GB2110630A - Labelling machine for shaped bottles - Google Patents

Abstract

Labelling machine for bottles varying from a circular shape in cross- section (shaped bottles) comprising a rotary table 5 having a plurality of clamping members consisting respectively of a rotary-controlled turntable 7 and a clamping head 8 for clamping the bottle between the bottom and top, and alignment members 19 associated with the clamping members, adapted to the shape of the bottle and able to be moved towards and away from the bottle at right angles to the conveying direction of the bottles. The bottles held in this way are moved past a labelling station located on the conveying path, for the transfer of labels which are subsequently pressed on to the bottles by pressing members 18 movable jointly with the alignment members 19. Each alignment member 19 may comprise two fork arms and two projections, is movable towards and away from a bottle by a stationary cam 37 and, together with its associated presser member 18, is readily exchangeable. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Labelling machine for shaped bottles The invention relates to a labelling machine for bottles varying from a circular shape in crosssection (shaped bottles), with a conveying apparatus, in particular a rotary table, which comprises clamping members arranged in a row one behind the other and consisting respectively of a rotary-controlled turntable and the clamping head, for clamping the bottle between the bottom and top and alignment members associated with the clamping members, adapted to the shape of the bottle and able to be moved forwards and the bottles held in this way are moved past a labelling station located on the conveying path, for transferring a label and which also comprises pressing members acting on the labels transferred.

For exact positioning of the labels on the bottle it is necessary to carry out subsequent alignment of the bottles held between clamping members in the turntable, if they are transferred from the inlet drum in a certain rotary position to the rotary table. In a known labelling machine of the aforementioned type (German Offenlegungsschrift 2731769), the turntable has a recess adapted to the shape of the bottle and four inclined guide faces, which ensure that with axiai pressure of the clamping head on the bottle, the bottle assumes its desired rotary position. If bottles of a different format or other sizes of bottle are to be processed, then the turntable with the guide faces and the recess must be exchanged for another turntable.

Since alignment members of this type are located in the contamination area of the labelling machine, fragments of glass may become jammed and interfere with the operation.

With a labelling machine of this type it is possible to transfer the labels exactly. However, the labelling operation is not concluded with the transfer of the labels to the flat bottles, the labels must be pressed firmly onto the bottle. Normally, the pressing operation is carried out by brushes arranged in a stationary manner on the conveying path of the bottles. Pressing members of this type, which have proved best in the case of round bottles, cannot be used with bottles of a different formation, such as flat bottles or four-cornered bottles, however solely with the danger of tearing of the exactly applied label, if the ends of the label are located at problematic points, such as transition points of the bottle having a considerable curvature or edges.

The object of the invention is to provide a labelling machine for shaped bottles, which is not susceptible to breakdowns and with relatively simple means ensures an exact transfer of the labels to the bottles.

This object is achieved according to the invention in a labelling machine of the aforementioned type due to the fact that each alignment member is adapted to the shape of the wall of the bottle and can be moved forwards at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the bottles and at right angles to the conveying direction of the bottles.

On account of the arrangement of the alignment members acting on the wall of the bottle, the labelling machine is not susceptible to breakdowns as regards the alignment members, since fragments of glass cannot enter its operating region. A rotary table provides a space-saving construction, since the alignment members act on the bottle from the centre of the rotary table.

Since the alignment is carried out by separate membes, the turntable and clamping head have the conventional construction, so that even conventional bottles can be labelled on a labelling machine of this type. In such a case, solely the alignment member needs to be dismantled. A pressing pad can be inserted in place of this alignment member.

According to a first embodiment, one alignment member and one pressing member respectively can be constructed as a component able to move jointly. This embodiment provides a particularly simple construction and a simple control device for the forwards movement, since only a single control cam needs to be provided. Since the pressing pads are moved at right angles to the bottle, no relative movement occurs between them and the bottle, which is the cause for tearing of the exactly applied labels.

In order that the alignment member and pressing member in their construction as a common component cause as little trouble as possible as regards their operation, one embodiment of the invention provides allowing the alignment member to project with respect to the pressing member and supporting it resiliently in the component.

Preferably, each alignment member comprises two fork arms for the lateral alignment of the bottles and two projections for the alignment of the rotary position of the bottles, whereas an abutment for the lateral support of the bottles is provided on the section of the conveying path, where the alignment members are active, on the side of the conveying path remote from the alignment members.

In order to facilitate subsequent alignment of the bottles by the alignment members, the control device for the clamping members holding the bottle so that it is absoiutely unable to rotate is synchronized with the control device of the component consisting of alignment members and pressing members so that during alignment the clamping members are released.

