WO2005095215A1

WO2005095215A1 - Label applicator pad and method for manufacturing the same

Info

Publication number: WO2005095215A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/003107
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerhard Dijkstra; Sten ENGSTRÖM
Original assignee: Imaje Ab
Priority date: 2004-03-30
Filing date: 2005-03-23
Publication date: 2005-10-13
Also published as: SE0400839D0

Abstract

Label applicator pad (1) for use in a label-applying apparatus (2) having a suction generator (3) arranged to provide label-holding suction through at least one suction channel (10) exiting in a label-contacting surface (12) on said applicator pad (1). The invention is especially characterized in that the applicator pad (1) is formed by a single pad body (14), in which said at least one suction channel (10) exhibits - a through-hole channel section (16) extending from a mounting surface (18) of the applicator pad (1) said mounting surface (18) being opposite to the label contacting surface (12), and a suction distribution channel section (20) arranged transversely to said through-hole channel section (16) in communication therewith, and extending openly along said label-contacting surface (12), in a channel pattern (22) adapted for holding a label (24) by means of said suction prior to application of said label (24) on an object.

Description

Label applicator pad and method for manufacturing the same.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a label applicator pad for use in a label-applying apparatus. The label-applying apparatus has a suction generator arranged to provide label-holding suction through at least one suction channel exiting in a label-contacting surface on said applicator pad. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing.

BACKGROUND

Known applicator pads for label-applying apparatuses are traditionally comprised of several parts. Normally, a label-contacting plate is provided with a plurality of suction holes for holding the label prior to it being applied to an object. The suction may for example be effected by a fan or a vacuum ejector arranged in communication with the suction holes. In order to distribute suction to the suction holes, the applicator pad usually comprises a suction chamber or manifold located directly behind the label-contacting plate.

In order to accommodate for labels of various formats, applicator pads are either made interchangeable in sizes corresponding to a number of set label formats, or they may be provided with various means of masking off some of the suction holes in a general purpose applicator pad designed to fit a range of label formats.

U.S. Patent No. 3,888,725 to John B. French describes an example of such an applicator pad. According to French, a suction chamber is defined in the applicator pad by means of a thin rectangular frame sandwiched between the label-contacting plate and a backing platen provided with a central suction opening leading to a suction generator of some form. In order to accommodate for labels of various formats, a masking plate is insertably arranged in an open frame attached to the rectangular suction chamber frame. The masking plate thus masks off suction holes located outside of the particular label format to which the masking plate is adapted. U.S. Patent No. 4,392,913 to Peter 1. Baumli describes another known applicator pad, in which two separate suction chambers are formed by three perforated plates.

The applicator pad comprises a number of pin-like valves that are inserted into the pad in accordance with a desired configuration or program so as to provide appropriate suction as well as blowing characteristics for the pad in various applications,

U.S. Patent No. 5,753,072 to Bruce W. Taylor describes yet another known applicator pad, here comprised of a mounting plate with several suction holes, and a resilient pad of sponge-like material mounted on the mounting plate. A suction manifold body is located at one side of the mounting plate, from which a plurality of suction hoses extends out to individual suction holes. In order to accommodate for labels of various formats, the suction hoses may selectively be mounted in suction holes located in correspondence to a desired label format.

WO8504309 by Hasl et al, describes a label transferring device usable for in-mold label application with a transfer head comprising a metal backing plate and a pad mounted on this metal backing plate. The metal backing plate is provided with an orifice to a suction means and the back side of the pad is provided with channels with a plurality of orifices to the front side of the pad. Suction of air is provided by the suction means and a low pressure is provided in the channels and extending to the plurality of orifices on the pad. This allows for holding a label to the pad. However, since the transfer head comprise several parts it is difficult to produce and change depending on label to be applied. Also since suction channels are provided on the backside of the pad and suction is made through orifices extending to the front side of the pad it will be more difficult to produce and it will be harder to maintain and provide an even pressure profile under the label.

A problem with applicator pads of known types, such as the three described above, is that - although they may function well, however, not optimal- they are expensive to manufacture since they involve many parts, which in turn require many processing steps during production. The many parts may also make assembly and disassembly of the applicator pads more time consuming when altering label format. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above mentioned problem is solved by the invention providing a label applicator pad for use in a label-applying apparatus having a suction generator arranged to provide label-holding suction through at least one suction channel exiting in a label- contacting surface on said applicator pad. The invention is especially characterized in that the applicator pad is formed by a single pad body, in which said at least one suction channel exhibits

- a through-hole channel section extending from a mounting surface of the applicator pad, said mounting surface being opposite to the label contacting surface, and

- a suction distribution channel section arranged transversely to said trough-hole channel section in communication therewith, and extending openly along said label- contacting surface, in a channel pattern adapted for holding a label by means of said suction prior to application of the label on an object.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the through-hole channel section and said suction distribution channel section both exhibit sidewall surfaces extending substantially perpendicularly to said label -contacting surface on the applicator pad.

