FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention concerns a dispenser head used to deposit adhesive material
on objects, either paper or other, in a substantially automatic manner.
[0002] The dispenser head according to the present invention is preferably but not exclusively
used in production lines in the paper transformation industry, of the fold and glue
type, for the application of adhesive tape, advantageously bi-adhesive, for gluing
cases, envelopes, boxes, bags or other. The present invention also concerns a method
for depositing adhesive material using said head.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A dispenser head is known, for dispensing an adhesive and/or bi-adhesive tape, suitable
to deposit said tape on a predetermined surface of objects, for example made of paper,
in a production line. The known dispenser head, mounted on an assembly bar by means
of a clamping device, comprises a pneumatic actuator suitable to position the adhesive
tape correctly, advantageously wound ion a reel, with respect to the application surface,
and also to advance the adhesive tape during the depositing thereof.
[0004] The known dispenser head is connected by means of a pneumatic circuit to an electro-pneumatic
control unit suitable to drive one or more dispenser heads, each in a predetermined
functional sequence and in coordination with the speed of advance of the objects on
which the adhesive material is to be applied, and also with the sizes of the objects
themselves.
[0005] One disadvantage of the known dispenser head is that the errors in precision in the
repetitiveness of the positioning of the adhesive material are rather frequent and
caused by the movements of the pneumatic actuation.
[0006] Another disadvantage is that the application of the adhesive material can cause damage
due to the pressure exerted by the pneumatic actuator during the depositing of the
adhesive tape on the object.
[0007] Another disadvantage is that the pneumatic drive of the actuator of the head causes
repetitive vibrations that are transmitted to the attachment device of the dispenser
head. With prolonged use, the vibrations weaken the clamping of the head on the corresponding
bar, contributing to increasing the entity of the errors in precision.
[0008] Another disadvantage is that known dispenser heads are connected to the control unit
by means of pneumatic controls and connectors which are rather bulky. This makes it
difficult to assemble the dispenser head and also constitutes a limit to the maximum
number of heads that can be positioned on the same assembly bar.
[0009] Another disadvantage is that if the control unit has a malfunction or breakdown,
all the dispenser heads driven by the same control unit are unusable. This causes
a stoppage that blocks the productivity of the line until the control unit is repaired.
[0010] One purpose of the present invention is to achieve a dispenser head for adhesive
material that allows to increase the productivity of the production line on which
the head is assembled.
[0011] Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve a dispenser head for adhesive
material which, in the event of a breakdown to the control unit, does not cause a
stoppage in the productivity of the production line.
[0012] Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve a dispenser head for adhesive
material that allows to reduce the errors in positioning of the adhesive material
on the objects.
[0013] Another purpose of the present invention is to achieve a dispenser head that is electronically
independent, with its own functioning logic and adaptable to any existing production
line.
[0014] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome
the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and
advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while
the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to
the main inventive idea.
[0016] In accordance with the above purposes, a dispenser head for adhesive material according
to the present invention is used to deposit, in a substantially automatic manner,
adhesive and/or bi-adhesive tape on predetermined objects in a production line.
[0017] The dispenser head comprises depositing means, mobile in at least a first position
suitable to deposit the adhesive tape, and cutting means suitable to cut the adhesive
tape when it has finished being deposited on the object. The dispenser head also comprises
motor means suitable to move the depositing means.
[0018] According to a characteristic feature of the present invention, the dispenser head
comprises an electronic control and processing unit associated with the motor means
and suitable to drive the same so as to move the depositing means in a second position
suitable to cut the tape, in a desired position, by means of the cutting means. The
dispenser head comprises speed detection means such as for example a detection encoder,
connected to the electronic control and processing unit and suitable to detect the
speed of advance of the objects on which the adhesive tape is to be deposited. The
dispenser head also comprises presence detection means, connected to the electronic
control and processing unit. The presence detection means are suitable to detect the
presence of an object in the correct deposit position. The motor means is driven in
a manner coordinated with the relative speed of advance of the objects with respect
to the dispenser head, and also with the disposition of the objects in the predetermined
position suitable to deposit the adhesive tape.
