TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a labelling module for applying labels onto articles,
such as bottles, jars or containers of such sort, adapted to contain a pourable product,
preferably a pourable food product.
[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for applying labels onto articles,
such as bottles, jars or containers of such sort, adapted to contain a pourable product,
preferably a pourable food product.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Labelling machines are known, which are commonly used to prepare, transport and apply
labels onto articles, such as bottles, jars, flacons, containers, or the like adapted
to be filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product.
[0004] Particularly widespread are labels of the tubular kind known as "sleeve labels",
which are obtained starting from a web of heat-shrinking film initially wound around
one or more storage reels; the sleeve labels are applied with a certain clearance
on the respective articles and then heated in an oven to obtain their shrinking and
perfect adhesion to the lateral surfaces of the articles.
[0005] These type of labels do not require the use of glue.
[0006] Also particularly widespread is the use of glued labels, i.e. portions of a labelling
material that are cut at appropriate lengths from a web of labelling material initially
wound around one or more storage reels and then sprinkled with glue.
[0007] In detail, the web of labelling material is unwound off the relative reel and then
sequentially cut in successive labels of equal length, upon which glue is applied
by gluing means, such as a gluing roller, spray or injector systems or the like.
[0008] Eventually, the labels so obtained are conveyed and applied onto the respective articles
to be labelled.
[0009] Regardless of the type of label used, a known labelling machine typically comprises:
- a rotary carousel, rotatable around a central axis, usually vertical, and configured
to convey a plurality of articles along an horizontal, arc-shaped labelling path;
- an input station, at which the articles to be labelled are received by the carousel;
- an output station, at which the labelled articles exit the carousel; and
- a labelling module, peripherally arranged relatively to the carousel and configured
to feed a plurality of labels to the carousel itself at an application station, in
order to apply such labels to respective articles.
[0010] Typically, the labelling module comprises:
- one or more storage units, for example reels or spools around which the web of labelling
material is initially wound;
- a plurality of unwinding rollers, which support, in use, the web progressively unwound
from the reel and guide it, in use, along a feeding path; and
- a label transfer device, for example a known vacuum drum configured to receive, retain
and advance each label and to feed each label to the carousel, at the application
station.
[0011] In detail, the vacuum drum is configured to receive a succession of labels at a receiving
station and to retain them by means of suction applied through known vacuum ports
on the outer lateral surface thereof. Then, after a rotation of a certain angle about
its axis, the vacuum drum releases the labels at the application station, so that
such labels can be applied onto respective articles advanced by the carousel.
[0012] Typically, the labelling module further comprises a cutting device configured to
cut (i.e. to separate), in particular to sequentially cut, the web of labelling material
at a cutting station, so as to separate a sequence of labels from the web which is
unwound, in use, from the reel.
[0013] According to a well-known configuration, rotary-type cutting devices are used, which
comprise:
- a first rotary element, usually a blade roller, rotatably mounted about a vertical
axis, carrying a blade member and configured to convey the blade member cyclically
through the cutting station, along a circular cutting path around the axis; and
- a second rotary element, usually a counterblade roller, rotatably mounted about an
axis usually parallel to the axis of the first rotary element, arranged peripherally
to the first rotary element, so as to be substantially tangential to the cutting path,
carrying a counterblade member and configured to convey the counterblade member cyclically
through the cutting station along a circular path.
[0014] In other words, the blade member and the counterblade member are both cyclically
conveyed, in a synchronous manner, through the cutting station, to interact with one
another and perform the cutting of the web thereby separating the sequence of labels
therefrom.
[0015] More precisely, the web is interposed, in use and at the cutting station, between
the blade roller and the counterblade roller, with the counterblade member cyclically
acting as an abutment member for the blade member during the cutting.
[0016] In the case in which glued labels are used, the labelling module further comprises
gluing means, for example a gluing roller arranged peripherally to the vacuum drum,
configured to spread the glue on at least the end portions of each individual label,
after the cutting and prior to their application to the relative articles.