Preferably, the single pad body is formed by a single piece of pad material.

In one embodiment, the pad body is made of an electrically conducting material.

In a favorable variant of the above embodiment, said pad body is coated with an electrically conducting surface coating at least on said label-contacting surface.

Alternatively, the pad body may be made of a non-electrically conducting material, and is then also coated with an electrically conducting surface coating at least on said label-contacting surface. In an advantageous embodiment wherein the pad body is made of a non-electrically conducting material as described above, the pad material is a web-reinforced phenolic resin.

Furthermore, in the embodiment wherein the pad body is made of a non-electrically conducting material as described above, the applicator pad is provided with one or more through-going mounting holes adapted to receive electrically conducting fastening means, such as screws, bolts or similar for attaching the applicator pad to an applicator head of said label-applying apparatus, said electrically conducting fastening means being arranged to contact the electrically conducting surface coating in order to lead any static electricity charges away from the applicator pad.

Preferably, said surface coating is arranged to provide the label-contacting surface with non-stick characteristics.

The invention further provides a method for manufacturing a label applicator pad according to any of the preceding claims. The method is especially characterized in that a plurality of applicator pads are manufactured into a common cohesive pad chart, in such a way that each individual applicator pad is connected to one or more adjacent applicator pads by means of breakable intermediate portions.

In one variant of the method according to the invention, the pad chart contains applicator pads of a uniform format and suction channel pattern.

In another variant of the method according to the invention, the pad chart contains applicator pads of several various formats and/or suction channel patterns.

In one variant of the method according to the invention, said pad chart is machined from a single sheet of pad material.

In another variant of the method according to the invention, said pad chart is formed in a molding process. In an advantageous variant of the method according to the invention, all suction channels and/or mounting holes in the applicator pad are machined from said label- contacting surface only.

In a time- and cost-effective embodiment of the invention, the entire pad chart is coated with an electrically conducting surface coating in a single coating step.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be described in the detailed description of embodiments below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example only and with reference to the attached drawings, in which

Fig. I shows a perspective view of a label-applying apparatus provided with a label applicator pad according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a label applicator pad according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a label applicator pad according to one embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 shows an elevational view of a plurality of applicator pads of a uniform format and suction channel pattern, manufactured into a common cohesive pad chart, wherein one applicator pad is shown separated from said pad chart, and

Fig. 5 finally shows an elevational view of a plurality of applicator pads of several various formats and/or suction channel patterns, manufactured into a common cohesive pad chart, wherein one applicator pad is shown separated from said pad chart.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLIFYING EMBODIMENTS

In Fig. 1 , reference numeral 1 denotes a label applicator pad for use in a label- applying apparatus 2. The label-applying apparatus 2 has a suction generator 3, suitably in the form of a compact vacuum ejector unit located at a distal end of a pivotable applicator arm 4, in an applicator head 5. The suction generator 3 is not shown explicitly in the figure, and it should be noted that the invention is in no way limited to the use of a vacuum ejector as a suction generator 3, which may alternatively comprise - for example - an electrical fan unit (not shown) of a known type per se.

Furthermore, the label-applying apparatus 2 is provided - in a known manner - with means 6 for supporting a source (not shown) of labels releasably adhered to a carrier web (not shown). The label-applying apparatus 2 is further provided with means for transferring said labels to the applicator pad 1 , although these means are not shown in Fig. 1 , since they too are of a type previously known per se.

The suction generator 3 is arranged to provide label-holding suction through at least one suction channel 10 exiting in a label-contacting surface 12 on said applicator pad

1 , which is shown in greater detail in the perspective view of Fig. 2.

With further reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the applicator pad 1 is formed by a single pad body 14, suitably made of a single piece of pad material, which enables a simpler, more cost effective production of applicator pads in comparison with the more complex multi-part designs known in prior art. The applicator pad 1 in the shown exemplifying embodiment has two suction channels 10, each exhibiting:

- a through-hole channel section 16 extending from a mounting surface 18 of the applicator pad I, said mounting surface 18 being opposite to the label contacting surface 12, and

- a suction distribution channel section 20 arranged transversely to said trough-hole channel section 16 in communication therewith. The suction distribution channel section 20 extends openly along the label-contacting surface 12, in a channel pattern 22 adapted for holding a label 24 by means of said suction prior to application of said label 24 on an object (not shown). A label 24 is shown with exaggerated thickness in Figs. 1 and 3 for the sake of clarity. The term "openly" is here used in the meaning that the suction distribution channel section 20 is entirely open towards the label-contacting surface 12, without any covered portions or "tunnel"-sections within the applicator pad 1. This is a key feature of the invention, and it greatly simplifies the manufacture of the applicator pad 1.