In order to treat the labels which are positioned exactly after the transfer and pressing operation, as carefully as possible to a further embodiment of the invention the rotary control of the turntables for the bottles can be constructed such that the bottles come to lie with their labelled side in the compartments of the outlet drum.

The cam control of the component makes it possible to carry out alignment or pressing at any desired point. This is also true for labels applied on ail sides, which are applied to the neck of the bottle. In this case it is advantageous if the regions applied by stationary brushes on the conveying path and which are arranged to overlap are subsequently pressed down by the pressing members in the overlapped region.

A simple mounting and simple control device is provided if each component consisting of alignment and pressing members is arranged on a cam-controlled guide rail. A follower roller of the component can be held in contact with the cam by a spring mounting. The aforementioned interchangeability of the component can be realised in that it is arranged on the guide rails in an exchangeable manner.

The requirements regarding accuracy of positioning of the labels are particularly great in the case of bottles with edges extending vertically, such as for example in the case of bottles with a multi-cornered outline, in particular rectangular or octagonal bottles. With these bottles it is necessary that the label finishes flush with the edges of one side or has the same spacing from the edges at both corners.

In order to satisfy these increased requirements it is provided according to a further embodiment Df the invention that the alignment member is constructed as tongs, whereof the two-armed levers are able to swing in a resiliently supported bearing block of the component and whereof the lever arms remote from the gripper arms are constructed as toggle levers and pivoted in the component so that when the bearing block bears against a stop associated therewith and upon further forwards movement of the component, the levers are swung in the closing direction.

In this embodiment of the invention, in each rotary position of the bottle, the alignment member constructed as tongs is able to move in the open position without problems behind the bottle and then to close. An alignment by the gripper arms may take place at the time of closing.

The alignment is completed when the pressing member comes to bear against the bottle at the time of further forwards movement of the component, because then the bottle assumes the position which is determined by the alignment member. During the transfer of the label, the bottle can be held by the alignment member and the pressing member, so that for the bottle normally held between a turntable and a rotary head, an additional support is provided.

The stop may be constructed to be adjustable for the purpose of the adaptation to various formats of bottle. It is particularly advantageous if the stop is constructed as an adjustable control cam.

The adjustment of the regulating distance for the closing movement of the grippers is not critical, if the toggle levers are pivoted in a resiliently supported bearing block of the component. In this case, the resilient support of the bearing block prevents the closing force from becoming too great, when the grippers come to bear on the bottle.

The invention is described in detail hereafter with reference to the drawings illustrating one embodiment and in which: Figure 1 shows a labelling machine in plan view; Figure 2 shows the labelling machine according to Figure 1 in cross-section on line I-I of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cut-away view of Figure 2 in the region of the alignment and pressing member, to an enlarged scale; Figures 4 and 5 show an alignment member with abutment in a different rotary position of the bottle in plan view, in section on line Il-Il of Figure 3; Figure 6 shows a bottle held by the clamping head and which is under the action of brushes; Figure 7 shows a bottle held by the clamping head and which is under the action of a pressing member; and Figure 8 shows a further alignment member in plan view and diagrammatically.

According to Figure 1 ,flat bottles are supplied in a row and in the same rotary position by a chain conveyor 2 to a spacing worm 3, which separates the bottles 1 with a suitable spacing for the labelling machine. The bottles pass by way of an inlet drum 4 to a rotary table 5, which has a plurality of identical receiving locations 6 on its periphery. Each receiving location 6 consists of a rotary-controlled turntable 7 and a clamping head 8 which can be raised and lowered. The turntable 7 and clamping head 8 form clamping members, between which the bottle 1 is clamped in a nonrotary manner. The bottle can be brought into a desired rotary position during processing by way of the rotary control (not shown).As it is conveyed by the rotary table 5, the bottle is moved past a first labelling station 9 and a second labelling station 10 and is supplied to an outlet drum 11 corresponding to the inlet drum 4, from where the bottles are discharged by a plate conveyor 1 2.

The labelling stations 9, 10 have a conventional construction and therefore do not need to be described in detail. Whereas the labelling station 9 is set-up for the simultaneous transfer of the front label and neck label, the labelling station 10 is setup for transferring the back label. Brushes 13, 14, 1 5, 1 6 on the outside and inside are arranged on the conveying path for applying the neck label.