[0017] In another known solution, gluing means comprise a spray nozzle arranged peripherally
to the vacuum drum.
[0018] The need for spacing the labels from one another, after the cutting and prior to
the application onto the articles, is known in the field, so as to match the step
or cadence or pitch of the articles advanced by the carousel.
[0019] To this end, the vacuum drum is configured to impart a transfer step or pitch to
the labels received and fed to the carousel.
[0020] In fact, the labels are initially joined to one another in form of said web, and
only after spaced by means of the vacuum drum.
[0021] Accordingly, the vacuum drum can be conceptually divided in a plurality of receiving
sectors, each sector being configured to receive and retain one label at a time from
the cutting device and having a linear extension correlated to the length of the label.
In particular, the linear extension is greater than the length of the label to allow
the spacing of the labels.
[0022] Also, the linear distance followed by the blade roller and/or by the counter blade
roller for each cutting, that is the linear distance followed by the blade roller
and/or the counter blade roller between two subsequent cuts, is correlated to the
length of the label.
[0023] Therefore, in case of label length variation, a first solution for varying said linear
distance is to change the blade roller and/or the counter blade roller.
[0024] This first solution is cumbersome and requires the user to have several alternative
rollers for the various label formats. This renders the labelling machine not very
flexible or adaptive.
[0025] An alternative known solution entails an adaptive control of the rotational velocity
of the blade roller and counterblade roller, in order to match the new label pitch
on the vacuum drum, due to the new label format.
[0026] Alternatively, a transmission ratio between the blade roller and the counterblade
roller can be varied, so as to define a new interval between two successive cuts of
the web, and therefore a new label length.
[0027] However, also these solutions are cumbersome and complicated, as they require a complicated
control of the motors of the rollers, and complicated and delicate mechanisms in order
to obtain the desired transmission ratio.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0028] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a labelling module
and a method for applying labels onto articles which are designed to overcome at least
one of the above-mentioned drawbacks in a straightforward and low-cost manner.
[0029] This object is achieved by a labelling module and a method for applying labels onto
articles as claimed in the appended independent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic top view, with parts removed for clarity, of a labelling module
according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in a first possible situation
during a production mode of the module;
Figure 2 is a larger scale, schematic top view of a detail of the labelling module
of Figure 1, in a second possible situation during a production mode of the module;
Figure 3 is a larger scale, schematic top view of a detail of the labelling module
of Figure 1, in a third possible situation;
Figure 4 is a larger scale, schematic top view of a detail of the labelling module
of Figure 1, in a fourth possible situation;
Figure 5 is a schematic top view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of a
labelling module according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in a first
possible situation;
Figure 6 is a top schematic view, with parts removed for clarity, of a detail of the
labelling module of Figure 5, in a second possible situation;
Figure 7 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a cutting device
of the labelling module of Figure 5, in a third possible situation; and
Figure 8 is a perspective view, with parts removed for clarity, of a cutting device
of a labelling machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0031] With reference to Figure 1, number 1 indicates as a whole a labelling machine for
applying labels 2 obtained from a web 3 of labelling material onto articles 4, such
as bottles, jars or containers of such sort, adapted to contain a pourable product,
preferably a pourable food product.
[0032] In detail, labelling machine 1 is configured to prepare, transport and apply a sequence
of labels 2 onto articles 4.
[0033] According to this preferred and non-limiting embodiment, labels 2 are glued labels,
i.e. strips of labelling material that are cut at appropriate lengths from a web of
labelling material initially wound around one or more storage reels and then sprinkled
with glue.
[0034] Preferably, web 3 of labelling material is initially wound around one or more spools
5 in the form of a reel 6, and is progressively unwound, in use, off reel 6.
