WO2003076274A1

WO2003076274A1 - Method and apparatus for labels application

Info

Publication number: WO2003076274A1
Application number: PCT/DK2003/000156
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kaj Christensen; Ivan Hansen
Original assignee: Express Labelling Systems A/S
Priority date: 2002-03-13
Filing date: 2003-03-13
Publication date: 2003-09-18
Also published as: EP1490266A1; AU2003236186A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method and apparatus for applying labels, where the apparatus contains at least one transport means for internal transport of labels. The apparatus is connected to at least one label magazine, where the apparatus contains means that apply labels to items with compressed air. Labels are retained to a conveyor belt by a subpressure. Labels are applied with at least one movable applicator head that interacts with a conveyor belt. The applicator head has projections which during application are passing through associated apertures in the conveyor belt, and the projections of the applicator head contains a connection to a source of compressed air, where compressed air is transporting labels for abutment on items to be labelled. Hereby, the projections of the applicator head and thereby labels may come in close contact with items before transfer with compressed air occurs. Only by close contact with item, the positioning of labels can be sufficiently accurate, and the possibility of tilting the labels is minimised with a short transfer distance.

Description

Method and Aparatus for Labels Application

The present invention concerns a method and an apparatus for applying labels, where the apparatus contains at least one conveyor means, where the apparatus is connected to at least one label magazine, where the apparatus includes means that are applying labels on items with compressed air.

GB 2,253,829 discloses a machine for labelling, where labels are supplied on a carrier strip from a magazine, where labels are printed before the labels are moved to a rotat- ing applicator head by gripping arms, from where labels are applied on items by means of compressed air.

Mechanical handling of labels from printer to applicator is unnecessarily complicated, and the machine may thereby become unreliable, and thereby the machine will not be suited for use in connection with labelling items in connection with continuous production. Transfer of labels by means of compressed air may imply inaccurate disposition if labels are to be transferred over large distances. Transfer over large distances may also imply folding of labels which are subsequently to be removed and replaced by new ones.

US 3,751,324 discloses labelling items, primarily address labels for envelopes that use a high-speed multi-label transfer wheel, where labels arrive on a strip but are divided and handled as individual pieces without carrier strip, where labels are retained by means of subpressure during passage of means for applying glue before labels are transferred to items by direct contact between a rotating applicator and items.

The indicated method for labelling rolls labels onto items by a continuous process which is not suited for labelling items on strips where there may be random spacing between items.

Delivery of labels on carrier strip implies an unnecessary high price for labels, and carrier strip is subsequently to be disposed of, with the possibility of an unnecessary environmental load as consequence. It is the purpose of the invention to avoid using a carrier strip by labelling, and simultaneously achieve a simple method and a reliable apparatus for applying labels, where the application is effected rapidly and accurately on different items.

This may be achieved by a method as the one described in the introduction, if labels are retained at at least one first conveyor belt by a first subpressure, which by means of a first air pump is formed at the rear side of the conveyor belt, where labels are applied by at least on movable applicator head having apertures that interact with a second subpressure, where the applicator head has projections which during application are passing through associated apertures in the conveyor belt, where the projections of the applicator head contain at least one connection to at least one source of compressed air, and where compressed air is transporting labels to contact with items that are to be labelled.

Hereby may be achieved that the projections of the applicator head and thereby labels are in close contact with items before transfer with compressed air occurs. Only by close contact with items, disposition of labels can be sufficiently accurate, and the possibility of tilting labels is minimised with a short transfer distance.

Between printer and applicator head, advantageously there may be provided shaping of the circumference of labels. Hereby may be achieved that coextending labels are only separated at a late time before application. Shaping may occur after passing a printer where labels are applied bar code, text and/or picture. A carrier strip may hereby be entirely spared, since a conveyor belt may provide retention and further transport of labels after shaping.

Labels may be transported by a first conveyor belt from printer to applicator head, where a second conveyor belt can transport labels to correct placing on the applicator head. Hereby may be achieved adaptation of the conveyor belts to the real task to be performed. Retention of labels by means of subpressure requires small holes for air, while larger holes in a conveyor belt are necessary if an applicator head contains projections that are to pass through holes in the conveyor belt. By utilising different con- veyor belts, an air pump for producing subpressure at the rear side of the conveyor belts is reduced in size simultaneously with reducing the energy consumption to the air pump.

