IT201800007741A1 - METHOD AND LABELING MACHINE TO APPLY LABELS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

of the patent for industrial invention entitled:

"METHOD AND LABELING MACHINE TO APPLY LABELS"

The present invention relates to a labeling machine for applying labels to containers.

The present invention also relates to a method for applying labels to containers.

Various technologies are known for applying labels to a succession of recipients, such as bottles, containers or the like.

One of these technologies involves the conveyance of a tape of a material for labels, the cutting of the tape to obtain single labels and the application of the labels thus obtained on respective containers during the conveyance of the containers themselves along a predetermined conveyance path and during the performing a rotation of these containers around their longitudinal axes. Such labels are known as "roll-fed labels".

The application of labels according to this technology is obtained through the use of automatic labeling machines.

A typical labeling machine of the so-called "roll feed" type includes:

- a conveying apparatus (for example a carousel or a conveyor belt) for conveying the containers along a respective conveying path; and

- a labeling apparatus to apply at least one label to each container during the conveyance of the containers themselves along at least a portion of the conveyance path.

The labeling apparatus includes:

- a first conveyor for feeding a web of label material along a first feed path;

- a cutting unit to cut the tape of label material into individual labels at a cutting station; and

- a second conveyor configured to advance the individual labels from the cutting station to at least one application station, at which the individual labels are applied to respective containers.

The ribbon of label material is known to have a repetition (in succession) of a decorative pattern defined by unitary decorations.

In use, the advancement of the ribbon of material for labels carried out by the first conveyor and the cutting of the ribbon of material for labels carried out by the cutting unit must be coordinated in such a way that each of the individual labels has its respective decorative motif. In the event of an incorrect cut, the labels obtained from the cutting unit have portions of the decorative motifs of the respective adjacent repetitions thus resulting incorrect, since their application to respective containers leads to the need to discard such containers.

In addition, situations are known, for example after the splicing of a new web of label material with the web of label material in use or the insertion of a new type and / or format of label material, which require relative positioning of the label material web to achieve proper synchronization of the label material web treatments.

Furthermore, apart from cutting the web of label material, further treatments of the web of label material are known, for example the printing of data (e.g. relating to an expiration date and / or the production batch and / or the place of production) on predetermined portions of the web of label material.

Therefore, it is evident that it is necessary to know with adequate precision the position of the tape of material for labels, in particular the repetitions of the decorative motifs and / or of the respective unitary decorations, during the advancement of the tape of material for labels along the first path of advancement.

For this purpose, perfect synchronization, obtained for example during the calibration and adjustment of the labeling machine, between for example the first conveyor, the second conveyor and the cutting unit, cannot be sufficient, as unavoidable operations may occur during the operations. operating irregularities; for example, the web of label material may be printed irregularly, or may be subject to elongation or shortening as a result of the tensile forces exerted on the web of label material during its conveyance, thus giving rise to errors in operations such as such as cutting, printing or joining.

For this reason, the use of monitoring devices has been proposed to determine the length of the labels during the operations of the labeling machine, in order to retrieve information relating to any irregularities.

These monitoring devices provide for the use of appropriate marks, or marks, positioned in correspondence with desired regions of the tape of material for labels, for example at the end and / or the beginning of a respective label. Typically, these monitoring devices provide for the use of suitable sensors designed to identify the aforementioned signs or marks and to send suitable signals to a control unit of the labeling machine, in such a way as to perform the cutting operations correctly (or other types of operations on each unitary decor).

However, known systems have some drawbacks.

Firstly, the decorative motifs reproduced on the tape of label material may eventually be confused with the marks to be read by the optoelectronic sensors, thus causing incorrect readings by the sensors themselves, and therefore errors in determining the length of the related labels.

Furthermore, the aforementioned signs or trademarks, for aesthetic reasons, should preferably be hidden, once the final product has been made. For example, the portion of the cut label showing the sign or trademark must be covered by overlapping from the opposite end of the label (in the case in which the label is wrapped around a relative container), so as not to be visible a once affixed to the container itself. Consequently, the label must be longer than what would actually be required, giving rise to a greater consumption of material and an increase in production costs. In the case of using transparent or partially transparent labels, it is not possible to cover the sign or trademark, which therefore remains visible in the final product.