[0035] As visible in Figure 1, labelling machine 1 essentially comprises:
- a conveyor device, preferably a rotary carousel 7 rotatable around a fixed axis (not
shown), in particular vertical, and configured to advance a plurality of articles
4 (only one of which is shown) along a labelling path P, in the example shown an arc-shaped,
horizontal path;
- an input station (not shown), at which articles 4 to be labelled are fed to carousel
7;
- an output station (not shown), at which labelled articles 4 exit from carousel 7;
and
- a labelling module 8 (only partially and schematically shown), arranged peripherally
relatively to carousel 7 and configured to prepare and feed a plurality of labels
2 to the carousel 7 itself at an application station A, in order to apply labels 2
onto respective articles 4.
[0036] In detail, labelling module 8 comprises:
- at least one aforementioned spool 5 for rotatably supporting a reel 6 of web 3;
- a plurality of unwinding rollers 10, which support, in use, the web 3 progressively
unwound from the reel 6 and guide it along a feeding path, thereby defining a feed
system;
- a cutting unit 11 for repeatedly cutting the web 3 at a cutting station C thereby
obtaining a sequence of labels 2 therefrom; and
- a transfer unit 12 for receiving the sequence of labels 2 and for transferring them
to the application station A for the application thereof onto the respective articles
4.
[0037] Preferably, transfer unit includes a transfer drum, in particular a known vacuum
drum 12 rotatable about a central axis, preferably vertical, and configured for retaining
the labels 2 by means of suction applied through known vacuum ports (not shown) which
are selectively connectable to a known vacuum source. Then, after a rotation of a
certain angle about its axis, the vacuum drum 12 releases the labels 2 at the application
station A, so that such labels 2 can be applied onto respective articles 4 advanced
by the carousel 7.
[0038] Conveniently, labelling module 8 further comprises:
- a gluing unit, for example a gluing roller (not shown) for sprinkling the labels 2
with glue while they are being transferred by the vacuum drum 12, upstream of application
station A; and
- a buffer device 13, known per se and not described in detail, for accumulating the
web 3, in particular to regulate the tension of the web.
[0039] It is known the need for spacing the labels 2 from one another, after the cutting
and prior to the application onto the articles 4, so as to match the step or cadence
or pitch of the articles 4 advanced by the carousel 7.
[0040] To this end, vacuum drum 12 is configured to impart a transfer step or pitch to the
labels 2 received and fed to the carousel 7.
[0041] Accordingly, vacuum drum 12 can be conceptually divided in a plurality of receiving
sectors 12a, each sector being configured to receive and retain one label 2 at a time
from the cutting unit 11.
[0042] In Figure 1, it is shown a vacuum drum 12 divided into four sectors 12a, adapted
to transfer labels 2 the length of which is correlated to the linear extension of
each sector 12a, measured on the outer lateral surface of the vacuum drum 12 (the
length is the linear extension minus a certain sliding extension).
[0043] If a label format change is due, for example if shorter labels 2 are needed to be
produced and applied, a vacuum drum 12 with a different number of sectors 12a must
be provided, because it is convenient that the diameter of the vacuum drum 12 is maintained
constant.
[0044] For example, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, a vacuum drum 12 with six sectors 12a,
each one smaller than each of the four sectors 12a of Figure 1, has to be provided.
[0045] The cutting unit 11 comprises a first roller 14 carrying at least one first cutting
member 14a, and a second roller 15 carrying a plurality of second cutting member 15a,
15b, 15c, 15d. Each of the first roller 14 and the second roller 15 defines a respective
longitudinal axis X or Y. The second cutting members are angularly distributed around
the longitudinal axis Y of the second roller 15.
[0046] The first roller 14 and the second roller 15 defines between them a cutting station
C.
[0047] The cutting unit 11 defines a plurality of cutting pairs. Each cutting pair comprises
a respective combination of one first cutting member and one second cutting member,
which are configured for cooperating with one another to cut the web 3 at the cutting
station C.
[0048] A first possible pair comprises for example first cutting member 14a and second cutting
member 15a. A second pair comprises for example first cutting member 14a and second
cutting member 15b. A third pair comprises for example first cutting member 14a and
second cutting member 15c. A fourth pair comprises for example first cutting member
14a and fourth cutting member 15d.
