GB2328427A

GB2328427A - Labelling with labels cut from non-backed strip

Info

Publication number: GB2328427A
Application number: GB9716940A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Mason Moorhouse
Original assignee: Moorhouse & Son Ltd P
Current assignee: Moorhouse & Son Ltd P
Priority date: 1997-08-12
Filing date: 1997-08-12
Publication date: 1999-02-24
Also published as: GB9716940D0

Abstract

A method and apparatus for producing individual self-adhesive labels and for applying them to products conveyed successively past the apparatus, comprising means (23, 24) for drawing non-backed adhesive strip label material from a roll (20) and directing same past a non-contact cutting device (27) before the label (31) is supported by a vacuum holding system (26) prior to application to the product (21). The drawing means (23,24) include members (25) to contact the adhesive side of the strip material without substantially adhering thereto. Each member (25) may be a roller having an abrasive, grit-like, ribbed or other non-smooth surface. The non-contact cutting device (27) may be a laser cutter. A non-contact ink jet printer (28), position sensor (29) and brushes or wipers (30) may also be provided.

Description

LABELLING APPARATUS THIS INVENTION concerns apparatus for labelling products such as milk cartons transported successively along a conveyor at a rate of up to 300 products per minute.

Conventionally, self adhesive labels are produced from a continuous strip of paper having an adhesive rear surface and a backing strip of waxed paper removably adhered thereto. The labels are pre-printed and die cut to shape before placing on a roll which is loaded into a labelling machine. The machine may include a pair of adjacent drive rollers forming a nip through which the label strip with its backing paper is fed and drawn from the roll, overprinted if required and then directed forwardly across the line of a conveyor along which products to be labelled are successively fed. The backing paper is removed just before the conveyor by being pulled backwards around a knife edge so that the labels are successively peeled from the backing paper to be placed in the conveying line where they are picked up successively by the products. Brushes or the like are positioned to wrap each label around the product as it passes along the conveyor.

The industry has recognised the excessive cost and waste material involved m die cutting the labels and providing a backing strip which is discarded after use. Therefore, there is a requirement to produce labels from a continuous strip of self-adhesive paper or plastics prepared on a roll but without a backing strip.

This requirement is met, according to the invention, by apparatus for producing individual self-adhesive labels from a continuous rolled strip of adhesive-backed label material and for applying the labels to products conveyed successively past the apparatus, comprising at least one drive member adapted to draw the strip from the roll by surface contact with the adhesive side of the material but without substantially adhering thereto, and to present a predetermined length of material in front of each successive conveyed product, and a non-contact cutter adapted successively to sever the strip into individual labels.

Preferably, the cutter is in the form of a laser cutting device positioned so as to cut a predetermined length of the strip material at a position just before its presentation to the conveyed products, and including a vacuum holding system to support each cut label for presentation to a product.

The apparatus should preferably operate such as to produce labels and apply them to the products at a rate in excess of 200 labels per minute and preferably in the order of 250 labels per minute.

An ink jet printer head may be provided to print or overprint the strip material without contact therewith prior to the labels being cut.

Still further, the drive member preferably comprises a roller having an abrasive or grit-like surface which forms, with a further roller, a nip through which the strip material is drawn.

There is also provided a method of producing individual self-adhesive labels from a continuous rolled strip of adhesive-backed label material and for applying the labels to products conveyed successively past the apparatus, the method comprising the steps of drawing the strip material from the roll by at least one drive member arranged in contact with the adhesive side of the material but without substantial adhesion thereto, presenting a pre-determined length of material in front of each successive conveyed product, and cutting the strip successively into individual labels by a non-contact cutter.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating a conventional apparatus for applying self-adhesive pre cut labels from a backing strip onto the conveyed products; and Fig. 2 is a similar view of apparatus made in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to Fig. 1, in conventional apparatus labels are fed from a roll 10 comprising a strip of waxed backing paper on which is a series of die cut and pre-printed labels. The strip passes around a guide roller 11 and is drawn from the roll 10 by passing a pair of frictional drive rollers 12. The strip is projected forwardly as indicated by arrow 13 to extend across a conveyor belt 14 upon which products 15 are successively transported. Just prior to crossing the conveyor, the backing strip is pulled around a knife edge 16 and spooled onto a reel 17 so that the labels are successively peeled-off the backing paper and presented for contact with the products as they pass along the conveyor.

This procedure is conducted at speeds of application in region of 200 to 250 labels per minute, but the backing strip is discarded and this is extremely wasteful since the material from which it is produced is more expensive than the label material itself.

If the backing strip is to be dispensed with for reasons of cost, then the self-adhesive labelling strip is more difficult to draw from the supply roll and each successive label must be driven directly in front of the product. Since the material has one adhesive side this presents a difficulty in driving the material by contact means. Also, since the labels are not die cut as they would be on a backing strip it is necessary to dispense the labels accurately and to cut them successively at the desired production rate.

