(19)
(11)EP 3 529 161 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
29.07.2020 Bulletin 2020/31

(21)Application number: 17784310.9

(22)Date of filing:  19.10.2017
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B65C 9/18(2006.01)
(86)International application number:
PCT/EP2017/076696
(87)International publication number:
WO 2018/073338 (26.04.2018 Gazette  2018/17)

(54)

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING SELF-ADHESIVE LABELS

VORRICHTUNG ZUM AUFBRINGEN VON SELBSTKLEBENDEN ETIKETTEN

APPAREIL D'APPLICATION D'ÉTIQUETTES AUTOCOLLANTES


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 19.10.2016 IT 201600104810

(43)Date of publication of application:
28.08.2019 Bulletin 2019/35

(73)Proprietor: Sacmi Verona S.P.A.
40026 Imola (BO) (IT)

(72)Inventors:
  • PEDERCINI, Maurizio
    46045 MARMIROLO (IT)
  • GRIONI, Matteo
    46010 CURTATONE (IT)

(74)Representative: Modiano, Micaela Nadia et al
Modiano & Partners Via Meravigli, 16
20123 Milano
20123 Milano (IT)


(56)References cited: : 
EP-A1- 1 712 475
US-A- 5 188 696
WO-A1-97/13645
US-A1- 2010 038 034
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying self-adhesive labels, particularly on containers, in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.

    [0002] The application of self-adhesive labels on containers, such as for example bottles, is typically carried out using a labeling assembly constituted by a structure for supporting one or more reels on which a backing ribbon of self-adhesive labels to be applied is wound: the backing ribbon is unwound from the reel and fed to an application head that has a substantially blade-like end portion that is designed to arrange itself, in use, flanking and substantially parallel to the region of application of the label on the container.

    [0003] The backing ribbon is then taken up and sometimes wound on a takeup reel.

    [0004] In some cases it is necessary to apply the self-adhesive labels on planes that are inclined with respect to the vertical, for example at the neck of the bottle and, as a consequence, it is necessary to incline the blade-like end portion of the application head.

    [0005] The solutions known today entail that, in order to incline the application head with respect to the vertical, the labeling assembly be made to rotate with respect to a support footing.

    [0006] This evidently brings about a variation in the height of the feed reel: for the purposes of example, if the labels need to be applied on necks that are particularly inclined with respect to the vertical, the feed reel is brought to an appreciably higher level than the normal level while, if the region of application is directed downward, the height of the feed reel is lowered, approaching the floor.

    [0007] It therefore seems clear that, in some conditions of use, some problems arise in that, owing to the excessive raising of the height of the feed reel, it becomes difficult and occasionally risky for the operators to intervene on it, for example in order to change the reel.

    [0008] If instead it is necessary to apply labels at negative cones, then bringing the reel closer to the floor causes some problems such as, for example, the possibility that parts of the labeling assembly might interfere with portions of the footing, making it, among other things in some cases, difficult for the operator to gain access to some parts of the labeling machine.

    [0009] An apparatus for applying self-adhesive labels in accordance with the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP 1 712 475 A1.

    [0010] The aim of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for applying self-adhesive labels which is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above mentioned aspects.

    [0011] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to make available an apparatus for applying self-adhesive labels that makes it possible to adjust the inclination of the application head in an easy and practical manner.

    [0012] Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for applying self-adhesive labels that is highly reliable, easy to implement and low cost.

    [0013] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by an apparatus for applying self-adhesive labels according to claim 1, which is optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims.

    [0014] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the apparatus for applying self-adhesive labels according to the invention, which are illustrated for the purposes of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

    Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for applying self-adhesive labels according to the invention;

    Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1;

    Figure 3 is a perspective view of the application head associated with the ribbon supporting the self-adhesive labels;

    Figure 4 is a side view of the application head in a first active condition;

    Figure 5 is a side view of the application head in a second active condition;

    Figure 6 is a side view of the application head in the first active condition associated with the ribbon supporting the self-adhesive labels;

    Figure 7 is a perspective view of the application head in the condition shown in Figure 6.



