WO2004078596A1

WO2004078596A1 - Apparatus for applying labels

Info

Publication number: WO2004078596A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/002045
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sergio Selleri
Original assignee: O.M.M.A. Pack S.R.L.
Priority date: 2003-03-04
Filing date: 2004-03-01
Publication date: 2004-09-16
Also published as: ITMO20030059A1; ITMO20030059A0

Abstract

Apparatus for applying labels (E) to containers comprising feed means (1, 3, 6) for feeding a cutting station (7) of the labels (E) with a continuous strip (2) of labels (E), cutting means (32, 33) for cutting individual labels (E) from said continuous strip (2), applicator means (10) for applying said labels (E) to containers in transit on a conveyor line; the apparatus further comprises transfer means (8) for individually transferring and guiding said labels (E) from said cutting means (7) to said applicator means (10).

Description

Apparatus for applying labels

The present invention concerns an apparatus for applying labels to items, in particular labels to containers, for example to packets of cigarettes, or other items.

From US 5,203,953 a method and an apparatus are known for applying labels to packets of cigarettes, wherein the packets of cigarettes are conveyed on a conveying line, that passes underneath an apparatus applying labels . The apparatus is fed with labels that are cut by cutting means from a continuous strip coming from a feed reel. In a first embodiment of the apparatus, the labels cut from the continuous strip are made to fall into a magazine wherein a stack of individual labels is formed. The labels are then extracted one by one from the magazine by an extractor roller and are transferred to an applicator drum' on- the periphery of which, in diametrically opposite positions, two applicator devices are arranged. Each applicator device comprises a support surface, equipped with holes through which a vacuum is generated to keep the label adhering to said support surface, and a clamping element having the form of an -articulated arm, hinged at one end and ending at the opposite end with a stop tooth, by means of which one end of the label is clamped on the support surface. A follower roller is. associated with the articulated arm, which follower roller, during rotation of the applicator drum, rolls along a cam profile that controls an oscillation of the articulated arm between a position in which the label is clamped on the support surface and a release position of the label, when it has to be applied to a packet of cigarettes in transit on the conveying line.

The cam profile, the rotation of the applicator roller and the conveying line are synchronised in such a way that when a packet of cigarettes transits under the applicator roller, the latter presses a label onto the surface of the cigarette packet in a preset position, whilst at the same time the clamping element releases the label, which adheres to the surface of the packet of cigarettes, owing to a layer of adhesive applied to its face that is intended to come into contact with the surface.

In one version of the apparatus disclosed in the United States patent, the labels cut from the continuous strip by means of the cutting device, instead of being made to fall by gravity into the label magazine, are made to fall by gravity at the outfeed of the cutting device, directly onto one of the rest surfaces of the applicator drum, where they are clamped by the clamping device. The fact that the labels are made to drop by gravity onto the applicator drum has the disadvantage that positioning of the label on the drum may be imprecise, thus making it difficult or impossible for the clamping device to grasp an end of the label, to hold it in position. The result may be the loss of the label and therefore failure to apply it to the packet of cigarettes if the clamping device does not succeed in grasping it, or incorrect positioning of the label on the packet of cigarettes .

Furthermore, the maximum operating speed that the apparatus can reach, i.e. the number of labels that can be applied to packets of cigarettes in a preset time lapse, is limited by the time, albeit short, that each label takes to fall from the magazine, or from the cutting device, onto the applicator drum. The object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for applying labels to containers that is more reliable and enables higher speed of application of the labels. According to the present invention an apparatus is supplied for applying labels to containers in general, comprising feed means for feeding a label cutting station with a continuous strip of labels, cutting means for cutting individual labels from the • continuous strip, applicator means for applying the labels to containers in transit on a conveyor line, characterised in that it further comprises transfer means for individually transferring the labels from said cutting means to said applicator means.

Transfer means receives the individual labels leaving cutting means by maintaining them with a preset orientation, i.e. preventing them from being able to take on an incorrect orientation, and delivers them to applicator means. In this way, along the entire path from the cutting device to the container whereupon it must be applied, each label is guided with a controlled orientation, in such a way as to ensure that no label can be lost and that it can be applied in a correct position to the respective container.

