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(11) | EP 2 671 811 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A system and a method for labelling a packaging product and and respective label |
| (57) A labelling system (10) comprising a matrix (20) for housing a label (90) which comprises
at least one alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol, which comprises at least one
fixing pin (94), the label (90) being realized in a zinc-based metal alloy, furthermore
the matrix (20) comprises at least one trace (22) the system comprising suctioning
means (40), and also the matrix (20) comprises at least one suction hole (25), connected
to suctioning means (40), which is realized into at least one trace (22) in order
to suck and keep said at least one single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol
or similar in position. A method for fixing a label (90) to a product, by means of a press, comprising a press with a matrix (20) having at least one trace (22) for housing the label (90), which comprises at least one single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol provided with at least one fixing pin (94), said method comprising the following steps: a) positioning each single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol in each trace (22), and also to bind the product to a lower pressing cylinder; c) fixing the label (90) to the product; e) extracting the labelled product, and the previous phases are performed in this following sequence: a), c), e), furthermore the labelling method comprises a f) step: to create a depression of at least 0,5 atm into at least one trace (22) of the matrix (20). |
[0001] The present invention refers to a system and a method for labelling a packaging product, such as for example a product in the clothing field or respective items, or for furniture, or accessories or furnishing.
[0002] In particular, the present invention refers to a system and a method for labelling products by means of a plurality of letters and/or symbols realized in a metal alloy, such as in particular a zinc alloy and/or aluminium, such as for example a commonly known alloy with the trademark ZAMA.
[0003] Nowadays, various types of labelling systems exist, able to fix metal labels to various types of products to label and to pack.
[0004] The known systems use a plurality of letters and/or symbols, which are realized in a single piece, in a metal material, by means of a pair of rails , laterally placed to said plurality of letters and/or symbols making a label, to be fixed to an object of the clothing field or for furniture.
[0005] The plurality of letters and/or symbols has a plurality of fixing pins and furthermore it is flushing and realized in a single piece.
[0006] The plurality of letters is also positioned in an upper matrix of a press, provided with a series of traces with realize in negative form the plurality of letters and/or symbols and it is also provided with a plurality of pliers, which by blocking the two rails, they consequently block in position the plurality of letters and/or numbers.
[0007] The rails can be positioned over a plane in which the plurality of letters and/or numbers lies, or they can be laterally positioned in order to permit the labelling of surfaces having reduced thicknesses.
[0008] Furthermore, these labelling systems need a series of metal or polymer supports which are placed to an opposed side of the surface of the object to label.
[0009] The series of polymeric materials is also usually realized in a single piece, in a polymeric material, in order to facilitate the positioning into a corresponding trace, in a lower matrix of a press.
[0010] Furthermore, each upper support is provided with a plurality of holes, for inserting the fixing pins, in order to fix said label to a flexible or soft surface of a labelling object.
[0011] In this way, the surface of the labelling object is positioned between said plurality of letters and/or symbols realized in a single piece, and said plurality of rear polymeric supports, realized in a single piece.
[0012] Subsequently the upper and the lower matrix are pressed one against the other by obtaining at the same time the fixing of the plurality of the fixing pins in the plurality of fixing holes with perforation at the same time of the surface of the labelling product.
[0013] At the end of the fixing, the two rails are manually broken, and this fact often determines the damaging of the surface of the labelling product.
[0014] Another drawback is that usually the plurality of letters and/or symbols is realized in a single piece, with the two rails through forging with a metal alloy and then it is coloured by a galvanic process.
[0015] Consequently, the breaking of the rails also determines non coloured portions and letters and/or symbols or even not galvanised and hence the result often is not aesthetically suitable.
[0016] Another drawback is that the metal alloy with whom the plurality of letters and/or numbers are made is not disposable, therefore the producing cost is very high and with very high disposal costs.
[0018] Furthermore these systems do not permit to realize and fix labels having accents or little dots, such as for example the dot over the letter "i" and this strongly limits the type of usable characters and also the minimal size of the characters of the possible symbols.
[0019] An aim of the present invention is to realize a system and a method for labelling a packaging product and a respective label, permitting to reduce the productive costs and also permitting a simplification of the process for realizing the labelling.
[0020] Another aim is to realize a system and a method for labelling a packaging product and a respective label, permitting to realize different labels and which are versatile and with low productive costs.
[0021] Another aim is to realize a system and a method for labelling a packaging product and a respective label permitting to use metal alloys with a low price and disposable for the plurality of characters and/or symbols forming the label.