[0049] The cutting unit 11 is configured, by rotating the first roller 14 and the second
roller 15 around the respective longitudinal axes X and Y, for conveying sequentially
the cutting pairs through the cutting station C.
[0050] For example, by rotating the first roller 14 and the second roller 15 around the
respective longitudinal axes X and Y, the cutting unit 11 is configured for sequentially
conveying through the cutting station C the first pair, the second pair, the third
pair, and the fourth pair.
[0051] The cutting unit 11 is configured so that each cutting pair can adopt an active condition
and a not active condition. The cutting unit is configured so that the conveying of
an active pair through the cutting station C corresponds to the cutting of the web.
The cutting unit 11 is configured so that the conveying of a not active pair through
the cutting station C does not correspond to the cutting of the web.
[0052] In particular, the linear distance followed by the first roller 14 and/or by the
second roller 15 for each cutting must vary upon a variation of the label length.
Said linear distance, in fact, must be equal or at least must be correlated to the
linear extension of the vacuum drum sector. Therefore, by varying the conditions of
the pairs, the linear distance can be varied in a simple way, and the cutting unit
11 and/or the labelling module 8 can be more simply and/or more quickly adapted to
a variation of the label length.
[0053] In the first embodiment of Figures 1-4 and in the third embodiment of Figure 8, each
first cutting member 14a is a counterblade member. In the first embodiment of Figures
1-4 and in the third embodiment of Figure 8, each second cutting member 15a or 15b
or 15c or 15d is a blade member.
[0054] In the second embodiment of Figures 5-7, each first cutting member 14a is a blade
member. In the second embodiment of Figures 5-7, each second cutting member 15a or
15b or 15c or 15d is a counterblade member.
[0055] In the first embodiment of Figures 1-4, in the second embodiment of Figures 5-7,
and in the third embodiment of Figure 8, the first roller 14 is carrying for example
only one first cutting member 14a.
[0056] Figure 1 corresponds to the conveying through the cutting station C of the pair comprising
the first cutting member 14a and the second cutting element 15a, in a situation in
which the pair 14a-15a is active. Figure 2 corresponds to the conveying through the
cutting station C of the pair comprising the first cutting member 14a and the second
cutting element 15b, in a situation in which the pair 14a-15b is active. Figure 3
corresponds to the conveying through the cutting station C of the pair comprising
the first cutting member 14a and the second cutting element 15d, in a situation in
which the pair 14a-15d is active. Figure 4 corresponds to the conveying through the
cutting station C of the pair comprising the first cutting member 14a and the second
cutting element 15b, in a situation in which the pair 14a-15b is not active.
[0057] Figure 5 corresponds to the conveying through the cutting station C of the pair comprising
the first cutting member 14a and the second cutting element 15d, in a situation in
which the pair 14a-15d is active. Figure 7 corresponds to the conveying through the
cutting station C of the pair comprising the first cutting member 14a and the second
cutting element 15b, in a situation in which the pair 14a-15b is active.
[0058] Each of the first roller 14 and the second roller 15 has a respective external lateral
surface 14b or 15e, which is located around the respective longitudinal axis X or
Y. The cutting station C is defined between the lateral surface 14b of the first roller
14 and the lateral surface 15e of the second roller 15.
[0059] Each first cutting member 14a or each second cutting member 15a or 15b or 15c or
15d, is radially movable, with respect to the longitudinal axis X or Y of the respective
roller 14 or 15, to adopt a first position in which the radially movable cutting member
is retracted in the lateral surface 14b or 15e of the respective roller 14 or 15,
and a second position in which the radially movable cutting member protrudes from
said lateral surface 14b or 15e.
[0060] In the first embodiment of Figures 1-4, each first cutting member 14a is radially
movable. In the second embodiment of Figures 5-7 and in the third embodiment of Figure
8, each second cutting member 15a or 15b or 15c or 15d is radially movable.
[0061] The cutting unit 11 is configured so that the conveying of an active pair through
the cutting station C corresponds to the respective radially movable cutting member
being positioned in the second position, so that the web is cut. This is shown for
example in Figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7.