In the sector there is therefore a need for an improvement in labeling machines, in particular to overcome at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

In the sector there is also the need for an improvement in labeling methods, in particular to overcome at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

The object of the present invention is the provision of a labeling machine and a method for labeling, which allow, in a simple and economical way, to overcome at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

The above objects are achieved by the present invention, since it relates to a labeling machine and to a method for labeling containers as defined in the independent claims.

Alternative preferred embodiments of the present invention are protected in the dependent claims.

For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is described below, purely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic and partial top view of a labeling machine, with parts removed for clarity;

Figure 2 is a simplified front view of a portion of a tape of label material, with parts removed for clarity;

Figures 3A-3C show continuously acquired images of a tape of label material from a component of the labeling machine of Figure 1, with parts removed for clarity; And

Figure 4 schematically shows a detail of a portion of the labeling machine of Figure 1 containing information relating to a plurality of reference images.

With reference to Figure 1, the numeral 1 indicates as a whole a labeling machine for applying labels 2 to a succession of recipients, such as bottles 3, containers or the like.

The following description will refer without any limitative intent to a labeling machine 1 suitable for applying labels 2 to containers which can be filled or are filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, for example carbonated liquids (sparkling water, soft drinks , beer, etc.), non-carbonated liquids (natural water, fruit juices, wine, etc.), emulsions, suspensions, high viscosity liquids and beverages containing pulp.

Furthermore, the following description will refer without any limitative intent to bottles 3, in particular made of a thermoplastic polymer such as for example polyethylene terephthalate. However, the bottles 3 can also be made of a different material, for example glass, aluminum etc.

With particular reference to Figure 1, the labeling machine 1 comprises a labeling apparatus 4 for applying at least one label 2 to each bottle 3 at an application station 5 during the conveying of the bottles 3 along at least an active portion P1 of a conveying path P.

Preferably but not necessarily, the labeling machine 1 also comprises a conveying apparatus for conveying the bottles 3 along the conveying path P, in particular through the application station 5.

In the non-limiting case illustrated, the conveying apparatus comprises a carousel 6 configured to advance the bottles 3 along the conveying path P, in particular having an arched shape.

In an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the conveyor apparatus could comprise a conveyor belt.

In further detail, the carousel 6 is able to rotate around a respective axis of rotation A and comprises a plurality of retention units (not illustrated and per se known) arranged in correspondence with a peripheral portion of the carousel 6 itself. The retention units are equally spaced and spaced apart from each other around the rotation axis A of the carousel 6 and each is adapted to hold a respective bottle 3 during the conveyance of the bottle 3 itself along the conveyance path P. Furthermore, each retention unit it is configured to at least allow and / or determine a rotation of the respective bottle 3 around the respective longitudinal axis during the application of the respective label 2.

With particular reference to Figure 1, the labeling apparatus 4 includes:

- a first conveyor 10 for advancing a tape 11 of label material along a first feed path Q;

- a cutting unit 12 configured to cut the tape 11 at a cutting station 13 in order to obtain the individual labels 2; and

- a second conveyor 14 configured to advance the individual labels 2 along at least a portion of a second advancement path R, in particular from the cutting station 13 to at least the application station 5.

It should be noted that the tape 11 comprises a repetition (in succession) of a decorative motif 15, in which each repetition substantially corresponds to the (longitudinal) extension of a single label 2.

In particular, each decorative motif 15 comprises a plurality of unitary decorations 16. Preferably, the respective decorative motifs 15 of the repetitions are substantially identical, in particular the decorative motifs 15 of the repetitions differ from each other at most only in some portions. For example, the decorative motifs 15 may include information relating to the date and / or time of production, the batch number or the like, in particular that information that can be applied in an online process.

It should be noted that, in use, the tape 11 must be cut in such a way that each label 2 includes a single decorative motif 15 (and that the label 2 has a desired longitudinal length defined substantially by this decorative motif 15). In other words, the tape 11 must be cut in correspondence with respective cutting lines (each decorative motif 15 is interposed between two respective cutting lines).

In a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the tape 11 is made of polymeric material or paper material.

It should be noted that the decorative motif 15, in particular the unitary decorations 16, are specific for a particular type and / or format of label 2. In particular, a first ribbon 11 for labels of a type and / or format has a repetition of decorative motifs 15, which decorative motifs 15 are distinguished from those of a second tape 11 for labels of another type and / or format.

