FR3082831A1 - LABEL LAYING MACHINE WITH INDEXATION - Google Patents

Abstract

Container labeling machine comprising a main conveyor (10) adapted to convey containers (4) and labels (5), comprising conveyor units, each conveyor unit comprising a base element (2) and a movable body (3) relative to the basic element, each conveying unit comprising supports (7) for container, the labels being supplied from a flattened tubular strip with at least 2 plies (51,52) intended to be diametrically opposite, the flattened tubular strip being cut transversely along a length corresponding to the height (H5) of the desired label, the machine comprising an insertion zone (Z1) for the labels suitable for associating a heat-shrinkable label (5) to each of the container supports, a zone for depositing (Z2) the containers on the supports (7) of the conveying units, a zone for relative movement (Z3) of each label with respect to each container respective pient, and a retraction zone (Z4) adapted to carry out an at least partial retraction of the labels around the containers, and there is provided on each conveying unit and around each support at least one indexing finger (6) configured to cooperate with a fold of the label (51,52) and thereby determine a precise angular orientation of the label relative to the corresponding container.

Description

Labeling machine with indexing

The present invention relates to machines for applying labels to containers, in particular to containers of creamy or liquid food products.

Background and Prior Art

There are known machines for applying labels to containers, in particular containers such as yoghurts, for example from document WO2016027286. This kind of machine is satisfactory but the inventors have identified the need to make improvements. It is indeed noted that in the machine taught by document WO2016027286, there is a conveyor for the labels which run parallel and in synchronized mode with another conveyor which carries the containers. In addition, for containers which do not exhibit perfect symmetry of revolution, a need has arisen to make the patterns printed on the label coincide with a particular shape which may be present on the side wall of the container, whether this is a local pattern or that it is linked to a general elliptical and / or non-circular shape.

Thus, the inventors have sought to make the angular orientation of the label coincide around the container so as to make the patterns printed on the label coincide with a local or general pattern of the container.

Summary of the invention

To this end, a container labeling machine is proposed comprising:

- a main conveyor (10) suitable for conveying containers (4) and labels (5), comprising a plurality of conveying units,

- each conveying unit comprising a base element (2) and a movable body (3) relative to the base element,

- each conveying unit comprising one or more supports (7) for container,

- the labels being supplied from a flattened tubular strip with at least 2 folds (51,52) intended to be diametrically opposed, the flattened tubular strip being cut transversely along a length corresponding to the height (H5) of the label desired,

- the machine comprising a zone for inserting (Z1) the labels suitable for associating a heat-shrinkable label (5) with each of the supports for the container, a zone for depositing (Z2) the containers on the supports (7) for the conveying, a zone of relative movement (Z3) of each label relative to each respective container, and a retraction zone (Z4) adapted to carry out an at least partial retraction of the labels around the containers. Advantageously, there is provided on each conveying unit and around each support at least one indexing finger (6) configured to cooperate with a fold of the label (51, 52) and thus determine a precise angular orientation of the label relative to the corresponding container.

By the term “relative displacement of the label”, it is to be understood that the label is brought closer to the container in such a way that the label comes substantially to surround the body of the container.

Thanks to these provisions, the indexing finger (or fingers) in question make it possible to maintain the label in a precise orientation during the descent of the label on the label support and during said approximation of the label and the container. At the start of the retraction step, the label is still oriented in the desired predetermined manner and its constriction freezes its position relative to the container. Thus, in the final product comprising the container and the heat-shrunk label, the relative position of the label is well controlled angularly with respect to the container.

For example, in the case where the container has an embossed shape, either hollow or projecting, the pattern printed on the label corresponding to this raised shape is perfectly positioned on said raised shape of the container.

It is noted here that the label in question forms an annular strip which closes on itself to completely surround the container. The motif (s) printed on the label can be decorative or informative. The material thickness of the annular strip forming the label is conventionally less than 100 microns (pm), most often less than 50 microns, typically between 20 microns and 40 microns.

In various embodiments of the invention, it is possible optionally to have recourse to one and / or the other of the following arrangements, taken individually or in combination.

