JP5925128B2 - Shrink sleeve label production equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a shrink sleeve label manufacturing apparatus.

  Nowadays, devices are widely known that can apply to a container a sleeve-like label made of a polymeric heat shrink material, known as a “shrink sleeve” label, which performs continuous labeling of containers such as bottles.

  Specifically, a sleeve-like label is fitted over the container, and then the container is sent to a heating station where the sleeve-like label is then placed on the outer surface of the container so as to be in the shape of the container. Shrink on top.

  In general, this type of device consists of a turntable that can be rotated about a substantially vertical axis of rotation and has a plurality of support tables for each container to be labeled along its periphery. , Fed by a belt feeder and sent to the heating station by a dedicated conveyor after partial rotation about its axis of the turntable.

  In this first type of known device, a support for a roll of flat tubular elements made of a printed film of heat-shrinkable material separated from a turntable is provided to supply a sleeve-like label. There are stations with rollers. Downstream of the support roller is a means for cutting the tubular element and continuously forming a sleeve-like label to be mounted on a container placed on the turntable.

  In another type of known apparatus, a sleeve-like label is formed directly on the turntable by wrapping a portion of the film around a spindle located on the respective support stand of the turntable. A part of the printed film wound around the spindle is obtained by taking a continuous film from the reel and cutting it by a cutting means. The cutting means is coupled with reading means suitable for detecting suitable graphic indicia or "markers" that identify the areas of the continuous film to be cut along the length of the continuous film.

  Once the wrapping of a portion of the film on each spindle is complete, such spindle is pulled by rotation around the axis of the turntable and carried to a heat seal device. The heat-sealing device “welds” two opposing flap portions of the film together to form a sleeve-like label that is ultimately fitted over the container to be labeled.

  In some cases, a heat seal device is connected to and rotates with each spindle.

  In some cases, a sleeve-like label can be easily torn so that the user can easily remove the label from the container so that the container and the label removed from the container can be disposed of separately in the separate waste collection. It is beneficial.

  A first type of device is known for providing an easily tearable portion in combination with a labeling device in which a sleeve-like label is unwound from a roll of flat tubular element made of a film of heat-shrinkable material.

  In this case, these devices typically have an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the direction of unwinding the flat tubular element from the respective reel and substantially parallel to the unwinding axis of the tubular element. As a result, it comprises a perforating roller provided with an easily torn part parallel to the axis of the sleeve-like label.

  Alternatively, devices are known that can be connected to a labeling device that uses a forming spindle to obtain parts that are easily torn using similar methods.

  However, in this case, the perforation roller engages the heat shrink film before it is cut and transported to the respective forming spindle, or when part is cut but not transported to the spindle, and this procedure Thus, the easily torn part is obtained to stretch across the sleeve-like label.

  At present, no device is known which is connected to a labeling device using a forming spindle and is provided with an easily tearable part substantially parallel to the axis of the sleeve-like label.

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by providing an apparatus for producing a sleeve-like label with particularly high operational reliability.

  Among these objects, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing a sleeve-like label that can widely compensate for safety in use.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for producing a sleeve-like label that is structurally simple, which is advantageous from the standpoint of pure economy.

  This object, as well as these and other problems that will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a sleeve-like label manufacturing apparatus and associated sleeve-like label manufacturing method as specified in the subsequent claims.

It is a schematic side view of the manufacturing apparatus of a sleeve-shaped label. It is a front view of the manufacturing apparatus of the sleeve-shaped label shown in FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the label manufacturing apparatus taken along the III-III line of FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a contact portion between a perforating device and a strip of film wound around a forming spindle. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a possible embodiment of a drilling device. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the forming spindle, showing the process of relative movement between the forming spindle wound with a strip of film to be provided with an easily torn portion and the perforating apparatus. In the following sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the forming spindle, showing the process of relative movement between the forming spindle wound with a film strip to be provided with an easily torn part and the perforating device is there. In the following sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the forming spindle, showing the process of relative movement between the forming spindle wound with a film strip to be provided with an easily torn part and the perforating device is there. 1 is a schematic plan view of an apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a forming spindle around which a film strip is wound.

  Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting exemplary method in the accompanying drawings, which are preferred but not limiting.