[0022] A further aim is to obtain a system and a method for labelling a packaging product and a respective label, permitting to use a plurality of letters and/or symbols, realized with a low cost in great quantities, with common metal alloys, which are completely recyclable.
[0023] A further aim is that to obtain a system and a method for labelling a packaging product and a respective label, permitting to realize objects with single labels, and difficult to make, which can not be detached and reducing the counterfeit problem.
[0024] A further aim is that to obtain a system and a method for labelling a packaging product and a respective label, which are simple to realize and advantageous from an economic point of view.
[0025] These aims according to the present invention are reached by realizing a system and a method for labelling a packaging product and a respective label, as shown in claims 1 and 12.
[0027] The properties and advantages of a system and a method for labelling a packaging product and a respective label according to the present invention are more evident from the following exemplary but not limitative description, referred to the schematic, annexed drawings in which:
figure 1 is a perspective right side elevation view and from the above of a preferred system for labelling a packaging product, according to the present invention,
figure 2 is a partially sectioned from below of a preferred embodiment of the system in figure 1, sectioned along the II-II line;
figure 3 is a view from above of the system in figure 1;
figure 4 is a sectioned, front elevation view of another preferred embodiment of the system in figure 1, sectioned along the line IV-IV;
figure 5 is a sectioned, front elevation view of the labelling system in figure 4, in which a label comprising a plurality of single alphanumerical letters and/or symbols is included, according to the present invention;
figure 6 is a perspective, right side elevation view from the above of the system in figure 1, in which in a plurality of traces of a matrix, a label is inserted, comprising a plurality of single alphanumerical letters and/or single symbols according to the present invention;
figure 7 is a partially sectioned view of figure 4, showing the system in figure 1, in which in a plurality of traces of a matrix a label is inserted, comprising a plurality of alphanumerical letters and/or symbols, according to the present invention and in which the matrix has been subsequently rotated of 180° by keeping said label in position.
[0028] With reference to the figures, a labelling system 10 comprising a matrix 20 preferably metallic for housing a label 90 which comprises at least one alphanumeric letter and/or symbol or similar.
[0029] Said at least one alphanumeric letter and/or symbol or similar comprises at least one fixing pin 94 and it also comprises a basal frontal portion 91 and a basal rear portion 92 from which in a substantially perpendicular direction to the same said at least one fixing pin 94 extends.
[0030] Said label 90 is realized in a zinc-aluminum based metal alloy such as for example an alloy known with the trademark ZAMA.
[0031] Preferably, said matrix 20 can be fixed to an upper pressing cylinder or to a lower pressing cylinder of a press in order to fix said label 90 to a product for example to label or to pack.
[0032] Furthermore, said matrix 20 comprises at least one trace 22 for each corresponding alphanumeric letter and/or symbol or similar.
[0033] According to the present invention, said labeling system 10 comprises suctioning means 40, furthermore said matrix 20 preferably metallic comprises at least one suction hole 25, connected to said suctioning means 40, which is realized in said at least one trace 22, in order to suck and keep in position said at least one alphanumeric letter and/or symbol or similar.
[0034] Advantageously, this permits to facilitate and improve the correct positioning before and during the fixing of said at least one alphanumeric letter and/or symbol to said packaging product, in particular said at least one alphanumeric letter and/or symbol is fixed to a preferably rigid position of said product to label by means of pressing of said at least one fixing pin 94 in said product to label.
[0035] Advantageously this permits to avoid a series of realization phases of the known systems, by reducing hence the total number of the realization phases.
[0036] Advantageously this permits to avoid the need of a rear support and also it avoids the mould cost for realizing a plurality of rear supports in a single piece, as the known labeling systems.
[0037] Advantageously, this permits to simplify the productive process, by making the same simple and rapid.
[0038] Advantageously this permits to fix to said product also labels comprising particular letters or symbols, such as for example the letter "i" with a dot over the same, or other letters or symbols having reduced sizes which can not be realized with the known systems, due to the fact that the label must be moulded in a single piece with two side guides which are absolutely necessary to keep in position the label before and during the fixing to said product.
[0039] Preferably, said label 90 comprises a plurality of single alphanumeric letters and/or single symbols or similar, which are not mutually connected between them and also said matrix 20 preferably metallic comprises a plurality of traces 22 for housing said corresponding plurality of single alphanumeric letters and/or single symbols or similar.