    [0015] With reference to the figures, the apparatus for applying self-adhesive labels according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a supporting base 2 for at least one reel 3 on which a ribbon 10 that supports a plurality of self-adhesive labels 11 is wound.

    [0016] The apparatus 1 is provided with means 4 of feeding the ribbon 10 to a head 20 for applying the self-adhesive labels 11.

    [0017] The apparatus 1 is further provided with a device for taking up the ribbon 10.

    [0018] The takeup device can, for example, comprise at least one rewinding reel 7.

    [0019] The application head 20 extends along a direction of extension 200 that defines a path direction for the ribbon 10.

    [0020] The application head 20 can rotate on command about an orientation axis 101 in order to vary its own direction of extension 200 with respect to the unwinding direction 100 of the ribbon 10 from the feed reel 3.

    [0021] The feeder means 4 comprise, furthermore, at least one redirection roller 30 the longitudinal axis 102 of which can rotate on command, with respect to the reel 3, about an adjustment axis that is substantially parallel to the orientation axis 101 in order to bring the direction of extension of the ribbon 10 at the application head 20 substantially parallel to the direction of extension 200 of the application head 20.

    [0022] Advantageously, the application head 20 can move on command about the orientation axis 101 with respect to a supporting body 2a of the reel or reels 3.

    [0023] For the purposes of example, the supporting body 2a of the reel or reels 3 comprises a supporting plate.

    [0024] The feeder means 4 comprise at least two redirection rollers 30a, 30b the longitudinal axes 102a, 102b of which can rotate on command, with respect to the reel 3, about a respective adjustment axis that is substantially parallel to the orientation axis 101.

    [0025] The reel or reels 3 are advantageously associated with a reel carrier 3a.

    [0026] Conveniently, the adjustment axis of the redirection roller or rollers 30 corresponds substantially to the orientation axis 101.

    [0027] At least two redirection rollers (30a, 30b) are supported by the application head 20.

    [0028] The feeder means comprise at least two redirection rollers 30a, 30b, and in particular an end roller 30a the rotation axis 102a of which is arranged substantially at right angles to the direction of extension 200 of the application head 20, and at least one intermediate roller 30b arranged upstream of the end roller 30a with respect to the advancement direction of the ribbon 10.

    [0029] The rotation axis 102b of the intermediate roller 30b has an intermediate position of extension between the axis 120 of the reel 3 on which the ribbon 10 is wound, and the rotation axis 102a of the end roller 30a.

    [0030] Advantageously the end roller 30a is supported integrally by the application head 20 so that the rotation of the application head 20 about the orientation axis 101 rotationally entrains, by the same angle, the rotation axis 102a of the end roller 30a as well.

    [0031] The apparatus 1 is conveniently provided with means 5 of kinematic connection between the application head 20 and the above-mentioned at least one intermediate roller 30b.

    [0032] In particular, the kinematic connection means 5 are adapted to determine, as a consequence of the rotation of the application head 20 about the orientation axis 101, a rotation of substantially halved extent of the rotation axis 102b of the intermediate roller 30b about the respective adjustment axis.

    [0033] If there are more than two redirection rollers 30, and therefore at least two intermediate rollers 30b in addition to the end roller 30a, then it should be noted that the sum of all the inclinations of the rotation axes 102b of the intermediate rollers 30b must be substantially equal to half the extent of the inclination of the longitudinal axis 102a of the end roller 30a about the respective adjustment axis.

    [0034] With reference to the embodiment shown in the figures, the intermediate roller or rollers 30b are supported by a supporting block that can rotate on command about the orientation axis 101.

    [0035] The operation of the apparatus 1 according to the invention is evident from the foregoing description.