  Referring to the drawings, an apparatus, generally designated by reference numeral 1, for manufacturing a sleeve-like label 2 is designed to supply a heat shrink film strip 5 to at least one forming spindle 4. At least one supply reel 3 is included.

  In particular, there is means for wrapping the heat shrink film strip 5 around the side 4a of each forming spindle 4, which means the first longitudinal end of the heat shrink film strip 5 in contact with the forming spindle 4. It is designed to provide an overlapping portion 8 between 5a and the second end 5b of the heat shrink film strip 5.

  The apparatus 1 further heat-seals the first longitudinal end 5a of the heat shrink film strip 5 wrapped around the forming spindle 4 to the second longitudinal end 5b to form an overlapping portion 8. Means 11 for providing a connecting portion are provided.

  The apparatus 1 comprises means 9 for transporting the sleeve-like label 2 from the forming spindle 4 to the container 10 to be labeled.

  According to the invention, the device 1 contacts upstream of the conveying means 9 with a heat shrink film strip 5 wrapped around the respective forming spindle 4 and winds around the forming spindle 4 and consequently around it. A perforating device 20 designed to provide at least one easily tearable portion 21 extending substantially parallel to the axis 101 of the sleeve-like label 2.

  In particular, the device 1 has means 22 for relative movement between the forming spindle 4 and the perforating device 20, which means 22 are heat shrink films wound around the perforating device 20 and the forming spindle 4. While in contact with the belt 5, a rotating motion is provided on the perforating device 20 without sliding the forming spindle 20 and thus the heat-shrink film belt 5 wound around it (see FIG. Clarified in the procedure illustrated in FIGS.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the device 1 comprises a support frame 30 for a turntable 31 that can be rotated about a rotation axis 100 and is designed to support the forming spindle 4 around it. In particular, the forming spindle 4 has its shaft 101 arranged in parallel with the rotating shaft 100 of the turntable 31.

  In this case, referring specifically to the time series shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the relative movement means 22 includes means 22a for rotating the forming spindle 4 around its axis 101, and the forming spindle 4 corresponding to the drilling device 20 is included. Of the forming spindle 4 around the turntable 31 and thereby along the curved path 200 shown in the drawing in the figure during the contact stroke with the band 5 of the heat-shrinkable film wound around Remove the rotating action.

  Advantageously, the turntable 31 supports a plurality of forming spindles 4 around it.

  Referring specifically to the accompanying drawings, in this description, the device 1 can be rotated about a substantially vertical axis of rotation 100 as described above and labeled during the process of loading the sleeve-like label 5. The use of a turntable 31 designed to support the container 10 to be provided is provided.

  However, there is no reason why the subject of the present invention cannot be applied to different structures, for example linear labeling devices.

  More precisely, the rotary conveyor 31 is rotated around the rotation axis 100 in the direction indicated by the symbol A with respect to the support frame 30.

  Along its periphery, the turntable 31 carries each sleeve-like label 2 formed thereon onto the outer surface 10a of the container 10 to be labeled, as described above. It has a plurality of applicator elements which are designed by a corresponding forming spindle 4 which is also designed and supported by a turntable 31.

  Conveniently, the container to be labeled is fed to the turntable 31 by a belt feeder, and the conveyor takes the labeled container 10 out of the turntable 31 and transports it to a heating station (not shown) to form a sleeve. The thermal contraction of the labels 2 is thus made to the outer shape of the container 10 in which they are fitted.

Advantageously, between the belt feeder and the rotary table 31, there is inlet feed WHEEL, its function is to transport the container 10 to be labeled to the turntable 31. Similarly, there is an outlet supply wheel between the turntable 31 and the conveyor, the function of which is to remove the labeled containers 10 from the turntable 31 and transport them to the conveyor.

  Furthermore, the device 1 is provided with feeding means suitable for making the respective shrinking film available to the strip 5 of heat-shrink film, which will be described in detail below.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the drilling device 20 comprises a first group 20a of drilling bodies 23 spaced from one another along a direction 102a substantially parallel to the axis 101 of the forming spindle 4.

  Conveniently, the drilling device comprises at least one second group 20b of perforations 23 arranged in a direction 102b parallel to the direction 102a along the first group 20a of perforations 23.

  In this way, it is possible to obtain two easily torn parts on the sleeve-like label 2 that are spaced from each other and parallel to the axis 101 of the forming spindle.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the drilling device 20 is integral with the support frame 30.