[0040] Advantageously, this permits to reduce the number of realization phases and it also permits to realize a plurality of labels by using single alphanumeric letters and/or single symbols without the need of realize a mould for each label, by avoiding hence the production cost of the mould of each label.
[0041] Advantageously, this permits to reduce the production costs of said label 90, and it also permits to use single alphanumeric letters which are commonly produced to realize labels and hence can be realized in great or minor quantities at reduced costs.
[0042] This permits to realize small series without necessarily having a minimum number of pieces to produce which is too high.
[0043] Preferably, said at least one suction hole 25 of said at least one trace 22 is substantially placed in a symmetric way with respect to a central point of said at least one trace 22.
[0044] Advantageously, this permits to keep perfectly balanced and in a correct position said at least one corresponding single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol or similar, before and during the fixing of the same to said product to pack by avoiding a misalignment of said at least one fixing pin 94 with respect to said product to pack itself.
[0045] Preferably, said matrix 20 comprises a connector 27 preferably a snap type which is preferably positioned on an outer side surface 26 of the same, which in particular is substantially orthogonal to an outer basal frontal surface 23 in which is realized said at least one trace 22.
[0046] Furthermore, said connector 27 is preferably of a snap type, and it is connectable to said suctioning means 40, in particular by means of a suction duct 42, preferably of a flexible type.
[0047] Preferably, said matrix 20 preferably metallic comprises a lateral suction hole 29 realized in particular in said outer lateral portion 26 of said matrix 20 preferably metallic in correspondence of said connector 27.
[0048] In particular, each suction hole 25 comprises a proximal end, realized in the bottom of a corresponding trace 22 and a second distal end, associated with said lateral suction hole 29.
[0049] Preferably, said metal matrix 20 comprises at least one chamber 21, realized internally to the same, which is connected to said at least one suction hole 25 and also at least one suction hole 25 is substantially perpendicular to said at least one chamber 21.
[0050] Furthermore and preferably, said at least one chamber 21 is connected to said lateral suction hole 29.
[0051] Advantageously, this permits to obtain a matrix 20 provided with suction holes 25 easy to make, and also it permits to obtain an uniform and constant depression in all the suction holes 25 of said matrix 20, since said at least one chamber 21 permits to create a constant and uniform suction effect in proximity of said proximal end of each suction hole 25 and in the corresponding trace 22, said suction effect advantageously permitting to constantly keep each single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol or similar in its position, inside a corresponding trace 22 also during the fixing of the same to said product, in order to advantageously avoid a misalignment of said at least one fixing pin 94 with respect to said product.
[0052] Preferably, said at least one chamber 21 is substantially parallel to an outer frontal basal surface 23, in which is realized said at least one trace 22 of said matrix 20.
[0053] In particular said outer lateral surface 26 is substantially perpendicular to said outer frontal basal surface 23 of said matrix 20.
[0054] Preferably, said matrix 20 comprises two portions 28, in particular lateral and outer ones, for the fixing to said upper pressing cylinder or to said lower pressing cylinder of said press, furthermore said two fixing portions 28 are in particular dovetail shaped to advantageously permit a correct fixing in position with respect to said upper or lower pressing cylinder of said press.
[0055] Preferably, said suctioning means 40 comprise a vacuum pump, which in particular produces a depression of at least 0,5 atm and preferably of at least 0,8 atm and in particular of 0,92 atm.
[0056] Advantageously, this permits to obtain a uniform and stable suction effect into each suction hole 25 and in particular into said at least one chamber 21 of said matrix 20 preferably metallic.
[0057] Preferably, each fixing pin 94 comprises a free end 95 which is tapered and substantially sharp, and in particular it comprises a substantially hooked portion, to advantageously avoid the disassembly of said label 90 from said product, by obtaining hence a permanent and stable fixing during time..
[0058] Preferably said product is a clothing article and/or a clothing accessory, or a furnishing element or accessory or similar, or a package of a product.
[0059] Preferably, said label 90 comprises a rear rigid polymeric support, in particular a rigid polymeric plate, in order to fix said label 90 to a flexible and/or soft surface of said product.
[0060] Preferably, said label 90 also comprises a screen-printed polymeric element, preferably shaped like a polymeric strip, which can be fixed in a permanent way to said product.
[0061] Preferably, said screen-printed polymeric element comprises at least one lenticular image preferably a tri-dimensional image, which is realized in an outer surface of said screen-printed polymeric element, and it also advantageously permits to make extremely difficult a counterfeit of said label 90 itself, by also making easily recognisable the counterfeited products from the products with the original label 90 and at the same time it easily permits to signal a theft..
