WO2024110836A1 - Appareil et procédé d'étiquetage - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé d'étiquetage Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2024110836A1
WO2024110836A1 PCT/IB2023/061682 IB2023061682W WO2024110836A1 WO 2024110836 A1 WO2024110836 A1 WO 2024110836A1 IB 2023061682 W IB2023061682 W IB 2023061682W WO 2024110836 A1 WO2024110836 A1 WO 2024110836A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
web
cutting
gluing
roller
transfer carousel
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2023/061682
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Maurizio Pedercini
Paolo LANFREDI SOFIA
Alessandro Gazzini
Original Assignee
Sacmi Verona S.P.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sacmi Verona S.P.A. filed Critical Sacmi Verona S.P.A.
Publication of WO2024110836A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024110836A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/20—Gluing the labels or articles
    • B65C9/22—Gluing the labels or articles by wetting, e.g. by applying liquid glue or a liquid to a dry glue coating
    • B65C9/2247—Gluing the labels or articles by wetting, e.g. by applying liquid glue or a liquid to a dry glue coating using liquid rollers or bands
    • B65C9/2256—Applying the liquid on the label
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/08—Label feeding
    • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
    • B65C9/1803—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels being cut from a strip
    • B65C9/1815—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels being cut from a strip and transferred by suction means
    • B65C9/1819—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels being cut from a strip and transferred by suction means the suction means being a vacuum drum
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/40—Controls; Safety devices
    • B65C9/42—Label feed control
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/08—Label feeding
    • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
    • B65C9/1803—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels being cut from a strip
    • B65C2009/1834—Details of cutting means

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a labelling apparatus and to a labelling method, for applying labels to the surface of containers.
  • Labelling is typical of the beverage industry and other industries where labels need to be provided with glue so that they can be applied to surfaces in a continuous-cycle industrial process.
  • the labels are obtained from a web that is wound on a roll.
  • the roll is then cut to obtain the labels to be applied to the containers.
  • the web is transported by a drum which is provided with anvils, and is cut by one or more rotating knives, mounted on a cutting roller, which interact with the anvils to cut the web, interposed between the knife and the anvil, by pressure cutting.
  • a drum which is provided with anvils
  • a cutting roller which interact with the anvils to cut the web, interposed between the knife and the anvil, by pressure cutting.
  • This disclosure has for an aim to provide a labelling apparatus and method to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.
  • the aim of this disclosure is to provide a labelling apparatus and method allowing the web to be glued and cut after being unwound and then applying the labels with an apparatus that is particularly reduced in size.
  • Another aim of the disclosure is to (glue and) cut the labels in a particularly simple, robust and reliable manner.
  • the purpose of the labelling apparatus is essentially that of providing a succession of labels with glue on them and intended to be applied to respective containers.
  • the labels are made from a polymeric material, but they could be made from other materials.
  • the labels are obtained by cutting a web in such a way that each cut separates a piece of web from the web itself, where each piece defines a label.
  • the labels are rectangular in shape because the cut is perpendicular to the web; embodiments in which the labels have a different shape (for example, rhomboidal) are not excluded, however.
  • Each label is provided with glue on a leading end zone and a trailing end zone of it; thus, each piece (defining a corresponding label) has a leading end zone and a trailing end zone which are provided with glue the moment it is ready to be applied to the container.
  • the apparatus comprises a feed roller.
  • the feed roller has the function of applying an entraining action on the web; for this purpose, the web is at least partly wound around the feed roller.
  • the feed roller rotates about a vertical axis.
  • the labelling apparatus also comprises a gluing roller.
  • the gluing roller has the function of spreading glue on the surface of the web; more specifically, on surfaces of the web intended to define the leading end and trailing end zones provided with glue.
  • the gluing roller rotates about a vertical axis.
  • the labelling apparatus also comprises a cutting roller.
  • the cutting roller has the function of cutting the web to separate the pieces.
  • the cutting roller is provided with at least one knife configured for cutting the web.
  • the at least one knife rotates as one with the cutting roller. In an example, the cutting roller rotates about a vertical axis.
  • the labelling apparatus also comprises a transfer carousel.
  • the transfer carousel has the function of defining a web movement path, along which the web is kept adherent to the transfer carousel (for example, on a lateral surface of the transfer carousel).
  • the web interacts with the cutting roller in a cutting zone along the movement path; thus, the transfer carousel has the function of interacting with the cutting roller to cut the pieces.
  • the web also interacts with the gluing roller in a gluing zone along the movement path; the transfer carousel, therefore, also has the function of interacting with the gluing roller to apply glue to the surfaces of the web.
  • the transfer carousel receives the web from the feed roller in a loading zone.
  • the transfer carousel is configured to make the cut (and glued) labels available at the exit, in an unloading zone.
  • the movement path also includes a stretch that is positioned downstream of the cutting zone.
  • the movement path is a path for moving the web as far as the cutting zone, after which, downstream of the cutting zone, it is a path for moving the pieces of web, that is to say, the labels.
  • the transfer carousel along the movement path downstream of the cutting zone, cooperates with a labelling machine (or a central carousel) to transfer the labels onto the containers (in the unloading zone); thus, the transfer carousel also has the function of transferring the cut and glued labels to the containers (which are on the labelling machine and moving along a respective container movement path; for example, the labelling machine may be a rotary machine).