According to a particular option, the conveyor units are trolleys (1). It is a simple and reliable solution to train the main conveyor with the fact that the carriages can be mechanically independent from each other.

According to a particular alternative option, the conveyor units can be formed as adjacent sectors of a circular carousel. This solution can advantageously be simple for moderate production volumes. This solution is compact.

According to one aspect, the main conveyor is adapted to be moved continuously by an endless movement so that the containers and the labels associated with the conveyor are conveyed continuously without stops from a container entry area to an exit area , and preferably labels are placed on the fly in the insertion zone (Z1). As a result, the process is continuous, which is advantageous in particular for the label retraction step where the containers pass with a recommended speed in front of a hot air nozzle.

According to one aspect, in the zone of relative displacement (Z3) of each label with respect to each respective container, the approximation of each label with respect to each container is progressive, as the conveyor advances.

According to an alternative option, the conveyor feed can be discontinued.

According to one possibility, an indexing finger (86) is provided which cooperates with a fold of the label (51, 52), on the inner side, that is to say that the indexing finger is positioned at the interior of the annular strip formed by the label.

According to another possibility, a pair of indexing fingers (81, 82) is provided which cooperates with a fold of the label (51, 52) on the outside, that is to say that the fingers 'indexing are positioned outside the annular strip formed by the label. According to an advantageous arrangement, the pair of fingers is formed like a fork whose finger tips are directed upwards.

According to one aspect, the finger or the pair of fingers is arranged on the movable body of the carriage (respectively conveying unit), and the support for container is integral with the base element. So that it is the label which is moved upwards (label mounted) relative to the container which follows the movement of the conveyor horizontally.

According to an alternative aspect, the finger or the pair of fingers is arranged on the base element of the carriage (respectively conveying unit), and the support for container is integral with the movable body. So that it is the container which is moved down (descent of the pot) relative to the label which follows the movement of the conveyor horizontally.

Depending on a particular option, each cart can include 4 container supports. According to another option, each cart can include 8 supports, or 12 supports. Generally, the number of supports per cart can be any between 1 and 24, preferably between 4 and 12, preferably a multiple of two.

According to one aspect, the carriages (respectively the conveying units) are guided by rails, and there is provided at least one cam path (8) integral with the rails, and at least one cam follower (9) on each movable body trolley (respectively conveying unit). This cam effect solution is particularly simple and reliable for inserting the label around the container.

According to an option, the cam imparts an upward movement to the mobile carriage body (respectively conveying unit). So that it is the label which is moved upwards by the cam system with respect to the container which follows the movement of the conveyor in a rectilinear manner (mounting of the label).

According to an alternative option, the cam imparts a downward movement to the mobile carriage body (respectively conveying unit). So that it is the container which is moved downwards by the cam system with respect to the label which follows the movement of the conveyor in a straight line (lowering of the pot).

According to an option, the main conveyor comprises an upper section (11), extending along a longitudinal working axis (T), on which are carried out the operations of inserting labels for removing the containers and assembly, and a lower section (12) for the return of the vacuum carriages. This configuration proves to be simple in construction and the maintenance of such a conventional conveyor is easy.

Other conveyor configurations are also possible, for example with a "flat" carousel for trolleys, a stadium track type path.

According to an option, the machine also includes a total retraction zone (Z4 ’). Whereby the containers at the outlet of the main conveyor are ready to be placed in marketing packaging, for example cartons or packs.

According to an option, the containers are placed on the fly in the deposit area (Z2) in batches of 4 to 24 containers. In one example, the number of containers deposited corresponds to the number of locations available on each cart. Manipulator arms are used for this. You can use a gripping principle by suction cup and air depression.