[0062] Preferably, said at least one lenticular image comprises at least two preferably tri-dimensional images, which are realized in an outer surface of said screen-printed polymeric element.
[0063] Preferably, said screen-printed polymeric element is realized in a polymeric material chosen among PET polyethylene terephthalate or its alloys or similar, PVC polyvinylchloride or its alloys or similar, PMMA polymethyl methacrylate or its alloys or similar.
[0064] In particular, said screen-printed polymeric element is realized in a polymeric material, chosen among PET polyethylene terephthalate or it alloys or similar.
[0065] Advantageously, this permits to obtain a label 90 which is very resistant to scratches and strokes and at the same time it is very light.
[0066] Advantageously, this avoids that a stroke or a surface rubbing could damage or alter an image and/or at least one writing obtained on said screen-printed polymeric element, hence by reducing at the minimum the labelled products which can be counterfeited.
[0067] Preferably, said screen-printed polymeric element comprises a writing, which is in particular in relief, and in particular with the BRAILLE language, permitting for example to be recognised also by blind persons.
[0068] Preferably, said screen-printed polymeric element comprises a univocal alphanumeric code in particular cryptographated for each label or series of labels, which is usable as serial number or similar, furthermore said screen-printed polymeric element also comprises in particular an holographic image, in order to reduce at the minimum, the counterfeit of the same.
[0069] Preferably said screen-printed polymeric element comprises a univocal optical binary matrix, which can be read by means of an optical reader or can be photographed and later one can be associated to a firm or to a person, such as a customer or a distributor.
[0070] Advantageously, this permits to reduce drastically the counterfeit, an original label 90 being easily recognisable and difficult to imitate with respect to a counterfeited label, and permitting to realize labelled products which are perfectly recognisable and traceable, which can be easily associated in particular to each final customer, by making the imitation of the label 90 difficult and hence also said screen-printed polymeric element and said product.
[0071] Preferably said at least one lenticular image is a plurality of lenticular images which realize tri-dimensional effects, such as for example a stereoscopic 3D effect, or a "morphing" effect or a "zoom" effect or a moving effect, or a movie, or a commutating effect from an image to at least another image.
[0072] Preferably said plurality of lenticular images comprises at least 15 lenticular images, and in particular at least 90 lenticular images, which realize a movie of some seconds, such as for example a short spot, by advantageously avoiding the need of electronic means and feeding means.
[0073] According to another aspect of the present invention, a label 90 is provided, for a labelling product, comprising a plurality of single alphanumeric letters and/or single symbols or similar, which are not mutually connected and in which each of them comprises at least one fixing pin 94 and it also comprises a basal frontal portion 91 and a basal rear portion 92 from which said at least one fixing pin 94 extends in a substantially perpendicular direction to the same.
[0074] Furthermore, said label 90 is realized in a metal alloy, preferably having a fusion temperature lower than 500 °C and in particular lower than 450 °C, such as in particular a zinc-based alloy or a zinc and aluminium alloy.
[0075] Advantageously, this permits to realize a plurality of labels with low and completely recyclable energy costs, and also it permits to easily realize various types of labels in an easy and versatile manner, as each label is realized by starting from single alphanumeric letters and/or single symbols, and hence it does not need a particular press for pressing the entire label.
[0076] Preferably, each fixing pin 94 comprises a free end 95 which is tapered and substantially sharp and in particular comprises a substantially hooked portion in order to advantageously avoid the disassembly of said label 90 from said product, by obtaining a permanent fixing and stable in time.
[0077] Preferably said label 90 also comprises a screen-printed polymeric element, preferably shaped as a polymeric strip, which is also fixable in a permanent manner with respect to said product.
[0078] Preferably said screen-printed polymeric element comprises at least one preferably tri-dimensional lenticular image, which is realized in an outer surface of said screen-printed polymeric element, and also it advantageously permits in an extremely difficult to counterfeit said label 90 itself, by making also advantageously recognisable the counterfeited products with an original label 90 and at the same time it permits to easily recognise a theft.
[0079] Preferably, said at least one lenticular image comprises at least two images, which are preferably tri-dimensional, and are realized in an outer surface of said screen-printed polymeric element.
