Labeling machine

(54) Title: LABELING MACHINE (57) Summary:

(30) Unionist Priority: 03/30/2007 go MN2007A000010 (73) Holder (s): eg Labellers SPA

(72) Inventor (s): Mario Ballarotti (74) Attorney (s): Momsen, Leonardos & Cia.

(86) International order: pct EP2008053196 from

18/03/2008 (87) International Publication: wo 2008 / 119658de

09/10/2008

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“LABELING MACHINE”

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a labeling machine. Fundamentals of the Invention

Labeling machines are known that are designed to apply containers of various types to labels extracted by cutting a continuous ribbon wound on a reel and operate according to an operational principle that ensures the continuous advancement of the ribbon.

These machines have considerable construction complexity and high cost and, therefore, the aim of the present invention is to present a labeling machine that is capable of operating on non-adhesive tape-shaped labels, pre-glued in any way, and which has a very simple construction.

Description of the Invention

This objective is achieved by a labeling machine according to the invention, comprising a container conveyor, each to be labeled with a label extracted by being cut from a continuous ribbon wrapped on a reel, characterized by the fact that it comprises feeding devices that are adapted to synchronously drive the tape to a device for intermittent clipping of each individual label, and devices for locking the label during cutting which are inserted between the cutting device and a drum for transferring the cut label to a container provided on the conveyor.

Short Description of the Drawings

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be better evident from the description of a preferred construction, however, not exclusive to it, illustrated as a non-limiting example in the attached drawings, according to which:

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of the labeling machine according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the machine in Figure 1,

Modalities for Carrying Out the Invention

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generically designates a labeling machine, which in a known manner comprises a carousel 2 for driving containers 3 to be labeled, which are loaded by means of an inlet conveyor 4 unloaded by a conveyor starry exit 5.

A main characteristic aspect of the invention is the presence of an intermittent cutter device, which comprises a blade 6 driven by an actuation cylinder 6a, which cuts out each individual label, extracted from a tape 7 which is guided to it with the appropriate synchronization by the its unrolling of a reel 8 by means of feeding devices which are described later, and additionally in the presence of devices to lock the label during cutting, which comprises a slide 9, which can be moved by the action of an actuation cylinder 9a and by means of a joint 9b between a position for compressing the label in contact with the meeting surface located at the end of a fixed block 10 , and a position for label spacing. The locking devices are located between the intermittent cutting device and a transfer drum 11, which, by operating in a known manner, leads the label to a container 3.

The devices for feeding the tape 7 with the appropriate timing for the intermittent cutout device comprise a motorized device for unwinding the reel 8, which is illustrated schematically and designated by reference numeral 12, and a pair of transfer rollers 13 arranged on the the immediate vicinity of the clipping device, the reference numeral 14 designates a photocell which, when it detects the passage of each individual label, issues a stop command for the feeder devices described.

The machine is additionally equipped with devices that are adapted to control the performance of the device for cutting and locking a label in sync with the container designed to receive the label.

The operation of the invention is as follows.

When a label 15 is received in the cutout and locking device, the photocell 14 detects the passage of a predicted reference on the label and activates the holding of the feeder device in this way, the label ceases to advance and slides over the transfer drum 11, that spins all the time.

When the container 3, designed to receive the label 15 arrives, driven by the carousel 2, in synchronized position for the perfect execution of the operation, the appropriate device provided on the machine activates the devices to lock the label 15 and the device to effect the its cutout, unlock the locking device, which releases the cutout label, allowing it to reach, contemplated by the drum 11, the contemplated container.

Meanwhile, the tape feed device has been reactivated and a new cycle immediately restarted.

The labeling machine of the invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which fall within the scope of the appended claims: thus, for example, the intermittent clipping action device, which in the described embodiment is of the type shown in WO 2007/134745 by the same applicant, can be of any type.

The carousel for driving the containers 3 can be replaced by a linear conveyor and, in addition, a set can be provided to apply glue to the labels if they are not of the pre-glued type, as in the case of the labels shown here.

The features for locking the label during cutting can comprise a device for aspirating the label against a meeting surface, particularly in the case of pre-glued labels.

The matter exposed in Italian patent application No. MN2007A000010 of which the present application claims priority is hereby incorporated by reference.

Where the characteristic features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals, those reference numerals have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the understanding of the claims and, therefore, the reference numerals in question have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified as a reference by the reference numerals.