The stipulated problem may be solved with an apparatus as the one specified in the introduction, if the apparatus includes at least one conveyor belt, where a first subpressure may retain labels on the conveyor belt, where the apparatus may include at least one air pump for forming a subpressure, where the apparatus may include at least one actuator that interact with at least one applicator head, where the applicator head may have projections that may interact with corresponding apertures in a conveyor belt, where the applicator head may contain apertures communicating with a second subpressure, where the applicator head may contain at least one compressed air duct communicating with at least one source of compressed air through at least one compressed air valve, where the actuator can move the applicator head, whereby at least one label may be released from the conveyor belt, after which the actuator may continue the movement until there is achieved a first defined distance to the item, after which at least one compressed air valve may open, and compressed air may convey the label for contact with an item, after which the actuator may return the applicator head.

Hereby may be achieved that the projections of the applicator take over retention of labels until labels are in close contact with the item on which labels are to be applied. By labels being retained on the applicator head as long as possible and where the applicator head with labels comes close to items, labels may be transferred with great precision.

The apparatus may be designed with means for shaping labels, where the means for shaping labels may be provided between a possible printer and moistening station, where shaping of label can be guided by markings on the label. Hereby may be achieved that shaping of labels is effected after printing labels. When the final shaping occurs close to the real use, adaptation of labels may take place at a very late time in relation to the real application. The apparatus can use uniform raw materials which thereby can be purchased in large amounts at lower prices. The projections of the applicator head may advantageously be formed by an exchangeable module where the module is adapted to the shape of the labels. Hereby may be achieved that the applicator head has about the same shape as labels, whereby labels are supported over a large part of the area, and labels may be released from the appli- cator head with a minimum of adhering if the applicator head has sides that are fairly flush with the applicator head.

The exchangeable module may contain a hole pattern where the holes can have connection to a second subpressure where the hole pattern can be adapted to the shape of the labels. Hereby may be achieved an optimal retention of labels where the retention is adapted to the shape of labels, which can be an advantage if labels have irregular shape.

The exchangeable module of the applicator can contain a pattern of the compressed air holes, where the pattern of the compressed air holes may be adapted to the shape of labels. Hereby is achieved an optimal distribution of compressed air when labels are to be transported for abutment against items.

The compressed air holes may communicate with a compressed air source through at least one electrically controlled compressed air valve. Hereby may be achieved a precise controlling of the optimal time for opening supply of compressed air. The electric compressed air valve may have connection to an electronic control system that may get input from at least one detector determining the position of items moving on a belt.

The compressed air holes may advantageously have connection to plural electronic controlled compressed air valves, where a time for opening the compressed air valves is adjusted to the shape of the labels and the shape of the items to be labelled, where the electrically controlled compressed air valves communicate with an electronic control circuit. Hereby may be achieved a different time of opening for compressed air, and labels may be lifted free along an edge before they are lifted free at the centre. Another possibility will be to transfer labels gradually by compressed air being supplied in sections. Transfer of labels in a way where the label is gradually transferred may mean removing air under labels so that formation of air bubbles is entirely pre- vented.

In an alternative embodiment, the applicator head can carry at least two labels from the conveyor belt, where the labels are transferred one at a time to different items, where electronically controlled compressed air valves, by controlling their time of opening, determine which label is to be applied. Hereby may be achieved that the applicator head is only to be lowered every other time a label is to be transferred. Particularly if small labels are to be used, more labels may be taken with, and the application speed can be increased considerably.

The applicator head may be designed with at least one mechanical stop that the labels are abutting on during application. Hereby may be achieved a very precise disposition of labels on an applicator head whereby a possible source of positioning errors may be eliminated.

In a preferred embodiment for the apparatus, the apparatus may contain a first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt, where the first conveyor belt may convey labels from label magazine to applicator, where the second conveyor belt may convey labels to abutment against stop on the applicator head. Hereby individual conveyor belts may be adapted to the actual application. During transport from magazine and to applicator, labels are retained on a belt, and the holes in the belt and the subpressure behind can be accurately adapted to the shape of labels. Hereby, an air pump can be adapted to the real task. Above the applicator head there is need for a conveyor belt with larger holes for receiving the projections of the applicator head. Retaining labels may here require another subpressure, and there may be loss of subpressure from uncovered openings. When the applicator head takes over retention of labels, there is no longer need for subpressure around the applicator head, because the applicator head itself has means for retention.

The first conveyor belt can contain a cloth where a subpressure prevails at the rear side of the cloth. Labels may hereby be retained onto the cloth, and if retention is to be increased, the cloth may be designed with holes. The cloth can be suspended by rollers and a drive system in a chamber where subpressure prevails, where one side of the chamber is constituted by a section of the cloth at the outer side of which labels may be retained.

