WO2011132139A2

WO2011132139A2 - Taping machine

Info

Publication number: WO2011132139A2
Application number: PCT/IB2011/051684
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Zucchini
Original assignee: T-Trade Engineering S.R.L.
Priority date: 2010-04-19
Filing date: 2011-04-19
Publication date: 2011-10-27
Also published as: WO2011132139A3; ITBO20100242A1; IT1399446B1

Abstract

A taping machine comprises an adhesive-coated tape (2) which is unwound along a first feed path (P1); first feed means (3, 25) for the adhesive-coated tape (2), designed to feed the tape along the first path (P1); conveyor means (11), for moving in a direction (P) an object to which the adhesive-coated tape (2) must be applied; a printing device (20), positioned along the feed path (P) of the adhesive- coated tape (2) and designed to print directly on the tape (2). The machine also comprises a plurality of tensioning rollers (28) positioned downstream of the printing device (20), which form a store (29) able to accumulate the printed adhesive-coated tape (2) exiting the printing device (20), and a plurality of diverter disks (5), positioned at a supporting roller (3) and equidistant along the axis of rotation (X) of the supporting roller (3).

Description

Taping machine

Technical Field

This invention relates to a taping machine.

In particular, this invention relates to a taping machine designed to apply an adhesive tape around a pack to close or package it.

The taping machine is of the type which uses a continuous adhesive-coated tape which is less than one tenth of a millimetre thick.

Back round Art

At present, to close and package packs to be shipped a taping operation must initially be performed. That is to say, closing the pack using a generic adhesive tape or a tape which may be ready -printed with images, texts or graphical representations identifying the product or the manufacturer of the product contained in the pack.

The pack to be closed is moved by conveyor means which feed it under a roller from which the adhesive-coated tape is unwound. The tape is applied to the pack immediately after unwinding.

Finally, the taping machine is equipped with a cutting station for cutting the tape once it has reached the length appropriate for sealing the pack.

Then, a label identifying the product in the pack must be applied to the pack, for example showing the product identification data as a description of the contents, the weight, the shipment date, the production batch, or even the pack recipient or the manufacturer of the object packaged.

In general, said label is made and applied, after the taping step, by a labelling machine which prints on labels made by cutting pieces from an adhesive-coated tape, partly wound on a silicone roller. Conventional labelling machines print on adhesive-coated tapes whose thickness varies from 5 to 7 tenths of a millimetre.

Acting at the roller there is a printing device which presses the adhesive- coated tape against the silicone roller, transferring the desired text onto the tape.

The printing device comprises a print ribbon, which is fed forward in the immediate vicinity of the adhesive-coated tape and in the same direction as the latter, and a print head operating at the roller to transfer a predetermined quantity of ink from the print ribbon to the adhesive-coated tape.

The print ribbon consists of a plastic film coated with a layer of ink designed to be transferred to a surface to be printed.

The ink is transferred using conventional methods based on the generation of micro electric discharges which strike the print ribbon at a dot matrix to be printed and, through localised heating, transfer dots of ink onto the adhesive- coated tape below. The higher the temperature created (linked to a greater quantity of electric current discharged) and/or the longer the time the print ribbon is held in contact with the adhesive-coated tape, the greater is the quantity of ink transferred and the more effective is the transfer.

The above-mentioned heating is the cause of important disadvantages, since excessive heating tends to make the adhesive-coated tape adhere too much to the print ribbon, particularly at the points of ink transfer. That adhesion hinders subsequent detachment of the print ribbon (which must be rewound onto a respective waste reel) from the adhesive-coated tape (which, instead, must be cut into adhesive labels ready for use).

As a result of adhering in this way, the adhesive-coated tape may tend to follow the print ribbon and to be wound onto the ribbon reel with it, which means frequent machine shutdowns and operator intervention to restore the correct feed path for the adhesive-coated tape.