[0080] Preferably, said screen-printed polymeric element is realized in a polymeric material chosen among PET polyethylene terephthalate or its alloys, or similar, PVC polyvinylchloride or its alloys or similar, PMMA polymethyl methacrylate or its alloys or similar.
[0081] In particular, said screen-printed polymeric element is realized in a polymeric material, chosen between PET polyethylene terephthalate or its alloys or similar.
[0082] Advantageously, this permits to obtain a label 90 which is highly resistant to scratches and strokes, and at the same time a very light label.
[0083] Advantageously, this avoids that a stroke or surface rubbing can damage or alter at least one writing realized in said screen-printed polymeric element, hence by reducing at the minimum the labelled products which can be counterfeited.
[0084] Preferably said screen-printed polymeric element comprises a writing in relief and in particular in a BRAILLE language, permitting for example to be recognised also by blind persons.
[0085] Preferably, said screen-printed polymeric element comprises an univocal alphanumeric code, in particular a cryptographated for each label or series of labels which is usable as serial number or similar, furthermore said screen-printed polymeric element comprises in particular also an holographic image, to reduce at the minimum its counterfeit.
[0086] Preferably, said screen-printed polymeric element comprises an univocal binary optical matrix, which can be read by means of an optical reader, or which can be photographed and later can be associated to a firm or another person, such as in particular a customer or a distributor.
[0087] Advantageously, this permits to drastically reduce the counterfeit, by making the original label 90 easily recognisable and difficult to imitate with respect to a counterfeited label, and hence permitting to realize perfectly recognisable labelled products, which can be easily associated in particular to each final customer, by making said label 90 difficult to imitate and hence also said screen-printed polymeric element and said product.
[0088] Preferably said product is a clothing article and/or clothing accessory, or a furnishing element or accessory or similar, or a package for a product to pack.
[0089] Preferably said at least one lenticular image is a plurality of lenticular images which realize tri-dimensional effects, such as for example a 3D stereoscopic effect, or a "morphing" effect or a "zoom" effect or a moving effect, or a movie or a commutating effect from an image to at least another image.
[0090] Preferably said plurality of lenticular images comprises at least 15 lenticular images and in particular at least 90 lenticular images, which realize a movie of some seconds, such as for example a short spot, by avoiding advantageously the need of electronic and supply means.
[0091] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for fixing a label 90 to a product, by means of a press, comprising an upper pressing cylinder and a lower pressing cylinder, said press also comprising a matrix 20 preferably metallic, which is fixable to said upper pressing cylinder or alternatively to said lower pressing cylinder, and also which comprises at least one trace 22, in particular a plurality of traces 22, for housing said label 90 which comprises at least one single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol or similar, and in particular a plurality of single non mutually connected alphanumeric letters and/or symbols or similar, said at least one single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol or similar comprising at least one fixing pin 94, and also comprising a basal frontal portion 91 and a basal rear portion 92 from which in a direction substantially perpendicular to the same said at least one fixing pin 94 extends.
[0092] Said method comprises the following steps:
a) to place each single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol or similar of said label 90 in each corresponding trace 22 of said matrix 20 by making adhering said rear base portion 92 into each corresponding trace 22, and in particular by making adhering said basal rear portion 92 of each single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol or similar to a bottom portion of each corresponding trace 22; and they are also to constrain said product to said lower pressing cylinder;
c) mutual pressing between said upper pressing cylinder and said lower pressing cylinder, by determining the insertion of said at least one fixing pin 94 of each single alphanumeric letter and/symbol or similar into a portion of said product and in particular into a polymeric support element, placed in a rear position to said product, by obtaining a labelled product;
d) moving away said upper pressing cylinders and lower pressing cylinders;
e) extract said labelled product from said press.
[0093] According to the present invention said previous steps are performed in such a sequence a), c), d), e), furthermore said labelling method comprises a step f) to create a depression of at least 0,5 atm and preferably of at least 0,8 atm, in particular through suction means, into said at least one trace 22 of said matrix 20 preferably metallic, and in particular into said plurality of traces 22 of said matrix 20 preferably metallic.
[0094] Advantageously, this permits to simplify the productive process by making easy and rapid the same.
[0095] Advantageously, this permits to fix to said product also labels comprising particular letters or symbols, such as for example a letter "i" with a dot over it, or other letters or symbols having reduced sizes, which with the known systems can not be realized, due to the fact that the label must be printed in a single piece, with two side guides, which are absolutely needed to keep the label in position before and during the fixing to said product.