[0019] In this way the dispenser head is substantially autonomous and independent in depositing
the adhesive material, inasmuch as the electronic control and processing unit activates
the motor means, and consequently the depositing means, in order to deposit the adhesive
tape on the object according to the information it receives from the speed detection
means and from the presence detection means.
[0020] Therefore, in an existing production line several dispenser heads can be inserted,
mounted adjacent, so that a possible breakdown in one of the dispenser heads does
not cause a blockage of the production line.
[0021] According to another characteristic feature the motor means is fed electrically,
allowing to feed the dispenser head by means of a single electric cable. In this way
the lateral sizes of the dispenser head are reduced, since the electric cable and
the corresponding electric connections have a limited bulk with respect to the pneumatic
actuation pipes of the known dispenser head, allowing to use the same dispenser head
without having to provide pneumatic feed, if there were none.
[0022] Moreover, the electrically fed motor means drives the depositing means, reducing
unwanted vibrations and reducing possible errors in positioning the adhesive tape.
[0023] According to a preferential embodiment the cutting means is mechanically coupled
with the depositing means so as to cut the tape in a manner coordinated with its depositing.
[0024] According to another characteristic feature the dispenser head comprises electronic
memorization means, connected to the electronic control and processing unit and suitable
to memorize at least a predefined set of parameters. The parameters are used by the
electronic control and processing unit to activate one or more predetermined functioning
modes of the dispenser head so as to achieve the depositing of the adhesive tape in
the desired manner.
[0025] According to another characteristic feature the dispenser head also comprises communication
means connected to the electronic control and processing unit and suitable for connection
to a data transmission network and/or to a second processing unit for the reception
of said parameters.
[0026] According to a variant, the dispenser head comprises second cutting means suitable
to achieve a half cut on a protective film of the bi-adhesive tape. In this way the
protective film of the bi-adhesive tape already deposited is detached.
[0027] According to another variant the dispenser head comprises a roller to recover the
protective film of the bi-adhesive tape. In this way the bi-adhesive tape is deposited
without its protective film, in order to feed the objects to a subsequent working
stage of the production line.
[0028] The present invention also concerns a method to deposit adhesive and/or bi-adhesive
material by means of a dispenser head on predetermined objects in a production line.
The dispenser head comprises depositing means mobile in at least a first position
suitable to deposit the adhesive material, and cutting means suitable to cut the adhesive
tape when it has finished being deposited on the object. The dispenser head also comprises
motor means suitable to move the depositing means.
[0029] The method comprises a first step in which an object is made to advance, by means
of movement and/or sliding means, toward the dispenser head.
[0030] The method also comprises a second step in which the adhesive material is deposited
by means of the depositing means, disposed in the first position, on the advancing
object and disposed in a predetermined deposit position with respect to the dispenser
head.
[0031] According to a characteristic feature of the present invention, in the second step
an electronic control and processing unit of the dispenser head, connected both to
means to detect the presence of the head and suitable to detect the presence of an
object in the correct deposit position, and also to means to detect the speed of the
head and suitable to detect the speed of advance of the object with respect to the
dispenser head, activates the motor means in order to move the depositing means in
their first position.
[0032] According to another characteristic feature, the method comprises a third step in
which the electronic control and processing unit, according to the signal of the presence
detection means, detects the position of the object in a desired position and suitable
for cutting the adhesive material. The control unit therefore activates the motor
means in order to move the depositing means to a second position suitable to cut the
adhesive material by the cutting means.
[0033] The method also comprises a fourth step in which the object, on which the adhesive
material has been deposited, is distanced from the dispenser head and sent for example
to subsequent working.
[0034] According to a variant of the method according to the present invention, in the third
step a half cut is made on a protective film of the bi-adhesive material.
[0035] According to another variant of the present invention, the bi-adhesive material is
deposited without its protective film.