  In this regard, the drilling device 20 may advantageously be removably supported by an upright member 33 engaged with the support frame 30, as shown in FIGS.

  Conveniently, the relative position of the group of drilling devices 20, more specifically the group of drilling bodies 23, between the support frame 30 and the drilling device 20 with respect to the support frame 30 and thereby the rotation of the turntable 31. There are means for adjusting the curved path 200 that the axis 101 of the forming spindle 4 traces about the axis.

  These adjusting means include one or more collars 34 for securing the drilling device 20 along the extension of the upright member and optionally perpendicular to the axis 101 of the forming spindle, preferably the axis of rotation of the turntable 31. And 100 linear adjustment rails.

  The linear adjustment rail is in particular defined on the support block 35 and can advantageously be engaged by a sliding element 36 that supports a group of perforations 23.

  The fixing of the position of the sliding element 36 with respect to the support block 35 is performed by a clamping handle 37.

  Like a pneumatic bearing designed between the drilling device 20 and the support frame 30, for example to allow a controlled movement of the drilling device 20 relative to the support frame 30 when unexpectedly contacting the forming spindle 4. There is no reason why a simple connection means cannot be provided.

  According to a particularly important aspect of the present invention, the forming spindle 4 contacts the perforating device 20 in order to provide a respective easily torn portion of the film strip 5 or, if already formed, of the sleeve-like label 2. It includes at least one longitudinal groove 4b that extends into a portion designed to face the portion intended to do.

  The presence of the longitudinal groove or groove 4b allows the punching device 20 to penetrate the thickness of the heat-shrink film strip 5 or the sleeve-like label 2 very accurately and very easily.

  Advantageously, the drilling device 20 is arranged downstream of the heat sealing means 11. Thus, the presence of the perforations 23 does not cause the film strip 5 to slide on the forming spindle 4.

Referring to the arrangement shown in FIG. 9, the means for supplying the heat shrink film strip 5 to the forming spindle 4 cuts the film 15 unwound from the reel 3 and then forms the sleeve-like label 2. Cutting means 14 designed to form the strip 5 of the film used in

  As shown in FIG. 9, a transport drum 18 that can rotate around a corresponding axis of movement 102 can be provided in the direction of rotation opposite to the direction of rotation A of the turntable 2, indicated by reference numeral C.

  According to a practical embodiment, the transport drum 18 is in a manner known per se and has a cylindrical side wall on which a plurality of holes connected to a pneumatic device are formed, through the holes. Air is sucked into or discharged from the transport drum 18, and the hole serves as an angular positioning function with respect to the shaft 102 of movement during the rotation of the transport drum 18 through the hole.

In fact, by sucking air through the holes, the film portion 15 obtained at once by the cutting means 14 can be held by the adhesion to the cylindrical side wall of the transport drum 18, and by releasing air from the transport drum 18 , located downstream of the transfer drum 18, to carry on the formation spindle 4 on the container 10 to be labeled which is arranged along the periphery of the turntable 31, the portion 15 of the film of the conveyance drum 18 It can be removed from the cylindrical side wall.

  As described above, in order to complete the production of the sleeve-like label 2, heat sealing means for performing adhesion of the opposing flaps 5 a and 5 b of the film 5 wound around the forming spindle 4 of the turntable 31. Exists.

  For illustrative purposes, the heat sealing means 11 is an ultrasonic method as described in International Application No. WO2004 / 020291 or a laser method as described in International Application No. WO2007 / 031502. It is possible.

  The spindles 4 are driven to rotate around their corresponding axes 101 to wrap a portion of the film 5 taken from the transport drum 18 around their outer surface 4a.

  In order to ensure maximum adhesion of the part of the film 5 to the side surface 4 a of the forming spindle 4, there are means for sucking air through a plurality of openings defined in the outer surface of the forming spindle 4.

  Note that for the sake of completeness of the description, the forming spindle 4 has means 9 for feeding the sleeve-like label 2 in a manner known per se to the container 10.

  The feeding means 9 are, for example, coaxially towards the respective forming spindle in order to push the sleeve-like label 2 wound around it towards the container 10 to be labeled arranged below the forming spindle 4. It may consist of a thrust ring designed to move.

