WO2007121869A1

WO2007121869A1 - Peeling apparatus for labeling machines

Info

Publication number: WO2007121869A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/003256
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adriano Bogo
Original assignee: Mph S.P.A.
Priority date: 2006-04-24
Filing date: 2007-04-12
Publication date: 2007-11-01
Also published as: ITMI20060822A1

Abstract

A peeling apparatus (1) for labeling machines, comprising a feeder roller (2) which is adapted to unwind a backing (3) for labels, means (10) for storing data and for reading the data, at least one motorized roller (4) for the advancement of the backing (3) for printing the data on a label provided on the backing (3), a peeling section (6) and a roller (8) for rewinding the backing (3), the apparatus providing an additional motorized peeling roller (9), which is arranged downstream of the peeling section (6) and upstream of the rewinding roller (8), electronic control means (12) being adapted to control the actuation of the additional motorized peeling roller (9), synchronously with the actuation of the motorized roller (4) for the advancement of the backing (3) for printing.

Description

PEELING APPARATUS FOR LABELING MACHINES Technical Field

The present invention relates to a peeling apparatus for labeling machines. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus which allows to remove or not remove labels from an appropriately provided backing, making a distinction between correct labels and incorrect labels. Background Art

As is known, labels are currently used extensively on all kinds of products, and labels with appropriately provided bar codes containing information related to the product and its price are now substantially universally widespread.

So-called smart labels, i.e., labels provided with a microprocessor capable of storing data and returning them when required, are currently becoming increasingly widespread.

However, such smart labels are very expensive and their manufacturer provides for replacement of any defective labels, i.e., labels that have been unable to store the data correctly.

Currently, adhesive labels are arranged on a silicone-coated paper backing, known as liner, and are conveyed by an electromechanical system which produces their transit below the storage/checking station and then the printing station. Substantially, the labels provided with memory are first made to pass below a station which stores the data in them and subsequently checks their correctness. This is followed by a printing station, in which the classic bar code is printed. The label is then "peeled" by means of a system which maintains a high tension of the silicone-coated paper backing, so that when the leading edge of the label arrives in output from an appropriate separation blade, the natural tendency of the label to detach from the backing causes its partial separation. The label is then collected by a system which applies it to the destination item, and this step can also be performed manually. In systems using the so-called smart labels described above, if a "bad" label condition occurs, i.e., if after the step for writing the data on the label the checking step finds an incorrect return of the stored data, the label absolutely must not be peeled, so that by remaining attached to its backing it can be rolled up and returned to the manufacturer, which provides a refund for the labels that have been unable to store data correctly.

However, this method entails substantially two drawbacks. First of all, as explained earlier, for peeling it is necessary to maintain a high and constant tension of the backing, but this process is rendered difficult by the fact that: the advancement speed of the backing can vary as a function of the printing speed determined by the program for using the machine; when the backing is rewound, the diameter changes depending on the number of turns and therefore torque control is necessary; in view of the low speed, torque control requires complex and accordingly expensive circuitry; a mechanical friction system, which accordingly would have a low- cost, does not allow torque control and requires maintenance.

Secondly, in the case of a "bad" label, none of the indicated systems allows true control of the label recovery process.

A further complication stems from the fact that the working point of the printing head that must print the bar code on the label is a few millimeters behind the peeling blade. Therefore, after printing each label, such label must be made to advance by an equal distance so that it can be separated completely from the backing. At the end of the separation operation, the backing must be recovered in order to place the next label first in the storage position and then in the printing position. Substantially, the backing must be moved backwardly and during this backward motion step the backing must be left free to move back so that it is recovered by the printing mechanism. Peeling normally occurs because the backing that supports the label to be peeled is kept tensioned and is made to slide over the so-called "peeling blade" at a sharp angle and generally with an angle of more than 90°. The label, by having its own ridge, separates from the backing as it passes over the blade until complete separation occurs.

Normally, the step for peeling and winding up the backing is performed by a single motor in devices of the known type. Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide a peeling apparatus for labeling machines which allows to recover, without peeling them, the labels found to be defective and to make the peeling function very reliable.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a peeling apparatus for labeling machines which allows to produce the backward travel of the backing in order to print on the label that follows a label that has just been peeled.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a peeling apparatus for labeling machines which allows the operation for rewinding the backing to become independent of the peeling operation, without the need to provide torque control of the provided motor. Another object of the present invention is to provide a peeling apparatus for labeling machines which does not use friction systems or other elements which deteriorate over time.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a peeling apparatus for labeling machines which is highly reliable, relatively simple to provide and at competitive costs.

This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a peeling apparatus for labeling machines, comprising a feeder roller which is adapted to unwind a backing for labels, means for storing data and for reading said data, at least one motorized roller for the advancement of said backing for printing said data on a label provided on said backing, a peeling section and a roller for rewinding said backing, characterized in that it provides an additional motorized peeling roller, which is arranged downstream of said peeling section and upstream of said rewinding roller, electronic control means being adapted to control the actuation of said additional motorized peeling roller, synchronously with the actuation of said motorized roller for the advancement of said backing for printing. Brief Description of the Drawing

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawing, wherein the only figure is a schematic view of the apparatus according to the present invention. Ways of carrying out the Invention

With reference to the figure, the apparatus according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a roller 2 from which a backing 3 made of silicone-coated paper, the so-called liner, is unwound, the labels to be peeled being attached thereon. At least one first motorized roller 4 is provided downstream of the unwinding or feeder roller 2. The motorized roller 4 allows to produce the advancement of the backing 3 and therefore position it below a printing head 5 which prints a bar code or other code on the label provided on the backing 3. Downstream of the motorized roller 4 a peeling section, advantageously comprising a blade 6, is provided which allows the tape to perform a sharp reversal of direction, with an angle which allows the labels arranged on the backing 3 to peel and therefore be removed easily from the backing 3. At this point, the backing 3 passes through a guiding roller 7 and is recovered by a motorized takeup roller 8. Means 10 for storing data and reading such data, constituted conveniently for example by an antenna, are provided between the feeder roller 2 and the printing head 5, so as to store data on the smart label and perform direct checking, in order to verify the correctness of the stored data and therefore rate the label as "good" or "bad".