For this reason, the labels must be made from pieces of tape having a predetermined thickness, so as to avoid thermal deformations of the material, excessive adhesion or failed detachment of the label from the base. Such labels must therefore be made in suitable labelling machines which are separate from the taping machines and which are located downstream of the latter.

The steps described above comprise a plurality of working operations on the line which slow the packaging cycle, consequently increasing the costs as well as requiring suitable spaces for positioning the various machines needed for the different steps.

Disclosure of the Invention

In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to propose a taping machine which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

In particular, the aim of this invention is to provide a taping machine which allows a reduction in the times for closing packs and containment of the costs.

A further aim of this invention is to provide a taping machine with reduced dimensions and which allows limitation of the use of material necessary for closing packs and for making labels, in such a way as to also reduce storage and material transport.

In particular, this invention has for an aim to provide a taping machine which offers a high level of reliability and, in particular, which requires little maintenance and is not subject to frequent shutdowns for restoring operation.

The technical purpose indicated and the aim specified are substantially achieved by a taping machine with the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further features and advantages of this invention are more apparent from the non-limiting description which follows of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of a taping machine as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of a taping machine made according to this invention;

Figure 2 is a simplified schematic view of a part of the machine of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a simplified perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a taping machine;

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a detail from Figure 2.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a taping machine according to this invention.

A taping machine is designed to apply adhesive-coated tape around an object 15, preferably a box, whose sides must be closed.

The taping machine 1 is of the type designed to use a continuous adhesive- coated tape 2, preferably plastic, which can be fed by unwinding at least one roll 14.

Advantageously, there may be two rolls 14 present, as shown in Figure 1, for simultaneously applying the tape 2 on the two opposite open sides of the box 15.

Preferably, the roll 14 of adhesive-coated tape 2 can rotate about its own axis of rotation Y, which is positioned horizontally.

The taping machine 1 comprises conveyor means 11, designed to promote feeding of the box 15 in a direction P, preferably at a right angle to the axis of rotation of the rolls 14 of adhesive-coated tape 2.

Such conveyor means 11 may be, for example, a belt comprising rotary rollers, a conveyor belt, looped parallel belts or even mechanical arms which grip and move the pack 15. These are just a few examples of conveyor means which may be installed on the taping machine 1.

The taping machine 1 also comprises first feed means 3, 25, preferably motor-driven, for feeding the adhesive-coated tape 2 along a first feed path PI. In particular, the first feed means comprise a supporting roller 3 on which the adhesive-coated tape 2 rests during its feed motion. The supporting roller 3 is rotatable about a fixed axis "X", preferably horizontal, and is preferably made of, or coated with, a silicone material for reducing adhesion to the adhesive-coated tape 2 (the adhesive side of the tape 2 faces the supporting roller 3).

The supporting roller 3 has an outer surface 3a which occupies a preferably cylindrical space. Alternatively, however, it might also occupy a space having a different shape, provided always that it is suitable for supporting a continuous tape as the latter advances. The supporting roller 3 is positioned in such a way that it is at a tangent to the first path "PI" which is followed by the adhesive-coated tape 2.

The adhesive-coated tape 2 which can be used in such a machine 1 is of the type having a smooth first side 2a suitable for printing with graphical designs, texts or the like, and an adhesive-coated second side 2b which is suitable for direct application on a product to be labelled.

In Figure 2, the adhesive-coated second side 2b is the lower side of the tape

2.

The tape may reach the taping machine 1 already decorated with graphical designs representing company texts or logos, or it may be a simple single- coloured pack tape.

Typically, the adhesive-coated tape 2 used has a thickness of around 5 - 6 hundredths of a millimetre.

Along the feed path PI of the adhesive-coated tape 2 there is also a printing device 20, designed to print directly on the tape.

The printing device 20, visible in the detail in Figure 2, comprises at least one print head 7 designed to print a text or graphical design on the first side 2a of the adhesive-coated tape 2.

The print head is located in a position opposite the supporting roller 3 which, advantageously, is located inside or close to the printing device 20, as shown in Figure 2.