With particular reference to Figure 1, the labeling machine 1, in particular the labeling apparatus 4, also includes:

- a control unit 17 configured to control the labeling machine 1, in particular the labeling apparatus 4; and

- a determination device 19 configured to determine and / or detect a relative positioning, and preferably but not necessarily also an extension, of each repetition of the decorative motif 15 and to generate a reference signal relating to the relative positioning, in particular relative to a reference station, of each repetition of the decorative motif 15.

Preferably but not necessarily, the labeling apparatus 4 also comprises a glue application unit 22 configured to apply glue on at least a portion of the labels 2 and / or the bottles 3.

In a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the labeling apparatus 4 also comprises a storage unit configured to receive and contain the tape 11, in particular at least one reel 24 on which the tape 11 is wound. In particular, the reel 24 is rotatable around an axis of rotation B to allow the unwinding of the tape 11.

In a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the labeling apparatus 4 also comprises a buffer unit 25 arranged downstream of the storage unit along the first path Q to avoid excessive tensioning of the belt 11 during its advancement.

In greater detail and with particular reference to Figure 1, the first conveyor 10 comprises:

- at least one feed roller 26 configured to rotate around an axis C, in particular having a vertical orientation, and configured to at least partially control the advancement and / or the speed of advancement of the belt 11;

- preferably but not necessarily, an electric motor (not shown) to implement the rotation of the feed roller 26 around the C axis (and having its own axis of rotation);

- preferably but not necessarily, a position sensor (not shown), for example an encoder, in particular associated with the electric motor, and configured to provide information relating to the advancement of the belt 11 with respect to the feed roller 26; And

- preferably but not necessarily, an auxiliary roller 27 arranged adjacent, in particular tangential, to the feed roller 26 to interpose, in use, the belt 11 between the auxiliary roller 27 and the feed roller 26 to prevent slippage of the belt 11.

In a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the first conveyor 10 also comprises a plurality of sliding rollers (not specifically illustrated), in particular passive ones, to at least partially guide the advancement of the belt 11.

Preferably but not necessarily, the first conveyor 10 also comprises an auxiliary conveying unit, in particular an auxiliary drum 28 rotatable around an axis E, configured to advance the belt 11 along a final portion of the path Q and, in particular, to supporting the transfer of the individual labels 2 to the second conveyor 14. In particular, the auxiliary drum 28 is arranged downstream of the feed roller 26 and adjacent to the second conveyor 14.

With particular reference to Figure 1, in the specific case illustrated, the cutting unit 12 is configured to cut the belt 11 in a way defined as "in contact". In particular, the cutting unit 12 comprises at least one blade 29 and, preferably, at least one counter-blade 30, in particular configured to cut the strip 11 in cooperation with each other.

In an alternative form not shown, the cutting unit 12 could be configured to cut the strip 11 in a way defined as "non-contact", for example the cutting unit 12 could include a laser.

With particular reference to Figure 1, the second conveyor 14 comprises a conveying drum 31 rotatable around an axis F and is configured to retain, in particular by suction, the labels 2 as they advance along at least a portion of the path R.

In a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, the control unit 17 is configured to control at least as a function of the reference signal and at least partially the cutting of the web 11, in particular the operation of the cutting unit 12 and / or the first conveyor 10, in particular of the feed roller 26, in such a way as to correctly perform the cutting operations of the tape 11, in particular to ensure that each label 2 has a respective decorative motif 15 (and the desired extension; i.e. the desired longitudinal length).

Preferably but not necessarily, the control unit 17 is also configured to control the cutting of the tape 11 as a function of the advancement position of the tape 11 with respect to the feed roller 26 and / or a speed of advancement of the tape 11.

In a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the control unit 17 is also configured to position, in particular as a function of the reference signal and / or a signal of the position sensor, the web 11 relative to the reference station by means of at least the control of the first conveyor 10, in particular of the feed roller 26, more particularly by controlling the speed of rotation of the feed roller 26.

According to a preferred embodiment, the control unit 17 is operationally connected to the cutting unit 12 and / or to the first conveyor 10.

Preferably but not necessarily, the control unit 17 can comprise a PLC ("Programmable Logic Controller") and / or a microprocessor and / or a microcontroller.

In a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the reference station is defined by the cutting unit 12 and is more specifically arranged at the cutting station 13. Alternatively, the reference station can be defined by the determination device 19 or any other reference element.