[0036] According to a preferential embodiment the protective film is rewound from the dispenser
head onto a recovery roller.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from
the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive
example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:
- fig. 1 is a lateral view of a dispenser head according to the present invention;
- fig. 2 is a lateral view opposite the one in fig. 1;
- fig. 3 is a front view of the dispenser head in fig. 1;
- fig. 4 is an enlarged three-dimensional view of a detail of the head in fig. 1 in
a first operating configuration;
- fig. 5 is a second enlarged three-dimensional view of a detail of the head in fig.
1 in a second operating configuration;
- fig. 6 is a three-dimensional view of a variant of the dispenser head in fig. 1;
- fig. 7 is a second three-dimensional view of the dispenser head in fig. 6;
- fig. 8 is a block diagram of the dispenser head in fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL FORM OF EMBODIMENT
[0038] With reference to the attached drawings, a dispenser head 10 for adhesive material
according to the present invention is used to deposit a tape 38, for example bi-adhesive,
in a substantially automatic manner, on paper objects, cases, envelopes, boxes, bags
or objects of other type in a production line. The dispenser head 10 is associated
with sliding means such as for example a conveyor belt or rollers suitable to feed
the objects on which the tape 38 is to be deposited with respect to the head 10.
[0039] The dispenser head 10 comprises a frame 11 and a counter frame 12, substantially
flat and mechanically coupled by means of two attachment supports 34, so as to define
a housing compartment for a depositing unit 14, suitable to deposit the bi-adhesive
tape 38, and for a cutting unit 24. The dispenser head 10 also comprises an electric
motor 20, in this case a hybrid stepper motor with high torque, attached on the rear
part of the frame 11 (fig. 2), an unwinding roller 13 (fig. 1) suitable to support
a reel 36 of bi-adhesive tape 38 to be deposited and a guide roller 19, able to guide
the tape 38 from the unwinding roller 13 to the depositing unit 14, and to maintain
the tape 38 during depositing in a predetermined condition of tension.
[0040] The dispenser head 10 is attached on an assembly bar of a known type, not shown in
the attached drawings, by means of an attachment device 50 mechanically associated
with the frame 11 and comprising a dove-tailed groove 54. The groove 54 is suitable
to be mechanically coupled with a corresponding profile of said bar. The dispenser
head 10 is clamped to the bar by means of a clamping handle 51 suitable to clamp a
clamp 52 on the bar.
[0041] The attachment device 50 is coupled with the frame 11 (fig. 2) by inserting three
nuts 60 into threaded seatings, not shown in the drawings, of the attachment device
50 through three eyelets 58. The eyelets 58, oblong in shape, are suitable to allow
a vertical sliding of the position of the frame 11 with respect to the attachment
device 50 and hence with respect to the bar on which the dispenser head 10 is mounted.
[0042] The depositing unit 14 is suitable to cooperate in synchrony with the cutting unit
24 and is movable between a first position to deposit and glue the bi-adhesive tape
38 (figs. 4 and 5), and a second position suitable to allow to cut the bi-adhesive
tape 38 in a desired position.
[0043] The depositing unit 14 comprises two solid and opposite strips 15, hinged on an axis
of rotation 16 both to the frame 11 and also to the counter frame 12. A depositing
roller 18 is mounted between the strips 15, rotatable and solid with the rotation
of the strips 15. The depositing roller 18 is suitable to deposit the tape 38 when
the depositing unit 14 is disposed in its first position.
[0044] The cutting unit 24, suitable to cut the tape 38, has a substantially oblong body
and is hinged in correspondence with a median part both to the frame 11 and also to
the counter frame 12 around an axis of rotation 25. The cutting unit 24 is mobile
in oscillating manner between a first position, corresponding to the deposit position
of the depositing unit 14, and a second position suitable to cut the tape 38 partly
deposited and corresponding to the second position of the depositing unit 14. The
cutting unit 24 comprises at one end a punch 26, disposed substantially perpendicular
with respect to the body of the cutting unit 24, and suitable to cut the tape 38 when
the cutting unit 24 is in its second position.
[0045] The cutting unit 24 is connected to the depositing unit 14 by means of a transmission
bar 27 so as to move the depositing unit 14 between said deposit position and said
second position in a manner coordinated with the oscillating movement of the cutting
unit 24.