Description of the figures

Other aspects, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example. The invention will also be better understood with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 schematically represents a first embodiment of an installation for applying labels to containers,

FIG. 2 schematically represents a second embodiment of an installation for applying labels to containers,

FIG. 3 represents a more detailed view of the area for inserting the labels around the containers in the installation of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 represents a container,

FIG. 5 represents a cut label, alone, before its installation on the corresponding container, embodiment,

FIG. 6 represents a schematic transverse section of the label and of the indexing fingers, in an interior variant,

FIG. 7 represents a schematic transverse section of the label and of the indexing fingers, in an external variant,

FIGS. 8A 8B and 8C represent perspective views of a conveying carriage, with the movable body respectively in the low, intermediate and high position,

FIG. 9 illustrates the system for pre-cutting the labels from the flattened tubular strip,

- Figure 10 illustrates the removal of labels on the fly on the carts.

detailed description

In the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements. For reasons of clarity, certain elements are not necessarily represented on the same scale.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of an installation for placing labels 5 on containers 4. This installation comprises a main conveyor 10, an exemplary embodiment of which will be detailed below.

Pots / Containers

In the example illustrated, the containers 4 are jars of creamy or liquid food product. For example, the containers 4 can be filled with dairy and / or milk products such as crème fraîche, yogurt, desserts, dessert creams, etc.

The content of the pot is for example of a food nature which is liquid or solid at room temperature. The content may include a homogeneous product, or several products superimposed or juxtaposed for example. In the case where the jar contains several products or liquid, it may be important to maintain a relatively stable orientation of the jar from the place where the jar is filled with the contents to the place of consumption of the contents or, at all the least, at least during the labeling process.

A pot is a container that does not have a specially elongated shape in one direction. The orders of magnitude of the dimensions of the pot according to the three directions of space are similar. The jar can thus be distinguished from a bottle, which has a substantially elongated shape in a main direction.

In the following, the terms "pot" or "container" are used interchangeably to designate a pot as defined above.

The container 4 defines a closed interior space in which is included a content (not particularly visible in the figures). The closed interior space is accessible via an opening located on the top of the pot. In what follows, certain descriptions will refer to the orientation of the vertical denoted Z. The horizontal orientation X marks the direction of advance of the carriages in the zone where they are loaded with pots 4 and labels 5; the horizontal orientation Y is perpendicular to the above two directions (Z, X).

The pot comprises a rigid body 40 provided with an opening, and a cover 45 closing the opening of the rigid body 40. The cover 45 can be of the type withdrawable by a user of the pot, in order to access the content. In the example illustrated, the lids are strong enough to form the gripping interface of the pot filled with its contents; in fact, vacuum suction cups are used which are pressed against the cover and which make it possible to lift the pots to transport them; The vacuum cups are located at the end of a manipulator arm and there is a pneumatic selective control system synchronized with the conveyor to create a vacuum (taking the pot) and / or to selectively restore atmospheric pressure (or more ) inside the suction cup (removing the pot).

Each container comprises a body forming a bowl with bottom 41 a side wall 42 an upper edge 43 (also called collar) on which is placed and / or sealed the cover 45. The upper edge is wider than the body of the pot; in fact, it is not possible to insert the label in the form of an annular strip from above.

The rigid body 40 can be made of rigid plastic compatible with the requirements, for example food, of the content. The rigid body 40 can be made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or other polymer compatible with food hygiene constraints.

The collar 43 is located at the upper end of the pot, and has the shape of a portion of a substantially flat horizontal thin plate (extending in the X-Y plane) and surrounds the opening of the rigid body 40.

The flanges of two adjacent pots can be connected together by a rigid but fusible zone (noted 49 in Figure 8A), the two pots can be detached by the end consumer. According to other possible configurations, the pots can be all independent, the pots can be attached by 3.4 or more.

The side wall 42 may have a cylindrical or frustoconical narrowing shape, as in the example shown. The side wall 42 may have a shape of revolution, as in the example presented. The narrowing of the conical wall can be monotonous, or in portions.

The body 40 of the container may also have a slightly ovoid shape, that is to say wider at mid-height than at the bottom and at the top as in an example presented in FIG. 4.

The body 40 of the container can also have a shape with several sides (in section in the horizontal plane), for example four sides connected to each other by rounded corner zones.

The bottom 41 can be placed on a support surface, in particular flat, in a configuration in which the pot is in stable support on its bottom 41.