With particular reference to Figure 1, the determination device 19 is operatively coupled to the control unit 17 in such a way as to allow, in particular by means of the reference signal, coordination between the relative positioning of the repetitions of the decorative motif 15 and the cutting of the belt 11, in particular the operation of the cutting unit 12 and / or of the first conveyor 10, in particular of the feed roller 26.

It should be noted that the information concerning the relative positioning of the repetitions of the decorative motif 15 allows to determine and / or detect and / or calculate the relative positioning and / or the respective time point of the cut by the cutting unit 12 relative to the respective repetitions of the decorative pattern 15. In particular, the determination device 19 is configured to ensure that the control unit 17 controls the cutting of the web 11 by the cutting unit 12 to obtain labels 2 having the respective decorative patterns 15 and, in the desired extension is also particular (ie a longitudinal length of the label 2 which corresponds to the longitudinal length at least according to a certain margin regime).

Advantageously, the determination device 19 comprises:

- a vision system, in particular comprising a video camera 36, configured to acquire, in particular continuously, acquired images 37 (see Figures 3A-3C) of the tape 11, in particular during the advancement of the tape 11 along the path Feed Q and, even more particularly also in correspondence with a monitoring station 38 arranged upstream of the cutting station 13 along the feed path Q; and

- a processing unit 39 operatively connected to the vision system, in particular to the video camera 36, and configured to receive, in particular continuously, the acquired images 37, to compare said acquired images 37 with at least a reference image 40 ( of a respective decorative motif 15) to determine at least the relative positioning of the repetitions of the decorative motif 15 and / or the unitary decorations 16 and to generate the reference signal containing information concerning the relative positioning.

With particular reference to Figures 3A to 3C, the vision system, in particular the video camera 36, is configured to acquire the acquired images 37 according to a determined frame rate (the so-called "frame rate").

Non-limiting examples of acquired images 37 are illustrated in Figures 3A to 3C which, in use, reflect different portions of the decorative motif 15 and / or of the unitary decorations 16 as a function of time and in various distributions (due to the advancement of the ribbon 11).

With particular reference to Figure 4, the reference image 40 comprises the respective decorative motif 15 and / or one or more of the respective unitary decorations 16, in particular corresponding to and / or characterizing the type and / or format of the respective label 2. In other words, each reference image 40 (of a respective decorative motif 15) relates to a respective type and / or format of label (in particular, which can be processed by the labeling machine 1).

In particular, it should be emphasized that the reference image 40 does not need to present all the details of the specific decorative motif 15 of a respective type and / or format of label, but it is sufficient for it to present only a portion of this decorative motif 15 , i.e. only one or more of the respective unit decorations 16. However, with a greater number of information encoded in the reference image or images 40 (i.e. with the presence of more unit decorations 16 or possibly all of them) it is possible to increase the quality and / o the precision of the determination and / or detection of the relative positioning of the repetitions of the decorative motif 15 and / or distinguish between a greater number of types and / or formats of labels 2. However, it should also be noted that with the presence of fewer decorations units 16 on the reference images 40 it is possible to increase the processing speed.

In a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the processing unit 39 is configured to determine, for each repetition of the decorative pattern 15, by means of a comparison between said acquired images 37 and the at least one reference image 40, a respective first (virtual) cutting line and a respective second (virtual) cutting line, in particular distinct from the first cutting line, of the tape 11, indicative of the relative positioning.

Furthermore, the processing unit 39 is also configured to generate the reference signal having information relating to the respective first cutting lines and the respective second cutting lines for each repetition of the decorative motif 15.

It should be noted that the information relating to the respective first cutting lines and the respective second cutting lines can be encoded directly, but also in terms of time points of the cut.

In particular, each decorative motif 15 of a respective repetition is interposed between the respective first cutting line and the respective second cutting line. Preferably but not necessarily, the second cut line of a respective repetition of the decorative pattern 15 corresponds to the first cut line of the next repetition.

According to this preferred non-limiting embodiment, the control unit 17 is configured to control the first conveyor 10, in particular the feed roller 26, and / or the cutting unit 12 so as to cut the web 11 in correspondence with the respective first cutting lines and the respective second cutting lines. In this way, labels 2 are obtained which each have a respective decorative motif 15.