    [0036] The proposed solution makes it possible to position the application head 20 optimally both for application with "positive" angles (as shown in Figure 4) if it is necessary to label the necks of the containers 40 or to apply stickers, bands, collars etc., or with "negative" or reverse angles (as shown in Figure 5) in situations where it is necessary to carry out the application of the labels at the base of the container 40 when this is narrower than the shoulder.

    [0037] In order to bring the ribbon 10 to the application head 20 so that its extension is always parallel to the direction of extension 200 of the application head 20 proper, one or preferably at least two redirection rollers 30 are therefore used, the longitudinal axes 102 of which are rotatable, with respect to the direction of extension 100 of the ribbon unwound from the reel 3.

    [0038] By virtue of the possible presence of the kinematic connection means 5, the apparatus is self-aligning: in practice, as the inclination of the application head 20 varies (i.e. as a consequence of the rotation of the application head 20 about the orientation axis 101), the intermediate roller 30b, connected mechanically to the application head 20, assumes an angle such as to favor the redirection of the ribbon 10 while keeping the alignment of the actual ribbon 10 with the peeler blade 20a of the application head 20.

    [0039] All this makes it possible to be able to make the peeler blade 20a, and as a consequence the label, assume multiple inclinations while keeping the supporting body 2a and therefore also the feed reel 3 horizontal.

    [0040] This makes it possible to always have the supporting body 2a at zero inclination (i.e. flat), thus facilitating operations by the operator such as loading the ribbon, preparing the joints and taking out the material, and making any operations necessary to restart after a machine shutdown easier, more convenient and rapid.

    [0041] It is in any case possible that the supporting body 2a of the reel or reels 3 can move on command with respect to the supporting structure 2, and in particular with respect to a footing.

    [0042] Specifically, according to requirements, it can be possible to raise and/or lower the supporting body 2a with respect to the supporting structure 2.

    [0043] Furthermore, there is no reason why the supporting body 2a should not be able to rotate on command with respect to the supporting structure 2 about an axis of inclination substantially parallel to the orientation axis 101.

    [0044] This makes it possible, in some particular active conditions, to "share" the absolute inclination of the application head 20, partially on the supporting body 2a (which is inclined with respect to the horizontal) and partially on the application head 20 (which is also inclined with respect to the supporting body 2a).

    [0045] For applying labels on cylindrical surfaces, or more generally on vertical surfaces, the application head 20 can obviously assume the horizontal position, optionally also bypassing the redirection rollers 30.

    [0046] In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

    [0047] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all within the scope of the appended claims.

    [0048] In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and to the state of the art.

    [0049] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.


    Claims

    1. An apparatus (1) for applying self-adhesive labels, which comprises a supporting base (2) for at least one reel (3) of a ribbon (10) that supports a plurality of self-adhesive labels (11), feeder means (4) of feeding said ribbon (10) to a head (20) for applying said self-adhesive labels (11), and a device for taking up said ribbon (10), said application head (20) extending along a direction of extension (200) that defines a path direction for the ribbon (10), wherein said application head (20) can rotate on command about an orientation axis (101) in order to vary its own direction of extension (200) with respect to the unwinding direction (100) of said ribbon (10) from said reel (3), said feeder means (4) comprising at least one redirection roller (30) the rotation axis (102) of which can rotate on command, with respect to said reel (3), about an adjustment axis that is substantially parallel to said orientation axis (101) in order to bring the direction of extension of said ribbon (10) at- said application head (20) substantially parallel to the direction of extension (200) of said application head (20), said feeder means (4) comprising at least two redirection rollers (30a, 30b), which are supported by said application head (20) and the longitudinal axes (102a, 102b) of which can rotate on command, with respect to a supporting body (2a) of said at least one reel (3), about a respective adjustment axis that is substantially parallel to said orientation axis (101), said at least two redirection rollers (30a, 30b) comprising an end roller (30a), which is supported by said application head (20) and has its rotation axis (102a) arranged substantially at right angles to the direction of extension (200) of said application head (20), and at least one intermediate roller (30b) arranged upstream of said end roller (30a) with respect to the advancement direction of said ribbon (10), characterized in that the rotation axis (102b) of said intermediate roller (30b) has an intermediate inclination between the axis (120) of said reel (3) on which said ribbon (10) is wound and the rotation axis (102a) of said end roller (30a).
     