Therefore, the printing device 20 intercepts the adhesive-coated tape 2, as the latter is fed along the first path PI, before the tape is applied to the pack 15 to be closed.

Once unwound from the roll 14, the tape 2 is fed along a first feed path "PI" according to a direction of feed "A" so that it is fed, after a set of return rollers 16, to the printing device 20 which reproduces a graphical design and/or one or more texts directly on the adhesive-coated tape 2. In other words, the printing device 20 prints the label directly on the tape during the step of unwinding and application of the tape around the object to be closed or packaged.

Below is a detailed description of what happens inside the printing device. During the printing operation, the outer surface 3 a of the supporting roller 3 forms a contact surface on which the portion of the adhesive-coated tape 2 subjected to the printing process rests.

The print head 7 is of a substantially known type and requires the use of a print ribbon 8 which is fed in the same direction of feed as the adhesive-coated tape 2, in contact with the first side 2a of the latter. The print ribbon 8 is formed by a continuous base (for example, a plastic film) having one side at least partly coated with ink.

The print head 7 is designed to cause the print ribbon 8 to transfer ink to the adhesive-coated tape 2 using dot-by-dot electric discharges, according to a substantially known technology.

The print ribbon 8 is preferably unwound from a respective first reel 9' and then wound onto a respective second reel 9".

The print ribbon 8 is guided by respective second feed means 10, 12 which feed it along a respective second feed path "P2" with continuous or intermittent feed movement. The second feed means comprise a feed tension roller 10 located upstream of the print head 7, for example positioned to guide the print ribbon 8 from the respective first reel 9' to the print head 7 (Figure 2). Preferably, the second feed means further comprise a detachment blade 12 located downstream of the print head 7 and designed to facilitate detachment of the adhesive-coated tape 2 and print ribbon 8 from each other. To perform this function, the detachment blade 12 has a pointed tip which is directed away from the print head 7 and round which the print ribbon 8 is trained in such manner as to divert the ribbon at an angle a preferably greater than 90 degrees, more preferably greater than 110 degrees and still more preferably, greater than 120 degrees.

Preferably, the detachment blade 12 is made of an electrically conductive material to allow the print ribbon 8 (which comprises a plastic base) to discharge any static electricity that builds up during the feed movement.

In a preferred embodiment, the detachment blade 12 is made of a composite material, preferably carbon fibre.

The above-mentioned second feed means are made in such a way as to confer on the feed path "P2" of the print ribbon 8 a configuration having a stretch "S" which is superposed on the feed path "PI" of the adhesive-coated tape 2. More specifically, the superposed stretch "S" extends immediately downstream of the print head 7 (and thus also of the supporting roller 3) and is straight.

The function of the superposed stretch "S" is that of allowing predetermined portions (selected by the print head) of the ink layer on the print ribbon 8 to be transferred to, therefore printed on, the adhesive-coated tape 2 below it. Along the stretch "S", the tape and ribbon 2, 8 are in contact with each other.

Advantageously, the above-mentioned superposed stretch "S" extends downstream of the print head 7 for a length "T" greater than or equal to 12 millimetres, preferably greater than or equal to 15 millimetres, and still more preferably, greater than or equal to 20 millimetres.

The above-mentioned value for the length "T" of the superposed stretch "S" is measured between the outfeed end of the print head 7 and the pointed tip of the detachment blade 12.

These length values allow the ink of the print ribbon 8 to remain in contact with the adhesive-coated tape 2 for long enough to correctly and completely transfer the ink.

Then the tape exiting the printing device 20 is applied on the box 15 to close its open sides.

When the pack 15 has been closed, the tape is cut by a suitable cutting station 13 located downstream of the printing device 20.

The adhesive-coated tape 2 normally moves towards the cutting station 13 between the printing step and the cutting step.