  In order to assist this operation, the operation of the suction means operating on the forming spindle 4 is interrupted and the sleeve-like label 2 is detached from the outer surface of the forming spindle 4 to which it is in close contact. It is desirable to operate the means for exhausting air from an opening arranged on the outer surface of the forming spindle 4.

  Indeed, with the device 1 according to the invention it is possible to carry out a method for labeling a container with a sleeve-like label. Basically, supplying at least one heat-shrink film strip 5 to a forming spindle 4 which can be arranged on the periphery of a turntable 31, and a sleeve-like label 2 formed around the forming spindle 4 The apparatus 1 includes, as a specific example, a step of transporting onto the container 10 supported by the turntable 31.

  A unique feature of such a method is that at least one wound around the forming spindle 4 before said step of transporting the sleeve-like label 2 or heat shrink film strip 5 to the container 10 to be labeled. It has the fact that it includes the step of perforating the sleeve-like label 2 or part of the heat shrink film strip 5.

  In particular, this drilling step makes it possible to provide at least one easily torn part 21 that extends in equilibrium with the axis 101 of the respective forming spindle 4.

  In a preferred embodiment of the method, the perforating step slides the forming spindle 4 on the perforating device 20 during contact between the perforating device 20 and the heat shrink film strip 5 wrapped around the forming spindle 4. A step of relative movement between the forming spindle 4 and the drilling device 20 so as to provide a rotational movement without.

  In particular, the forming spindle 4 is arranged to have an axis 101 substantially parallel to the rotation axis 100 of the turntable 31.

  The relative movement step is such that during the phase of contact between the punching device 20 and the heat-shrink film strip 5 wrapped around each forming spindle, the rotational action around the turntable 31 of the forming spindle 4 is eliminated. , The rotation of the forming spindle 4 around its own axis 101.

The method according to the invention further comprises the following operations: unwinding the film 13 from the reel 3 and the film to obtain a continuous film 5 of heat shrink film designed to provide the sleeve-like label 2. , 15 , winding each film strip 5 around a corresponding forming spindle 4 supported on the periphery of the turntable 31 so that it can be rotated about its own axis 101, sleeve-like Heat-seal the longitudinal ends 5a and 5b of the heat-shrink film strip 5 to provide the label 2, and finally the outside of the container 10 to be labeled with the formed sleeve-like label 2 Carrying to the surface 10a.

  Specifically, the perforating step is between the step of winding the heat shrink film strip 5 around the corresponding forming spindle 4 and the step of transporting the formed sleeve-like label 2 to the container 10 to be labeled. Executed.

  Advantageously, the drilling step is performed after the sealing step.

  In fact, all embodiments of the present invention can fully achieve the aforementioned objects and problems.

  In particular, the device 1 can provide the sleeve-like label 2 on the forming spindle 4 with an easily tearable part that extends parallel to the axis 101 of the forming spindle and thus to the longitudinal axis of the formed sleeve-like label 2. To.

  Advantageously, all features of the invention indicated above, preferably as equal, may be replaced with missing or equivalent features.

  General teachings or individual features presented with reference to specific embodiments may all be provided in other embodiments, and may be replaced with features of such embodiments.

  Accordingly, the present invention is susceptible to various improvements and modifications, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

  Indeed, the materials employed and provided will be adapted to the particular application and may be of any size and shape as required.

  Moreover, all details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

  The disclosure of Italian Patent Application No. VR2009A000230 from which this application claims priority is incorporated herein by reference.

  The technical features recited in any claim are marked with reference numerals and / or symbols, which enhance the ease of understanding of the claims. Such reference numbers and / or symbols are included for purposes of illustration only, and thus any effect that limits the interpretation of each component indicated by such reference numbers and / or symbols as an exemplary method. I don't have it.