The invention will now be illustrated by 'way of purely illustrative non-limiting example in the five table of drawings that follow, wherein: Figure 1 is a front view of an apparatus according to the invention- Figure 2 is an enlarged detail of Figure 1, that illustrates in greater detail cutting means, transfer means, and applicator means of the apparatus according to the invention; Figure 3 is a detail of Figure 2 enlarged still further; Figure 4 is a rear view of the detail in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a section view of label cutting means; Figure 6, 7, 8 are schematic views of cam means that actuates applicator means; Figure 9 is the section IX-IX of Figure 8. With reference to Figure 1, the apparatus according to the invention comprises a reel 1 whereupon a continuous strip of labels is wound to be applied to containers and a plurality of idling and guide pulleys 3 to guide and keep taut the strip 2 when it is unwound from the reel 1. The reel 1 and the pulleys 3 are rotationally supported on a vertical support element 4. Downstream of the last of the pulleys 3,- in the advance direction of the strip 2, a shelf 5 is arranged whereupon the strip 2 transits before engaging in a advance device 6 equipped with dragging means, that is pressed on the strip 2, to drag it through the effect of contact friction. The advance device 6 comprises a fixed bottom part βa, comprising at least one dragging roller 34 of the strip 2, and a top part 6b, movable on guides 6c in a direction substantially perpendicular to the strip 2 and comprising at least one pressing roller 35 that presses the strip 2 onto the at least one dragging roller 34. The at least one dragging roller 34 is actuated by actuating means (not shown) that controls rotation by steps of the roller, the extent of which is chosen in such a way that at each rotation of the at least one dragging roller 34, the strip of labels advances by a quantity that is the same as the length of a label. The displacement of the top part 6b onto the guides 6c towards the fixed bottom part 6a is controlled by a handling lever 6d, by means of which it is also possible to adjust the pressure exerted by the pressing rollers on the strip 2. Downstream of the advance means 6 cutting means 7 is arranged, by means of which individual labels are cut from the strip 2. The cutting means 7 (Figure 5) comprises a body 7a within which the strip 2 of labels passes and inside which a fixed blade 33 and a movable blade 32 are arranged, which movable blade 32 is mounted on an oscillating body 32a that actuates the blade 32 to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow F and in an opposite direction. The strip 2 of labels passes into the space between the two blades 32 and 33 in such a way that a rotation of the movable blade 32 in the direction of the arrow F causes the separation of a label from the rest of the strip. Downstream of cutting means 7 transfer means 8 is arranged according to the invention, by means of which the individual labels cut from the strip 2 are transferred in a guided manner from cutting means 7 to applicator means 10, that apply single labels to respective containers, for example packets of cigarettes or other items.

The transfer means 8 comprises a containing and guide frame 9 comprising in turn a bottom subframe 9a and a top subframe 9b. The front and rear ends of the frame 9 are open to enable the entry therein and the extraction therefrom of a label E coming from the cutting device 7. In the rear part of the frame 9 inclined guide surfaces 9c, 9d are provided to guide the label to the entry in the frame 9. The dimensions and shape of the frame 9 are selected in such a way that the front end of a label E inserted therein protrudes at least partially . from the front part of the frame 9. In this way, the label E can be grasped by grasping means with which an applicator device 10 is equipped, which grasps each label E from transfer means 8 and applies said label E to a surface of a container (not shown) in transit along a conveying line that passes underneath the applicator device 10.

The applicator device 10 comprises a hub 11, fitted to an actuating shaft 12 from which two diametrically opposite arms 13, 14 arms lead, each of which terminates with an expansion 15, 15a the respective external surface 16, 16a of which has substantially the shape of a sector of a cylindrical surface. Underneath the respective expansion 15, 15a, each arm 13, 14 is equipped with a side protrusion 17, 17a, respectively, whereupon an end of a respective grasping arm 18, 18a is hinged whose opposite end terminates with a respective grasping tooth 19, 19a. Each grasping arm 18, 18a is movable between a grasping position, wherein the respective grasping tooth 19, 19a exerts a pressure on the respective surface 16, 16a and a release position wherein the grasping tooth 19 19a is distanced from the respective surface 16, 16a. When the grasping arm 18, 18a, through the effect of the rotation of the arms 13, 14, approaches the frame 9, from whose front end an end of a label E protrudes, the grasping arm 18, 18a is in the release position, i.e. distanced from the respective surface 16, 16a. In this way, the end of the label E can be inserted between the tooth 19, 19a and the surface 16, 16a. Simultaneously, the grasping arm 18, 18a is made to rotate to pass from the release position to the_. grasping position, thereby clamping the end of the label E between the grasping tooth 19, 19a and the surface 16, 16a and extracting the label E from the frame 9. The label E is thus correctly positioned and clamped on the surface 16, 16a of the respective expansion 15, 15a and is ready for being applied to the surface of the container for which it is intended. Continuing its rotation movement, the applicator device 10 lowers the expansion 15, 15a whereupon the label E is clamped by the grasping arm 18, 18a until the label E comes into contact with a surface of a container in transit on the conveying line underneath the applicator device 10.