The bottom 41 may have a central stiffening portion, where a dome-shaped portion.

In the example presented below, the jar is filled with its contents and sealed under strict regulated conditions, upstream of the labeling machine. However, it is not excluded to provide that the filling and the sealing can be carried out on the same installation as the labeling process.

Labels and their preparation

The labels 5 are supplied from a flattened tubular strip which results in the formation of at least 2 folds 51.52 intended to be diametrically opposed around the jar (cf.

Fig 6 and 7). The flattened tubular strip is intended to be cut transversely along a length corresponding to the height H5 of the desired label.

More specifically, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, there is provided a label input station which includes a reel 54 on which is wound a tubular strip 55 of labels. The tubular strip is continuous and extends in a longitudinal direction W. The tubular strip is obtained from a very long sheet in the longitudinal direction folded back on itself around a longitudinal axis with gluing (or welding) from one edge to the other. There is therefore a small overlap area (or "junction") 68 in the tubular strip intended to form the labels. To facilitate handling, this tubular strip is flattened. Thus, the tubular strip is flat but has two thicknesses of material held together by the folds. The overlap / junction zone can typically be located in one of the thicknesses of material and extends longitudinally.

The junction zone 68 has a localized overlap of the two longitudinal edges of the sheet, this overlap preferably being of small extension so as not to harm the overall aesthetics of the label.

Pulleys 56 are used to guide the tubular strip 55 from the reel 54 to a precut system.

Where appropriate, several synchronized parallel systems for feeding labels are used, namely several coils 54 used in parallel (in the present example, 2 coils), and defined trajectories up to each of the rows / columns of locations for jars and labels on the conveyor.

The labels are formed from heat-shrinkable material so that an application of heat above a certain threshold will generate a retraction of the label.

You can choose the label material from the following list: polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC). We can preferably choose an oriented polystyrene (OPS) which shrinks preferentially in one or two directions.

For example, the retraction is essentially done in the X-Y plane without significantly impacting the dimension of the label in the Z direction. This is called uniaxial retraction. Such materials exist and will not be described in more detail. Such heat shrinkage can be implemented using polymeric materials. In particular, a uniaxial retraction can be carried out using a polymer material, the chains of which are oriented in a preferred direction. It is not excluded to use a material provided with a bi-axial or isotropic retraction.

It should also be noted that the rate of retraction is limited, in order to avoid deformations of the patterns printed on the label 5. Thus the diameter of the strip D5 forming the label is between 100% and 110% of the outside diameter D4 of the pot in its widest part.

Thus the retraction, which minimizes the available space formed by the available play, results in a substantial tightening of the label around the jar and its robust retention.

It is still necessary to provide sufficient clearance to be able to insert the label on the jar without risk of jamming; it must also be taken into account that at least two folds 51, 52 have formed previously when the label was part of the tubular strip 55.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the precut system 57 is adapted to generate preferential rupture zones in the tubular strip. The precut system 57 is synchronized with the movement of the tubular strip, so as to generate these preferential rupture zones at a predetermined pitch corresponding to the height of an H5 label. If necessary, this synchronization is adjustable, so as to be able to generate labels of different heights for another adjustment of the machine. The precut system 57 may comprise a blade 58 / anvil system 59 disposed on either side of the tubular strip 55. The blade 58 / anvil system 59 is actuated periodically to generate partial cutting zones in the tubular strip 55. Preferably, the two thicknesses of material are perforated. A series of perforations spaced from each other is provided in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the tubular strip 55, in other words the formation of a detachment dotted line.

The pre-cutting system can for example comprise a cutting roller 60 and a counter-roller 61 mounted on either side of the tubular strip 55, and each mounted to rotate around axes parallel to the cutting axis, and in opposite directions of rotation, corresponding to the direction of travel of the tubular strip 55 between them. The cutting roller 60 carries the blade 58 and the counter-roller 61 carries the anvil 59. The blade 58 and the anvil 59 are thus found opposite for each period of rotation of the cutting roller 60 and the counter roller 61.

