axes. The movement of the carousel 3 in relation to the frame 2 and the movement of the support means 4 in relation to the carousel 3 are obtained through suitable movement means 5 (the attached drawings show only the movement motor of the carousel). In addition, the two movements

25 are advantageously synchronized. In particular, in the preferred embodiment of this invention which is carried out using different electronically controlled motors for the movement of the carousel 3 and for the movement of the individual plates, and using an "electronic cam", that is, a synchronized electronic control for the individual engines

Figure 1 also shows how the carousel 3, in the known manner, comprises a lower part 6 that supports the

30 plates and an upper part 7 to which a part of the support means 4 (not visible) that is designed to retain the upper part of the products to be labeled (not shown) is connected. Said upper part 7 of the carousel 3 is supported by an upper part 8 of the frame 2.

The machine also comprises means 9 for feeding the objects to be labeled to the support means 4 and means 10 for collecting the labeled products from the support means 4, both of the known type. The means 9 of

The feed and the collection means 10 are schematically illustrated in Figure 3. As can be seen, both comprise a transfer star wheel 11 that is interposed between the carousel 3 and the feed rail 12 for the products to be labeled. In addition, the feeding means 9 comprise a screw feeder 12 designed to separate the products a suitable distance, allowing them to be picked up by the transfer star wheel 11.

At least one labeling device 14 (two in Figures 1 and 2 attached) is located radially along the edge of the carousel 3 and in practice applies labels to the objects that are placed on the support means 4 that pass during the rotation of the carousel 3. In particular, the labeling device 14 is detachably connected to the frame 2 so that it can be freely positioned in different angular positions relative to the axis of rotation X of the carousel. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, this is achieved thanks to the

45 the fact that the support structure 2 comprises a sliding rail 15 that extends along an arc of a circumference centered on the axis of rotation X and also thanks to the fact that each labeling device 14 can be connected to the rail 15 in any angular position. In particular, as Figure 2 shows more clearly, each labeling device 14 is connected to the structure 2 by means of an interface element 16 which can be slidably attached to the rail 15 of the structure 2. The labeling device 14 is

50 coupled to interface element 16 only at the moment when the latter has been brought to the correct position and fixed in relation to structure 2 (the configuration is described in detail in patent application number PCT / IT2009 / 000398 ). In any case, the specific method for positioning the labeling devices 14 and attaching them to the structure 2 is not limiting for the purposes of the present invention.

The drive means 17 are connected to the tagging device 14 to make it work and apply the tags.

The entire operation of the machine is controlled by means of at least one control unit (not visible in the attached figures) that is operatively connected to at least the movement means 5 and the drive means 17 to control its operation in a manner synchronized In general, the control unit comprises at least one CPU and is programmed (in the known way) to create a set of movements

5 synchronized by the carousel 3, support means 4 and labeling devices 14 which allows a correct application of the label to the products. Advantageously, the control unit is also operatively connected to the feeding means 9 and the collecting means 10 to control its operation in a synchronized manner with the movement means 5.

In accordance with this invention, the programming of the control unit has become dependent on a variable parameter 10, the position of the labeling device 14 relative to the carousel 3.

For that purpose, according to this invention, the labeling machine 1 comprises means (not shown) for detecting the angular position of the labeling device 14 relative to the axis of rotation X, the detection means being operatively connected to the control unit In general, said detection means identify the angular position of the labeling device 14 relative to an integral reference point with the

15 structure 2 and transmit the information to the control unit.

The latter is first programmed to store said angular position of the labeling device 14 detected by the detection means as the "detected position" (it should be noted that the storage can also be of the implicit type). Secondly, the control unit is programmed to control the movement means 5 and the drive means 17 depending on the detected position that has been

20 stored.

Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment the machine comprises means 18 for identifying the labeling device 14 which in turn comprises at least a first element 19 (shown in three different positions in Figure 3) and at least a second element 20.