, The distance of the conveying line in relation to the applicator device 10 is chosen in such a way that the external surface 16 of the expansion 15 comes into contact with the surface of the container by pressing thereupon the label, which adheres to the surface of the container thanks to a layer of adhesive substance applied by means of an applicator device 43, for example an applicator roller, to the face of the label intended to come into contact with the containers. Actuation of the grasping arms 18, 18a is controlled by a system 36 of cam means illustrated in Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9.

The system of cam means 36 comprises a first cam 40, fitted to

^■ the actuating shaft 12, which by means of a first stretch 41 of its profile, which interacts with a follower roller that is not shown, connected to the respective grasping arm 18, 18a, shifts the grasping arm 18, 18a from the grasping position to the release position at the moment wherein a label E is pressed on the surface of the container whereupon it has to be applied. A second stretch of the profile 42, by interacting with the follower roller, keeps the grasping arm 18, 18a in the release position.

A second cam 37 is fixed to the first cam 40, for example by means of screws, this second cam 37, by means of a first stretch 39 of its profile having a slightly increasing radius, increases the angle of opening of the grasping arm 18, 18a already in the release position to enable easier insertion of the label E between the tooth 19, 19a and the surface 16, 16a of the expansion 15, 15a of applicator means 10, before guiding by means of a further stretch 38 of the profile the grasping arm 18, 18a into the grasping position to clamp the label E on the surface 16, 16a. The second cam 37 is fixed to the first cam 40 in an angular position such that the stretch 39 of the profile of the second cam 37 is substantially consecutive to the profile stretch 42 of the first cam 40 , in such a way that the follower roller can pass without interruptions and without hesitation from the profile of the first cam 40 to the profile of the second cam 37. The apparatus according to the invention is furthermore equipped with further cam means 20 that comprises a disc 21 fitted to the shaft 12 that actuates the rotation of applicator means 10 and rotates together with applicator means 10. In diametrically opposite positions on the disc 21 two magnetised sectors 22 and 23 are provided, whose passage to a preset position is detected by a magnetic sensor 24 fixed to the vertical wall 4.

On the periphery of the disc 21 two cam profiles 25 and 26 are current, which are also in positions that are diametrically opposite each other, which interact with a follower element 27 (Figure 2) connected to a tilting element 28 to which the frame 9 of transfer means 8 is fixed. When the follower element 27 meets one of the cam profiles 25, 26 the tilting element 28, by following the cam profile, is downwardly inclined, thereby causing a corresponding inclination of the front end of the frame 9, to facilitate the grasping of the label E by one of the grasping arms 18, 18a.

The function of the magnetic sensor 24 is to detect the passage underneath it of one of the magnetised sectors 22, 23, to control the advance of a label E in the frame 9 and the actuating of the blade 7 that separates the label from the belt 2.

The magnetised sectors are arranged in such a way that the operations disclosed above occur immediately before the end of the label E protruding from the frame 9 is inserted between surface 16, 16a of one of the expansions 15, 15a and the grasping tooth 19, 19a of one of the grasping arms 18, 18a. Cam means 36 is fitted in front of the disc 21, but has been omitted for reasons of clarity from figures 1, 2 and 3. The apparatus according to the invention furthermore comprises sensor means 34 associated with the shelf 5 that serves to check the correct positioning of the strip 2 of labels E, in such a way that the labels E can be correctly cut by cutting means 7. The initial alignment of the strip 2 of labels E is carried out by using a series of reference marks printed on the strip 2^' at intervals that are the same as the length of a label E. The initial alignment is obtained by aligning one of said reference marks on the strip 2 with a further reference mark printed on the shelf 5 in a preset position depending on the position of sensor means. When the strip 2 has been aligned and the apparatus according to the invention has been started up, at each advance by steps of the strip 2 a reference mark has to be positioned on said preset position and be detected by sensor means 34. If for any reason sensor means 34 does not detect the presence of the reference mark, the apparatus according to the invention gives off an alarm signal that enables an operator to check the correct alignment of the strip 2 and restore it if this is necessary. Further sensor means 35 is arranged at transfer means 8. This further sensor means serves to detect the presence of a label E in transfer means 8, when one of the grasping arms 18, 18a is about to reach the grasping position of the label E, and to check that when the grasping arm 18 is moved off from the grasping position, the label E is no longer present in transfer means 8. If further sensor means 35 does not detect the presence of a label E in transfer means when the grasping arm 18 is about to reach the pickup position it generates a signal that causes the stop of the apparatus and possibly the activation of an alarm signal. The same occurs if, when the grasping arm 18 moves off from the grasping position, further sensor means 35 again detects the presence of a label E i . transfer means 8. The apparatus according to the invention can- operate in both automatic and manual modes. Manual operating mode is preferentially used to provide correct initial alignment of the strip 2 of labels E and to check correct operation of the apparatus according to the invention, before starting up an automatic operating cycle. In the practical embodiment, the materials, dimensions and the construction details may be different from those indicated, but be technically equivalent thereto, without departing from the legal domain of the' present invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus for applying labels (E) to containers in general, comprising feed means (1, 3, 6) for feeding a cutting station (7) of the labels (E) with a continuous strip (2) of labels (E) , cutting means (32, 33) for cutting individual labels (E) from said continuous strip (2), applicator means (10) for applying said labels (E) to containers in transit on a conveyor line, characterised therein that it further comprises transfer means (8) for individually transferring said labels (E) from said cutting means (7) to said applicator means (10) .