FIG. 10 represents a separation system 62 separating an individual label from the tubular band 55, and a transfer system 63 associating with the main conveyor 10 the label 5 separated from the tubular band 55.

The separation system 62 comprises a conical head 63 of axis of the axis of the strip and a cylindrical body 64 of axis revolution the axis of the strip and disposed downstream of the conical head 63. The conical shape of the head 63 guides the tubular strip 55 and causes the two thicknesses of material to separate. The strip 55 surrounds the conical head 63. A thin blade 65, upstream of the head 63, of axis the axis of the strip, is slid between the two thicknesses of material to initiate their separation.

The separation system 62 comprises two pairs of rollers. The rollers 66a and 66b of the pair 66 of upstream rollers are arranged on either side of the cylindrical body 64 with interposition of the tubular strip 55. The rollers 67a and 67b of the pair 67 of downstream rollers are arranged on both sides 'other of the cylindrical body 64 with interposition of the strip 55, and downstream of the pair 66. While the tubular strip 55 is moved continuously along its longitudinal axis at the separation system, periodically the rollers 66a and 66b maintain the strip tubular 55 on the cylindrical body 64, while the rollers 67a and 67b pull on the end of the strip 55. A preferential rupture zone is located between the two pairs of rollers 66, 67, so that a label is separated from the tubular strip 55. The rollers 67a and 67b further project the cut label downwards towards a suitable location of the conveyor 10, which as will be seen later, with the presence of d indexing pins, allows to control the angular position of the label during this downward movement.

So we put labels on the fly while the conveyor is moving.

If several tubular strips 55 are used in parallel, and the label conveyor comprises several columns, each tubular strip 55 can be associated with a column of the label conveyor. To save space, the separation systems associated with each strip can be offset from each other, each associated with a different column of the label conveyor.

FIG. 5 schematically represents a label 5 associated with a location on the carriage according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 represents a label 5 before assembly to the container 4. It comprises a generally cylindrical portion of revolution along an axis Z, which in the example presented is the vertical axis, as already mentioned, it is formed as an annular strip in heat-shrinkable material so that an application of heat above a certain threshold will generate a retraction of the label, in particular a partial retraction in the zone denoted Z4.

In addition to the two folds naturally formed by the crushing of the tubular strip, it is possible to provide additional pleating or puckering which makes it possible to reinforce the self-supporting structure of the label when the latter has a very small thickness, for example less than 30 microns.

As visible in FIG. 1, the label entry station 5 comprises a system 90 for supplying labels 5 from the tubular strip 55 including the precut and the placement of labels on the supports as already described above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container entry station 4 comprises a container supply system 4 which can be formed by a transfer robot (not shown in the figures) associating repeatedly and periodically with the main conveyor one or several containers 4 by depositing them each on a support 7.

Correspondence between Label and Pot

In the example illustrated in particular in Figure 4, the side wall 42 of the container comprises a relief pattern 44, here for the clarity and simplicity of the description there is shown a relief in the form of a strawberry.

Still according to this simplified example, the label 5 comprises a printed pattern 54 intended to be put into precise correspondence with the relief pattern present on the body of the pot.

The challenge of applying the label to the pot is to make the printed pattern 54 coincide precisely with the relief pattern 44 on the pot.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the label 5 and the pot 4 are brought towards each other until the label is in abutment under the flange 43 of the pot. This ensures precise positioning along the vertical axis. With regard to the indexing in rotation around the vertical axis, this is described below.

Conveyor

In the two examples illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the main conveyor 10 comprises a plurality of carriages 1, whose movement is caused by the movement of an endless chain (or a belt or a belt).

In practice, the main conveyor comprises an upper section 11, extending along a longitudinal working axis X, on which the operations of inserting container removal and assembly labels are carried out, and a section lower 12 for the return of vacuum carts. The container removal zone is denoted Z2.

The chain (or belt or band) is guided on rollers 77, 78, 76. One or more rollers can be driving rollers which distribute the movement of advancing to the main conveyor. It is possible to provide tensioning and / or backlash systems 75 known per se.