The first element 19 can rotate around the axis of rotation X, while the second element 20 is integral

25 with the labeling device 14 (directly or through the interface element 16). The first element 19 and the second element 20 are also positioned such that they are operatively coupled to each other when the labeling device 14 is connected to the structure 2 and the first element 19 is in an angular position relative to the axis of rotation. X corresponding to that of the second element 20. In other words, the two elements 19, 20 are operatively coupled advantageously when they are in coplanar position in a plane passing through

30 of the axis of rotation X and are located on the same side of the axis. In addition, advantageously the first element 19 is integral with the carousel 3.

At least one of the first element 19 and the second element 20 is operatively connected to the control unit to indicate to it the moment when the two elements 19, 20 are operatively coupled (at that time the first element 19 is in the same angular position as the labeling device 14). To do this, the

The first element 19 and the second element 20 consist of a sensor connected to the control unit, and the other element that can be detected by the sensor.

To provide the reference point for identifying the detected position, the identification means 18 also comprise at least a third element 21 which is fixed relative to the support structure 2 and is operatively coupled to the first element 19, in the direction indicated above. , according to an angular position

40 of the first element 19 in relation to the axis of rotation X. In the illustrated embodiment, the third element 21 is located at the tangent point between the feeding means 9, the transfer star 11 and the carousel 3 (said location It is advantageous because it coincides with the beginning of the path of the products to be labeled on carousel 3).

The detection means in turn detects the angular position of the labeling device 14, detecting the

45 angular position of the first element 19 in relation to the axis of rotation X. Advantageously, the detection means comprise an encoder (not shown) connected to the control unit and operatively connected to the first element 19 (and / or with the carousel 3 if the first element 19 is integral with it) to calculate its angular movement in relation to the reference point.

In the preferred embodiment, the control unit is programmed to store the position as detected position.

50 of the first element 19, detected by the detection means when the identification means 18 indicate that the first element and the second element 20 are operatively coupled, and to control the movement means 5 and the actuation means 17 depending on the detected position that is stored in this way.

Figure 3 shows the case in which a labeling device 14 moves from a first position (to the

55 right of the drawing) to a second position (on the left). Before moving, the device is in a first angular position rotated a first angle a relative to the reference angle (angle 0) identified by the third fixed element 21. The movement consists of a rotation around the axis of rotation X according to the arrow F a second angle � in relation to the starting position. Once the labeling device 14 has been positioned, the carousel 3, on which the first element 19 is mounted, is rotated. At the moment when the first element 19 is operatively coupled to the third element 21, the relative angular position is recognized as the reference point and the encoder starts counting the pulses until the first element 19 meets the

5 second element 20. At that time the angular position calculated by the encoder (equal to the sum of the first angle a and the second angle �) is taken as the detected position and is processed by the control unit that applies new parameters to its programming based on the position detected.

In addition, depending on the embodiments, the control unit may be programmed to store the position detected for each labeling device 14 with each rotation of the carousel 3 (thus guaranteeing the update

10 continues from the state of the machine) or only after a specific command that can be provided by the operator after moving the labeling device 14.

Since each type of labeling device 14 requires specific programming for the coordination of the different moving parts, in some more complex embodiments the second element 20 of the identification means 18 may also represent the type of labeling device 14 to which it is connected. If it's about

In an active element (sensor), information about the type of device can be stored therein so that it can be transmitted to the control unit as required. If it is an element that can be detected by a sensor, it can be made with distinctive characteristics (for example, a particular color in the case of an optical sensor, or a predetermined electromagnetic behavior for a magnetic sensor).

In these more complete embodiments, at the moment when the position detected is detected the means of

20 detection also detect the type of labeling device 14 and communicate it to the control unit. The latter is therefore programmed to control the operation of the movement means 5 and the actuation means 17 partially depending on the type of labeling device 14 detected by the detection means.