  • the unloading zone is angularly spaced from the loading zone along a web movement path.
  • the gluing zone and the cutting zone are angularly interposed between the loading zone and the unloading zone with respect to the web movement path.
  • the gluing zone precedes the cutting zone in the feed direction of the web from the loading zone to the unloading zone. It is also possible that the cutting zone precedes the gluing zone in the feed direction; an example of this specific case is provided by the patent document IT102023000014994 by the same Applicant, here incorporated by reference.
  • the transfer carousel includes a plurality of suction protrusion arrangements (suction pads or shoes), angularly distributed along a periphery of the transfer carousel.
  • Each suction protrusion arrangement may comprise one suction protrusion (that is, a single suction protrusion) or it may comprise a pair of suction protrusions (that is, one gluing suction protrusion and one cutting suction protrusion).
  • first embodiment comprising one (single) suction protrusion
  • second embodiment comprising a pair of suction protrusions (for each suction protrusion arrangement).
  • the plurality of suction protrusion arrangement is located on the transfer carousel.
  • the plurality of suction protrusion arrangement is configured to move together with the transfer carousel.
  • the transfer carousel can rotate around an axis of rotation, for example at a constant speed.
  • the plurality of suction protrusion arrangement is configured to move (around the axis of rotation) at a speed equal to the speed of the transfer carousel.
  • Each protrusion of the suction protrusion arrangement is provided with a recess (oriented radially, that is to say, a radial recess).
  • the recess divides each suction protrusion into two portions, or expansions, so that each suction protrusion includes a leading expansion and a trailing expansion, the recess being interposed between the leading expansion and the trailing expansion.
  • the leading expansion and the trailing expansion project radially from the periphery of the transfer carousel, away from the axis of rotation of the transfer carousel.
  • the leading expansion precedes the trailing expansion in the rotation direction of the transfer carousel.
  • each suction protrusion of the suction protrusion arrangement includes a pair of portions (or expansion) and a recess, the recess being interposed between the expansions, the expansion being provided on a same body.
  • each suction protrusion comprises a body having a pair of expansions and a recess interposed between the two expansions.
  • the transfer carousel is configured to keep the web (received from the feed roller in the loading zone) adherent to one or more of the suction protrusion arrangements.
  • the transfer carousel is also configured to hold the labels with the suction protrusions, while bringing the labels into contact with corresponding bottles.
  • the rotation of the cutting roller and the rotation of the transfer carousel are synchronized so that the at least one knife of the cutting roller is inserted cyclically into the recesses of the suction protrusion arrangements in order to cut the web.
  • the interaction between the knife of the cutting roller and the recesses of the suction protrusion arrangements of the transfer carousel takes place during a step of cutting.
  • the web is cut during the step of cutting to separate a piece of it.
  • the rotation of the gluing roller is synchronized with the rotation of the transfer carousel so that the gluing roller cooperates with the suction protrusion arrangements of the transfer carousel to apply glue on the zones of the web corresponding to the leading end zones and the trailing end zones of the labels.
  • the interaction between the gluing roller and the suction protrusion arrangements of the transfer carousel takes place during a step of gluing.
  • the glue is applied to the web to make the glue (or adhesive) zones of the web during the step of gluing.
  • each suction protrusion arrangement of the plurality of suction protrusion arrangements comprises one suction protrusion (that is, a single suction protrusion); in this case, the suction protrusion preferably interacts with the gluing roller and also with the cutting roller, that is to say, the gluing roller and the cutting roller are configured to interact with the same suction protrusion.
  • each suction protrusion arrangement of the plurality of suction protrusion arrangements comprises one gluing suction protrusion and one cutting suction protrusion (defining a pair of suction protrusions); the gluing suction protrusion is configured for interacting with the gluing roller during a step of gluing, and the cutting suction protrusion is configured for interacting with the cutting roller during a step of cutting.
  • the knife has a first end and a second end, opposite to the first; preferably, the first end of the knife is operatively in contact with the web.
  • the knife has a first side extending between the first end and the second end of the knife, and a second side extending between the first end and the second end of the knife, the second side being opposite to the first side.
  • the cutting edge is preferably located at the first end of the knife.
  • an angle 0 formed by a plane passing through the rotation axis of the transfer carousel and the rotation axis of the cutting roller and one side (either the first side or the second side) of the knife, evaluated with the knife penetrating into the recess is between -45° and +45°, preferably between -20° and 20°, more preferably between -15° and 15°.
  • 0 is comprised between -20° and -15° or 20° and 15°. It is noted that the angle 0 represents the inclination of the knife relative to a plane passing through the rotation axis of the cutting roller and the rotation axis of the transfer carousel.
  • the apparatus also includes a control unit.
  • synchronizing may be accomplished by (exclusively) mechanical systems. Synchronizing, however, is preferably accomplished through the control unit, also because the cutting roller, the gluing roller and the transfer carousel each include their own drive motor unit, configured to set them in rotation about the respective axes of rotation.
  • control unit is connected to the gluing roller, to the cutting roller and to the transfer carousel (that is, to the motor drive units of the gluing roller, cutting roller and transfer carousel) to synchronize their respective rotations, so that the gluing roller cooperates with the suction protrusion arrangements of the transfer carousel to apply glue at the leading and trailing expansions, and so that the at least one knife of the cutting roller is inserted cyclically into the recesses of the suction protrusion arrangements in order to cut the web.