Preferably but not necessarily, the processing unit 39 is configured to compare the acquired images 37 with the or with the reference images 40 by means of a special analysis algorithm.

In particular, the processing unit 39 is configured to compare and determine and / or detect a coincidence between the respective decorative motif 15 and / or one or more of the respective unitary decorations 16 of the reference image or images 40 and the present decorative motif. and / or of the unitary decorations present in the acquired images 37. With reference to the examples of Figures 3A to 3C, it should be noted that the processing unit 39 would determine a coincidence with the acquired image 37 shown in Figure 3C. The other acquired images 37 of figures 3A and 3B present at least parts of the respective unitary decorations 16, but in a different order from that of the respective decorative motif 15.

Preferably but not necessarily, the processing unit 39 is configured to correlate this information with the information relating to the advancement of the web 11 relative to the advancement roller 26, in particular provided by the position sensor, and / or of the speed of advancement of the tape 11.

In a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the processing unit 39 is also configured to determine from at least one of the acquired images 37 the respective type and / or format of the respective label 2, in particular by comparison (in a similar way to as described above) between the acquired images 37 and at least one reference image 40, preferably by comparison with a plurality of reference images 40 (see Figure 4).

According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the labeling machine 1, in particular the labeling apparatus 4, even more particularly the determination device 19, also comprises a memory unit 41, in particular of the non-volatile type, configured to contain, in particular containing, the plurality of reference images 40 of respective decorative motifs 15.

In particular, the processing unit 39 and the memory unit 41 are operationally connected to each other.

Preferably but not necessarily, the processing unit 39 is configured to retrieve the reference images 40 from the memory unit 41.

According to a preferred but not necessary embodiment, the memory unit 41 is configured in such a way that the reference images 40 are stored in the memory unit 41 before the operation of the labeling machine 1.

Preferably but not necessarily, the memory unit 41 is configured in such a way that the stored reference images 40 result from an acquisition step performed outside the labeling machine 1.

In use, the labeling machine 1 applies labels 2 to bottles 3.

In particular, the conveying apparatus 6 advances the bottles 2 along the path P and the labeling apparatus 4 applies the labels 2 to the bottles 3 at the application station 5.

In greater detail, the operation of the labeling machine 1 comprises the following phases:

- advancing the belt 11 along the path Q;

- cutting the tape 11 at the cutting station 13 to obtain the individual labels 2;

- advancing the individual labels 2 from the cutting station 13 to at least the application station 5;

- applying the individual labels 2 at the application station 5 to respective bottles 3;

- determine and / or detect the relative positioning, and in particular also the extension, of each repetition of the decorative motif 15;

- generating the reference signal relating to the relative positioning of each repetition of the decorative motif 15; And

- check the cutting of the web 11 as a function of the reference signal.

In greater detail, during the step of advancing the belt, the belt 11 is conveyed by the first conveyor 10 along the feed path Q.

Preferably but not necessarily, the feed, in particular the feed speed, of the web 11 is controlled at least partially by the feed roller 26, in particular the feed speed of the web 11 is at least partially determined by the speed of rotation around the axis of rotation C.

In greater detail, during the phase of advancing the individual labels 2, the labels 2 are advanced by the second conveyor 14. In particular, the individual labels 2 are advanced by the conveying drum 31, which rotates around the F axis.

Advantageously, the step of determining and / or detecting comprises at least the following sub-steps:

- acquiring (continuously), in particular by means of the vision system, even more in particular by means of the video camera 36, the acquired images 37;

- compare the acquired images 37 with at least one reference image 40 to determine at least the relative positioning of the repetitions of the decorative motif 15 relative to the reference station.

In greater detail, during the control step, the control unit 17 controls the cutting unit 12 and / or the first conveyor 10, in particular the feed roller 26, as a function of the reference signal, and preferably but not necessarily also as a function of the advancement speed of the belt 11 and / or the advancement position of the belt 11.

In greater detail, during the acquisition phase, the acquired images 37 are acquired with a determined frame rate.

In greater detail, during the comparison phase, the acquired images 37 are received by the processing unit 39.

Preferably but not necessarily, the processing unit 39 compares, in particular by means of a suitable analysis algorithm, the acquired images 37 with one or more reference images 40 and determines and / or detects the acquired images 37 which correspond to the decorative motif 15 and / or to the respective unitary decorations 16 reproduced and / or reproduced (encoded and / or encoded) in the reference image 40.