A component 17 consisting of alignment and pressing members which can be moved forwards radially is associated with each receiving location 6 in the rotary table 5. The component consists of a pressing pad 1 8 adapted in particular to the shape of the bottle and of a shaped member 1 9 with two fork arms 20, 21 for the lateral alignment of the bottle and two projections 22, 23 for aligning the rotary position of the bottle 1. A shaped member of this type is suitable both for aligning a bottle with a flat curvature both on the convex side as well as on the concave side, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The pad 18 is seated on a support 24, on which the alignment member 19 is also supported in a resilient manner by means of a guide 25 and a spring 26. The support 24 is attached to a plate 27 by means of a bolt 28.The free ends of guide bars 29, 30 passing through the plate 27 engage in recesses in the support 24 and additionally fix the latter. On account of this type of attachment, the component 1 7 can be easily dismantled and exchanged. The guide bars 29, 30 are able to move radially in bushes 31, 32, 33, 34 of a support 36 seated on the driven shaft 35 of the rotary table 5. Mounted on the support 36 is a cylindrical cam 37 held in a non-rotary manner, which is followed by a follower roller 38, which is seated in a fixed manner on the guide bar 29. The roller 38 is held in abutment on the cylindrical cam 37 by a spring 39 seated on the guide bar 30.

During the rotation of the support 36, depending on the nature of the cylindrical cam 37, the entire interconnected unit consisting of guide bars 29, 30, support 36, securing plate 27, alignment and pressing members 1 8, 19 is moved forwards and backwards radially.

At the points of the conveying path for the bottles 1, where the bottle 1 is to be aligned by the alignment members 19, abutments in the form of sliding rails 40,41,42 are provided on the outer periphery. These abutments have the task of supporting the bottles when the clamping head 8 is released, during the forwards movement of the alignment member 19. Like the component 1 7 of the alignment and pressing members 1 8, 1 9, the abutments 40 zi2 are attached by a bolt 43 so that they can be exchanged for a change of format.

The labelling machine operates in the following manner: the bottles 1 transferred by the inlet drum 4 with their convex outer side directed outwards to the receiving locations 6 of the rotary table 4 are clamped and held in a non-rotary manner between the turntable 7 and clamping head 8, by lowering of the clamping head 8. As soon as the bottles 1 arrive in the region of the abutment 40, 41, the clamping head 8 is raised slightly, so that the bottles 1 can be rotated with respect to the turntable 7. During conveyance in the region of the abutment 40, 41, the component 17 is precontrolled and its alignment members 19, 20-23 align the bottle with regard to its axial position and above all with regard to its rotary position.While the alignment member 19 still retains the bottle 1, the clamping head 8 is lowered and the bottle 1 is clamped between the turntable 7 and the clamping head 8. Then, the component 17 is once more moved back. As it is conveyed further, the bottle 1 arrives in the region of the labelling station 9. The labelling station 9 simultaneously transfers a body label 44 on the front side and a neck label 45 in the form of a ring label. As it is conveyed further, the bottle is rotated through 900 and then arrives in the region of the brushes 13, 14 acting solely on the neck label 45, which brush the neck label 45 rearwards. Then the bottle 1 is once more rotated through 900, so that the transferred body label is located opposite the pressing member 18.The pressing member 1 8 is pre-controlled and in this way the body label is pressed on without any danger of tearing. As it is conveyed further, the bottle 1 is once more rotated, in which case the brushes 1 5, 1 6 brush completely against the ring label. Now, the pressing member 18 can once more be precontrolled and thus presses by its upper, preferably projecting part on the overlapped region of the ring label 45. Thus, at the same time, the bottle 1 can be aligned. In this case, a stationary abutment is provided on the outer periphery. In this case also, the clamping head 8 is easily released for the alignment operation. This repeated alignment is advantageous if a further label is to be applied at a second labelling station.

The transfer of this additionally back label and the pressing down of the back label takes place as described in the example of the first labelling station 9. The labelled bottles are then transferred to the outlet drum 11 so that the labelled convex regions come to lie in the recesses of the inlet drum 11. It is thus ensured that these particularly endangered, labelled regions are not subjected to stress.

If no back label and/or no ring label is to be applied and accordingly a further rotation of the bottles is unnecessary after pressing down of the body label on the convex front side, the rotation through 1 800 is advantageous for the aforementioned reasons.

The embodiment of Figure 8 differs from the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 substantially solely in the construction of the gripper member.

In this embodiment, the gripper member is adapted to the shape of an octagonal bottle 51. As in the preceding embodiment, the component 52 able to be moved forwards jointly in the direction of the bottle 51 consists of the alignment member and a pressing member. On a plate 53, the pressing member supports a pressing pad 54 adapted to the shape of the bottle, in the present case a pad 54 with a flat surface. The support plate 53 is seated on the free end of a guide bar 55, whereof the guide is not illustrated in the diagrammatic drawing. The guide may be constructed in the same manner as the guide illustrated in the other embodiment. The guide bar 55 scans a stationary control cam 57 with a follower roller 56.Either the follower roller 56 is held in abutment on this control cam 57 by a spring (not shown) or the control cam is constructed as a grooved cam, in which the follower roller 56 is guided on two sides.