  • the gluing roller is configured to apply the glue (that is to say, the gluing roller is configured to cooperate with the suction protrusion arrangements of the transfer carousel to apply the glue) and the cutting roller is configured to cut a label from the web (that is, at least one knife of the cutting roller is inserted into a recess of the suction protrusion arrangements to cut a label from the web).
  • a working cycle comprises a step of gluing and a step of cutting a label from the web.
  • the transfer carousel rotates at a constant angular speed. That way, even a peripheral speed of the transfer carousel (that is, the peripheral speed of the zone of the transfer carousel adapted to receive and keep the web adherent to it) is constant.
  • the angular speed of the transfer carousel is variable (from one working cycle to the next working cycle or in the same working cycle), for example, as a function of a production speed of the apparatus or, more specifically, as a function of an angular speed of a central carousel, configured to receive a plurality of bottles and to interact with the transfer carousel to bring the cut labels into contact with the bottles.
  • the feed roller may be configured to vary its rotation speed, in the same working cycle, between a maximum value and a minimum value (that is, a value that is reduced or less than the maximum value).
  • the control unit may be programmed to vary the rotation speed of the feed roller (preferably in the same working cycle) between the maximum value and the minimum value.
  • the maximum speed of the feed roller is set to impart to the web a movement speed that is equal to the peripheral speed of the transfer carousel.
  • the movement speed imparted to the web by the feed roller coincides with the peripheral speed of the transfer carousel.
  • the movement speed imparted to the web by the feed roller is less than the peripheral speed of the transfer carousel; this produces sliding, causing the transfer carousel (which is moving at a higher speed along the movement path) and the web, kept adherent to it (and moving more slowly, also along the movement path), to slide (that is, to slip) relative to each other.
  • the rotation of the feed roller is synchronized (that is, in phase) with the rotations of the transfer carousel (in other words, the control unit is programmed to coordinate the rotations), of the gluing roller and of the cutting roller, so that the feed roller has its maximum speed during the steps of gluing and cutting; also, the rotation of the feed roller is synchronized (that is, in phase) so that the feed roller has its minimum speed in a decelerated time interval that follows the step of cutting a label (and precedes the step of cutting the next label); preferably, the decelerated time interval is placed temporally between the step of cutting a label and the step of gluing in the next cycle.
  • the decelerated time interval is placed temporally between the step of gluing a label and the step of cutting the label.
  • the speed of the feed roller may adopt a first minimum speed in a first decelerated time interval, placed temporally between the step of gluing and the step of cutting a label, and a second minimum speed in a second decelerated time interval, placed temporally between the step of cutting the label and a step of gluing a label in a subsequent working cycle.
  • the decelerated time interval comprises the first decelerated time interval and the second decelerated time interval.
  • minimum comprises both the case in which the minimum is relative, and the case in which the minimum is absolute (for example, the first minimum speed may be a relative minimum and the second minimum speed may be an absolute minimum, or vice versa).
  • the feed roller produces sliding between the web, positioned in contact with the periphery of the transfer carousel, and the transfer carousel itself.
  • the rotation of the feed roller is synchronized (that is, in phase) with the rotations of the transfer carousel (in other words, the control unit is programmed to coordinate the rotations) so that at the end of the decelerated time interval, when the speed of the feed roller is again at its maximum, the web is positioned on the transfer carousel with a portion of the web to be cut located at the recess of one of the suction protrusion arrangements.
  • the suction protrusion arrangements are disposed along the periphery of the transfer carousel so that two consecutive suction protrusion arrangements are spaced by an arc that is greater than the length of the labels (the pieces of web constituting the labels have a predetermined length).
  • the sliding resulting from the slowing down of the feed roller relative to the transfer carousel has the effect of spacing the piece just cut from the rest of the web (because while the web slows down, the cut piece continues to move as one with the transfer carousel).
  • the sliding resulting from the slowing down of the feed roller relative to the transfer carousel has the effect of repositioning the web correctly relative to the next portion of web to be glued and cut so that this portion is aligned with the next suction protrusion arrangement.
  • the gluing roller is configured to interact with the suction protrusion arrangements to apply the glue on the surfaces of the web at the leading and trailing expansions (without applying any glue on the web portion interposed between the leading end and trailing end zones, that is, in the zone of the web facing the recess of the suction protrusion) so that each piece has a leading end zone and a trailing end zone that are provided with glue (and has no glue on the web portion interposed between the two glue zones, that web portion being the portion that will receive the cut).
  • glue is spread on two zones (that is, on a pair of zones) that are close to each other but separated by a gap along the movement direction of the web, these zones of the pair of zones corresponding to the trailing end portion of one piece and the leading end portion of the next piece; in effect, the cut is made after the step of gluing in the zone of the web interposed between the two glue zones of the pair.
  • leading expansion and the trailing expansion are suction expansions; for example, the leading expansion and the trailing expansion are provided with suction ducts connected to a compressor or to a vacuum source.
  • each suction protrusion is configured to produce a sucking action (also) in the recess.
  • This sucking action in the zone where the recess is has the function of tensioning the portion of web positioned at the recess.
  • Tensioning the web in the zone where the web is to be cut has the advantage of improving the quality of the cut in a particularly simple manner.