If it is necessary to print the production identification data, and therefore the label, on the very first portion of tape, then between the cutting step and the next printing step the tape is moved backwards and proceeds in the opposite direction to the normal direction of feed "A".

In other words, the adhesive-coated tape 2 is fed forward (preferably using suitable motor means, not illustrated, which might operate, for example, on the supporting roller 3) with reciprocating feed motion, that is to say, to and fro motion towards and away from the cutting station 13, so as to take the front end of the adhesive-coated tape 2 back under the print head 7.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the taping machine 10, at the supporting roller 3, downstream of the print head 7, may advantageously comprise a plurality of diverter disks 5, arranged equidistant to each other along and relative to the axis of rotation "X" of the supporting roller 3.

Each diverter disk 5 partly penetrates the outer dimension of the supporting roller 3, in such a way that the adhesive-coated tape 2, where it adheres to the outer surface 3a of the supporting roller 3, after rotation of the supporting roller 3, would interfere with at least one of the diverter disks 5. This would facilitate detachment of the tape 2 and the roller 3.

Preferably, the diverter disks 5 can rotate about the same shared axis of rotation "K", which is preferably parallel with the axis of rotation "X" of the supporting roller 3. Moreover, preferably the diverter disks 5 are made to rotate as one about the axis of rotation "K", for example by being mounted on the same shaft with fixed axis.

The shaft is preferably driven rotationally through the use of a drive device, such as, for example, an electric motor, pulley or other transmission systems.

The drive device can adjust the speed of rotation of the diverter disks 5 according to the speed of rotation of the supporting roller 3.

In any case, the direction of rotation of the diverter disks 5 is the same as the direction of rotation of the supporting roller 3, so that during the rotation of the supporting roller 3, the diverter disks 5 can intercept a front portion of the adhesive-coated tape 2 and move it away from the supporting roller 3.

The feed means for the adhesive-coated tape 2 may comprise other devices, such as feed belt devices 25.

The feed belt device 25 comprises one or more pairs of pulleys, around each pair of which a respective belt 21 is trained.

In Figure 2, for example, the first of the two pulleys is represented by the feed roller 3, whilst the second pulley 22 is positioned close to the detachment blade 12, able to rotate about a horizontal axis "W", and in a position such that a portion of the belt 22 acts as a feed and supporting surface 26 for the tape 2 from the roller 3 to the blade 12.

Alternatively, the belt 21 may be trained around the pulley 22 and another pulley, not illustrated, other than the roller 3 and interposed between the roller 3 and the first pulley 22. Again in this case, the two pulleys must be positioned at a height such that it guarantees a uniform supporting and feed surface 26 for the adhesive-coated tape 2 from the supporting roller 3 to the blade 12.

Preferably, also, at the superposed stretch "S" and in conjunction with the print ribbon 8, the straight segment 26 of the belt 21 delimits a guide channel 27 for feeding the adhesive-coated tape 2.

In particular, the straight segment 26 of the belt 21 and the print ribbon 8 form a pair of opposite, parallel aprons designed to facilitate feeding of the printed adhesive-coated tape 2.

During the feed movement inside the guide channel 27, not only does the belt 21 contribute to causing feeding of the adhesive-coated tape 2, but so does the print ribbon 8, which generally adheres to the adhesive-coated tape 2 at the points where the ink is transferred.

Advantageously, under the straight segment 26 there are blowing means 18 for directing a jet of air towards the second side 2b of the adhesive-coated tape 2 in order to cool the latter after it has undergone the heating action induced by the print head 7. Moreover, advantageously, the jet of air created by the blowing means 18 has the effect, at the above-mentioned superposed stretch "S", of keeping the adhesive-coated tape 2 pressed against the print ribbon 8 above it, in such a way that the adhesive-coated tape 2 is dragged forward, that is to say, accompanied towards the outfeed of the printing device 20.

The greater the length "T" of the superposed stretch "S", the greater this dragging effect is.

