WO2021071454A2

WO2021071454A2 - Robotic mechanism in-mold labeling with fixed connection

Info

Publication number: WO2021071454A2
Application number: PCT/TR2020/050874
Authority: WO
Inventors: İsmet Fatih ŞEKEROĞLU
Original assignee: Şekeroğlu Ki̇mya Ve Plasti̇k Sanayi̇ Ve Ti̇caret A.Ş.
Priority date: 2019-10-11
Filing date: 2020-09-22
Publication date: 2021-04-15
Also published as: WO2021071454A3

Abstract

The invention is a mechanism developed for in-mold labeling of the product produced in the injection mold for the plastic injection method, which is widely used in packaging production. It is also related to the in-mold labeling robotic mechanism, which is connected to the injection molding machine through a fixed connection. In the developed fixed connection in-mold labeling robotic mechanism, the mechanism chassis (2) is mechanically connected to the plastic injection machine (1) by means of the connecting arm (2.2). In addition, the arm movement beam (2.1) on which the robotic arm (3) is moved is mounted on the injection molds on the plastic injection machine (1). Thus, the robotic arm (3) is allowed to move on the beam (2.1) up to the center of the injection mold.

Description

ROBOTIC MECHANISM IN-MOLD LABELING WITH FIXED CONNECTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention is a mechanism developed for in-mold labeling of the product produced in the injection mold for the plastic injection method, which is widely used in packaging production. It is also related to the in-mold labeling robotic mechanism, which is connected to the injection molding machine through a fixed connection.

PRIOR ART

One of the most important production methods introduced in the packaging industry in the recent period is the method of plastic injection with in-mold labeling. In plastic injection, during the injection of the printed label placed in the injection mold, the label is combined with the container made of plastic raw injected into the mold. Thus, a package with a one-piece label on it is obtained in a plastic injection mold.

In the current technique, robotic mechanisms are used for in-mold labeling (IML) process with plastic injection machines. These in-mold labeling robots generally have two functions such as placing the label in the mold before plastic injection and removing the product from the mold after molding. In-mold labeling robots positioned near the plastic injection machine include a robotic arm extending towards the middle of the injection mold on the mechanism. This robotic arm extends between the injection molds via connecting parts. The robotic arm places the labels, which it has previously taken on the relevant area on the mold. While doing this, it takes the printed product from the other side of the mold and returns to its original position through the molds. In this way, the robotic arm extends from the in-mold labeling robot between each injection mold press and is retracted between the molds.

In robotic mechanisms used in current in-mold labeling method applications; The labeling robot is used next to the injection machine as a separate unit from the plastic injection machine. The plastic injection machine and the in-mold labeling robot are operated in an integrated manner depending on a certain automation application created by the manufacturer according to the packaging produced. The beam, which slides the movement of the robotic arm used in the labeling robot, ends behind the molds on the plastic injection machine. In this case, the robotic arm reaches between the injection molds by reaching forward by means of the connection apparatus that provides its connection with the motion beam. The robotic arm also enables the labeled product to be removed from the mold with in-mold labeling. The most important problem encountered here is this; The robotic arm has to work at a certain arm length from the connection point. This distance between the robotic arm and its connection point to the beam creates a tension on the arm. This situation negatively affects the stable operation of the robotic arm. Vibration caused by the tension generated during operation on the robotic arm; oscillation and similar instabilities cause a decrease in efficiency in the in-mold labeling method with micron sensitivity. In addition, the tension on the robotic arm increases the energy consumption and causes high production costs.

In the patent document numbered EP3180250B1 , in-mold labeling technology is mentioned. In this technology, in-mold labeling technology is used in the production of plastic packaging by plastic injection or blow molding method. When the related document is examined, it is seen that the labeling arm located on the in-mold labeling mechanism enters and leaves between the molds by means of a specific connection arm. The tension to be transferred to the labeling arm over the related connection arm causes the above-mentioned negativities to occur.

With the aim of eliminating the stable working problems encountered in robotic mechanisms used in in-mold labeling; the subject of the invention, the details of which will be explained in the following description, has been revealed by our experts by carrying out the necessary studies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order to increase the working stability of robotic mechanisms used for in-mold labeling (IML) during plastic injection, which constitutes a large part of packaging production; In-mold labeling robotic mechanism with fixed connection, which is the subject of invention, has been developed by our experts.