  • Alternative solutions for obtaining the tensioning effect on the portion of web facing the recess are also imaginable: for example, the two expansions of the suction protrusion may oscillate towards and away from each other along the movement path.
  • each suction protrusion arrangement of the plurality of suction protrusion arrangements comprises a gluing suction protrusion, to interact with the gluing roller, and a cutting suction protrusion, to interact with the cutting roller
  • the feed roller is configured to produce a first sliding action between the web and the transfer carousel, in the first decelerated time interval, and a second sliding action between the web and the transfer carousel, in the second decelerated time interval, so that at the end of the second decelerated time interval, the web is positioned on the transfer carousel with the portion of web to be cut located at the recess of a cutting suction protrusion.
  • This disclosure also provides a labelling method.
  • the method comprises a step of feeding a web (the web being made from a label material).
  • the step of feeding the web is carried out by a feed roller.
  • the method also comprises a step of cutting the web to divide the web into pieces of web that form the labels.
  • the step of cutting is carried out by a cutting roller on which at least one knife is mounted.
  • the method also comprises a step of gluing, that is a step of applying glue to surfaces of the web.
  • the step of gluing is carried out preferably by a gluing roller.
  • the method also comprises a step of moving the web along a movement path.
  • This movement is carried out by means of a transfer carousel.
  • the transfer carousel receives the web (from the feed roller) in a loading zone and keeps it adherent as the web moves along a movement path.
  • the step of cutting is carried out during step of moving the web along a movement path. More specifically, the transfer carousel interacts with the cutting roller in a cutting zone.
  • the cutting zone is positioned downstream of the loading zone with respect to the web movement path.
  • the transfer carousel transports the pieces cut from the web up to an unloading zone; thus, the movement path has a first stretch (upstream of the cutting zone), where the web is uncut, and a second stretch (downstream of the cutting zone), where the labels are.
  • the step of gluing is carried out during step of moving the web along a movement path. More specifically, the transfer carousel interacts with the gluing roller in a gluing zone.
  • the gluing zone (like the cutting zone) is positioned downstream of the loading zone.
  • the gluing zone and the cutting zone are positioned upstream of the unloading zone.
  • the gluing zone and the cutting zone are angularly interposed between the loading zone and the unloading zone with respect to the web movement path.
  • the labels are transferred to a labelling machine (or central carousel); for example, the labelling machine includes a labelling carousel and the labels are transferred to the labelling carousel, that is, directly onto the bottle transported by the labelling carousel.
  • a labelling machine or central carousel
  • the labelling machine includes a labelling carousel and the labels are transferred to the labelling carousel, that is, directly onto the bottle transported by the labelling carousel.
  • the transfer carousel includes a plurality of suction protrusion arrangements, angularly distributed along a periphery of the transfer carousel.
  • each suction protrusion arrangement may comprise one suction protrusion (that is, a single suction protrusion) or, in a (second) embodiment, it may comprise a pair of suction protrusions (that is, one gluing suction protrusion and one cutting suction protrusion).
  • Each suction protrusion of the suction protrusion arrangements may be provided with a corresponding recess.
  • the plurality of suction protrusion arrangement is located on the transfer carousel.
  • the plurality of suction protrusion arrangement moves together with the transfer carousel.
  • the transfer carousel can rotate around an axis of rotation, for example at a constant speed.
  • the plurality of suction protrusion arrangement moves (around the axis of rotation) at a speed equal to the speed of the transfer carousel.
  • each suction protrusion of the suction protrusion arrangement includes a pair of portions (or expansion) and a recess, the recess being interposed between the expansions, the expansion being provided on a same body.
  • each suction protrusion comprises a body having a pair of expansions and a recess interposed between the two expansions.
  • the web As the web moves along the movement path, the web (or each piece of web) is kept adherent to one or more suction protrusion arrangements (from the loading zone to the unloading zone).
  • the method comprises synchronizing the steps of moving (on the transfer carousel) and cutting.
  • the method comprises synchronizing the steps of moving, cutting and feeding. More preferably, the method comprises synchronizing the steps of moving, cutting, feeding and gluing.
  • the rotation of the cutting roller and the rotation of the transfer carousel are synchronized so that the at least one knife of the cutting roller is inserted cyclically into the recesses of the suction protrusion arrangements in order to cut the web.
  • the rotations of the gluing roller and of the transfer carousel are synchronized so that the gluing roller applies glue on the surfaces of the web positioned at the suction protrusion arrangements of the transfer carousel.
  • the transfer carousel rotates at a constant angular speed.
  • the peripheral speed of the transfer carousel is also constant.
  • the gluing roller applies the glue and the cutting roller cuts a label from the web.
  • the transfer carousel can rotate at a constant angular speed, so that the peripheral speed of the transfer carousel is constant.
  • the feed roller can vary its rotation speed, for example, in a working cycle, between a maximum value, where the movement speed it imparts to the web is equal to the peripheral speed of the transfer carousel, and a minimum value.
  • the speed of the feed roller varies periodically according to a predetermined curve, defining a period that corresponds to (that is, depends on) the working cycle of the apparatus.
  • the period (which is a time interval) of the feed roller speed includes a synchronous phase (that is, a synchronous time interval), where the rotation speed has a maximum value, and a decelerated phase (that is a decelerated time interval), where the rotation speed of the feed roller is less than the maximum speed.
  • the minimum value of the rotation speed of the feed roller is adopted in the decelerated time interval.