The machine comprising a zone for inserting labels Z1 suitable for associating a heat-shrinkable label 5 with each of the supports 7 for a container, a zone for depositing containers Z2 on the supports 7 for the conveying units, a zone for relative movement Z3 of each label with respect to each respective container, and a retraction zone Z4 adapted to carry out at least partial retraction of the labels around the containers 4.

According to a particular option, a Z4 ’zone can be provided on the same conveyor for complete retraction of the label.

Other forms of conveyor may also be suitable for practicing the present invention. For example a circular carousel can be used. Likewise, another conveyor solution with the trolleys which remain permanently "flat" can be used, that is to say the return is at the same level on a circuit of the stadium track type.

trolley

Each carriage 1 (respectively conveying unit) comprises a base element 2 and a movable body 3 relative to the base element.

Each carriage (respectively conveying unit) comprises one or more supports 7 for container.

In the example illustrated, two guide columns 32, 33 are provided which make it possible to define a single degree of freedom of movement between the basic element 2 and the movable body 3, namely a translation along the vertical axis Z; translations along the other two axes as well as rotations along three axes are prevented by the connection formed by these columns. According to an example, each baluster can be formed with a jacket and a piston which moves inside the jacket along the longitudinal axis. According to another variant, a rail system can be provided with a fixed profile and a movable profile.

The base element 2 comprises a base plate 20 which generally extends in the XY plane. The base plate preferably has a constant thickness; the base plate is fixed to each aforementioned baluster, in particular at an upper end of the casing of the baluster.

In the example illustrated, the base plate 20 supports the supports 7 for the containers 4. Each pot support is formed as a small pedestal of generally cylindrical shape with body 72 and an upper flat 71 intended to receive the base of the container.

The base plate 20 of the base element 2 comprises on each of its longitudinal edges a connecting member 22 to the chain of the conveyor. It is therefore thanks to the connecting member that the conveyor sets the carriage 1 in direction X.

The movable body 3 comprises a base plate 30 which generally extends in the XY plane. The base plate 30 comprises at the location of each support location for the pots a wide opening 34 corresponding to the widest diameter of the supports for the container.

The movable body 3 comprises locations 17 for receiving the labels; more specifically, a location is provided for a label at the location of each support intended to receive a container. Thus, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8A-8C, each carriage 1 has four locations for labels 17 and four container supports, arranged in a rectangle. Seen otherwise, there are two locations for labels and two corresponding container supports on the right-hand part with respect to the longitudinal central axis X1; and two label slots and two corresponding container supports are provided symmetrically on the left part with respect to the longitudinal central axis X1.

In FIGS. 8A-8C, to promote the clarity of the description, on the left part of the cart, the pots and the labels have not been shown.

The base plate 30 of the movable body 3 comprises at each of its ends along the transverse axis a cam follower 9. Here in the example illustrated, the cam follower is formed by a roller.

The base plate 30 of the movable body 3 is fixed to an upper end of the piston of each baluster 32,33.

The base plate 30 of the movable body 3 comprises, at the location of each opening 34, two pairs of fingers provided for ensuring the indexing function of the label which will be described below. Each of the fingers has a shape which tapers upwards. In other words, the section of each finger decreases as it moves away from the base of the finger attached to the base plate 30. The upper end of each finger has a rounded shape.

A first pair of fingers 81, 82 is intended to frame a first fold 51 formed in the annular strip of the label.

A second pair of fingers 83, 84 is intended to frame a second fold 52 formed in the annular strip of the label.

Note that the two pairs of fingers are arranged diametrically opposite, around the opening 34.

Advantageously, on each of the columns, a spiral spring 38 is arranged which works in compression and recalls the movable body downwards.

The spiral spring rests in the lower part on a shoulder 37 secured to the movable body and rests in the upper part on a shoulder 39 secured to the base element of the carriage.

It should be noted that according to the present invention, the carriages could take an entirely different shape. Indeed, the invention can just as easily be applied to a circular carousel with vertical axis rotation, which turns out to be another kind of conveyor.

