Label producing machine

Abstract

 In a machine for producing labels, a cutting station comprising a vertically-movable cutting rule or die disposed above, and adapted to cooperate with, a label stock/backing strip support means constituted by a horizontally-extending curved or arcuate element rotatable about a vertical axis. The arrangement is such that the label stock/backing strip is supported, during the cutting of the label stock, by the rotatable support element which, through the intermediary of the label stock/backing strip, makes continually-­changing opposed point contact with the cutting rule or die.
Substantially less energy is required for cutting compared with existing label producing machines.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a machine for producing labels.

[0002] Generally in such a machine label stock separately adhered to a supportive backing strip is subjected to the sequential actions of printing, possibly but not necessarily laminating, cutting to separate each label from its adjacent leading and trailing labels, and separation and collection of labels and backing strip from label stock waste. If laminating is effected waste laminate is collected downstream of the cutting station in terms of label stock flow through the machine.

[0003] In existing machines, cutting is effected at the cutting station by substantial energy-consuming heavy cutting heads to which cutting dies or rules are fitted, the cutting heads being movable vertically relative to a support platform or table by ram, crank and/or eccentric driving means.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine for producing labels in which the energy required for cutting is substantially less than that required in existing machines.

[0005] According to the present invention there is provided, in or for a machine for producing labels, a cutting station comprising a vertically-movable cutting rule or die disposed above, and adapted to cooperate with, a label stock/backing strip support means constituted by a horizontally-extending curved or arcuate element rotatable about a vertical axis.

[0006] The arrangement is such that the label stock/­backing strip is supported, during the cutting of the label stock, by the rotatable support element which, through the intermediary of the label stock/backing strip, makes continually-changing opposed point contact with the cutting rule or die.

[0007] Preferably the support element is a roller replaceably supported in a carrier having a depending vertical spindle motor-driven via an endless transmission.

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a general diagrammatic side elevation of a label production machine incorporating the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the label cutting station according to this invention;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, to an enlarged scale, of the label stock/backing strip support means of the cutting station; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the various flow paths through the machine.

[0009] The label production machine as illustrated and about to be described is provided with a laminating stage. This is optional and can be omitted.

[0010] The machine comprises a printing station 10 constituted by a dot matrix printer, such a an ink jet printer, controlled and driven by a computer 11, a P.C. for example.

[0011] The label stock is, as is well known, a web or strip of label material releasably adhered to a backing strip and this web or strip assembly is indicated at 12.

[0012] This web or strip assembly 12, after printing, is guided via a guide roller arrangemenet 13 including a tracking correction facility if necessary to a laminating station 14.

[0013] A reeled supply of transparent laminate is indicated at 15. The laminate 16 has an adhesive face covered by a backing strip 17.

[0014] The laminate/backing strip assembly 16, 17 is guided from the supply reel 15 via a dancer roller arrangement 18 to a stripper roller 19 at which the laminate 16 and backing strip 17 are separated.

[0015] The backing strip 17 is collected by a reel 20 while the laminate 16 is delivered to engage and become adhered to the printed web or strip assembly 12 by passage through a nip 21.

[0016] The laminated web or strip assembly now referred to by the reference 22 passes into a cutting station 23.

[0017] The cutting station comprises a vertically-­movable cutting head 24 driven downwardly by a rotating cam 25 to effect cutting of the laminated web or strip assembly 22 to form individual labels 26. Return of the cutting head 24 away from the laminated web or strip assembly 22 is effected by springs 27. The cam drive is generally indicated at 28.

[0018] The cutting head 24 removably mounts a carrier 29 provided with a handle 30 to facilitate insertion or removal of the carrier 29 into the cutting head 25. The carrier 29, in turn, removably mounts a cutting rule or die 31 of a configuration determined by the shape of labels 26 to be produced.

[0019] Below the cutting head 24 is a support table 32 which may be adjustable in position. The support table 32 has secured underneath a bearing sleeve 33 mounting vertically spaced ball bearings 34 within which is rotatably located and supported a spindle 35.

[0020] The spindle 35 is integral with a carrier 36 located above the support table 32, which carrier is of channel shape.

[0021] The channel of the carrier 36 has a deeper central recess or slot 27 within which is removably located a roller 38. The latter is supported in position within the recess or slot 37 by end pegs 39 and lateral angled guide bars 40 bolted or secured in position within the channeled carrier 36 as indicated at 41.

[0022] The spindle 35 has keyed thereto a gearwheel 42 driven by a motor (not shown) via a timing belt 43 to rotate the carrier 36 and its roller 38.

[0023] As the laminated web or strip assembly 22 passes between the cutting head assembly and the rotating assembly of carrier 36 and roller 38 it is caused to dwell at predetermined intervals at which the cutting head assembly is driven downwards to bring the cutting rule or die 31 in contact with the laminated web or strip assembly 22 which is supported by the roller 38 rotating about the axis of the spindle 35.

[0024] The labels 26 are therefore cut by the interaction of the cutting rule or die 31 and the roller 38, the cutting action being effected by the roller 38 sweeping around the cutting rule or die 31 and making opposed point contact P1, P2 therewith through the intermediary of the laminated web or strip assembly 22.

[0025] As the laminated web or strip assembly 22 passes from the cutting station a separation is effected by guides rollers 44 and 45 with the backing strip and laminated formed labels generally indicated at 46 passing to a collection reel 47 and waste laminated label shock web generally indicated at 48 passing to a collection reel 49.

[0026] The label stock web and backing strip assembly 12 and laminated web and strip assembly 22 are respectively guided and driven by nips 50 and 51, whereof the drive is effected by stepper motors (not shown).

[0027] The machine controls and indicators are housed in control box 52 and include stop and start controls 53, 54, a re-register control 55, a web pull control 56 and a label counter 57.

[0028] With this machine labels can be cut as individual "islands" and the cutting station does not need to employ the substantial die cutting forces used in conventional label production machines.

Claims

1. A machine for producing labels comprising a cutting station to which label stock with associated backing strip is delivered and which includes a vertically-movable cutting rule or die adapted to cooperate with means for supporting the label stock/backing strip combination, which supporting means is constituted by a horizontally-­extending curved or arcuate element rotatable about a vertical axis.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the curved or arcuate element is a roller replaceably supported in a carrier.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 2 in which the carrier is channel shaped with a deeper central recess or slot within which the roller is located.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 3, in which the roller is supported within the central recess or slot by end pegs and lateral guide bars.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 4 in which the lateral guide bars are angle bars.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 2 in which the carrier has a depending vertical driven spindle.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 6 in which the spindle and consequently the carrier is motor driven via an endless transmission.

8. Means for use in a label producing machine for supporting label stock with associated backing strip below a vertically-movable cutting rule or die, the supporting means comprising a horizontally-­extending curved or arcuate element rotatable about a vertical axis.

9. Supporting means as claimed in claim 8 in which the curved or arcuate element is a roller replaceably supported in a carrier.

10. Supporting means as claimed in claim 9 in which the carrier is channel shaped with a deeper central recess or slot within which the roller is located.

11. Supporting means as claimed in claim 10, in which the roller is supported within the central recess or slot by end pegs and lateral guide bars.

12. Supporting means as claimed in claim 11 in which the lateral guide bars are angle bars.

13. Supporting means as claimed in claim 9 to 12 in which the carrier has a depending vertical driven spindle.

14. Supporting means as claimed in claim 13 in which the spindle and consequently the carrier is adapted to be motor driven via an endless transmission.

Drawing