  • the feed roller produces sliding between the web, positioned in contact with the periphery of the transfer carousel, and the transfer carousel itself.
  • the web is positioned on the transfer carousel with the portion of web to be cut located at the recess of one of the suction protrusion arrangements and the web resumes moving synchronously with the movement of the transfer carousel.
  • each suction protrusion arrangement comprises one (single) suction protrusion which interacts with both the gluing roller in the step of applying the glue and with the cutting roller in the step of cutting.
  • each suction protrusion arrangement comprises a gluing suction protrusion, to interact with the gluing roller in the step of applying the glue, and a cutting suction protrusion, to interact with the cutting roller in the step of cutting.
  • the feed roller In the first decelerated time interval, the feed roller produces a first sliding action between the transfer carousel and the web positioned in contact with the periphery of the transfer carousel. At the end of the first decelerated time interval (in the synchronous time interval), the web is positioned on the transfer carousel with the portion of web to be cut located at the recess of one of the suction protrusion arrangements and the web resumes moving synchronously with the movement of the transfer carousel in the step of cutting. In the second decelerated time interval, the feed roller produces a second sliding action between the transfer carousel and the web.
  • the web is positioned on the transfer carousel with the portion of web to be glued located at the recess of one of the suction protrusion arrangements and the web resumes moving synchronously with the movement of the transfer carousel in the step of gluing.
  • the step of gluing precedes the step of cutting; in any case, the steps of cutting and gluing are carried out during the synchronous time interval (in the context of the period of varying the speed of the feed roller).
  • the method comprises a step of generating a negative pressure in the recess, for example, by air suction in the recess; this causes the portion of web positioned at the recess during the step of cutting to be tensioned.
  • FIG. 1 and 2A and 2B show an apparatus 1 according to one or more aspects of this disclosure
  • FIG. 3 shows a cutting roller 13 interacting with a transfer carousel 14 according to one or more aspects of this disclosure
  • FIG. 4 shows an apparatus 1 according to one or more aspects of this disclosure
  • FIG. 5 shows an apparatus 1 according to one or more aspects of this disclosure
  • FIGS. 6A-6D show an operating sequence of an apparatus 1 according to one or more aspects of this disclosure
  • FIG. 7A and 7B show a graph of a rotation speed of a feed roller 11 according to one or more aspects of this disclosure
  • FIG. 8 shows an apparatus 1 according to one or more aspects of this disclosure.
  • the numeral 1 in the drawings denotes a labelling apparatus.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a feed roller 11 , a gluing roller 12, a cutting roller 13 and a transfer carousel 14.
  • the feed roller 11 , gluing roller 12, cutting roller 13 and transfer carousel 14 each rotate about a respective axis of rotation.
  • the apparatus 1 also comprises a first roll 15A and a second roll 15B, each consisting of a web 2 of label material wound on a reel.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a film buffer (or rocker arm) 16, configured to receive the unwound web 2 from the first roll 15A or from the second roll 15B.
  • the film buffer 16 receives the web 2 unwound from the first roll 15A, while the second roll 15B remains on standby, or vice versa, that is to say, the film buffer 16 receives the web 2 unwound from the second roll 15B, while the first roll 15B remains on standby.
  • the function of the film buffer 16 is to keep the tension of the web 2 constant.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a web guide 17, configured to receive the tensioned web 2 from the film buffer 16 and to orient and align the web 2 to be fed to the feed roller 11 .
  • the feed roller 11 receives the web from the web guide 17 and feeds the web 2 to the transfer carousel 14, in a loading zone C.
  • the gluing roller 12 is configured to interact with the transfer carousel 14 to spread glue on the surfaces of the web 2, in a gluing zone I.
  • the cutting roller 13 includes a knife 130 configured to interact with the transfer carousel 14 to cut the web 2 so as to divide the web 2 into pieces constituting labels 20, in a cutting zone T.
  • the transfer carousel 14 thus receives the web 2 from the feed roller 11 in the loading zone C; it then interacts with the gluing roller 12 in the gluing zone I to apply glue to the web 2, and with the cutting roller 13 in the cutting zone T to divide the web 2 into labels 20.
  • the apparatus 1 comprises a central carousel 18, rotating about an axis of its own, an infeed station 18A for a plurality of bottles 21 to be labelled, and an outfeed station 18B for the plurality of bottles 21 after being labelled.
  • the central carousel 18 is configured to receive the plurality of bottles 21 from the infeed station 18A.
  • the transfer carousel 14 also interacts with the central carousel 18 to bring the cut labels 20 into contact with corresponding bottles 21 , in an unloading zone S.
  • the central carousel 18 is also configured to transfer the plurality of labelled bottles 21 to the outfeed station 18B.
  • the web 2 moves along a movement path, passing through the loading zone C, the gluing zone I and the cutting zone T, where it is cut into labels 20 which are then applied to the bottles 21 in the unloading zone S.
  • the transfer carousel 14 includes a plurality of suction protrusion arrangements 140.
  • the suction protrusion arrangements 140 are angularly distributed around a periphery of the transfer carousel 14.
  • Each suction protrusion of the suction protrusion arrangements 140 comprises a recess MOR, a leading expansion MOT and a trailing expansion 140C.