For example, with reference to Figures 3 and 4, the image acquired in Figure 3C corresponds to the reference image 40 which is schematically represented in the upper right corner of Figure 4.

In this way it is possible to determine the positioning relative to the reference station, in particular of the cutting station 13.

In a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the determining and / or detecting step also comprises a processing sub-step during which they are calculated and / or obtained, in particular by comparing the acquired images 37 and the reference image or images. 40, for each repetition of the decorative pattern 15, the respective first cutting line and the respective second cutting line of the ribbon 11 indicative of the relative positioning of the respective repetition of the decorative pattern 15.

Preferably but not necessarily, during the sub-step of generating, the reference signal is generated in such a way as to contain information relating (direct or indirect) to the respective first cutting lines and to the respective second cutting lines; and during the control step, the cutting of the strip 11 is carried out in correspondence with the respective first cutting lines and the respective second cutting lines.

According to a preferred embodiment, the step of determining and / or detecting also comprises a sub-step of analyzing the type and / or the format, during which the respective type and / or type is determined from at least one of the acquired images 37. or label format.

In particular, during the sub-step of analyzing, the acquired images 37 are compared, in particular by the processing unit 39, with the reference images 40 to identify the respective reference image 40 which corresponds to the decorative motif 15 and / or to the unitary decorations 16 reproduced and / or reproduced on tape 11.

According to a preferred embodiment, during the sub-phase of comparing and / or during the sub-phase of analyzing, the image and / or the reference images 40 is obtained / are obtained from the memory unit 41.

Preferably but not necessarily, the reference images 40 are stored in the memory unit 41 during a storing step.

In particular, the storing step is performed before the steps of advancing the tape 11, cutting the tape 11, advancing the individual labels 2 and determining and / or detecting the relative positioning.

Even more particularly, the reference images 40 that are stored in the memory unit 41 result from an acquisition step performed outside the labeling machine 1.

Preferably but not necessarily, the storing step and / or the acquisition step is / are performed by a technical operator.

In a preferred non-limiting embodiment, the control unit 17 controls the rotation of the feed roller 26, in particular the respective rotation speed, to position the strip 11 relative to the reference station, in particular to the cutting station. 13.

In this way it is possible to coordinate the operation of the cutting unit 12 and the advancement of the belt 11 to ensure the correct cutting of the belt 11.

From an examination of the characteristics of the labeling machine 1 and of the respective labeling method implemented according to the present invention, the advantages that it allows to be obtained are evident.

In particular, by means of the determination device 19 it is possible to determine, by comparing the acquired images 37 and the reference images 40, the relative positioning of each repetition of the decorative motif 15 thus allowing an accurate control of the cutting and / or cutting phase. of the stage of advancement of the ribbon 11. In this way it is possible to obtain labels 2, each having its respective decorative motif 15. All this is possible without the need to have signs and / or brands applied on the ribbon 11 to indicate the extension of the labels 2.

Another advantage lies in the fact that the determination device 19 allows to determine the type and / or format of the labels always by comparing the acquired images 37 and the reference images 40 stored in the memory unit 41.

A further advantage is that the operation of the labeling machine 1 does not require a learning phase, during which the labeling machine 1 "learns" the decorative motifs 15 of the various types and / or formats of the labels that can be processed by the labeling machine 1. The reference images 40 are determined independently of the labeling machine 1.

Finally, it is clear that modifications and variations may be made to the labeling machine 1 and to the labeling method described and illustrated herein which do not depart from the scope of protection defined by the claims.