[0062] The labelling module 8 is configured so that the conveying of a not active pair through
the cutting station C corresponds to the respective radially movable cutting member
being positioned in the first position, so that the web is not cut. This is shown
for example in Figure 4.
[0063] The cutting unit 11 comprises an actuator for moving each radially movable cutting
member between the first position and the second position.
[0064] In particular, as the condition of each pair is correlated to the movable cutting
element being in the second position or in the first position when the pair is conveyed
through the cutting station C, and the first position and the second position differ
from each other mainly only with respect to a radial direction, the structural configuration
of the actuator can be more simple.
[0065] The actuator can be a magnetic actuator, an electromagnetic actuator, a mechanical
contact actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electric actuator, a pneumatic actuator,
or the like, or a combination thereof.
[0066] The module is configured for operating in a production mode, according to which the
first roller 14 and the second roller 15 rotate around the respective axes X or Y,
so that said pairs are sequentially conveyed through the cutting station C.
[0067] The labelling module 8 is configured for operating in a setup mode, when is not operating
in the production mode. The module 8 is configured so that, in the setup mode, a user
can preliminary vary and/or set the condition of each pair, by acting on or modifying
the actuator.
[0068] In first embodiment of Figures 1-4 and in second embodiment of Figures 5-7, the cutting
unit 11 is configured so that, in the production mode, the actuator automatically
and cyclically moves each movable cutting member of each active pair from the first
position to the second position, so that the movable cutting member adopts the second
position when the active pair is conveyed through the cutting station C. In first
embodiment of Figures 1-4 and in second embodiment of Figures 5-7, the cutting unit
11 is configured so that the actuator, for each not active pair and in the production
mode, does not move the radially movable cutting member from the first position to
the second position, so that the respective radially movable cutting member remains
in the first position when the not active pair is conveyed through the cutting station
C.
[0069] In this way, each movable cutting member of each active pair is in the retracted
position for at least a part of, or for all the transferring phase, during which the
label is transferred from the cutting unit 11 to the vacuum drum 12. In this way,
the precision of the module 8 is improved.
[0070] In second embodiment of Figures 5-7 and in the third embodiment of Figure 8, the
plurality of second cutting members comprises a primary second cutting member 15a,
a secondary second cutting member 15b, a tertiary second cutting member 15c, and a
quaternary second cutting member 15d. Actuator comprises a first cam 16 and a second
cam 17. Each cam 16 or 17 can adopt a not operative condition and an operative condition.
Each cam 16 or 17 is faced towards the cutting station C. Actuator comprises, for
the primary second cutting member 15a, a respective first cam follower 18 and a respective
second cam follower 19, which are mechanically connected to the primary second cutting
member 15a. Actuator comprises, for the secondary second cutting member 15b, a respective
first cam follower 18, which is mechanically connected to the secondary second cutting
member 15b. Actuator comprises, for each of tertiary second cutting member 15c and
quaternary second cutting member 15d, a respective second cam follower 19, which is
mechanically connected to the respective second cutting member. Cutting unit 11 is
configured so that, with the first cam 16 in the operative condition, for each of
the primary second cutting member 15a and secondary second cutting member 15b, the
conveying of the second cutting member through the cutting station C, corresponds
to the interaction between the respective first cam follower 18 and the first cam
16. Cutting unit 11 is configured so that, with the first cam 16 in the operative
condition, for each of the primary second cutting member 15a and secondary second
cutting member 15b, the interaction between the respective first cam follower 18 and
the first cam 16 causes the movement of the respective second cutting member from
the first position to the second position, so that the respective second cutting member
15a or 15b adopts the second position at the cutting station C.