  • the recess MOR is interposed between the leading expansion MOT and the trailing expansion 140C and is oriented radially, while the leading expansion MOT and the trailing expansion 140C project radially from the periphery of the transfer carousel 14 away from the axis of rotation of the transfer carousel 14.
  • the leading expansion MOT precedes the trailing expansion 140C.
  • the leading expansion MOT and the trailing expansion 140C are provided with suction ducts connected to a compressor or to a vacuum source to produce a sucking action by which the web 2 (and the separate labels 20) is kept adherent to the periphery of the transfer carousel along part of the movement path; more specifically, the suction keeps the web adherent to the suction protrusion arrangements 140.
  • each suction protrusion arrangement 140 performs three functions; a first function, through the suction ducts, is that of keeping the web 2 adherent to the transfer carousel 14.
  • a second function is that of cooperating with the gluing roller 12 in a step of gluing so that the glue is applied to the zones of the web 2 which are in contact with the leading expansion MOT and the trailing expansion 140C; more specifically, the leading expansion MOT applies glue on a trailing end zone 20B of the label 20 and the trailing expansion 140C applies glue on the leading end zone 20A of the label 20 following it in the feed direction of the web 2 on the transfer carousel.
  • the third function is that of cooperating with the cutting roller 13 in a step of cutting in such a way that the knife 130 of the cutting roller 13 is inserted into the recess MOR of the suction protrusion 140 to divide the web 2 into labels 20. More specifically, the knife 130 separates the trailing end zone 20B of a label 20 from the leading end zone 20A of the label 20 following it by cutting the web 2 in a separating zone 20S between the trailing end zone 20B and the leading end zone 20A of the label 20 following it.
  • the cutting roller 13 comprises a knife 130 having a first end and a second end, opposite to the first, wherein the first end of the knife 130 is operatively in contact with the web 2.
  • the knife 130 has a first side extending between the first end and the second end of the knife 130, and a second side extending between the first end and the second end of the knife 130, the second side being opposite to the first side.
  • the cutting edge is located at the first end of the knife 130.
  • an angle 0 formed by a plane passing through the rotation axis of the transfer carousel 14 and the rotation axis of the cutting roller 13 and one side (either the first side or the second side) of the knife 130, evaluated with the knife 130 penetrating into the recess MOR is preferably comprised between -20° and -15° or 20° and 15°.
  • each suction protrusion arrangement 140 comprises a single suction protrusion 140 (divided into two expansions, between which there is a recess), configured to interact with both the gluing roller 12 and the cutting roller 13; thus, the suction protrusion 140 performs both the (second) function of gluing and the (third) function of cutting.
  • each suction protrusion arrangement 140 comprises a pair of suction protrusions 140 (each of which is divided into two expansions, with a recess between them), specifically a gluing suction protrusion 140' and a cutting suction protrusion 140".
  • the gluing suction protrusion 140' is configured to interact with the gluing roller 12 in a step of gluing, thus performing the (second) function of gluing.
  • the cutting suction protrusion 140" is configured to interact with the cutting roller 13 in a step of cutting, thus performing the (third) function of cutting.
  • the apparatus 1 therefore cyclically performs a step of gluing the web 2 and a step of cutting the web 2 into labels 20.
  • the transfer carousel 14 also comprises a plurality of suction elements 141 , angularly distributed around the periphery of the transfer carousel 14.
  • the suction elements 141 are spaced from each other and from the suction protrusion arrangements 140.
  • the suction elements 141 protrude from the transfer carousel 14 less than the suction protrusion arrangements 140 do. More specifically, in an embodiment, the suction elements 141 protrude from the transfer carousel 14 less than the single suction protrusions 140 do. In another embodiment, the suction elements 141 protrude from the transfer carousel 14 less than the pair of suction protrusions, or than the gluing suction protrusion 140' and/or than the cutting suction protrusion 140".
  • the suction elements 141 are also provided with suction ducts connected to the compressor or to the vacuum source to produce a sucking action which keeps the web 2 (and the separate labels 20) adherent to the suction elements 141 during transportation along the movement path.
  • each label 20 is characterized by a length I, so that each suction element 141 is spaced from the suction protrusion arrangement 140 following it (in the rotation direction of the transfer carousel 14) by a distance I equal to the length of the label 20.
  • the trailing end zone 20B of the label 20 is held on the transfer carousel 14 by the suction on the leading expansion MOT of a suction protrusion 140 where the cut was made, while the leading end zone 20A of the label 20 is held on the transfer carousel 14 by the suction element 141 preceding the suction protrusion 140 where the cut was made (in the rotation direction of the transfer carousel 14).
  • the suction elements 141 also have the function of transferring to (placing on) the bottle 21 the leading end zone 20A of the label 20 cut from the web 2.
  • the feed roller 1 1 slows down to V a min and then accelerates to return to V a max once again.
  • the time between the instant in which it reaches V a max, runs at a speed equal to V a max, decelerates to V a min and the instant in which it reaches V a max again is called the cycle period T c .
  • the speed V a can vary in a first and a second mode, respectively.
  • the feed roller 11 slows down, while the cut label 20 proceeds along the movement path at the speed of the transfer carousel Vt; in the meantime, the uncut web 2 slides so that the web 2 is repositioned in such a way that the separating zone 20S (that is, the zone between the trailing end zone 20B of the next label 20 to be cut, and the leading end zone 20A of the label 20 next after that) is positioned at the recess MOR of a suction protrusion 140 following the suction protrusion 140 where the cut was made. More specifically, the decelerated time interval Tdec is necessary for the web to cover the distance dl.