[0046] The cutting unit 24 is in turn connected by means of a rod 22 to the electric motor
20 so as to convert the rotary motion of the motor 20 into the oscillating motion
of the cutting unit 24.
[0047] The dispenser head 10 also comprises a rotatable drawing roller 30 suitable to promote
the advance of the object on which the tape 38 is to be deposited and also to prevent
possible blockages of objects of a paper type. The dispenser head 10 also comprises
a rotatable adhesion roller suitable to promote the adhesion of the adhesive tape
38. Both the drawing roller 30 and the adhesion roller 31 are attached to a corresponding
support 34 by means of two cushioned columns 33.
[0048] According to a characteristic feature of the present invention, the dispenser head
10 comprises an electronic control and processing unit 40 (figs. 1 and 8) connected
to the electric motor 20 and suitable to activate it in a manner coordinated with
the relative speed of advance of the objects on which the tape 38 is to be deposited
with respect to the dispenser head 10, and also with the disposition of the objects
in a predetermined position suitable for depositing the tape 38.
[0049] According to a preferential embodiment, the dispenser head 10 comprises a speed detection
encoder 41 of a known type (fig. 8), connected to the electronic control and processing
unit, suitable to detect the speed of advance of the objects on which the tape 38
is deposited.
[0050] The dispenser head also comprises a presence sensor 42 of a known type, connected
to the electronic control and processing unit 40 and suitable to detect the presence
in the desired position of the object on which the tape 38 is deposited.
[0051] The dispenser head 10 also comprises a memory 44 of the non-volatile type connected
to the electronic control and processing unit 40, such as for example a static RAM,
an EEPROM or a flash memory or suchlike. The memory 44 is suitable to memorize a predefined
set of parameters used by the electronic control and processing unit 40 in order to
execute one or more predetermined functioning sequences, according to the type of
object intended for working.
[0052] According to a preferential embodiment, the dispenser head 10 also comprises a communication
interface 46 suitable to connect the electronic control and processing unit 40 to
a data communication network and/or to a second processing unit such as for example
a supervising computer. The communication interface 46 is suitable to receive said
functioning parameters to allow them to be updated or to execute diagnostic and/or
supervisory controls.
[0053] The communication interface 46 consists for example of an RS 232 type serial port
or USB. It is understood that the communication interface can also comprise an Ethernet
port for connection to a LAN communication network or other suitable type.
[0054] According to a preferential embodiment the electronic control and processing unit
40 is of the multi-processor type in which a first processor is suitable to activate
the electric motor 20, according to predetermined sequences. A second processor, connected
to the first processor in a known manner, is suitable to mange at least one communication
protocol to interface the dispenser head 10 through the communication interface 46.
[0055] According to a variant of the present invention, the dispenser head 10 comprises
a second punch, not shown in the attached drawings, mobile in a manner coordinated
both with the depositing unit 18 and also with the cutting unit 24. The second punch
is suitable to make a half cut on the protective film of bi-adhesive tape 38 disposed
in use, allowing to detach it in a simplified manner.
[0056] According to a variant the dispenser head 10 also comprises a display of a known
type, not shown in the drawings, such as for example an LCD, suitable to display information
relating to the functioning state of the dispenser head 10 or the number of objects
already worked and/or the current work batch.
[0057] The dispenser head 10 as described heretofore functions as follows.
[0058] When the dispenser head 10 is switched on, a positioning synchronization is performed,
in a substantially automatic manner by means of the electronic control and processing
unit 40, of the depositing unit 14 in a position near its first deposit position and
in order to feed the tape 38 to a position suitable for depositing.
[0059] When an object on which the tape 38 is deposited advances and is positioned near
the dispenser head 10 in the desired position, the presence sensor 42 signals this
to the electronic control and processing unit 40. Moreover, the encoder 41 detects
the speed of advance of the object and signals this to the electronic control and
processing unit 40, which activates the electric motor 20 for the time necessary to
dispose the depositing unit 14 in its first deposit position. In this way the bi-adhesive
tape 38 is made to adhere on a deposit surface of the object advancing with respect
to the dispenser head 10.