The peculiarity of the invention resides in that it provides an additional motorized peeling roller 9, which is adapted to entrain the backing 3, optionally with the presence of a passive presser roller 11, which compresses the backing 3 on the roller 9. The motor of the motorized peeling roller 9 is a motor of the step type, and the roller is for example conveniently covered with rubber so as to produce friction on the backing 3.

Control means 12 of the electronic type are provided to check the movement of the motorized roller 9, of the motorized roller 4, and of the motorized takeup or rewinding roller 8.

The electronic control means 12 synchronize the movement of the step motor of the motorized roller 9 with the movement of the step motor of the motorized roller 4 for the advancement of the backing 3 for printing.

The movement of the step motor of the motorized roller 4 is detected, for example by means of optoisolators, and the control means 12 further control the actuation of the motor of the takeup roller 8.

Synchronization between the motor of the roller 9 and the motor of the roller 4 allows to rewind the backing 3 with an operation which is independent of the operation for peeling the valid labels and for retracting the backing to print on the next label. Rewinding can therefore be performed asynchronously, without any need to control the torque, which is set at an extremely low level for the rewinding motor, so as to allow the operation for retracting the ribbon, in order to perform printing on a subsequent label, to be performed even without involving the rewinding motor. Substantially, the rewinding motor can be powered in a single rewinding mode even if the backing is unwound and not rewound. In other words, the motor is made to turn in reverse with respect to its feed.

The control means 12 further receive a signal from the storage and reading means 10. The apparatus thus described also allows to set the tension of the backing 3 during the replacement of the silicone-coated paper roll 2. During the movement of the backing 3, the apparatus ensures an always constant tension of the backing, a feature which is critical in order to ensure the peeling of any kind of label regardless of the type of adhesive used by the manufacturer of the labels.

The presence of optoisolators allows to detect the pulses directed toward the advancement motor 4 for label printing, and such signals are processed by the control means 12 and sent to control the motor of the roller 9 so as to achieve substantially perfect synchronization between the two motors. No signal from the printing system is therefore required for peeling.

In case of a defective label, such label, as mentioned, must not be removed from the backing 3. To achieve this, it is therefore necessary to disable the peeling system. The operation consists in reducing to zero the tension of the backing 3 (or even providing the reverse motion mode of the backing 3) on a certain extent of backing 3, and in then keeping the motorized roller 4 stationary during the advancement of the defective label.

In this manner, the backing 3 forms a bulge which prevents the label from peeling. The motorized roller 9 remains stationary for a certain programmable number of steps, but the total number of steps to be performed to tension the backing 3 again at the end of the label rejection function is taken into account. The moment when the recovery and tensioning step of the backing begins is determined by the control means 12.

In practice it has been found that the apparatus according to the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, since it allows to render the peeling operation independent of the operation for rewinding the backing which is performed by another motor.

Substantially, the rewinding of the backing becomes an independent operation with respect to the operation for peeling valid labels, recovering the defective or rejected ones and producing the reverse motion of the backing in order to print a subsequent label.

The apparatus thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. MI2006A000822 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A peeling apparatus for labeling machines, comprising a feeder roller which is adapted to unwind a backing for labels, means for storing data and for reading said data, at least one motorized roller for the advancement of said backing for printing said data on a label provided on said backing, a peeling section and a roller for rewinding said backing, characterized in that it provides an additional motorized peeling roller, which is arranged downstream of said peeling section and upstream of said rewinding roller, electronic control means being adapted to control the actuation of said additional motorized peeling roller, synchronously with the actuation of said motorized roller for the advancement of said backing for printing.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said motorized roller for the advancement of the backing comprises a step motor.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said additional motorized peeling roller comprises a step motor.

4. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said additional motorized peeling roller comprises a rubber covering.

5. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a presser roller which is arranged so as to face said additional motorized peeling roller.

6. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said control means receive a position signal of said motorized roller for the advancement of the paper and drive said additional motorized peeling roller and said takeup roller.

7. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said data storage and reading means send a signal to said control means.

8. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said additional motorized peeling roller is adapted to turn also in the opposite direction with respect to peeling, in order to reposition said backing below said printing head.

9. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the torque of said takeup roller is lower than the torque that can be applied by said additional motorized peeling roller.

10. A peeling method which uses an apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: unwinding a backing, on which labels are pasted, from a feeder roller; making said backing pass over a head for storing and reading data; producing the advancement of said backing at a printing head in order to print data on a label; peeling said label from said backing; loosening the tension of said backing so as to not separate a label which is identified as defective; recovering said backing to rewind it.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a step for repositioning said backing under said printing head, by way of the backward motion of said backing in order to reposition a subsequent label below said printing head.