Thus, we can generically speak of “conveying units” to designate either the carriages or the angular sectors of a circular carousel.

It should also be noted that the carriages could follow a “flat” path with the chain guide rollers (or of the belt) mounted to rotate with a vertical axis (instead of horizontal).

Label indexing

As already mentioned in connection with and illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8A-8C, a proposed solution consists in framing from the outside the two main folds of the annular strip forming the label to be placed on the container. A first pair of fingers 81, 82 frames a first fold 51, while the second pair of fingers 83, 84 frames a second fold 52.

In other words, the fold formed by the prior treatment of the tubular strip is advantageously used to guide the label, with the pair of fingers, in terms of angular position.

The pair of fingers can advantageously be formed like a V, so that, during the movement of descent of the label in replacement of label 17 around the support 7, the angular position of the label is re-centered by the descent of the fold in the hollow of the V. In fact, the inventors have noticed that in a process of inserting the labels by rapid descent on the fly, without particular precautions, the dispersion of angular positioning was significant, this defect is resolved by the presence guide fingers (or indexing).

This angular positioning constraint given by the frames by the fingers exists when the label descends from the label distribution system to the location 17 on the mobile body of the carriage. This guarantees correct angular positioning in the area of insertion of the labels on the support.

In addition, during the upward movement of the label in solidarity with the movable body 3, and around the jar, the angular positioning is kept precisely by the presence of the fingers which frame the folds of the label during the entire ascent of the 'label.

The orientation constraint given by the framing of the label folds is always present during the at least partial retraction step in zone Z4.

After the partial label retraction station, the movable body 3 of the carriage descends to its rest position. This is obtained in an exemplary embodiment by the effect of the spiral spring 38. According to an alternative solution, one could use a cam acting in the opposite direction and / or gravity for the rebirth of the movable body.

Although two pairs of fingers are shown, it is not excluded to use the invention with a single pair of fingers in particular in V configuration.

Advantageously, each of the fingers is wider at its base 88, and the section narrows to the top 89.

According to an alternative solution shown in Figure 6, instead of framing the fold from the outside, one can provide a finger positioned inside the fold that is to say in the closed corner. In this case a single finger is sufficient for each of the folds.

More specifically, a first inner finger 86 is housed in one of the folds 51, and a second inner finger 87 is housed in the other of the folds 52.

Thus, with regard to the number of fingers and their respective interior or exterior position, the invention provides generically on each conveying unit and around each support at least one indexing finger 6 configured to cooperate with a fold of the label 51, 52 and thus determine a precise angular orientation of the label with respect to the corresponding container.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, a cam track marked 8 is provided on which the cam follower or roller 9 will advance to the right and therefore cause the movable body 3 to rise upwards, and cause the fact label 5 up around the bush.

In FIG. 3, as well as in FIGS. 8A-8C, a decoration of cherries has been shown on the labels to illustrate the movement of the labels.

More precisely, in the zone of insertion of the label on the pot also called the zone of relative displacement Z3, a part of a rising ramp 8A pushes the roller 9 upwards. On the rest of the journey, the cam path is flat and horizontal, then at the exit from the partial label retraction station, a part of the descending ramp 8B allows the mobile body of the trolley to descend down, that is to say say towards its rest position.

The path has a support structure 91, a rising ramp 92 which is extended by a flat portion 93 in particular as far as the retraction zone Z4.

Advantageously, there is provided a roller 9 on each side of the carriage is a cam path on each side of the carriage.

A reminder can be provided for the movable bodies of the carriages, either by springs as illustrated or by another cam path with reverse effect.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the reverse configuration is provided, that is to say that the basic element 2 of the carriage carries the labels, the mobile body of the carriage carries the supports 7 for container. Under these conditions, the cam path 8 ′ is reversed with respect to the previous configuration, that is to say that the cam gives a downward movement to the pot supports in the zone of relative displacement Z3, then a maintenance of the position up to the exit of partial label retraction stations where the cam allows the support to rise. An elastic return is provided for the movable body carrying the pot supports upwards, preferably downstream of the pre-shrink zone Z4. In other words, which the cam imparts a downward movement to the movable body 3 of the carriage.