The Applicant has found that the above-mentioned values for the diversion angle a can be obtained mainly thanks to the fact the length T" of the superposed stretch "S" is greater than or equal to 12 millimetres. When "T" has these values, it is possible for the print ribbon 8 not to interfere with the print head 7 even if the diversion angles a are close to (or greater than) 120 degrees.

As shown in Figure 1, the taping machine 1 may advantageously comprise two units consisting of the roll 14 of adhesive-coated tape 2 and the printing device 20, for simultaneously closing and labelling two opposite sides of the box 15.

In this configuration, said units are positioned on opposite sides relative to the pack 15 feed surface.

According to an alternative embodiment, illustrated in Figure 3, the taping machine 10 comprises a set of further components. It shall be understood that said further components are added to and integrated with those already mentioned for the first embodiment of the machine 10.

The taping machine 10 comprises, downstream of the printing device 20, a plurality of tensioning rollers 28. The tensioning rollers 28 form a store 29 which is able to store a portion of adhesive-coated tape 2 exiting the printing device 20.

Moreover, the machine 10 comprises a plurality of fixed supporting rollers 30, also located downstream of the printing device 20, and operating in conjunction with the tensioning rollers 28.

Specifically, the tensioning rollers 28 and the supporting rollers 30 form the store 29 for the printed adhesive-coated tape 2.

In detail, the tensioning rollers 28 can move away from and towards the supporting rollers 30, which are fixed, in such a way as to tension the adhesive- coated tape 2 exiting the printing device 20.

The store 29 is able to vary its capacity. In other words, when a sufficient quantity of adhesive-coated tape 2 is needed to guarantee its feeding to the object 15, the tensioning rollers 28 move away from the supporting rollers 30, thus increasing the capacity of the store 29.

In contrast, when the store 29 has a sufficient quantity of adhesive-coated tape 2, the tensioning rollers 28 move towards the supporting rollers 30, thus releasing the adhesive-coated tape 2 and at the same time keeping it taut.

With particular reference to the figure, each printing device 20 has a respective store at its outfeed.

According to this embodiment, the taping machine 10 further comprises at least one roll 31 of secondary tape 32.

The roll 31 can rotate about its own axis Z, which is preferably horizontal.

The secondary tape 32 can be applied to the adhesive-coated tape 2 or directly on the box 15.

The secondary tape 32 is preferably an adhesive-coated tape of another type and/or colour. As shown in the figure, by way of example, the secondary tape 32 may also comprise electromagnetic indication elements 34, commonly known as "RFID tags".

These elements 34 are usually microchips, used to save a set of information about the product with which the element 34 is associated. Or these elements are magnetised to create anti-theft devices.

These elements 34 may be applied separately on the secondary tape 32 or the secondary tape 32 may already be equipped with them.

Downstream of the printing device 20, and in particular, according to this second embodiment, downstream of the store 29, the taping machine 10 comprises the above-mentioned return rollers 16.

Moreover, the machine 10 comprises at least one roller 33, associated with at least a respective return roller 16, for application of the secondary tape 32 to the adhesive-coated tape 2. The roller 33 also allows application of the secondary tape 32 directly on the box 15.

In an embodiment not illustrated, the roller 33, operating in conjunction with the respective return roller 16, applies exclusively the secondary tape 32 to the adhesive-coated tape 2, while application of the two adjacent tapes is performed by a further return roller 16 positioned downstream of the roller 33 and the corresponding roller 16.

The secondary tape 32, is preferably designed to be applied to the box 15 without the application of printing on it.

The secondary tape 32 bypasses both the printing device 20 and the store

29.

The secondary tape 32 is fed along a third path P3, substantially parallel with the first path PI of the adhesive-coated tape 2.

In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, of the machine 10 according to Figure 1, it is possible to associate with each roll 14 of adhesive-coated tape 2 a respective roll 31 of secondary tape 32. The secondary tape 32 is applied on the adhesive-coated tape 2 and/or directly on the box 15 similarly to what was just described relative to the second embodiment of the taping machine 10 of Figure 3.