[0071] Cutting unit 11 is configured so that, with the second cam 17 in the operative condition,
for each of the primary second cutting member 15a, tertiary second cutting member
15c, and quaternary second cutting member 15d, the conveying of the second cutting
member through the cutting station C, corresponds to the interaction between the respective
second cam follower 19 and the second cam 17. Cutting unit 11 is configured so that,
with the second cam 17 in the operative condition, for each of the primary second
cutting member 15a, tertiary second cutting member 15c, and quaternary second cutting
member 15d, the interaction between the respective second cam follower 19 and the
second cam 17 causes the movement of the respective second cutting member from the
first position to the second position, so that the respective second cutting member
15a or 15c or 15d adopts the second position at the cutting station C.
[0072] The module 8 can be configured so that, in the setup mode, the user can preliminary
vary and/or set the condition of each cam 16 or 17. Therefore, the user can preliminary
vary and/or set the condition of each pair by preliminary varying and/or setting the
condition of each cam 16 or 17. In this way the configuration of the module 8 can
be simply and quickly set depending on the label length. In particular and for example,
the module 8 can be very quickly switched between a first configuration, wherein the
length of the label has a first value and the number of sectors of vacuum drum 12
correspond to four, and a second configuration, wherein the length of the label has
a second value and the number of sectors of vacuum drum 12 correspond to six. Without
referring to other features, but only to show the difference in the number of sectors,
Figure 1 shows a situation in which vacuum drum has four sectors, while Figure 3 shows
a situation in which vacuum drum has six sectors.
[0073] For example, the following can be the angular positions of second cutting members
around axis Y of the second roller 15: primary second cutting member 15a, 0°; secondary
second cutting member 15b, 180°; tertiary second cutting member 15c, 120°; quaternary
second cutting member 15d, 240°. The cutting unit 11 can be configured so that, in
the first configuration, only pairs 14a-15a and 14a-15b are active. The cutting unit
11 can be configured so that, in the second configuration, only pairs 14a-15a, 14a-15c,
and 14a-15d are active.
[0074] In the third embodiment of Figure 8, the module 8 is configured so that, in the setup
mode, a user can move each second cutting member so that the second cutting member
is permanently in the second position during the production mode. On this way the
wear can be reduced, as there is less motion of the components of the cutting unit
11, when the module 8 operates in the production mode.
[0075] In this case, the actuator comprises, for each second cutting member, a respective
knob 21 which is mechanically connected with the second cutting member. In particular,
the cutting unit 11 is configured so that a rotation of the knob corresponds to the
radial movement of the second cutting member between the first position and the second
position.
[0076] The cutting unit 11 can be configured so that each second cutting member can be mounted
to or dismounted with respect to the second roller 15. The cutting unit 11, in this
case, is configured so that each pair comprising a dismounted second cutting member
is not active, and each pair comprising a mounted second cutting member is active.
In this case, each second cutting member is preferably a blade member.
[0077] In this case, the switching between the configurations can be obtained by mounting
or dismounting each second cutting member.
[0078] Thanks to the above configuration, labelling module 8 is controllable at least in
a first configuration for preparing and applying labels 2 of a first format, and in
a second configuration for preparing and applying labels 2 of a second format, by
selective activation and deactivation of different cutting pairs.
[0079] Therefore, there is no need for replacing one or more rollers 14, 15 of cutting unit
11 in case of label format change. Hence, there is no need for having several alternative
rollers for the various label formats.
[0080] Moreover, there is no need for any complicated control of the motors of the rollers
or for complicated and delicate mechanisms in order to change the transmission ratio
between the rollers.
[0081] Hence, due to the selective control of the activation and deactivation of the cutting
pairs, labelling module 8, and therefore labelling machine 1, is very adaptive and
the flexibility thereof is improved.
[0082] The advantages of labelling module 8 according to the present invention will be clear
from the foregoing description.
[0083] In particular, thanks to the presence of the plurality of cutting pairs and to their
selectable activation or deactivation, labelling module 8 is controllable in at least
two configurations for preparing and applying labels 2 of different formats, without
the need for replacing any components (such as blade or counterblade rollers), without
the need for a complicated control of the motors of these latter, and without the
need for complicated mechanisms for changing the transmission ratio between the two
rollers.
[0084] Clearly, changes may be made to labelling module 8 as described herein without, however,
departing from the scope of protection as defined in the accompanying claims.