Other provisions and comments

In FIG. 3, for reasons of clarity of the description, containers and labels have been shown only in the foreground, on the closest support row, while on the furthest support row the containers and the labels were not shown

In the pre-shrinking zone Z4, there are provided hot air diffusion nozzles which blow hot air just below the flange 43 of the containers in order to retract the upper part 98 (FIG. 5) of the label. Once this retraction has been carried out, the movable body 3 which carries the indexing fingers 6 can be lowered without affecting the proper maintenance of the label on the container.

In addition to the partial label pre-retraction station (zone denoted Z4), it can optionally be provided by following a complete label retraction station (zone denoted Z4 '), preferably after the mobile body of the carriage has returned to its position of rest so that the presence of the fingers does not hinder an air flow completely enveloping the pot.

Although a solution has been described previously where the movement of the carriages is continuous along X, it is not excluded to provide a conveying system with the possibility of advancing the carriages independently of each other in particular to be able to purge the partial retraction zone of the labels, for example in the case of figures, one of the components must be replenished, in particular for example the tubular strip of labels.

Thanks to the indexing system presented above, it is possible to obtain precise angular positioning of the label around the body of the jar. The inventors have found such precision that the angular position error is generally less than 10 °, most often the angular position error is generally less than 5 °. Depending on the thickness of the label material, even better details can be obtained, i.e. errors of less than 3 °.

Claims (11)

1. Container labeling machine comprising: - a main conveyor (10) suitable for conveying containers (4) and labels (5), comprising a plurality of conveying units, - each conveying unit comprising a base element (2) and a movable body (3) relative to the base element, - each conveying unit comprising one or more supports (7) for container, - the labels being supplied from a flattened tubular strip with at least 2 folds (51,52) intended to be diametrically opposed, the flattened tubular strip being cut transversely along a length corresponding to the height (H5) of the label desired, - the machine comprising an insertion zone (Z1) for the labels suitable for associating a heat-shrinkable label (5) with each of the container supports, a zone for depositing (Z2) the containers on the supports (7) of the conveying, a zone of relative movement (Z3) of each label relative to each respective container, and a retraction zone (Z4) adapted to carry out an at least partial retraction of the labels around the containers, characterized in that provision is made on each conveying unit and around each support at least one indexing finger (6) configured to cooperate with a fold of the label (51, 52) and thus determine a precise angular orientation of the label relative to the container in correspondence. 2. container labeling machine according to claim 1, wherein the main conveyor is adapted to be moved continuously by an endless movement so that containers and labels associated with the conveyor are continuously conveyed without stops from a container entry zone towards an exit zone, and in which labels are applied on the fly in the insertion zone (Z1). 3. container labeling machine according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein there is provided a pair of indexing fingers (6) configured to frame a fold of the label (51,52) and thus determine precise angular orientation of the label relative to the corresponding container 4. container labeling machine of one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the conveying units are carriages (1). 5. container labeling machine according to claim 3 and claim 4, wherein the finger or the pair of fingers is arranged on the movable body of the carriage, and the container support is integral with the base member. 6. container labeling machine according to claim 3 and claim 4, wherein the finger or the pair of fingers is arranged on the base member of the carriage and the container support is secured to the movable body. 7. container labeling machine according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the carriages are guided by rails, and there is provided at least one cam path (8) integral with the rails, and at least one follower cam (9) on each movable carriage body. 8. A container labeling machine according to claim 7, in which the cam imparts an upward movement to the mobile carriage body. 9. A container labeling machine according to claim 7, in which the cam imparts a downward movement to the movable body of the carriage. 10. Labeling machine according to one of claims 1 to 9, in which the main conveyor comprises an upper section (11), extending along a longitudinal working axis (X), on which the inserting operations of container removal and assembly labels, and a lower section (12) for the return of vacuum carts. 11. Labeling machine according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the machine further comprises a total retraction zone (Z4 ’).