[0060] As the object advances, there is a corresponding progressive depositing through adhesion
of the tape 38 on the object, and also a progressive unwinding of the tape 38 from
the corresponding reel 15 disposed in the unwinding roller 13. The advance of the
object in correspondence with the dispenser head 10 is promoted by the action of the
drawing roller 30. The bi-adhesive tape 38 is also made to slide under the depositing
roller 18 with the adhesive face facing toward the object, so that the pressure exerted
by the depositing roller 18 facilitates the adhesion of the tape 38 on the surface
of the object. The tape 38 is subjected to a further pressure by means of the adhesion
roller 31 when the portion of tape 38 just deposited is made to progressively advance
under the roller 31.
[0061] When the advancing object exits from the position suitable for depositing the tape,
the presence sensor 42 signals this to the electronic control and processing unit
40. Depending on the speed of advance detected by the encoder 41, the electronic control
and processing unit 40 activates the electric motor 20 so as to position the cutting
unit 24 in its second position, in which the punch 26 cuts the tape 38, in the desired
position.
[0062] When the tape 38 has been cut, the electronic control and processing unit 40 activates
the rotation of the electric motor 20 so as to dispose the cutting unit 24 in its
first position and the depositing unit 14 in a position near its first position. When
a new object arrives, as signaled by the presence sensor 42, the electronic control
and processing unit again activates the electric motor 20 as described previously.
[0063] In this way the dispenser head 10 is suitable to deposit adhesive and/or bi-adhesive
tape 38 autonomously and independently from external control units. Furthermore, the
movements of the tape 38 are of an electromechanical type, substantially reducing
the errors in positioning of the tape 38 on the object.
[0064] According to a variant of the present invention shown in figs. 6 and 7, the dispenser
head 10 is suitable to deposit bi-adhesive tape 38 without the protection film or
liner 39, for depositing in a production line of the fold and glue type.
[0065] The dispenser head 10 comprises a recovery roller 64 on which a recovery reel 66
is disposed, suitable to rewind the protective liner 39, progressively separated during
the depositing of the bi-adhesive tape 38. The recovery roller 64 and the unwinding
roller 13 are mechanically coupled with corresponding pulleys 68, disposed at the
rear of the frame 11, and connected by a transmission belt 70. In this way, as the
reel 36 disposed on the unwinding roller 13 unwinds, there is a corresponding winding
of the protective liner 39 onto the recovery roller 64.
[0066] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the dispenser
head 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the
present invention.
[0067] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference
to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to
achieve many other equivalent forms of dispenser head, having the characteristics
as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined
thereby.
1. Dispenser head for adhesive material, for the automatic depositing of adhesive and/or
bi-adhesive tape (38) on objects in a production line, comprising an unwinding roller
(13) able to house a reel (36) of said tape (38), depositing means (14) mobile in
at least a first position able to deposit said tape (38), cutting means (24) able
to cut said tape (38) at the end of depositing said tape (38) on one of said objects,
and motor means (20) able to move the depositing means (14) in said first position,
characterized in that it comprises an electronic control and processing unit (40) able to drive said motor
means (20), speed detection means (41) connected to the electronic control and processing
unit (40) and able to detect the speed of advance of each of said objects, presence
detection means (42), connected to the electronic control and processing unit (40),
suitable to detect the presence of each of said objects in a deposit position, said
electronic control and processing unit (40) being able to move the depositing means
(14), in a second position for cutting the tape (38), in a manner coordinated both
with the speed of advance of each of said objects with respect to the dispenser head,
and also with the disposition of each of said objects in a predetermined deposit position
suitable for depositing said tape (38).
2. Dispenser head as in claim 1, characterized in that said motor means (20) is fed electrically.
3. Dispenser head as in claim 2, characterized in that said motor means comprises a hybrid stepper motor (20) with high torque.