The second conveyor belt may contain a chain containing holes which interact with the projections of the applicator head. The conveyor belt may hereby advantageously be used for transport across a retracted applicator head.

Advantageously, both method and apparatus may include a glue station that can supply adhesive to items to be labelled before transfer of labels from the applicator head. Hereby may be achieved that labels do not have to be designed with an adhesive surface which will make handling difficult. Even though the apparatus may handle an active adhesive surface, particularly storage of a large number of labels is a problem when one is to avoid that labels are sticking to each other. By applying adhesive directly to items is achieved that a far greater number of possible adhesives can be used. Thereby, adhesives can be selected for different purposes, and by the selection regard can be made to the suitability of the adhesive to the actual surface.

As alternative, the apparatus can include a glue station which supplies adhesive to the rear side of the labels during the transport of the labels at the outer side of the appara- tus. As previously noted, this is an advantage in connection with the handling of the labels to the apparatus.

In the following, the invention is explained from two drawings showing the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a section through a possible embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged detail of the same embodiment,

Fig. 3 shows a detail of an alternative embodiment,

Fig. 4 shows a possible embodiment of the invention seen from the bottom,

Fig. 5 shows a possible embodiment of an applicator head, Fig. 6 shows labels of different size,

Fig. 7 shows a possible embodiment of a bottom for an applicator head,

Fig. 8 shows the applicator head with the bottom dismounted,

Fig. 9 shows a possible embodiment of a glue station. Fig. 1 shows a Section through a dispenser station 1 consisting of a conveyor belt 2, which is conveying items 4 to be dispensed. Over the belt 2 is shown a printer 6 fed from a magazine 8. The dispenser 10 interacts with an adhesive activator 12 where the dispenser 10 includes an applicator head 14. Labels are transported from the printer 6 to the applicator head 14 by a conveyor belt 6. The applicator belt is connected to an actuator 18 that in connection with application of a label lowers the applicator head 14 for close contact with the item 4. An air pump 20 produces a subpressure in the whole dispenser, whereby labels are retained on the conveyor belt 16 and on the applicator head 14.

A label which is first printed by the printer 6 is transferred to the belt 16, from which the label is conveyed to the applicator head 14 by the conveyor belt 16. When the label reaches the applicator head, the label is retained while the applicator head 14 is low- ered by the actuator for close contact with the item 4. When the label is to be transferred, this is effected by opening a valve whereby compressed air is conducted to apertures in the applicator head, whereby the label is transferred to the item 4, where a pressing roller 22 presses a label against the item 4.

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged detail of the same invention as shown on Fig. 1. A dispenser

110 is connected to a printer 106 containing a label magazine 108. At the output of the printer, rollers 124 are provided for transporting labels between printer 106 and dispenser 110. An adhesive activation 112 activates labels by means of water mist. A conveyor belt 116 provides transport of labels to an applicator head 114 that may be lowered by means of an actuator 118. An air pump 120 is forming a subpressure in the dispenser 110, whereby labels are retained to the conveyor belt 116 and the applicator head 114. The conveyor belt 116 is driven by a drive roller 126 connected to a motor which is not shown on the Figure. The conveyor belt 116 is running over a number of rollers 128.

Fig. 3 shows a section through an alternative embodiment of the invention that differs from the embodiment shown on Figs. 1 and 2 by the alternative embodiment containing two different conveyor belts. Labels come from a not shown preceding process that may include printing and shaping, where rollers 224 are transporting the labels to abutment against the first conveyor belt 216 driven by a toothed roller 226, where the conveyor belt is passing a number of rollers 228, where the conveyor belt is pressed to abutment against rollers 228 by other rollers 232. The conveyor belt reverses over a roller 230. From here, the labels are transferred to the second conveyor belt 234 which advantageously may be designed as a toothed belt driven by a toothed roller 238 which is driven by a motor 242 by a belt 240. The applicator head 214 is connected to an actuator 218 that lowers the applicator head 218 in connection with application of labels. A partitioning wall 248 divides the interior of the dispenser into two different chambers 250 and 252. In the chamber 250 an air pump 220 produces subpressure in the whole chamber.