  • the feed roller 1 1 slows down to a first minimum speed V a min1 during a first decelerated time interval Tded ; the slowing of the feed roller 11 relative to the transfer carousel 14 produces a first sliding of the web 2 relative to the transfer carousel 14 so that the portion of web where the glue has been applied is positioned at the cutting suction protrusion 140" (specifically, in such a way that the separating zone 20S of the label is positioned at the recess MOR of the cutting suction protrusion 140").
  • the feed roller 11 returns to V a max speed, equal to the speed of the transfer carousel 14 during the step of cutting.
  • the feed roller 11 again slows down, to a second minimum speed V a min2 during a second decelerated time interval Tdec2; during this step, the label 20 just cut proceeds with the transfer carousel 14 and the rest of the web 2 slides in such a way as to be repositioned so that the separating zone 20S (that is, the zone between the trailing end zone 20B of the next label 20 to be cut, and the leading end zone 20A of the label 20 next after that) is positioned at the recess MOR of the gluing suction protrusion 140'.
  • the feed roller 11 feeds the web 2, in continuous form, to the transfer carousel 14 in the loading zone C.
  • the web 2 is transported by the transfer carousel 14 to the gluing zone I, where the gluing roller 12 applies glue to it at the trailing end zone 20B of a label 20 and at the leading end zone 20A of the label 20 following it; in the step of gluing, in particular, the trailing end zone 20B of the label 20 is in contact with the leading expansion MOT of a suction protrusion 140, and the leading end zone 20A is in contact with the trailing expansion 140C of the suction protrusion 140.
  • the web 2 proceeds with the transfer carousel 14 to the cutting zone, where the cutting roller 13 is synchronized in such a way that the knife 130 is inserted into the recess MOR of the suction protrusion 140, between the leading expansion MOT and the trailing expansion 140C to separate the label 20, specifically, to separate the trailing end zone 20B of the label 20 from the leading end zone 20A of the label following it (and then cutting it in the separating zone 20S).
  • the label 20 separated from the web 2 proceeds with the transfer carousel 14 to the unloading zone S, where it is applied to a bottle 21.
  • the trailing end zone 20B of the label 20 is held on the periphery of the transfer carousel 14 thanks to the suction of the leading expansion MOT, while the leading end zone 20A of the label is held on the periphery of the suction element 141 that precedes the suction protrusion 140 where the cut has just been made.
  • the speed V a of the feed roller is kept constantly at its maximum V a max.
  • the feed roller 11 immediately after the step of cutting, slows down to V a min and the web 2 slides on the periphery of the transfer carousel 14 so that the trailing end zone 20B of the label 20 following the one just cut and the leading end zone 20A of the label 20 next after that are positioned at a suction protrusion 140 following the suction protrusion 140 where the cut has just been made (hence, with the separating zone 20S at the recess OR).
  • the speed V a of the feed roller again reaches the maximum speed V a max and the next cycle starts.
  • each cycle comprises a first step F1 comprising the step of gluing and cutting, in which the speed V a of the feed roller is the maximum speed and equal to the speed Vt of the transfer carousel 14, and a second step F2, comprising a step of repositioning in which the speed of the feed roller passes from V a max to V a min and vice versa.
  • first step F1 comprising the step of gluing and cutting, in which the speed V a of the feed roller is the maximum speed and equal to the speed Vt of the transfer carousel 14, and a second step F2, comprising a step of repositioning in which the speed of the feed roller passes from V a max to V a min and vice versa.
  • the feed roller 11 immediately after the step of gluing, slows down to V a min1 and the web 2 slides on the periphery of the transfer carousel 14 so that the trailing end zone 20B and the leading end zone 20A of the label 20 to which glue has just been applied are positioned at a cutting suction protrusion 140" following the gluing suction protrusion 140' where the glue has just been applied (hence, is positioned with the separating zone 20S at the recess MOR of the cutting suction protrusion 140").
  • the speed V a of the feed roller again reaches the maximum speed V a max to make the cut.
  • the feed roller 11 After the step of cutting, the feed roller 11 , immediately slows down to V a min2 and the web 2 slides on the periphery of the transfer carousel 14 so that the trailing end zone 20B of the label 20 following the one just cut and the leading end zone 20A of the label 20 next after that are positioned at a gluing suction protrusion 140' following the cutting suction protrusion 140" where the cut has just been made and the next cycle starts.
  • each cycle comprises a first step F11 comprising the step of gluing, in which the speed V a of the feed roller is the maximum speed and equal to the speed Vt of the transfer carousel 14, a second step F12, comprising a step of repositioning in which the speed of the feed roller passes from V a max to V a min1 and vice versa, and a third step F13 comprising the step of cutting, in which the speed V a of the feed roller is the maximum speed and equal to the speed Vt of the transfer carousel 14.
  • the cycle then comprises a fourth step F14 comprising a step of repositioning in which the speed of the feed roller passes from V a max to V a min2 and vice versa.
  • V a min1 and V a min2 may be the same or V a min1 may be greater or less than V a min2.
  • the central carousel 18 receives the bottles 21 to be labelled from the infeed station 18A.