    2. The apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said application head (20) can rotate about said orientation axis (101) with respect to the supporting body (2a).
     
    3. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (5) of kinematic connection between said application head (20) and said at least one intermediate roller (30b).
     
    4. The apparatus (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that said kinematic connection means (5) are adapted to determine, following the rotation of said application head (20) about said orientation axis (101), a rotation of substantially halved extent of the rotation axis (102b) of said intermediate roller (30b) about the respective adjustment axis.
     
    5. The apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one intermediate roller (30b) is supported by a supporting block that can rotate on command about said orientation axis (101).
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Eine Vorrichtung (1) zum Aufbringen von selbstklebenden Etiketten, die Folgendes umfasst: einen Stützfuß (2) für mindestens eine Spule (3) eines Bandes (10), dass eine Vielzahl selbstklebender Etiketten (11) trägt, Zuführmittel (4) zum Zuführen des Bandes (10) zu einem Kopf (20) zum Aufbringen der selbstklebenden Etiketten (11), und eine Vorrichtung zum Aufnehmen des Bandes (10), wobei der Aufbringkopf (20) sich in einer Erstreckungsrichtung (200) erstreckt, die eine Wegrichtung für das Band (10) bestimmt, wobei der Aufbringkopf (20) sich auf Befehl um eine Ausrichtungsachse (101) drehen kann, um seine eigene Erstreckungsrichtung (200) mit Bezug auf die Abspulrichtung (100) des Bandes (10) von der Spule (3) zu verändern, wobei die Zuführmittel (4) mindestens eine Umlenkrolle (30) umfassen, deren Rotationsachse (102) sich auf Befehl mit Bezug auf die Spule (3) um eine Justierachse drehen kann die im Wesentlichen parallel zu der Ausrichtungsachse (101) ist, um die Erstreckungsrichtung des Bandes (10) an dem Aufbringkopf (20) im Wesentlichen parallel mit der Erstreckungsrichtung (200) des Aufbringkopfes (20) auszurichten, wobei die Zuführmittel (4) mindestens zwei Umlenkrollen (30a, 30b) umfassen, die von dem Aufbringkopf (20) getragen sind, und deren Längsachsen (102a, 102b) sich auf Befehl mit Bezug auf einen tragenden Körper (2a) der mindestens einen Spule (3) um eine entsprechende Justierachse drehen können, die im Wesentlichen parallel zu der Ausrichtungsachse (101) ist, wobei die mindestens zwei Umlenkrollen (30a, 30b) eine Endrolle (30a) umfassen, die von dem Aufbringkopf (20) getragen ist und deren Rotationsachse (102a) im Wesentlichen in rechten Winkeln zur Erstreckungsrichtung (200) des Aufbringkopfes (20) angeordnet ist und mindestens eine intermediäre Rolle (30b) angeordnet stromaufwärts von der Endrolle (30a) mit Bezug auf die Vorschubrichtung des Bandes (10), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Rotationsachse (102b) der intermediären Rolle (30b) eine intermediäre Neigung zwischen der Achse (120) der Spule (3) auf welcher das Band (10) aufgewickelt ist und der Rotationsachse (102a) der Endrolle (30a) hat.
     
    2. Die Vorrichtung (1) gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Aufbringkopf (20) sich mit Bezug auf den tragenden Körper (2a) um die Ausrichtungsachse (101) drehen kann.
     
    3. Die Vorrichtung (1) gemäß einem oder mehreren der obigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie Mittel (5) zur kinematischen Verbindung zwischen dem Aufbringkopf (20) und der mindestens einen intermediären Rolle (30b) umfasst.
     