Claims (14)

An apparatus (1) for producing a sleeve-like label (2),
At least one supply reel (3) designed to supply a heat-shrink film strip (5) to at least one forming spindle (4);
A first longitudinal end (5a) of the heat shrink film strip (5) in contact with the forming spindle (4) and a second longitudinal end of the heat shrink film strip (5) ( Means for winding the heat-shrink film strip (5) around the side surface (4a) of the forming spindle (4), suitable for providing an overlap portion (8) with 5b);
Heat-sealing the first longitudinal end (5a) and the second longitudinal end (5b) of the heat-shrink film strip (5) wound around the forming spindle (4). Heat sealing means (11) provided to provide a connection to the overlapping portion (8);
Means for conveying said sleeve-like label (2) from said forming spindle (4) to the container (10) to be labeled, the device comprising:
Upstream of said conveying means (9), said forming spindle () so as to provide at least one easily torn part (21) extending substantially parallel to the axis (101) of said forming spindle (4) 4) a perforation device (20) designed to contact the heat-shrink film strip (5) wound around
Of the heat shrink film wound around the perforating device (20) and the forming spindle (4) provided for relative movement between the forming spindle (4) and the perforating device (20). Relative movement means (22) suitable for providing a rotational movement without sliding of the forming spindle (4) on the drilling device (20) during contact with the strip (5); The apparatus characterized by including.   Said at least one rotatable about a rotation axis (100) and arranged such that its own axis (101) is substantially parallel to said rotation axis (100) of said turntable (31) Including a support frame (30) for a turntable (31) which supports two forming spindles (4) around, said relative movement means (22) driving said forming spindle (4) to rotate about its own axis Of the forming spindle (4) during the stage of contact between the perforating device (20) and the strip (5) of the heat shrink film wound around the corresponding forming spindle (4). Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a rotation drive (22a) that counteracts the movement of the forming spindle (4) due to the action of rotation around the turntable (31).   3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the turntable (31) supports a plurality of forming spindles (4) around it.   The perforating device (20) comprises a first group (20a) of perforated bodies (23) spaced from each other along a direction substantially parallel to the axis (101) of the at least one forming spindle (4). The device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises:   The perforating apparatus (20) includes at least one second group (20b) of perforated bodies (23) arranged in parallel with the first group (20a) of the perforated bodies (23). The device (1) according to claim 4.   The device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the drilling device (20) is connected to the support frame in a joint manner.   The forming spindle (4) includes at least one longitudinal groove (4b), the longitudinal groove (4b) being a region designed to face a part of the heat shrink film strip (5). The heat shrink film strip (5) is partly designed to contact the perforating device (20) and to be provided with the at least one easily torn portion (21). To (6).   Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises means for adjusting the relative position of the drilling device (20) with respect to the support frame (30).   Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises connection means that operate between the drilling device (20) and the support frame (30). A method of labeling a container with a sleeve-like label,
Providing at least one heat shrink film strip (5) to the forming spindle (4);
Conveying a sleeve-like label (2) formed around the forming spindle (4) onto a container (10) supported by the device (1);
Prior to the step of transporting the sleeve-like label (2) onto the container (10) to be labeled, the sleeve-like label (2) or the wound around the forming spindle (4) and a step that is provided for piercing at least a portion of the strip (5) of heat-shrinkable film seen including,
The forming spindle (4) is supported on the periphery of a turntable (31) rotatable around a rotation axis (100), and the step of drilling comprises the drilling device (20) and the forming spindle (4). So as to provide a non-sliding rotational movement of the forming spindle (4) on the perforating device (20) during contact between the heat-shrinkable film strip (5) wound around It said forming spindle (4) and the step of including a method for the relative movement between the punching device (20). The relative moving step includes the forming spindle (4) during the contact process between the perforating device (20) and the strip (5) of the heat shrink film wound around the forming spindle (4). to remove the effect of rotation about said rotary table (31), in claim 10, characterized in that it is performed by the rotation around its own axis of the forming spindle (4) (101) The method described. Unwinding the film (15) from the reel (3) and the film (5) to obtain a continuous strip (5) of the heat-shrinkable film designed to provide the sleeve-like label (2). 15) cutting, and each heat shrink film strip (5) supported on the periphery of the turntable (31) so as to be rotatable about its own axis (101) Wrapping around the forming spindle (4) to heat seal a longitudinal end of the heat shrink film strip (5) to provide the sleeve-like label (2); claim 10 or claim 1, characterized in that to perform the steps of the step of conveying the sleeve labels (2) on the outer surface (10a) of the container (10) to be the label The method according to. The perforating step comprises winding the heat shrink film strip (5) around the forming spindle (4) and transporting the sleeve-like label (2) towards the container (10) to be labeled. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the method is performed between the steps. 14. A method according to claim 12 or claim 13 , wherein the perforating step is performed after the heat sealing step.

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