The invention achieves the aims set by overcoming the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

The presence of a printing device in the taping machine, immediately before application of the tape to the pack, allows the pack closing and labelling process to be speeded up.

Indeed, printing of the data usually shown on labels and applied in a step after taping occurs directly on the adhesive-coated tape used to close the pack.

This allows a reduction in dimensions by eliminating a machine such as the classic labelling machine, normally located downstream of the taping machine and designed to perform a very precise step.

Elimination of the labelling machine allows one less processing operation on the line, reducing the packaging times. Moreover, less material is consumed, since tape is not used for labels, with consequent elimination of the problems relating to storage or transportation of the reels for the labels.

Therefore, the pack can provide a greater guarantee of safety of the goods, since the label made in this way cannot be falsified.

Printing data directly on the tape allows the application, without additional costs, of the label on at least two sides of the pack.

All of this is possible only with a printing device such as that described and claimed, since it is the only device able to print on a tape with reduced thickness of around 5 to 6 hundredths of a millimetre. In fact, in prior art labelling machines it was possible to print data and texts only on tapes with a thickness of 5 to 7 tenths of a millimetre.

Again with reference to the printing device, the provision of a superposed stretch having the above-mentioned length between the feed paths of the tape and the ribbon downstream of the print head, allows the ink to be effectively transferred from the print ribbon to the adhesive-coated tape. During their transit along the superposed stretch, the tape and the ribbon remain in contact and the ink has all the time needed to be transferred completely, for correct printing of the graphical design and/or text on the adhesive-coated tape.

Moreover, the presence of the superposed stretch having the specific length values stated above, by increasing the efficiency of ink transfer, makes it possible to reduce the temperature necessary for the printing process and the pressure applied by the print head. The reduced temperature and pressure benefit both the print head, which is thus subjected to less onerous working conditions and therefore less wear, and the adhesive-coated tape which is locally heated at lower temperatures and thus tends to adhere less strongly to the print ribbon, and the very same print ribbon, which is less weakened and hence less subject to the risk of breaking.

Furthermore, the superposed stretch having the specific length values stated above makes it possible to provide blowing means under the adhesive-coated tape to direct a flow of air at the tape in order to cool it (it should be considered that a space of less than 12 millimetres is not large enough for use of the blowing means).

Surprisingly, the Applicant has found that even a superposed stretch having a length "T" of less than approximately 40 mm does not have appreciable penalising effects on productivity (linked to the backward movements of the adhesive-coated tape after being cut) but does have very important benefits in terms of working efficiency and reduced wear.

Also surprisingly, the Applicant has found that it is possible to obtain the above-mentioned values for the diversion angle (120 degrees or even more) by simply increasing the length "T" of the superposed stretch, which, it must be remembered, is consistent with what is necessary to achieve the above-mentioned advantages.

Claims

1. A taping machine comprising an adhesive-coated tape (2) which is unwound along a first feed path (PI); first feed means (3, 25) for the adhesive-coated tape (2) designed for feeding the tape along the first path (PI); conveyor means (11), designed for moving in a direction (P) an object (15) to which the adhesive-coated tape (2) must be applied; a printing device (20), positioned along the feed path (P) of the adhesive-coated tape (2) designed to print directly on the tape (2); a plurality of tensioning rollers (28) positioned downstream of the printing device (20), forming a store (29) for accumulating the printed adhesive-coated tape (2) exiting the printing device (20); a plurality of diverter disks (5), positioned at a supporting roller (3) and equidistant along and relative to the axis of rotation (X) of the supporting roller (3).

2. The machine according to claim 1, characterised in that each diverter disk (5) partly penetrates the outer dimension of the supporting roller (3).

3. The machine according to either of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the diverter disks (5) can rotate about the same shared axis of rotation (K); the axis (K) being parallel with the axis of rotation (X) of the supporting roller (3).