In an embodiment not shown, the tape 11 could be a tape of material for labels of the heat-shrinkable type.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS 1. Labeling machine (1) for applying labels (2) to containers (3) comprising at least: - a first conveyor (10) for feeding a tape (11) of label material along a feed path (Q); said ribbon (11) having a repetition of decorative motifs (15), each of which defines the extension of a single label (2); - a cutting unit (12) configured to cut said tape (11) of label material at a cutting station (13) in order to obtain single labels (2); - a second conveyor (14) configured to advance the individual labels (2) from the cutting station (13) to at least one application station (5), in correspondence with which the individual labels (2) are applied to respective containers (3 ); - a determination device (19) configured to determine and / or detect a relative positioning of each repetition of the decorative motif (15) and to generate a reference signal relating to the relative positioning of each repetition of the decorative motif (15); - a control unit (17) configured to control the cutting unit (12) and / or said first conveyor (10) as a function of said reference signal to control the cutting of said tape (11); wherein said determining device (19) comprises: - a vision system (36) configured to acquire acquired images (37) of said tape (11); - a processing unit (39) operatively connected to said vision system (36) and configured to receive said acquired images (37), to compare said acquired images (37) with at least a reference image (40) to determine at least the relative positioning of the repetitions of the decorative pattern (15) and for generating said reference signal containing information relating to said relative positioning. 2.- Labeling machine according to claim 1, wherein said processing unit (39) is configured to determine, for each repetition of the decorative pattern (15), by comparing said acquired images (37) and the at least one image of reference (40), a respective first cutting line and a respective second cutting line of said tape (11) indicative of said relative positioning and for generating said reference signal having information relating to said respective first cutting line and to said respective second cutting line; wherein said control unit (17) is configured to control said cutting unit (12) and / or said first conveyor (10) so as to cut said belt (11) in correspondence with said respective first cutting and said respective second cutting line. 3.- Labeling machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said control unit (17) is further configured to control said cutting unit (12) and / or said first conveyor (10) also as a function of a feed speed of said belt (11) and / or of the feed position of said belt (11). 4.- Labeling machine according to any of the preceding claims, in which said processing unit (39) is also configured to determine from at least one acquired image (37) the respective type and / or format of the respective label (2). 5.- Labeling machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said processing unit (39) is configured to determine the relative positioning relative to said cutting station (13). 6.- Labeling machine according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a memory unit (41) containing a plurality of reference images (40) of respective decorative motifs (15), each reference image (40) being relating to a respective type and / or format of label. 7.- Labeling machine according to claim 6, wherein said memory unit (41) is configured in such a way that said reference images (40) are stored in said memory unit (41) before the operation of the labeling machine (1 ). 8.- Method for applying labels (2) to containers (3) comprising at least the following steps: - advancing a tape (11) of label material along a feed path (Q); said tape (11) of label material having a repetition of a respective decorative motif (15), each of which defining the extension of a respective single label (2); - cutting said tape (11) of label material at a cutting station (13) to obtain single labels (2); - advancing the single labels (2) from the cutting station (13) to at least one application station (5); - determine and / or detect a relative positioning of each repetition of the decorative motif (15); - generating a reference signal relating to the relative positioning of each repetition of the decorative motif (15); And - controlling the cutting of said tape (11) of material for labels as a function of said reference signal; in which the phase of determining and / or detecting includes at least the following sub-phases: - acquiring acquired images (37) of said tape (11); And - comparing said acquired images (37) with at least one reference image (40) to determine at least the relative positioning of each repetition of said decorative motif (15). 9.- Method according to Claim 8, in which the determination and / or detection step also comprises a sub-step of processing, during which a respective first line is obtained and / or calculated for each repetition of the decorative motif (15) and a respective second cutting line of said tape (11) indicative of said relative positioning; wherein during the sub-step of generating, said reference signal is generated in such a way as to contain information relating to said respective first cutting line and to said respective second cutting line; wherein during the control step, the cutting of said strip (11) is performed in correspondence with said respective first cutting line and said respective second cutting line. 10.- Method according to Claim 8 or 9, in which, during the control step, the cutting of said tape (11) is also controlled as a function of a speed of advancement of said tape (11) and / or of a position of advancement of said belt (11). 11.- Method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein said step of determining and / or detecting also comprises a sub-step of analyzing the type and / or format, during which the respective type and / or or label format from the comparison between at least an acquired image (37) with a plurality of reference images (40), each reference image (40) being indicative of a respective decorative motif characterizing a respective type and / or format of label. 12. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein, during the determining and / or detecting step, the relative positioning relative to said cutting station (13) is determined. 13. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein, during the sub-step of comparing, the at least one reference image (40) is provided by a memory unit (41), which contains a plurality of reference images (40) of respective decorative motifs (15), each reference image (40) relating to a respective type and / or format of label. 14. A method according to Claim 13, further comprising a step of storing, during which said reference images (40) are stored in said memory unit (41). 15. A method according to Claim 14, wherein said storing step is performed prior to the steps of advancing said tape, cutting said tape (11), advancing the individual labels and determining and / or detecting the relative positioning.