The alignment member constructed as tongs comprises two two-armed levers 58, 59, which are mounted to swing in a bearing block 60. The bearing block 60 is supported in a resilient manner on a spring 61 and supports a follower roller 62, which is associated with an adjustable cam 63, rotating together with the component 52, which cam 63 comprises stops 64 with a different radial spacing. The arms of the levers 58, 59 remote from the bottle 51 are constructed as toggle levers 65, 66, the free ends of which are pivoted in a further bearing block 67, which is supported in a resilient manner on a spring 68. The bearing blocks 60, 67 are able to move on the guide bar 55 against the force of the springs 61, 68.

However it is also possible that'the bearing blocks 60, 67 are mounted to move on different guide bars. The free ends of the levers 58, 59 support grippers 69, 70 adapted to the shape of the bottle.

The control cam 63 is adjusted depending on the format of the bottles. The springs 61, 68 hold the component in the open position of the tongs illustrated in Figure 8. As soon as the rotary table rotates and the follower.roller 56 is moved forwards on account of the shape of the control cam 57 in the direction of the bottle 51 the latter moves forwards into the illustrated position of the individual parts. Before the pressing member 53, 54 comes to bear against one side of the bottle 51, the follower roller 72 strikes against one of the stops 64 of the control cam 63. This means that the bearing block 60 can no longer follow the furtherforwards movement of the guide bar 55, but moves on the latter. As soon as the force of the spring 61 overcomes that of the spring 68, the latter is compressed. Thus, the gripper arms 58, 59 are not yet swung. Only when the force of the spring 61 becomes less than the force of the spring 68 is the spring 61 compressed and thus the gripper arms 58, 59 are swung towards the bottle 51. As soon as the gripper arms 58, 59 encounter the bottle 51, they align the bottle. The final alignment takes place by means of the pressing member 53, 54, which presses the bottle 51 into the grippers 69, 70 adapted to the shape of the bottle. By regulating the force of the springs 61, 68, it is possible to determine when the swinging of the gripper arms 58, 59 should take place. By a converse regulation of the spring forces, it is also possible to allow the swinging of the gripper arms 58, 59 to take place directly after the abutment of the follower 62 on the stop 64.

Claims (14)

1. Labelling machine for bottles varying from a circular shape in cross-section (shaped bottles) with a conveying apparatus, in particular a rotary table, which comprises clamping members arranged in a row one behind the other and consisting respectively of a rotary-controlled turntable and a clamping head for clamping the bottle between the bottom and top and alignment members associated with the clamping members, adapted to the shape of the bottle and able to be moved forwards and the bottles held in this way are moved past a labelling station located on the conveying path, for the transfer of a label and which also comprises pressing members acting on the labels transferred, wherein each alignment member is adapted to the shape of the wall of the bottle and can be moved forwards at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the bottles and at right angles to the conveying direction of the bottles.

2. Labelling machine as claimed in Claim 1, wherein one alignment member and one pressing member is respectively constructed as a component able to move jointly.

3. Labelling machine as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the alignment member projects with respect to the pressing member and is supported in a resilient manner in the component.

4. Labelling machine as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each alignment member comprises two fork arms for the lateral alignment of the bottles and two projections for the alignment of the rotary position of the bottle and, provided on the section of the conveying path, where the alignment member is active, on the side of the conveying path remote from the alignment member, is an abutment for the lateral support of the bottle.

5. Labelling machine as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the control of the clamping members is synchronized with the control of the component consisting of the pressing and alignment members so that the clamping members are released at the time of the alignment.

6. Labelling machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the rotaty control rotates the bottles so that they come to lie with their labelled, in particular convex side in the compartments of the outlet drum.

7. Labelling machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein each component consisting of a pressing and alignment member is located on a cam-controlled support, in particular a guide rail.

8. Labelling machine as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the component is attached to the support in a manner such that it can be exchanged.

9. Labelling machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, 7, 8, wherein the alignment member is constructed as tongs, whereof the twoarmed lever can be swung in a resiliently supported bearing block of the component and whereof the arms remote from the gripper arms are constructed as toggle-levers and are pivoted in the component so that when the bearing block bears against a stop associated therewith and at the time of a further forwards movement of the component, the gripper arms are swung in the closing direction.

10. Labelling machine as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the control device of the alignment member and of the pressing member is constructed so that the alignment member and the pressing member retain the bottles until after the transfer of the label.

11. Labelling machine as claimed in Claim 9 or 10, wherein the stop is adjustable.

12. Labelling machine as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the stop is constructed in a movable control cam.

13. Labelling machine as claimed in any one of Claims 9 to 12, wherein the toggle-levers are pivoted in a resiliently supported bearing block of the component.

14. A labelling machine substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.