GB2160169A

GB2160169A - Label applying machine

Info

Publication number: GB2160169A
Application number: GB08415435A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Gilmore
Original assignee: AUTOBOND COATINGS DISTRIBUTION
Current assignee: AUTOBOND COATINGS DISTRIBUTION
Priority date: 1984-06-16
Filing date: 1984-06-16
Publication date: 1985-12-18
Also published as: GB8415435D0

Abstract

The machine for applying a label having a heat sensitive adhesive to a substrate comprises conveying means 16 for a label and substrate which pass under controllable infrared heating means 22 prior to presenting the label and substrate to a nip defined by a pair of rollers 28 which apply pressure to the label to apply it to the substrate. The top roller of the nip is adjustable by a lever 34 and is continually geared to the bottom roller. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Labelling machine The present invention concerns improvements in r relating to labelling machines, especially machines for applying labels with heat-sensitive backings to corrugated board cartons either in a blank or collapsed form.

In the past apparatus for applying labels having a heat- sensitive adhesive backing to corrugated board has comprised simply a pair of rollers defining a nip through which the board and label are passed, at least one of the rollers being heated.

Apparatus of this nature has proved to be disadvantageous in view, amongst other things, of the difficulty in determining the correct roller temperature, the difficulty in maintaining the roller at this temperature, the difficulty of heating the roller and the fire risk which is high if there is a blockage at the rollers.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a labelling machine for applying labels having a heat-sensitive adhesive backing to a substrate, comprising conveying means, heating means for heating labels on the conveying means and, downstream of said heating means, a pair of rollers defining a nip through which the heated label and the substrate are passed.

Preferabily the heating means comprise infrared heaters.

Preferably a plurality of infrared heaters are provided extending across the conveyor, control means being provided for said heaters so that one or more can be actuated to vary the heat supplied to the label.

Preferably the conveyor means comprises a series of transversely spaced apart bands supported between a drive and a driven roller.

Preferably a table is located under at least part of the top run of the conveyor.

Preferably there is no table below the heaters.

Preferably the conveyor ends adjacent the nip between the pair of rollers.

Preferably one of the rollers of the pair is adjustable radially relative to the other. The means for permitting adjustment preferably comprises a journal for one end of the roller slidably mounted in the framework of the machine and an eccentric rotatably mounted on said framework and contacting said joumal to cause movement of the roller towards and away from the other roller on rotation of the eccentric. Preferably the journal at the other end of the roller is spring-mounted.

Preferably drive is transmitted to the said other roller by a chain from an electric motor, drive being transmitted to said one roller by a gear train.

Said gear train is so arranged that relative moveanent between the rollers is permitted while drive is maintained. Preferably the gear train comprises a first gear wheel mounted on said driven roller and in mesh with a first idler gear arranged alongside said first gear wheel, a second idler wheel in mesh with the first idler wheel and arranged above said first idler wheel and a driven gear fixed on the shaft of said movable roller and meshing with said second idler irrespective of its position.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic plan of a labelling machine.

A labelling machine comprises a framework 10 on which first and second conveyor rollers 12, 14 are freely rotatably mounted. A series of heat-resistant conveyor bands 16 extends between the rollers 12, 14, the bands being supported on their upper run along at least part of their length by a metal table 28 carried by the framework 10. The framework 10 carries also a heating unit 20 arranged above the top run of the conveyor. The unit 20 includes four infrared heating elements 22 which extend across the conveyor. The infrared heating elements are individually connected to a power source so that one or more can be supplied with power thereby varying the heat they generate.

A fan 24 for cooling air is mounted on the heating unit 20 and passes cooling air over the upper surface of the infrared heating elements 22 to increase their efficiency.

At the downstream end of the conveyor there is provided a pair of rollers 28, only the upper of which is shown, defining a nip, the nip being arranged at the same level as the top run of the conveyor. The top roller is adjustable vertically relative to the fixed rotatable lower roller, this adjustment being provided by mounting the journals 30, 32 for the upper roller on the framework 10 in a manner which permits vertical displacement of the journals. The journal 32 is spring-loaded in a downward direction whereas the journal 30 is springloaded in an upward direction against the action of an eccentric or cam (not shown) rotatably mounted on the framework and carrying an operating handle 34. By movement of the handle 34 the distance between the upper and lower roller can be varied to accommodate varying widths of labels and substrates to be labelled.