1. Labelling module (8) for applying labels (2) obtained from a web (3) of labelling
material onto articles (4) adapted to contain a pourable product, the labelling module
(8) comprising:
- a feed system (10) for feeding the web (3) along a feeding path;
- a cutting unit (11) for repeatedly cutting the web (3) at a cutting station (C),
thereby obtaining a sequence of labels (2) therefrom; and
- a transfer unit (12) for receiving the sequence of labels (2) from the cutting unit
(11), and for transferring them to an application station (A), to apply the labels
onto respective articles (4);
wherein the cutting unit (11) comprises a first roller (14) for carrying at least
one first cutting member (14a), and a second roller (15) for carrying a plurality
of second cutting members (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d), the first roller (14) and the second
roller (15) defining between them the cutting station (C), each roller (14; 15) defining
a respective longitudinal axis (X; Y), the second roller (15) being configured so
that the second cutting members can be carried while being angularly distributed around
the longitudinal axis (Y) of the second roller (15) ;
wherein the cutting unit (11) defines a plurality of cutting pairs, each cutting pair
comprising a respective combination of one first cutting member (14a; 15a) and one
second cutting member (15a, 15b, 15c, 15d; 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d) which are configured
for cooperating with one another to cut the web (3) at the cutting station (C);
wherein the cutting unit (11) is configured for conveying sequentially the cutting
pairs through the cutting station (C), by rotating the first roller (14) and the second
roller (15) around the respective longitudinal axes (X; Y); wherein the cutting unit
(11) is configured so that:
- each cutting pair can adopt an active condition and a not active condition;
- the conveying of an active pair through the cutting station (C) corresponds to the
cutting of the web;
- the conveying of a not active pair through the cutting station (C) does not correspond
to the cutting of the web.
2. Labelling module (8) according to Claim 1, wherein:
- each of the first roller (14) and the second roller (15) has a respective external
lateral surface (14b; 15e), which is located around the respective axis (X; Y), the
cutting station (C) being defined between the lateral surface (14b) of the first roller
(14) and the lateral surface (15e) of the second roller (15);
- the cutting unit (11) is configured so that each first cutting member (14a) or each
second cutting member (15a; 15b; 15c; 15d) is radially movable, with respect to the
axis (X; Y) of the respective roller (14; 15), to adopt a first position in which
the radially movable cutting member (14a; 15a; 15b; 15c; 15d) is retracted in the
lateral surface (14b; 15e) of the respective roller (14; 15), and a second position
in which the radially movable cutting member protrudes from said lateral surface (14b;
15e);
- the cutting unit (11) is configured so that the conveying of an active pair through
the cutting station (C) corresponds to the respective radially movable cutting member
being positioned in the second position, so that the web is cut;
- the cutting unit (11) is configured so that the conveying of a not active pair through
the cutting station (C) corresponds to the respective radially movable cutting member
being positioned in the first position, so that the web is not cut;
- the cutting unit (11) comprises an actuator for moving each radially movable cutting
member between the first position and the second position.
3. Labelling module (8) according to Claim 2, wherein the module (8) is configured for
operating in a production mode, according to which the first roller (14) and the second
roller (15) rotate around the respective axes (X; Y), so that said pairs are sequentially
conveyed through the cutting station (C).
4. Labelling module (8) according to Claim 3, wherein the labelling module (8) is configured
for operating in a setup mode, when the module (8) is not operating in the production
mode, the module (8) being configured so that, in the setup mode, a user can vary
and/or set the condition of each pair by acting on or modifying the actuator.
5. Labelling module (8) according tom Claim 3 or 4, wherein the cutting unit (11) is
configured so that, in the production mode:
- the actuator automatically and cyclically moves each movable cutting member of each
active pair from the first position to the second position, so that the movable cutting
member adopts the second position when the active pair is conveyed through the cutting
station (C);
- the actuator, for each not active pair, does not move the radially movable cutting
member from the first position to the second position, so that the radially movable
cutting member remains in the first position when the not active pair is conveyed
through the cutting station (C).