[0096] In particular said step f) begins before said step a) and it ends before the beginning of said step e), in other terms said step f) is performed at the same time to said steps a), c), d), e).
[0097] Advantageously, this permits to avoid the realization of said label 90 in a single piece, avoiding the removing the mould cost for the realization of the same.
[0098] Furthermore this permits advantageously to also avoid the realization of a series of side supports realized in a single piece with said label 90 which, during the step c) often create a mark which can not be accepted on said product and during the step e) they often determine scratches and other defects which can not be accepted on the surface of said product.
[0099] Advantageously, this permits to obtain a high quality of the labelled product, by reducing at the minimum the defects and reducing also the production waste.
[0100] Preferably, said labelling method also comprises a step of i) to rotate of 180° said matrix 20 preferably metallic with respect to a horizontal axis, said step i) being performed after said step a).
[0102] Preferably said metal matrix 20 comprises a plurality of suction holes 25 realized in said at least one trace 22, and it also comprises a suction collector preferably lateral.
[0103] In particular, each suction hole 25 comprises a proximal end realized in the bottom of the trace 22 and a second distal end associated to said suction collection.
[0104] Preferably said step f) comprises a step of g) to suck through said plurality of suction holes 25 each single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol and/or similar into each corresponding trace 22 of said matrix 20 preferably metallic, in particular through said suction means.
[0105] Advantageously, this permits to correctly insert in position at least one trace 22 of said at least one single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol or similar, in a simple and rapid way independently from the label shape.
[0106] In particular said step f) comprises a step n) to suck air through said suction collector, by creating a depression, in particular of at least 0,5 atm and preferably of at least 0,8 atm, into said plurality of suction holes 25 of said matrix 20 preferably metallic, by obtaining a suction effect in each trace 22, said suction effect keeping said label 90 in position, also during the a) and c) steps and in particular during said i) step.
[0107] Advantageously, this permits to obtain a depression at the same time in all the suction holes 25, by keeping the same at the most constant and uniform manner and also in particular during the step c), hence by permitting to guide said at least one fixing pin 94 during the fixing to said product, by avoiding at the same time the use of lateral fixing bars in the position of said label 90.
[0108] Preferably said metal matrix 20 comprises at least one chamber 21 which is realized into the same, and connected to said second distal end of said at least one suction hole 25 and to said suction collector preferably lateral and also in particular said at least one suction hole 25 is substantially perpendicular to said at least one chamber 21.
[0109] Preferably, said step f) of said method comprises a step p) to create a depression of at least 0,5 atm and in particular of at least 0,8 atm into said at least one chamber 21, by obtaining hence in proximity of said first proximal end of each suction hole 25 a constant and uniform suction effect and also which permits to correctly place and to correctly keep, during said step a), c), and in particular during said step i) said at least one single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol or similar in position, during the step c) for fixing the same to said product.
[0110] Furthermore, preferably said label 90 is realized in a metal alloy, having preferably a melting temperature lower than 500 °C and in particular lower than 450 °C, such as in particular a zinc-based alloy or a zinc and aluminium based alloy.
[0111] Advantageously, this permits to realize a plurality of labels with low energy costs and completely recyclable, and it also permits to realize in a simple and versatile way various types of labels, as each label is realized starting from single alphanumeric letters and/or single symbols, and so it does not need a particular print for printing the entire label.
[0112] Preferably, each fixing pin 94 comprises a free end 95 which is tapered and substantially sharp and in particular it comprises a substantially hook-shaped portion, to advantageously avoid the disassembling of said label 90 from said product, by obtaining in this way a permanent and stable fixing.
[0113] Preferably said step c) of said labelling method comprises a step q) to fix to said product said label 90, which also comprises a polymeric screen-preferably shaped printed element, as a polymeric strip, which is also fixable in a permanent way to said product.
[0114] Preferably, said screen-printed polymeric element comprises at least one tri-dimensional image, which is realized in an outer surface of said screen-printed polymeric element, furthermore it advantageously permits to make the counterfeit of said label 90 extremely difficult, by making advantageously and easily recognisable the counterfeited products with the original label 90 and at the same time it permits to easily notice a theft.
[0115] Preferably, said at least one lenticular image comprising at least two preferably tri-dimensional images, which are realized in an outer surface of said screen-printed polymeric element
[0116] Preferably, said screen-printed polymeric element is realized in a polymeric material, chosen among PET polyethylene terephtalate or its alloys or similar, PVC polyvinylchloride or its alloys or similar, PMMA polymethylmethacrylate or its alloys or similar.