4. The machine according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the direction of rotation of the diverter disks

(5) is the same as the direction of rotation of the supporting roller (3).

6. The machine according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the printing device (20) intercepts the adhesive-coated tape (2) as it is fed along the first path (PI) and prints directly on it before the tape (2) is applied to the object.

7. The machine according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the printing device comprises a print ribbon (8) which supports on at least one of its sides a layer of ink, and at least one print head (7) positioned on the first feed path (PI) and acting on the print ribbon (8), for causing the thermal release of ink from the print ribbon (8) and its transfer onto the adhesive-coated tape (2).

8. The machine according to claim 7, characterised in that the printing device (20) comprises second feed means (10, 12), for feeding the print ribbon (8) along a second feed path (P2) which has at least one stretch (S) superposed on the first feed path (PI); the superposed stretch (S) extending downstream of the print head (7) for a length (T) which is greater than or equal to 12 millimetres.

9. The machine according to claim 8, characterised in that the superposed stretch (S) extends downstream of the print head (7) for a length greater than or equal to 15 millimetres and preferably greater than or equal to 20 millimetres.

10. The machine according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, at the end of the superposed stretch (S), the second path (P2) comprises a diversion from the first path (PI) according to a diversion angle (a) which is greater than 90 degrees, preferably greater than 110 degrees and even more preferably greater than 120 degrees, for promoting detachment between the print ribbon (8) and the adhesive- coated tape (2).

11. The machine according to claim 10, wherein, downstream of the print head (7), the second feed means (10, 12) comprise a detachment blade (12) having a pointed tip which is directed away from the print head (7) and round which the print ribbon (8) is trained in such way as to produce the diversion of the print ribbon (8) and the detachment between the print ribbon (8) and the adhesive- coated tape (2).

12. The machine according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the superposed stretch (S) is straight and extends between the print head (7) and the detachment blade (12).

13. The machine according to any of the claims from 8 to 12, characterised in that the printing device also comprises blowing means (18) positioned opposite the adhesive-coated tape (2) at the superposed stretch (S), for directing a cooling air current towards the adhesive-coated tape (2), keeping the adhesive-coated tape (2) pressed against the print ribbon (8), thus allowing the ink to be transferred onto the adhesive-coated tape.

14. The machine according to any of the claims from 7 to 13, wherein the first feed means (3, 25) comprise a supporting roller (3) opposite the print head (7) and at a tangent to the first path (PI), the supporting roller (3) comprising an outer surface (3a) forming a contact surface for the print head (7).

15. The machine according to any of the foregoing claims, also comprising a cutting station (13), positioned downstream of the printing device (20), for cutting the tape to be applied to the object when it has reached the correct length.

16. The machine according to claim 12, wherein the first feed means (3, 25) comprise motor means for moving the adhesive-coated tape (2) with a reciprocating feed motion along the first feed path (PI), and wherein the second feed means (10, 12) are designed to feed the print ribbon (8) with a continuous or intermittent feed movement along the second feed path (P2).

17. The machine according to any of the claims from 7 to 16, wherein the length (T) of the superposed stretch (S) is less than 40 millimetres.

18. The machine according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the thickness of the print ribbon varies between 4 and 10 hundredths of a millimetre, preferably between 5 and 6 hundredths of a millimetre.

19. The machine according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one roll (31) of secondary tape (32) which can be applied to the adhesive-coated tape (2) and/or to the object (15).

20. The machine according to claim 19, characterised in that it comprises return rollers (16) and at least one roller (33), associated with at least a respective return roller (16), for applying the secondary tape (32) to the adhesive-coated tape (2) and/or for applying the secondary tape (32) to the object (15).

21. The machine according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the secondary tape (32) is fed along a third path (P3) which is substantially parallel with the first path (PI).

22. The machine according to any of the claims from 19 to 21, characterised in that interposed between the adhesive-coated tape (2) and the secondary tape (32) there are electromagnetic indication elements (34).