In the developed in-mold labeling robotic mechanism, a fixed connection is obtained between the robotic mechanism chassis (2) and the plastic injection machine (1 ) through the connection support arm (2.3). Thus, the angle differences that may occur during operation between the chassis (2) of the in mold labeling robotic mechanism with a precise working range and the plastic injection machine (1) are eliminated. Thus, the working stability of the robotic mechanism is increased.

In the developed fixed-connected in-mold labeling robotic mechanism, the arm movement beam (2.1 ) that bears the movement of the labeling robotic arm (3) continues along the plastic injection molds. Thus, the labeling robotic arm (3) remains connected to the movement beam (2.1) from the center of gravity region throughout the labeling process.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1. In-Mold Labeling Robotic Mechanism Connection View

The part numbers given in the figures are given below.

1 . Plastic Injection Machine

1 .1 . Injection Mold Connection Plate

1 .2. Mold Plate

1 .3. Centering Pin

2. Robotic Mechanism Chassis

2.1. Arm Movement Beam

2.2. Connection Support Plate

2.3. Connection Support Arm 2.4. Machine Connection Plate

2.5. Beam Connection Clamp 3. Labeling Robotic Arm

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The fixed connection in mold labeling robotic mechanism of the invention works as follows; The mechanism includes at least one arm movement beam

(2.1 ), at least one connection support arm (2.3), at least one machine connection plate (2.4), Robotic mechanism chassis (2) containing at least one beam connection clamp (2.5), and the parts of the labeling robotic arm (3) on which the linear movement of the plastic injection machine (1 ) along the horizontal direction of the mold plates (1 .2) is borne by the arm movement beam (2.1 ).

The robotic mechanism chassis (2) developed in the fixed connection in mold labeling robotic mechanism includes the injection mold connection plates

(1.1) located on the plastic injection machine (1 ) and the arm movement beam

(2.1) continuing along the horizontal direction of the mold plates (1 .2).

The robotic mechanism chassis (2) developed in the fixed connection in mold labeling robotic mechanism includes at least one connection support plate

(2.2) that allows the chassis (2) to be connected with the plastic injection machine (1)-

The robotic mechanism chassis (2) developed in the fixed connection in mold labeling robotic mechanism includes at least one connection support arm

(2.3) that provides a fixed connection between the plastic injection machine (1 ) and the chassis (2).

The robotic mechanism chassis (2) developed in the fixed connection in mold labeling robotic mechanism includes at least one machine connection plate

(2.4) that provides the connection of the connection support arm (2.3) on the plastic injection machine (1 ).

The robotic mechanism chassis (2) developed in the fixed connection in mold labeling robotic mechanism includes at least one beam connection clamp

(2.5) connected to the centering pin (1.3) on the plastic injection machine (1 ) of the arm movement beam (2.1 ). The robotic mechanism chassis (2) developed in the fixed connection in mold labeling robotic mechanism is connected to the plastic injection machine (1) via the connection support arm (2.3) connected to the chassis (2) with the connection support plate (2.2). The connection of the connection support arm (2.3) on the plastic injection machine (1 ) is provided by the machine connection plate (2.4). The machine connection plate (2.4) is connected on the injection mold connection plate (1.1 ) located on the plastic injection machine (1 ). Thus, a fixed connection is obtained between the robotic mechanism chassis (2) and the plastic injection machine (1). This connection is made between the robotic mechanism chassis (2) and the plastic injection machine (1 ) and provides easy assembly and disassembly. Thus, working position differences that may occur between the plastic injection machine (1 ) and the robotic mechanism chassis (2) are eliminated against vibration, oscillation and similar physical stresses that occur during plastic injection.

Linear movement takes place between the arm movement beam, the labeling robotic arm, the labeling mechanism chassis and the plastic injection mold plates and along the horizontal direction of the mold plates on the robotic mechanism chassis (2), which is developed in the fixed connection in-mold labeling robotic mechanism. The arm movement beam (2.1 ), which guides this linear movement of the labeling robotic arm (3), starts from the inner part of the robotic mechanism chassis (2) and continues along the horizontal direction of the mold plates connected on the injection mold connection plates (1 .1 ) on the plastic injection machine (1 ). The robotic mechanism chassis (2) is located on the plastic injection machine (1 ) by means of the connection equipment and the arm movement beam (2.1 ) which is connected to the chassis (2) and continues along the mold plates (1.2) and connected to the centering pins (1.3). Consequently, the arm movement beam (2.1) is provided to make a stable bearing between the robotic mechanism chassis (2) and the plastic injection machine (1). The developed beam connection clamps (2.5) are produced in the form of clamps and can be easily removed and installed on the centering pins (1 .3) on the plastic injection machine (1) thanks to simple bolt connections. Thus, assembly and disassembly of the robotic mechanism chassis can be achieved with a minimum of time loss.