  • the suction element 141 brings the leading end zone 20A of the label 20 into the unloading zone S to apply the label 20 to a bottle 21 positioned on the central carousel 18. Lastly, the labelled bottles 21 are transported to the outfeed station 18B.

Landscapes

  • Labeling Devices (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil d'étiquetage (1) qui comprend : un rouleau d'alimentation (11) ; un rouleau de collage (12) ; un rouleau de coupe (13), pourvu d'une lame (130), et un carrousel de transfert (14), comprenant une pluralité d'agencements de saillie d'aspiration (140), répartis angulairement le long de la périphérie du carrousel de transfert (14) et pourvus d'évidements correspondants (140R). Le carrousel de transfert (14) est conçu pour recevoir une bande (2) provenant du rouleau d'alimentation (11) dans une zone de chargement (C), pour maintenir la bande (2) adhérente à un ou plusieurs des agencements de saillie d'aspiration (140) et pour amener les étiquettes (20) en contact avec des bouteilles correspondantes (21), dans une zone de déchargement (S). Le carrousel de transfert (14) est également conçu pour interagir avec le rouleau de collage (12) dans une zone de collage (I) et avec le rouleau de coupe (13) dans une zone de coupe (T), les rotations du rouleau de collage (12), du rouleau de coupe (13) et du carrousel de transfert (14) étant synchronisées de telle sorte que le rouleau de collage (12) agit conjointement avec les agencements de saillie d'aspiration (140) du carrousel de transfert (14) pour appliquer de la colle, et au moins une lame (130) du rouleau de coupe (13) est insérée cycliquement dans les évidements (140R) des agencements de saillie d'aspiration (140) pour couper la bande (2) en étiquettes (20).
PCT/IB2023/061682 2022-11-25 2023-11-20 Appareil et procédé d'étiquetage WO2024110836A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102022000024309 2022-11-25
IT202200024309 2022-11-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2024110836A1 true WO2024110836A1 (fr) 2024-05-30

Family

ID=85122086

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2023/061682 WO2024110836A1 (fr) 2022-11-25 2023-11-20 Appareil et procédé d'étiquetage

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2024110836A1 (fr)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018114618A1 (fr) * 2016-12-20 2018-06-28 P.E. Labellers S.P.A. Machine et procédé d'étiquetage de contenants
WO2020088923A1 (fr) * 2018-10-31 2020-05-07 Sidel Participations Machine et procédé d'étiquetage permettant d'appliquer des feuilles d'étiquettes sur des articles
WO2021239626A1 (fr) * 2020-05-28 2021-12-02 P.E. Labellers S.P.A. Étiqueteuse de contenants
EP3919397A1 (fr) * 2020-06-02 2021-12-08 Krones AG Cylindre segmenté de transfert de vide

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018114618A1 (fr) * 2016-12-20 2018-06-28 P.E. Labellers S.P.A. Machine et procédé d'étiquetage de contenants
WO2020088923A1 (fr) * 2018-10-31 2020-05-07 Sidel Participations Machine et procédé d'étiquetage permettant d'appliquer des feuilles d'étiquettes sur des articles
WO2021239626A1 (fr) * 2020-05-28 2021-12-02 P.E. Labellers S.P.A. Étiqueteuse de contenants
EP3919397A1 (fr) * 2020-06-02 2021-12-08 Krones AG Cylindre segmenté de transfert de vide

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0344932B1 (fr) Etiqueteuse en ligne droite
EP0944528B1 (fr) Appareil d'etiquetage en rouleau
US5082520A (en) Automatic high-speed labeling machine employing various linear and rotational speeds of the container
EP1833746B1 (fr) Appareil pour le raccordement d'un materiau en bande
CN107539550B (zh) 用于将多个标签施加到相关物品上的贴标组和方法
RU2566907C2 (ru) Барабан для отрезания и переноса бесподложечных этикеток с непрерывной ленты на перемещающуюся емкость, и установка, оснащенная указанным барабаном
US11186401B2 (en) Labelling machine configured to apply labels onto articles for containing a pourable product
US20200165025A1 (en) Machine and method for labeling containers
WO2018086712A1 (fr) Appareil d'étiquetage et procédé de fonctionnement d'un tel appareil d'étiquetage
US6450230B1 (en) Labeling apparatus and methods thereof
WO2019121152A1 (fr) Machine d'étiquetage et procédé d'étiquetage permettant l'application de feuilles d'étiquette sur des réceptacles
CN115151486B (zh) 用于从标签材料卷材切割标签的切割装置
WO2024110836A1 (fr) Appareil et procédé d'étiquetage
WO2000000397A2 (fr) Appareil d'etiquetage et procedes s'y rapportant
US11254461B1 (en) High speed label applicator systems and methods
EP3988462A1 (fr) Machine d'étiquetage et procédé pour appliquer des étiquettes sur des articles conçus pour contenir un produit versable
US10822134B1 (en) High speed label applicator systems and methods
EP3760551A1 (fr) Procédé pour appliquer des étiquettes sur des articles conçus pour contenir un produit versable
WO2024067969A1 (fr) Module d'étiquetage configuré pour l'étiquetage avec des étiquettes partielles
WO2024079504A1 (fr) Module d'étiquetage à démarrage optimisé
AU2011212101B2 (en) Device and method for applying self-adhesive labels on the walls of containers
WO2022128861A1 (fr) Machine d'étiquetage