4. Dispenser head as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said cutting means (24) is coupled mechanically with said depositing means (14) in
order to execute said cut in a manner coordinated with the movement of said depositing
means (14).
5. Dispenser head as in claim 4, characterized in that it comprises electronic memorization means (44) connected to the electronic control
and processing unit (40), suitable to memorize at least a predefined set of parameters
for the activation of one or more predetermined functioning modes for depositing said
tape (38) in a desired manner.
6. Dispenser head as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises communication means (46) connected to the electronic control and processing
unit (40) and suitable for connection to a data transmission network and/or to a second
processing unit.
7. Dispenser head as in claim 6, characterized in that said communication means (46) comprises a serial communication port of the RS232
type and/or a USB port.
8. Dispenser head as in claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said communication means (46) comprises an Ethernet communication port.
9. Dispenser head as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said electronic control and processing unit (40) is the multi processor type.
10. Dispenser head as in claim 9, characterized in that a first processor of the electronic control and processing unit (40) is able to activate
said motor means (20) according to predetermined sequences, and a second of said processors
is able to manage at least one communication protocol for communication of the electronic
control and processing unit (40) through the communication interface (46).
11. Dispenser head as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises second cutting means able to make a half cut on a protective film (39)
of said bi-adhesive tape (38) in order to facilitate the detachment of said protective
film from the tape (38) disposed in use on said object.
12. Dispenser head as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a recovery roller (64) able to house a recovery reel (66), for the progressive
rewinding of said protective film (39) during the depositing of said bi-adhesive tape
(38) without said protective film.
13. Dispenser head as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that both said unwinding roller (13) and said recovery roller (64) are mechanically coupled
with a corresponding pulley (68), said pulleys (68) being connected by a transmission
belt (70).
14. Dispenser head as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a display device able to display information relating to the functioning
state of said dispenser head.
15. Dispenser head as in claim 14, characterized in that said display device comprises an LCD.
16. Dispenser head as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises an attachment device (50), coupled with a frame (11) of the dispenser
head, and able to assemble the dispenser head on a bar.
17. Dispenser head as in claim 16, characterized in that said attachment device (50) comprises adjustment elements (58) to adjust the position
of said frame (11) with respect to the attachment device (50).
18. Dispenser head as in claim 17, characterized in that said adjustment elements comprise oblong eyelets (58) able to be coupled with corresponding
nuts (60).
19. Method to deposit adhesive material on objects in a production line, by means of a
dispenser head for adhesive and/or bi-adhesive tape (38) comprising depositing means
(14), mobile in at least a first position suitable for depositing the tape (38), cutting
means (24) able to cut the tape (38) and motor means (20) able to move the depositing
means, comprising
- a first step in which an object is made to advance toward said dispenser head;
- a second step in which the adhesive material is progressively deposited by means
of the depositing means (14), disposed in its first position, on the object advancing
with respect to the dispenser head, characterized in that in said second step an electronic control and processing unit (40) of the dispenser
head, connected both to speed detection means (41) of the head, suitable to detect
the speed of advance of the object with respect to the dispenser head, and also to
presence detection means (42) of the head, suitable to detect the presence of an object
in a deposit position, activates the motor means (20) so as to move the depositing
means (14) in their first position.
20. Method as in claim 19, characterized in that it comprises a third step in which the electronic control and processing unit (40),
according to the signals from the presence detection means (42), detects the position
of the object in a cutting position able to cut the tape (38), and activates the motor
means (20) so as to move the depositing means (14) in a second position able to cut
the tape (38) by the cutting means (24).
21. Method as in claim 20, characterized in that it comprises a fourth step in which the object, on which the tape (38) has been deposited,
is distanced from the dispenser head.
22. Method as in any claim from 19 to 21, characterized in that in said third step a half cut is made on a protective film (39) of the bi-adhesive
tape (38).
23. Method as in any claim from 19 to 21, characterized in that the bi-adhesive tape (38) is deposited without protective film (39).
24. Method as in claim 23, characterized in that said protective film (39) is rewound onto a recovery reel (66), associated with a
recovery roller (64) of the dispenser head.