    4. Die Vorrichtung (1) gemäß Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die kinematischen Verbindungsmittel (5) ausgebildet sind, um nach der Drehung des Aufbringkopfes (20) um die Ausrichtungsachse (101) eine Drehung im Wesentlichen halbierten Ausmaßes der Rotationsachse (102b) der intermediären Rolle (30b), um die entsprechende Justierachse zu bestimmen.
     
    5. Die Vorrichtung (1) gemäß einem oder mehreren der obigen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die mindestens eine intermediäre Rolle (30b) von einem Stützblock getragen ist, der sich auf Befehl um die Ausrichtungsachse (101) drehen kann.
     


    Revendications

    1. Appareil (1) d'application d'étiquettes autoadhésives, qui comporte une base de support (2) pour au moins une bobine (3) d'un ruban (10) qui supporte une pluralité d'étiquettes autoadhésives (11), des moyens d'acheminement (4) pour acheminer ledit ruban (10) jusqu'à une tête (20) pour appliquer lesdites étiquettes autoadhésives (11), et un dispositif pour enrouler ledit ruban (10), ladite tête d'application (20) s'étendant le long d'une direction d'extension (200) qui définit une direction de cheminement pour le ruban (10), dans lequel ladite tête d'application (20) peut tourner sur instruction autour d'un axe d'orientation (101) afin de faire varier sa propre direction d'extension (200) par rapport à la direction de déroulement (100) dudit ruban (10) à partir de ladite bobine (3), lesdits moyens d'acheminement (4) comportant au moins un rouleau de redirection (30) dont l'axe de rotation (102) peut tourner sur instruction, par rapport à ladite bobine (3), autour d'un axe de réglage qui est sensiblement parallèle audit axe d'orientation (101) afin d'amener la direction d'extension dudit ruban (10) au niveau de ladite tête d'application (20) sensiblement parallèle à la direction d'extension (200) de ladite tête d'application (20), lesdits moyens d'acheminement (4) comportant au moins deux rouleaux de redirection (30a, 30b), qui sont supportés par ladite tête d'application (20) et dont les axes longitudinaux (102a, 102b) peuvent tourner sur instruction, par rapport à un corps de support (2a) de ladite au moins une bobine (3), autour d'un axe de réglage respectif qui est sensiblement parallèle audit axe d'orientation (101), lesdits au moins deux rouleaux de redirection (30a, 30b) comportant un rouleau d'extrémité (30a), qui est supporté par ladite tête d'application (20) et a son axe de rotation (102a) agencé sensiblement à angles droits par rapport à la direction d'extension (200) de ladite tête d'application (20), et au moins un rouleau intermédiaire (30b) agencé en amont dudit rouleau d'extrémité (30a) par rapport à la direction d'avance dudit ruban (10), caractérisé en ce que l'axe de rotation (102b) dudit rouleau intermédiaire (30b) a une inclinaison intermédiaire entre l'axe (120) de ladite bobine (3) sur laquelle ledit ruban (10) est enroulé et l'axe de rotation (102a) dudit rouleau d'extrémité (30a).
     
    2. Appareil (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite tête d'application (20) peut tourner autour dudit axe de rotation (101) par rapport au corps de support (2a).
     
    3. Appareil (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte des moyens (5) de liaison cinématique entre ladite tête d'application (20) et ledit au moins un rouleau intermédiaire (30b).
     
    4. Appareil (1) selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens de liaison cinématique (5) sont adaptés pour déterminer, après la rotation de ladite tête d'application (20) autour dudit axe d'orientation (101), une rotation d'une étendue pratiquement divisée par deux de l'axe de rotation (102b) dudit rouleau intermédiaire (30b) autour de l'axe de réglage respectif.
     
    5. Appareil (1) selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que ledit au moins un rouleau intermédiaire (30b) est supporté par un bloc de support qui peut tourner sur instruction autour dudit axe de rotation (101).
     




    Drawing


























    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description