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transfer means (8) comprises frame means (9) suitable for containing and guiding said labels (E) .

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said frame means comprises a bottom subframe (9a) and a top subframe (9b).

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, or 3, wherein the front and rear ends of said frame means (9) are open.

5. Apparatus according to any one of the claims 2 to 4, wherein in the part of said frame means (9) turned towards said cutting means (7) inclined guide surfaces (9c, 9d) are provided to guide said labels (E) in said frame means (9) .

6. Apparatus according to any one of the claims 2 to 5, wherein the shape and dimensions of said frame means (9) are selected in such a way that at least a part of the end of a label (E) inserted therein protrudes from the end of frame means opposite said cutting means (7) .

7. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising sensor means (35) associated with said transfer means (8) and suitable for detecting the presence or absence of a label (E) in said transfer means (8) .

8. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said applicator means (10) comprises a hub (11), fitted to an actuating shaft (12) and wherefrom two opposite arms (13, 14) lead, each one of which terminates with an expansion (15, 15a) having an external surface (16, 16a) with substantially the shape of a sector of a cylindrical surface.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a grasping element (18, 18a; 19, 19a) is associated with each arm (13, 14) one end of which grasping element is rotationally supported on a side protrusion (17, 17a) of the respective arm (13, 14) . '

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said grasping element (18, 18a; 19, 19a) comprises a grasping arm (18, 18a) terminating at the free end with a grasping tooth (19, 19a),

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each grasping arm (18, 18a) is movable between a grasping position, wherein it clamps with the respective grasping tooth (19, 19a) a label (E) on said external surface (16), and a release position.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein each grasping arm (18, 18a) is associated with cam means (37, 40) that controls the movement of the grasping arm (18, 18a) from said- grasping position to said release position, and vice versa.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said cam means (37, 40) comprises first cam means (40) and second cam means (37) .

14. Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said first cam means (40) is fitted onto said actuating shaft (12) and controls passage of each grasping arm (18, 18a) from said grasping position to said release position.

15. Apparatus according to claim 13, or 14, wherein said second cam means (40) is fixed by fixing means to said first cam means (37) and controls passage of each of- said grasping means (18, 18a) from said release position to said grasping position.

16. Apparatus according to any one of the claims 12 to 15, wherein each of said grasping means (18, 18a) is associated with a respective follower roller that interacts with said first cam means (40) and said second cam means (37) .

17. Apparatus according to any one of the claims 2 to 16, wherein said frame means (9) is fitted on a tilting element (28) .

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said tilting element (28) is associated with further cam means (25, 26) that controls a downward inclination of the end of said frame means (9) opposite said cutting means (7).

19. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said cutting means (7) comprises a fixed blade (33) and a movable blade (32), said movable blade (32) being actuated by an oscillating body (32a) .

20. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said feed means (1, 3, 6) comprises reel means (1) from which said continuous strip (2) of labels (E) is unwound.

21. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims wherein said feed means (1, 3, 6) comprises a plurality of pulley means (3) to guide and keep taut said continuous strip (2) of labels (E) .

22. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said feed means (1, 3, 6) comprises forward conveying means (6) to move forward said continuous strip (2) of labels (E) .

23. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said forward conveying means (6) comprises a fixed bottom part (6a) comprising at least one dragging roller (34) for dragging the strip (2), and a top part (6b), movable on guides (6c) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the strip (2) and comprising at least one pressing roller (35) that presses the belt (2) on the at least one dragging roller (34) .

24. Apparatus according to any one of the previous claims, further comprising further sensor means (34) arranged between said reel means (1) and said dragging means (6) .