For simplicity, until now, reference has been made to a labeling machine 1 comprising only one labeling device 14.

However, in practice, in the most complete embodiments the machine is equipped with a series of labeling devices 14, and at least a plurality thereof can be placed in two or more positions relative to the carousel 3. In this case, the detection means comprise at least a second element 20 connected to each mobile labeling device 14, and the control unit is programmed as indicated

30 above for each mobile tagging device 14.

By way of example, Figures 1 and 2 show a machine equipped with two labeling devices 14, a device 141 for applying adhesive labels and a cold glue application device 142.

This invention also relates to the method for managing a labeling machine 1 of the type with a variable configuration described above.

The method according to this invention relates to configuring the machine after each movement of the labeling device 14 relative to the carousel 3.

The method involves several operational steps.

The first step is to program the control unit with a program that is expressed according to a variable that represents the angular position of the labeling device 14 relative to the axis of rotation X and a point of

40 fixed reference. Thus, the program must be such that it controls the "electronic cam" based on said variable. The start and end of each machine movement will therefore be expressed not with reference to the absolute position of the carousel 3, but with reference to a differential position of the carousel 3 in relation to the angular position of each labeling device 14 (in in other words, each position of the carousel 3 will be expressed in terms of before or after the angular position of each labeling device 14).

Once the control unit has been programmed in this way, the management method implies, after each displacement of one of the labeling devices 14 present, to detect and store as angular position the angular position of the labeling device 14 which it has moved (or advantageously all of them) in relation to the fixed reference point.

At that point, the method involves entering the position detected in the program as the value to assign to the relative variable and using the machine with the program obtained in this way.

Obviously, the management method described in this document is advantageously applied to the labeling machine 1 described above in detail, but not only in that case.

The operation of the machine is similar to that of prior art machines and is not described in detail herein.

This invention provides important advantages.

Thanks to this invention, the process of configuring the machine after a change in size that involves displacement of the labeling devices 14 can be carried out only in a few seconds with significant benefits in terms of productivity.

5 Second, any configuration error can be avoided. Finally, thanks to the use of the control at the programming level, it is possible to identify any positioning error of the labeling device 14 (each type of device requires a predetermined amount of free space before and after it - along the path of the products to be tagged - to ensure proper application of the tag).

It should also be noted that this invention is relatively easy to produce and that even the record related to the implementation of the invention is not very high.

Claims (12)

1. A labeling machine comprising: a support structure (2); a carousel (3) mounted on the support structure (2) such that it can rotate around a vertical axis 5 of rotation (X), the edge of the carousel being equipped with a plurality of support means (4) for the objects to label; means (5) for moving the carousel (3) in relation to the structure (2) and, if necessary, the support means (4) in relation to the carousel (3); means (9) for feeding the objects to be labeled to the support means (4) and means (10) for collecting the 10 labeled objects from the support means (4); Y at least one labeling device (14) located radially along the edge of the carousel (3) to apply labels to the objects placed on the support means (4) that pass during the rotation of the carousel (3); the labeling device (14) being detachably connected to the structure (2) so that it can be freely positioned in different angular positions relative to the axis of rotation (X) of the carousel (3); 15 drive means (17) for the labeling device (14); at least one control unit that is operatively connected to at least the movement means (5) and the actuation means (17) to control its operation in a synchronized manner; the machine being characterized in that it also comprises means for detecting the angular position of the labeling device (14) relative to the axis of rotation (X), the detection means 20 being operatively connected to the control unit, and also being characterized in that the control unit is programmed for: storing the angular position of the labeling device (14) detected by the detection means as the position detected; Y control the movement means (5) and the drive means (17) depending on the detected position 25 that is stored. 2. The labeling machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises: means (18) for identifying the labeling device (14) comprising at least a first element (19), capable of rotating around the axis of rotation (X), and at least a second element (20) that is integral with the labeling device (14), the first element and the second element (20) being positioned such that 30 are operatively coupled when the labeling device (14) is connected to the structure (2) and the first element (19) is in an angular position relative to the axis of rotation X corresponding to that of the second element (20); at least one of the first element and the second element (20) being operatively connected to the control unit to indicate to it the moment when the two elements are operatively coupled; Y 35 the detection means detect the angular position of the first element (19) in relation to the axis of rotation (X); and also being characterized because the control unit is programmed to: storing as the position detected the angular position of the first element (19), detected by the detection means when the identification means (18) indicate that the two elements are operatively coupled.