Due to the openly suction distribution channels pressure is distributed evenly behind the label and an optimal pressure profile within the suction distribution channels is provided.

In a known manner per se, the applicator pad 1 has a chamfered front edge surface 25 for facilitating a smooth and interruption-free label transfer from the source (not shown) of labels mentioned initially.

In the shown embodiment, both the through-hole channel section 16 and the suction distribution channel section 20 in each suction channel 10 exhibit sidewall surfaces 26 extending substantially perpendicularly to the label-contacting surface 12 on the applicator pad 1. Alternatively, the sidewall surfaces 26 may be slanted and thus instead oriented at an angle relative to said label-contacting surface 12.

In the cross-sectional view of Fig. 3, the applicator head 5 of the label-applying apparatus 2 is schematically illustrated with dotted phantom lines and the applicator pad 1 is shown mounted to the applicator head 5. The through-hole channel sections 16 of the suction channels 10 may according to the invention be located in a substantially central region 27 of the applicator pad 1 , said central region 27 corresponding to a suction cavity 29 or conduit in the applicator head 5, being in communication with said suction generator 3 (not shown). Thus, the applicator head 5 may be very compact relative to the applicator pad 1 , since the transversal suction distribution channel sections 20 extend the suction channels 10 along a major part of the label-contacting surface 12 in order to effectively hold the label 24 on the applicator pad 1 prior to its application. It should be noted that the shown channel pattern 22 of the suction distribution channel sections 20 are shown as examples only, and may be varied into any configuration suitable for the purpose of holding the label 24. A sensor unit 31 is provided in the applicator head 5 for detecting the presence of a label 24 through a central sensor opening 33 in the applicator pad 1.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pad body 14 is made of an electrically conducting material, such as a lightweight and stiff metal or a carbon fiber reinforced polymer material. Other suitable electrically conducting materials may for example include a carbon-filled polymer material. In order to provide the applicator pad 1 with a hard-wearing label-contacting surface 12, the pad body 14 is coated with an electrically conducting surface coating 28, for example by means of a plasma coating process such as Plasmacoat . The surface coating 28 is also adapted to provide the label-contacting surface 12 with non-stick characteristics, in order to avoid undesired label-adherence to this surface. In Fig. 3, the surface coating 28 is schematically illustrated with exaggerated thickness as a thick black line over the coated surfaces. Thus, in the shown embodiment, not only the label-contacting surface 12, but also the suction channels 10 and the sensor opening 33 - as well as mounting holes 30 to be described later - are coated by the electrically conducting surface coating 28.

In another embodiment of the invention, the pad body 14 is made of a non-electrically conducting material, and is coated with an electrically conducting surface coating 28 at least on said label-contacting surface 12, in the same manner as described above. As a non-electrically conducting material, a web-reinforced phenolic resin, has proved to be well suited for the purpose due to its low-weight and inherent structural stiffness. Phenolic resin is a well-proven material, popularly known as "Bakelite". As hinted above, the applicator pad 1 is provided with one or more through-going mounting holes 30 adapted to receive electrically conducting fastening means 32, such as screws, bolts or similar for attaching the applicator pad 1 to the applicator head 5 of the label-applying apparatus 2. The electrically conducting fastening means 32 are arranged to contact the electrically conducting surface coating 28 in order to lead any static electricity charges away from the applicator pad 1 to ground.

With reference now to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the invention also includes a method for manufacturing a label applicator pad 1 as described above. According to this method, a plurality of applicator pads 1 are manufactured into a common cohesive pad chart 34, in such a way that each individual applicator pad 1 is connected to one or more adjacent applicator pads 1 by means of breakable intermediate portions 36, in a "chocolate bar"-like way. The breakable intermediate portions 36 extend both vertically and horizontally in Figs. 4 and 5 and are relatively thin in comparison to the thickness of the applicator pads 1 in the pad chart 34, so as to allow easy separation of individual applicator pads 1.

In Fig. 4 the pad chart 34 contains several applicator pads 1 of a uniform format and a uniform suction channel pattern 22, whereas in Fig. 5, the pad chart 34 contains applicator pads 1 of several various formats and suction channel patterns 22. In both figures, one applicator pad 1 is shown separated from said pad chart 34.