Plastic injection mold plates (1.2), which are located in the robotic mechanism chassis (2) developed in the fixed connection in-mold labeling robotic mechanism and the arm movement beam (2.1 ) continuing along their horizontal direction; enables the labeling robotic arm (3), in which the linear movement between the robotic mechanism chassis (2) and the plastic injection mold plates (1.2) is guided, to move from the continuous center of gravity region depending on the movement beam (2.1). Thus, when the labeling robotic arm (3) places the label taken from the robotic mechanism chassis (2) into the required area inside the plastic injection mold plate (1 .2) and takes the printed product from the mold plate (1.2) from the mold, no arm tension is created on the mechanism. Thus, during the in-mold labeling process that requires high precision, the labeling robotic arm (3) is provided to work with high stability. In addition, by removing the stresses that may occur on the labeling robotic arm (3) during in-mold labeling, the energy consumption is significantly reduced.

Claims

1. A fixed connection in-mold labeling robotic mechanism developed for in-mold labeling of the product produced in the injection mold for the plastic injection method, which is widely used in plastic packaging production, characterized in that; consists of the robotic mechanism chassis (2) containing at least one arm movement beam (2.1), at least one connection support arm (2.3), at least one machine connection plate (2.4), at least one beam connection clamp (2.5) and the labeling robotic arm (3), which is guided by the linear movement of the plastic injection machine (1) along the horizontal direction of the mold plates (1.2) by the arm movement beam (2.1 ).

2. A fixed connection in-mold labeling robotic mechanism according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the arm movement beam (2.1) on the robotic mechanism chassis (2) is the part that continues along the horizontal direction of the injection mold connection plates (1.1) and mold plates (1.2) located on the plastic injection machine (1).

3. A fixed connection in-mold labeling robotic mechanism according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the arm movement beam (2.1) on the robotic mechanism chassis (2) is the part that bears the linear movement of the robotic arm (3) along the horizontal direction of the plastic injection machine (1) mold plates (1.2).

4. A fixed connection in-mold labeling robotic mechanism according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the said connection support plate (2.2) on the robotic mechanism chassis (2) is the part that allows the chassis (2) to be connected with the plastic injection machine (1).

5. A fixed connection in-mold labeling robotic mechanism according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the said connection support arm (2.3) on the robotic mechanism chassis (2) is the part that provides the fixed connection between the plastic injection machine (1) and the chassis (2).

6. A fixed connection in-mold labeling robotic mechanism according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the said connection support arm (2.3) on the robotic mechanism chassis (2) is the part connected to the robotic mechanism chassis (2) via the connection support plate (2.2).

7. A fixed connection in-mold labeling robotic mechanism according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the machine connection plate (2.4) on the robotic mechanism chassis (2) is the part that provides the connection of the connection support arm (2.3) on the plastic injection machine (1).

8. A fixed connection in-mold labeling robotic mechanism according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the machine connection plate (2.4) on the robotic mechanism chassis (2) is the part connected to the injection mold connection plate (1.1) located on the plastic injection machine (1 )·

9. A fixed connection in-mold labeling robotic mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that; the part that connects the said beam connection clamp (2.5) on the robotic mechanism chassis (2) to the centering pin (1.3) on the plastic injection machine (1) of the arm movement beam (2.1).

10. A fixed connection in-mold labeling robotic mechanism according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the beam connection clamp (2.5) mentioned on the robotic mechanism chassis (2) is connected to the centering pins (1.3) on the plastic injection machine (1) in the form of a clamp and bolt connection.

11. A fixed connection in-mold labeling robotic mechanism according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the labeling robotic arm (3) is a part that moves in accordance with the movement beam (2.1) continuously from the center of gravity region by bearing the arm movement beam (2.1) along the horizontal direction of the plastic injection machine (1) mold plates (1.2).

12. A fixed connection in-mold labeling robotic mechanism according to claim 1 , characterized in that; the labeling robotic arm (3) places the label, which it takes from the robotic mechanism chassis (2), into the required area inside the plastic injection mold plate (1.2) and it is connected from the center of gravity region to the movement beam (2.1) so that it can work stably without any arm tension when it takes the printed product from the mold plate (1.2) from the mold.