A variable speed electric motor (not shown) is mounted on the framework below the table 18 and by means of a chain transmits drive to the lower roller. A first gear wheel is fixed on the shaft of the lower roller and transmits rotation to a first idler wheel with which it is in mesh arranged alongside it. A second idler wheel 36 in mesh with the first idler wheel is arranged directly above the first idler wheel and is so positioned that irrespective of the position of the upper roller 28 is a driven gear wheel 38 rigidly attached to the upper roll 28 is al ways in mesh with the idler wheel 36. It will be realised, therefore, that drive 5 transmitted by the electric motor to both rollers irrespective of the position of the top roller, the rollers being driven at the same speed.A further gear wheel 40 is provided at the other end of the lower roller and is connected by means of a chain 42 to a driven gear wheel 44 mounted on the conveyor shaft 14. Thus the conveyor bands 16 are driven indirectly by the motor, their speed being directly related to the speed of rotation of the rollers.

In operation after selecting a suitable roller and conveyor speed, heater temperatures and spacing between the pair of rollers, the machine operator places a corrugated board substrate on the conveyor with a label having a heat-sensitive backing in a desired position on the substrate. The substrate with a label thereon is conveyed by the conveyor under the infrared heating element so that the adhesive is made tacky and while still in this tacky condition it passes through the rollers 28 where the pressure they apply ensures that the level is firmly adhered to the substrate.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, different heating means may be employed.

Alternatively diffierent conveying means can be employed for moving the label and substrate under the heater to the final pressure rollers. If required, more than one set of rollers can be incorporated in the arrangement. Alternative means may be provided for driving the rollers and the conveyor, for example, separate electric motors can be employed for the conveyor and rollers.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A labelling machine for applying labels having a heat- sensitive adhesive backing to a substrate, the machine comprising conveying means, heating means for heating labels on the conveying means and, downstream of said heating means, a pair of rollers defining a nip through which the heated label and the substrate are passed.

2. A labelling machine as claimed in Claim 1, in which the heating means comprise infrared heaters.

3. A labelling machine as claimed in Claim 2, in which a plurality of infrared heaters are provided extending across the conveying means, control means being provided for said heaters so that one or more can be actuated to vary the heat supplied to the label.

4. A labelling machine as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the conveying means comprises a series of transversely spaced apart bands supported between a drive and a driven roller.

5. A labelling machine as claimed in Claim 4, in which a table is located under at least part of the top run of the conveying means.

6. A labelling machine as claimed in Claim 5, in which there is no table below the heaters.

7. A labelling machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the conveying means ends adjacent the nip between the pair of rollers.

8. A labelling machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which one of the rollers of the pair is adjustable radially relative to the other.

9. A labelling machine as claimed in Claim 8, in which the means for permitting adjustment comprises a journal for one of the rollers slidably mounted in the framework of the machine and an eccentric rotatably mounted on said framework and contacting said journal to cause movement of the roller towards and away from the other roller on rotation of the eccentric.

10. A labelling machine as claimed in Calim 9, in which the journal at the other end of the roller is spring-mounted.

11. A labelling machine as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 10, in which drive is transmitted to said other roller by a chain from an electric motor, drive being transmitted to said one roller by a gear train.

12. A labelling machine as claimed in Claim 11, in which said gear train is so arranged that relative movement between the rollers is permitted while drive is maintained.

13. A labelling machine as claimed in Claim 11 or Calim 12, in which the gear train comprises a first gear wheel mounted on said driven roller and in mesh with a first idler gear arranged alongside said first gear wheel, a second idler wheel in mesh with the first idler wheel and arranged above said first idler wheel and a driven gear fixed on the shaft of said movable roller and meshing with said second idler irrespective of its postion.

14. A labelling machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.