6. Labelling module (8) according to Claim 5, wherein:
- each second cutting member is radially movable between the first position and the
second position;
- the plurality of second cutting members comprises a primary second cutting member
(15a), a secondary second cutting member (15b), a tertiary second cutting member (15c),
and a quaternary second cutting member (15d);
- the actuator comprises a first cam (16) and a second cam (17), each cam (16) being
able to adopt an operative condition and a not operative condition, and being faced
towards the cutting station (C);
- the actuator comprises, for the primary second cutting member (15a), a respective
first cam follower (18) and a respective second cam follower (19), which are mechanically
connected to the primary second cutting member (15a);
- the actuator comprises, for the secondary second cutting member (15b), a respective
first cam follower (18), which is mechanically connected to the secondary second cutting
member (15b);
- the actuator comprises, for each of tertiary second cutting member (15c) and quaternary
second cutting member (15d), a respective second cam follower (19), which is mechanically
connected to the respective second cutting member;
- the cutting unit (11) is configured so that, with the first cam (16) in the operative
condition, for each of the primary second cutting member (15a) and secondary second
cutting member (15b), the conveying of the second cutting member through the cutting
station (C), corresponds to the interaction between the respective first cam follower
(18) and the first cam (16);
- cutting unit (11) is configured so that, with the first cam (16) in the operative
condition, for each of the primary second cutting member (15a) and secondary second
cutting member (15b), the interaction between the respective first cam follower (18)
and the first cam (16) causes the movement of the respective second cutting member
from the first position to the second position, so that the respective second cutting
member (15a; 15b) adopts the second position at the cutting station (C);
- cutting unit (11) is configured so that, with the second cam (17) in the operative
condition, for each of the primary second cutting member (15a), tertiary cutting member
(15c), and quaternary cutting member (15d), the conveying of the second cutting member
through the cutting station (C), corresponds to the interaction between the respective
second cam follower (19) and the second cam (17) ;
- cutting unit (11) is configured so that, with the second cam (17) in the operative
condition, for each of the primary second cutting member (15a), tertiary cutting member
(15c), and quaternary cutting member (15d), the interaction between the respective
second cam follower (19) and the second cam (17) causes the movement of the respective
second cutting member from the first position to the second position, so that the
respective second cutting member (15a; 15c; 15d) adopts the second position at the
cutting station (C).
7. Labelling module (8) according to Claims 4 and 6, wherein the module (8) is configured
so that, in the setup mode, the user can preliminary vary and/or set the condition
of each cam (16, 17), to select the configuration of the module (8) depending on the
label length.
8. Labelling module (8) according to Claims 3 and 4, wherein:
- each second cutting member is radially movable between the first position and the
second position;
- the module (8) is configured so that, in the setup mode, a user can move each second
cutting member so that the second cutting member is permanently in the second position
during the production mode.
9. Labelling module (8) according to Claim 8, wherein the actuator comprises, for each
second cutting member, a respective knob (21) which is mechanically connected with
the second cutting member.
10. Labelling module (8) according to Claim 9, the cutting unit (11) being configured
so that a rotation of the knob corresponds to the movement of the second cutting member
between the first position and the second position.
11. Labelling module (8) according to any of the previous claims, wherein:
- the cutting unit (11) is configured so that each second cutting member can be mounted
to or dismounted with respect to the second roller (15);
- the cutting unit (11) is configured so that each pair comprising a dismounted second
cutting member is not active, and each pair comprising a mounted second cutting member
is active.
12. Labelling module (8) according to any of the previous Claims, wherein:
- the first roller (14) carries the at least one first cutting member (14a);
- the second roller (15) carries the second cutting members;
- the second cutting members are angularly distributed around the longitudinal axis
(Y) of the second roller (15).
13. Labelling module (8) according to any of the previous Claims, wherein:
- each first cutting member is a blade member and each second cutting member is a
counterblade member; or
- each second cutting member is a blade member and each first cutting member is a
counterblade member.