The only access for air into the chamber 250 is through the conveyor belt 216, whereby labels are retained to the conveyor belt which can be designed as a cloth through which the air can penetrate. The cloth may be designed with holes in order thereby to increase the ability of the conveyor to retain labels. In the second chamber 252 there may prevail a pressure which is different form the pressure in the chamber 250. Labels are to be retained at the applicator head 214 by means of a subpressure behind apertures at the bottom of the applicator head. A small air pump 246 can pro- vide a subpressure in the interior of the applicator head 214. The applicator head 214 has cutouts for receiving the conveyor belt 234, whereby the applicator head may be lowered down through the conveyor belt 234. A compressed air connection 244 communicating with a compressed air source through an electromagnetic valve provides for the applicator head blowing labels over onto items by means of compressed air nozzles.

Fig. 4 shows a dispenser 300 as seen from the bottom, where the dispenser 300 is of the same kind as the one shown on Fig. 3. A first conveyor belt 316 is seen from the abutment surface of the labels, where the conveyor belt 316 is designed with holes 348. A second conveyor belt 334 is designed of toothed belts where the applicator head 314 is designed with projections that interact with the interspace between the toothed belts 334. The projections of the applicator head 314 are designed with ducts 347 which are connected to a subpressure, while labels are to be retained, where the ducts are connected to a compressed air source when a label is to be applied.

Fig. 5 shows an applicator head 400 where the head 400 is divided into an upper part 402 and an exchangeable bottom 404, where the exchangeable bottom is retained by a number of magnets 408. The bottom 404 may hereby be changed easily and simply without using tools. The bottom 404 may be adapted to the design of different labels, and by adapting the bottom 404, labels with different shape may be applied.

As previously mentioned, projections 404 interact with corresponding apertures in the conveyor belt. The nozzles 410 are connected to a subpressure when labels are to be retained, where the nozzles 410 are connected to a compressed air source when labels are to be applied. The connection to the compressed air source is controlled by an electromagnetic valve 414 which is designed with a coil 416. In immediate vicinity of the electromagnetic coil 414 there is provided a pressure tank 416 whereby a sufficient compressed air storage is achieved for giving sufficient air for applying a label.

Fig. 6 shows labels 500, where labels 502 are shown with different size.

Fig. 7 shows a possible embodiment for a bottom 60 for an applicator head as shown on Fig. 5. The bottom 60 has projections 606 with holes 610 for alternating coupling to subpressure and compressed air. The bottom 600 has a partitioning wall 620 that divides the bottom 600 into a passive and an active section. A label 622 is shown on the active section.

Fig. 8 shows a top part 700 of an applicator head where a chamber 702 alternating may be connected to sub- or overpressure depending on whether a label is to be retained or applied. The top part 700 has magnets 708 for securing a bottom.

On Fig. 9 is shown an alternative embodiment of a possible embodiment 800 for the invention. A conveyor belt 802 is transporting an item 804 towards an applicator 810 that is provided with an applicator head 814. By means of optical sensor 818, the position of items 804 on the belt 802 is determined. A printer 806 prints labels, where labels are stored in a magazine 808. With a cutter device 830 labels are cut off in the desired shape. Under the belt 802 is shown a glue station 820 that prepares an adhesive for use, where adhesive is supplied through tubes 822 and 824 to at least one dispensing nozzle 826 and/or 828. By using dispensing nozzle 826, the adhesive may be supplied to an item 804 before labelling. As an alternative, the adhesive is supplied to the label with a dispensing nozzle 828. By the invention it is possible to supply adhesive to label as well as to item. Different chemical compositions may be supplied to different surfaces so that activation of the adhesive occurs when surfaces come in contact with each other.

From the Figures 5, 7 and 8 there may be produced a modular system for a dispenser where only the fantasy sets the limits for the design of the labels. For the skilled in the art it will be obvious to develop the modular system further. Therefore, this patent application is not to be delimited to the shown examples of embodiments.

Claims

1. Method for automatic application of labels on items (4, 804), where the labels have a first side that is applied a print and a second side for contact against an item (4,804), where labels are conveyed by at least one conveyor means (16, 116, 216, 234) to an applicator (1), where the applicator (1) by compressed air transfers labels to items (4, 804) to be labelled, characterised in that labels are retained at at least one first conveyor belt (14, 116, 216, 234) by a first subpressure, which by means of a first air pump is formed at the rear side of the conveyor belt (16,116, 216, 234), where labels are applied by at least on movable applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814) having apertures (334, 622) that interact with a second subpressure, where the applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814) has projections (406, 606) which during application are passing through associated apertures in the conveyor belt (16, 116, 216, 234), where the projections (406, 606) of the applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814) contain at least one connection to at least one source of compressed air, and where compressed air is transporting labels to contact with items (4, 804) that are to be labelled.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that between printer (6) and applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814) there is effected shaping of the circumference of the label.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that labels are conveyed by a first conveyor belt (216) from printer to applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814), where a second conveyor belt (234) is conveying the label to correct position at the applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814).