[0117] In particular, said screen-printed polymeric element is realized in a polymeric material, chosen among PET polyethylene terephtalate or its alloys or similar.
[0118] Advantageously, this permits to obtain a highly resistant label 90 to scratches and strokes and at the same time it is very light.
[0119] Advantageously, this avoid a stroke or a surface rubbing can damaged or altered an image and/or at least one screen-printed polymeric element, by reducing at the minimum the labelled products which can be counterfeited.
[0120] Preferably, said screen-printed polymeric element comprises a written, which is in particular in relief, and in BRAILLE language, permitting for example to be recognised also by blind persons.
[0121] Preferably, said screen-printed polymeric element comprises a univocal alphanumeric code in particular cryptographated for each label or series of labels which can be used as serial number or similar, furthermore said screen-printed polymeric element comprises in particular also a holographic image, to reduce at the minimum the counterfeit of the same.
[0122] Preferably, said screen-printed polymeric element comprises an univocal binary optical matrix which can be read by means of an optical reader or which can be photographed and later associated to a firm or a person, such as in particular a customer or a distributor.
[0123] Advantageously, this permits to drastically reduce the counterfeit, by making easily recognisable and difficult to imitate an original label 90 from a counterfeited label, and hence to permit the realization of perfectly recognisable and traceable products, which can be easily associated in particular to each final customer, by making so difficult to imitate said label 90 and hence also said screen-printed polymeric element and said product.
[0124] Preferably said product is a clothing article and/or a clothing accessory, or a furniture or accessory or furnishing, or a package of a product to pack.
[0125] Preferably said at least one lenticular image is a plurality of lenticular images, which realize tri-dimensional effects, such as for example a stereo 3D effect, or a "morphing" effect or a "zoom" effect or a moving effect, or a movie, or a communication effect from one image to another one.
[0126] Preferably said plurality of lenticular images comprises at least 15 images, and in particular at least 90 lenticular images, which realize a movie of some seconds, such as for example a short spot, by advantageously avoiding the need for electronics and supplying means.
[0127] Preferably said product is a clothing and/or accessory article, or a furniture or a furnishing, or a packaging product.
[0128] It is clear that a system and a method for labelling a packaging product of a relative label according to the present invention by realizing the previously cited aims. The system and the method for labelling a product and the respective label are susceptible of various changes and variants, all entering in the same inventive concept.
1. A labelling system (10) comprising a matrix (20) for housing a label (90) which comprises
at least one alphanumeric letter and/or symbol or similar, said at least one alphanumeric
letter and/or symbol or similar comprising at least one fixing pin (94) and also comprising
a basal frontal portion (91) and a basal rear portion (92) from which in a substantially
perpendicular direction to the same said at least one fixing pin (94) extends, said
label (90) being realized in a zinc-based metal alloy, said matrix (20) being fixable
to an upper or lower pressing cylinder of a pressing machine in order to fix said
label (90) to a product, furthermore said matrix (20) comprises at least one trace
(22) for each corresponding alphanumeric letter and/or symbol or similar, characterized in that it comprises suctioning means (40), furthermore said matrix (20) comprises at least
one suction hole (25) connected to said suctioning means (40) which is realized into
said at least one trace (22) in order to suck and keep in position said at least one
alphanumeric letter and/or symbol or similar.
2. The labelling system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said matrix (20) comprises a lateral suction hole (29), and also each suction hole
(25) comprises a proximal end realized in the bottom of a corresponding trace (22)
and a second distal end associated to said lateral suction hole (29).
3. The labelling system (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said matrix (20) comprises at least one chamber (21) realized internally to the same
which is connected with said at least one suction hole (25) and also said at least
one suction hole (25) is substantially perpendicular to said at least one chamber
(21), and also said at least one chamber (21) is connected with said lateral suction
hole (29).
4. The labelling system (10) according to any claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said suctioning means (40) comprise a vacuum pump which in particular to create a
depression of at least 0,5 atm and preferably of at least 0,8 atm , and in particular
of approximately 0,92 atm.
5. The labelling system (10) according to any claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said label (90) comprises a polymeric rear rigid support, in order to fix said label
(90) to a flexible and/or soft surface of said product.
6. The labelling system (10) according to any claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said label (90) comprises a screen-printed polymeric element, which can be fixed
in a permanent way to said labelled product.