3.

The labeling machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the first element (19) and the second element (20) consist of a sensor connected to the control unit, and the other of an element that can be detected by the sensor.

Four.

The labeling machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the means (18) of

The identification also comprises at least a third element (21) that is fixed in relation to the support structure (2) and operatively coupled with the first element (19) according to a first predetermined angular position of the first element (19) in relation to the axis of rotation (X), the third element (21) forming a reference point to identify the detected position. 5. The labeling machine according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the detection means comprise an encoder connected to the control unit and operatively connected to the first element (19) to calculate its angular movement. The labeling machine according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it also comprises an interface element (16) that can be fixed to the structure (2) and to which the device is fixed (14) for labeling, the second element (20) of the identification means (18) being mounted to the interface element (16) 5. The labeling machine according to any of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the second element (20) of the identification means (18) also represents the type of labeling device (14) to which it is connected, characterized also because at the moment when the detected position is detected the detection means also detect the type of labeling device (14) and the 10 communicate to the control unit, and also being characterized in that the control unit is programmed to control the operation of the movement means (5) and the actuation means (17) partially depending on the type of device (14) of labeling detected by the detection means. The labeling machine according to any of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of mobile labeling devices (14), and also characterized in that the 15 detection means comprise a second element (20) connected to each mobile labeling device (14), and also being characterized in that the control unit is programmed depending on the position detected for each mobile labeling device (14). 9. The labeling machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized because the control unit is also operatively connected to the supply means (9) and the collection means 20 (10) to control its operation in a synchronized manner with the movement means (5).

10.

The labeling machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit is programmed to store the detected position of each labeling device (14) with each rotation of the carousel (3) or only after a specific command.

eleven.

The labeling machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized

25 because the support structure (2) comprises a sliding rail (15) that extends along an arc of a circumference centered on the axis of rotation (X) and is also characterized in that each labeling device (14) can connect to the rail (15) in any angular position. 12. A method for managing a labeling machine (1) comprising: a support structure (2); 30 a carousel (3) mounted on the support structure (2) so that it can rotate about a vertical axis of rotation (X), the edge of the carousel being equipped with a plurality of support means (4) for the objects to label; means (5) for moving the carousel (3) in relation to the structure (2) and, if necessary, the support means (4) in relation to the carousel (3); 35 means (9) for feeding the objects to be labeled to the support means (4) and means (10) for collecting the labeled objects from the support means (4); Y at least one labeling device (14) positioned radially along the edge of the carousel (3) to apply labels to the objects placed on the support means (4) that pass during the rotation of the carousel (3); the labeling device (14) being detachably connected to the structure (2) so that 40 can be freely positioned in different angular positions relative to the axis of rotation (X) of the carousel (3); actuation means (17) for the labeling device (14); Y at least one control unit that is operatively connected to at least the movement means (5) and the drive means (17) to control its operation in a synchronized manner; the method being characterized because it comprises the following operational steps: 45 program the control unit with a program that is expressed according to one or more variables, each of which represents the angular position of a mobile labeling device (14) relative to the axis of rotation (X) and a point fixed reference; at least after each movement of a labeling device (14) relative to the carousel (3), detect and store as the position detected the position of the labeling device (14) in relation to the fixed reference point 50; enter the position detected in the program as the value to be assigned to the relative variable; Y 8 use the machine with the program obtained in this way.