4. Apparatus (1, 800) for applying labels, where the apparatus (1, 800) contains at least one conveyor means, where the apparatus (1, 800) is connected to at least one label magazine (8, 108, 808), where the apparatus (1, 800) includes means that are applying labels on items (4, 804) with compressed air, characterised in that the apparatus contains at least one conveyor belt (16, 116, 216, 234), where a first subpressure is retaining labels on the conveyor belt (16, 116, 216, 234), where the apparatus (1, 800) in- eludes at least one air pump for forming a subpressure, where the apparatus (1, 800) includes at least one actuator (18, 118, 218) that interact with at least one applicator head (14, 214, 400, 814), where the applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814) has projections (406, 606) that interact with corresponding apertures in a conveyor belt, where the applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814) contains apertures communicating with a second subpressure, where the applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814) contains at least one compressed air duct communicating with at least one source of compressed air through at least one compressed air valve (414), where the actuator (18, 118, 218) moves the applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814), whereby at least one label is re- leased from the conveyor belt (16, 116, 216, 234), after which the actuator (18, 118,

218) continues the movement until there is achieved a first defined distance to the item (4, 804), after which at least one compressed air valve (414) opens, and compressed air conveys the label for contact with an item (4, 804), after which the actuator (18, 118, 218) returns the applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814).

5. Apparatus for applying labels according to claim 4, characterised in that the apparatus (1, 800) has means for shaping labels, where the means for shaping labels are provided between the print (6) and moistening station (112), where the shaping and the printing of labels are guided by markings on the label.

6. Apparatus for applying labels according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the projections (406, 606) of the applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814) are formed by an exchangeable module, where the module is adapted to the shape of label.

7. Apparatus for applying labels according to any of claims 4 - 6, characterised in that the exchangeable module of the applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814) contains a hole pattern, where the holes are communicating with the second subpressure, where the hole pattern is adapted to the shape of labels.

8. Apparatus for applying labels according to any of claims 4 - 7, characterised in that the exchangeable module of the applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814) contains a pattern of compressed air holes, where the pattern of compressed air holes is adapted to the shape of labels.

9. Apparatus for applying labels according to any of claims 4 - 8, characterised in that the compressed air holes communicate with a compressed air source through at least one electrically controlled compressed air valve (414).

10. Apparatus for applying labels according to any of claims 4 - 9, characterised in that the compressed air holes are communicating with a plurality of electronically controlled compressed air valves (414), where a time for opening the compressed air valves (414) is adjusted to the shape of the labels and the shape of the items to be la- belled, where the electrically controlled compressed air valves (414) communicate with an electronic control circuit.

11. Apparatus for applying labels according to any of claims 4 - 10, characterised in that the applicator head (14,1114, 214, 400, 814) takes at least two labels from the conveyor belt (16, 116, 216, 234), where the labels are transferred one at a time to different items (4, 804), where electronically controlled compressed air valves (414), by controlling their time of opening, determine which label is to be applied.

12. Apparatus for applying labels according to any of claims 4 - 11, characterised in that the applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814) have at least one mechanical stop that the labels are abutting on during application.

13. Apparatus for applying labels according to any of claims 4 - 12, characterised in that the apparatus contains a first conveyor belt (216) and a second conveyor belt (236), where the first conveyor belt (216) conveys labels from label magazine (8, 108, 808) to applicator, where the second conveyor belt (236) conveys labels to abutment against stop on the applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814).

14. Apparatus for applying labels according to claim 13, characterised in that the first conveyor belt (216) contains a cloth, where subpressure is prevailing at the rear side of the cloth.

15. Apparatus for applying labels according to claim 13, characterised in that the second conveyor belt (236) contains a chain containing holes that interact with the projections of the applicator head.

16. Apparatus according to any of claims 4 - 15, characterised in that the apparatus (1, 800) includes a glue station (826) supplying adhesive to items (4, 804) to be labelled before transfer of labels from the applicator head (14, 114, 214, 400, 814).

17. Apparatus according to any of claims 4 - 15, characterised in that the apparatus includes a glue station (828) supplying adhesive to the rear side of the labels during the conveying of the labels at the outer side of the apparatus (1, 800).