7. A label (90) for a labelling product, comprising a plurality of single alphanumeric
letters and/or single symbols or similar, which are not mutually connected and in
which each of them comprises at least one fixing pin (94) and it also comprises a
basal frontal portion (91) and a basal rear portion (92) from which in a direction
substantially perpendicular to the same said at least one fixing pin (94) extends,
furthermore said label (90) is realized in a metal alloy, having a melting temperature
lower than 500 °C and in particular lower than 450 °C, such as in particular a zinc-based
alloy or a zinc-aluminium alloy.
8. The label (90) according to claim 7, characterized in that each fixing pin (94) comprises a free end (95) which is tapered and substantially
sharp and in particular comprises a substantially hook-shaped portion to advantageously
avoid the disassembling of said label (90) from said product.
9. The label (90) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it comprises a screen-printed polymeric element which is also fixable in a permanent
way to said labelled product, and also said screen-printed polymeric element comprises
at least one lenticular image which is realized in an outer surface of said screen-printed
polymeric element.
10. The label (90) according to any of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that said screen-printed polymeric element is realized in a polymeric material chosen
among PET polyethylene terephtalate or its alloys or similar, PVC polyvinylchloride
or its alloys or similar, polymethyl methacrylate PMMA or its alloys or similar.
11. The label (90) according to any of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that said screen-printed polymeric element comprises an univocal alphanumeric code for
each label or series of labels, which is usable as serial number or similar, and also
said screen-printed polymeric element comprises in particular also a holographic image,
to reduce the counterfeit of the same at a minimum.
12. A fixing method of a label (90) to a product by means of a press, comprising an upper
and a lower pressing cylinder, said press also comprising a matrix (20) which is fixable
to said upper pressing cylinder or alternately to said lower pressing cylinder, and
also comprising at least one trace (22) for housing said label (90) which comprises
at least one single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol or similar, said at least
one single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol or similar comprising at least
one fixing pin (94) and also comprising a basal frontal portion (91) and a basal rear
portion (92) from which in direction substantially perpendicular to the same said
at least one fixing pin (94) extends, said method comprising the following steps:
a) placing each single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol or similar of said label (90) into each corresponding trace (22) of said matrix (20) by making adhering said basal rear portion (92) of each single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol or similar into each corresponding trace (22), by making adhering said basal rear portion (92) of each single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol or similar to a bottom portion of each corresponding trace (22), and also constraining said product to said lower pressing cylinder;
c) mutual pressing between said lower pressing cylinder and said upper pressing cylinder by determining the insertion of at least said one fixing pin (94) of each single alphanumeric letter and/or symbol or similar into a portion of said product;
d) moving away said upper pressing cylinders and said lower pressing cylinders;
e) extracting the labelled product from said press, said method being characterized in that said previous steps are performed in this sequence: a), c), d), e) , furthermore said labelling method comprises a step (f) to create a depression of at least 0,5 atm into said at least one trace (22) of said matrix (20).
13. The labelling method according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a step of i) to rotate said matrix (20) of 180° with respect to an horizontal
axis, said step i) being performed after said step a).
14. The labelling method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said matrix (20) comprises a plurality of suction holes (25) realized into said at
least one trace (22), and also comprising a suction collector preferably lateral,
each suction hole (25) comprising a proximal end, realized in the bottom of a corresponding
trace (22) and a second distal end associated to said suction collector, and also
said step f) comprising a step g) to suck through said plurality of suction holes
(25) each single alphanumeric letter and/or symbol or similar into each corresponding
trace (22) of said matrix (20).
15. The labelling method according to claim 14, characterized in that said step f) comprises a step n) to suck air through said suction collection by creating
a depression into said plurality of suction holes (25) of said matrix (20), so by
obtaining a suction effect into each trace (22), said suction effect keeping said
label (90) in position, also during the steps a), c).
16. The labelling method according to claim 15, characterized in that said matrix (20) comprises at least one chamber (21) realized internally to the same,
which is connected to said second distal end of said at least one suction hole (25)
and to said suction collector preferably lateral, and also said step f) comprises
a step p) to create a depression of at least 0,5 atm into said at least one chamber
(21) so by obtaining in proximity of said first proximal end of each suction hole
(25) a constant and uniform suction effect which also permits to correctly place and
to correctly keep in position during said steps a) and c), and in particular during
said step i), said at least one single alphanumeric letter and/or single symbol or
similar, during the fixing step c) of the same to said product.