In one variant of the method, the complete pad chart 34 is machined from a single sheet of pad material. According to a favorable aspect of the invention, all suction channels 10 and/or mounting holes 30 in the applicator pad 1 are machined from said label-contacting surface 12 only. This greatly facilitates production of the pad charts 34 and reduces manufacturing costs considerably. Alternatively, the pad chart 34 may instead be formed in a cost effective molding process. By manufacturing several applicator pads 1 in this way in a single cohesive pad chart 34, advantages in both product logistics and cost effectiveness are achieved.

The novel "chocolate bar"-concept of for producing the pad chart 34 according to the invention, also makes it possible to coat the entire pad chart 34 with an electrically conducting surface coating 28 in a single coating step.

It is to be understood that the invention is by no means limited to the embodiments described above, and may be varied freely within the scope of the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1. Applicator pad

2. Label-applying apparatus

3. Suction generator 4. Applicator arm

5. Applicator head

10. Suction channel

12. Label-contacting surface

14. Pad body 16. Through-hole channel section

18. Mounting surface

20. Suction distribution channel section

22. Channel pattern

24. Label 25. Chamfered front edge surface

26. Sidewall surfaces

27 Central region of the applicator pad

28. Surface coating

29. Suction cavity or conduit in applicator head 30. Mounting holes

31. Sensor unit in applicator head

32. Fastening means

33. Sensor opening in applicator pad

34. Pad chart 36. Breakable intermediate portions

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Label applicator pad (1 ) for use in a label-applying apparatus (2) having a suction generator (3) arranged to provide label-holding suction through at least one suction channel (10) exiting in a label-contacting surface (12) on said applicator pad (1), characterized in that the applicator pad (1 ) is formed by a single pad body (14), in which said at least one suction channel (10) exhibits

- a through-hole channel section (16) extending from a mounting surface (18) of the applicator pad (1 ), said mounting surface (18) being opposite to the label contacting surface (12), and

- a suction distribution channel section (20) arranged transversely to said through-hole channel section (16) in communication therewith, and extending openly along said label-contacting surface (12), in a channel pattern (22) adapted for holding a label (24) by means of said suction prior to application of said label (24) on an object.

2. Applicator pad (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said through-hole channel section (16) and said suction distribution channel section (20) both exhibit sidewall surfaces (26) extending substantially perpendicularly to said label-contacting surface (12) on the applicator pad (I).

3. Applicator pad (1 ) according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said single pad body (14) is formed by a single piece of pad material.

4. Applicator pad (1 ) according to one or more of claims 1-3, characterized in that said pad body (14) is made of an electrically conducting material.

5 Applicator pad (1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that said pad body (14) is coated with an electrically conducting surface coating (28) at least on said label-contacting surface (12).

6. Applicator pad (1 ) according to one or more of claims 1-3, characterized in that said pad body (14) is made of a non-electrically conducting material, and is coated with an electrically conducting surface coating (28) at least on said label-contacting surface (12).

7. Applicator pad (1 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that said pad material is a web-reinforced phenolic resin.

8. Applicator pad (1 ) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the applicator pad (1) is provided with one or more through-going mounting holes (30) adapted to receive electrically conducting fastening means (32), such as screws, bolts or similar for attaching the applicator pad (1) to an applicator head (5) of said label-applying apparatus (2), said electrically conducting fastening means (32) being arranged to contact the electrically conducting surface coating (28) in order to lead any static electricity charges away from the applicator pad (1) and into the label-applying apparatus (2).

9. Applicator pad (1 ) according to any of claims 5-8, characterized in that said surface coating (28) is arranged to provide the label-contacting surface (12) with non-stick characteristics.

10. Method for manufacturing a label applicator pad (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of applicator pads (1) are manufactured into a common cohesive pad chart (34), in such a way that each individual applicator pad (1 ) is connected to one or more adjacent applicator pads (1 ) by means of breakable intermediate portions (36).

11. Method for manufacturing a label applicator pad (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said pad chart (34) contains applicator pads (1 ) of a uniform format and suction channel pattern (22).

12. Method for manufacturing a label applicator pad (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that said pad chart (34) contains applicator pads (1 ) of several various formats and/or suction channel patterns (22).

13. Method for manufacturing a label applicator pad (1) according to any of claims 10-12, characterized in that said pad chart (34) is machined from a single sheet of pad material.

14. Method for manufacturing a label applicator pad (1) according to any of claims 10-12, characterized in that said pad chart (34) is formed in a molding process.

15. Method for manufacturing a label applicator pad (1) according to any of claims

10-13, characterized in that all suction channels (10) and/or mounting holes (30) in the applicator pad (1 ) are machined from said label-contacting surface (12) only.

16. Method for manufacturing a label applicator pad (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entire pad chart (34) is coated with an electrically conducting surface coating (28) in a single coating step.