Referring now to Fig. 2, in accordance with the invention, there is provided an apparatus for producing individual self adhesive labels from a continuous rolled strip of adhesive backed label material and for applying the labels to products conveyed successively past the apparatus.

The apparatus comprises a supply roll 20 of adhesive backed paper or plastics strip, preferably pre-printed with basic information for the labels to be applied to products such as milk cartons 31, transported successively along a conveyor 22. First and second pairs of drive rollers 23 and 24 are provided to pull the strip from the roll 20 and to direct it towards the product conveyor 22.

Since one side of the label strip is self-adhesively coated one roller 25 of each pair 23 and 24, which is to contact the adhesive side of the strip, is provided with a gritted, ribbed or other non-smooth surface which may drive the strip linearly by surface contact with the adhesive side but without substantially adhering thereto.

The roller pairs 23 and 24 may be troughed so as to curl the label strip about an axis parallel to its direction of travel. This ensures a certain rigidity in the strip and allows it to be projected forwardly towards the product conveyor 22. Once the strip has crossed the product conveyor it is attracted by a pair of vacuum heads 26 one on each side thereof and held in position in readiness for contact with the next successive product 21. As soon as the strip is held by the vacuum heads 26 a laser cutter 27 severs the strip without contact therewith to produce an individual cut label.

A non-contact ink jet printer head 28 is arranged between the roller pairs 23 and 24 thus to print or overprint the label strip with information appropriate to the products to be labelled. In this instance the label strip may be pre-printed with general information and the ink jet printer head may apply particular information such as a sell-by date or a particular type of product.

Also positioned between roller pairs 23 and 24 is a position sensor 29 which through a micro-processor control system (not shown) determines the sequential operation of the apparatus thus to ensure registration of the printed material on the printed strip and the sequence of cutting and presenting the labels in readiness for applying to the products.

At opposite sides of the conveyor 22 there are provided brushes or wipers 30 which wrap the labels around the sides of the products to produce a labelled product as illustrated at 31.

By producing labels in accordance with the invention a considerable cost saving is recognised in dispensing with a backing sheet and the need to pre-die cut and perhaps even pre-print the label strip.

Drive rollers 23 and 24 are preferably driven by an AC servo motor providing sufficient torque to draw the adhesive strip from the reel 20. The laser cutter 27 is capable of operating at a rate of 300 cuts per minute thus easily accommodating the required label production rate.

Claims

1. Apparatus for producing individual self-adhesive labels from a continuous rolled strip of adhesive-backed label material and for applying the labels to products conveyed successively past the apparatus, comprising at least one drive member adapted to draw the strip from the roll by surface contact with the adhesive side of the material but without substantially adhering thereto and to present a predetermined length of material in front of each successive conveyed product, and a non-contact cutter adapted successively to sever the strip into individual labels.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the cutter is in the form of a laser cutting device positioned so as to cut a predetermined length of the strip material at a position just before its presentation to the conveyed products.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, further including a vacuum holding system to support each cut label for presentation to a product.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further including a printer head adapted to print or overprint the strip material without contact therewith prior to the labels being cut.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, operably adapted to produce labels and apply them to the products at a rate in excess of 200 labels per minute.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the drive member comprises a roller having an abrasive or grit-like surface which forms, with a further roller, a nip through which the strip material is drawn.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further including a position sensor adapted, with a micro-processor control system, to determine the sequential operation of the apparatus thus to ensure registration of printed material on each label and the sequence of cutting and presenting the labels in readiness for application to the products.

8. A method of producing individual self-adhesive labels from a continuous rolled strip of adhesive backed label material and for applying the labels to products conveyed successively past the apparatus, the method comprising the steps of drawing the strip material from the roll by at least one drive member arranged in contact with the adhesive side of the material but without substantial adhesion thereto, presenting a predetermined length of material in front of each successive conveyed product, and cutting the strips successively into individual labels by a non-contact cutter.

9. A method according to Claim 8, including the step of printing information on the labels without contact therewith and prior to the labels being cut.

10. A method according to Claim 8, including the step of providing a position sensor and, in combination with a micro-processor control system, determining the sequential operation of the apparatus thus to ensure registration of printed material on the strip, and the sequence of cutting and presenting the labels in readiness for application to the products.

11. A method according to Claim 8, including the step of supporting each label after cutting and before application to the product.

12. Apparatus for producing individual self-adhesive labels from a continuous rolled strip of adhesive-backed label material and for applying the labels to products conveyed successively past the apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of producing individual self-adhesive labels from a continuous rolled strip of adhesive-backed label material and for applying the labels to products conveyed successively past the apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described.