LABELLING APPARATUS

Abstract

A labelling apparatus for labelling a tray while the tray is conveyed by a conveyor means. A label feeder device is configured to place a label onto a top surface of the tray. A first tucker device is arranged sidewise to the conveyor means and includes an applicator block. A first moving mechanism is configured to move the applicator block in a back and forth direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the tray. The applicator block is movable from an initial position to a labelling position where the applicator block presses the portion of the label exceeding a side surface of the tray such that the applicator block follows the shape of the side surface of the tray via a rotational movement of the applicator block around the rotation axis.

Claims

1. A labelling apparatus for labelling a tray while the tray is conveyed by a conveyor means, comprising: a label feeder device configured to place a label onto a top surface of the tray such that the label extends across the tray with a portion of the label exceeding at least one side surface of the tray, a first tucker device arranged sidewise to the conveyor means, comprising: at least one applicator block rotatable mounted to an axis extending parallel to the conveying direction and the at least one side surface of the tray, a first moving mechanism configured to move the at least one applicator block in a back and forth direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the tray, wherein during labelling the first moving mechanism, in response to a control signal, moves the at least one applicator block from an initial position to a labelling position where the at least one applicator block presses the portion of the label exceeding the at least one side surface of the tray towards the at least one side surface of the tray such that the at least one applicator block follows the shape of the at least one side surface of the tray via a rotational movement of the least one applicator block around the rotation axis.

2. The labelling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the axis is positioned such that it presses towards a lower portion of the at least one side surface such that the at least one applicator block is further follows a portion of the bottom of the tray.

3. The labelling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator block comprises two opposingly arranged applicator blocks positioned at opposite sides of the conveyor means, and where the movement of the at least one applicator block in a back and forth direction comprises: moving the two opposingly arranged applicator blocks towards each other where the applicator blocks simultaneously press the portion of the label exceeding both the side surfaces of the tray to the opposite surface sides of the tray, and moving the two applicator blocks away from the opposite side surface sides of the tray.

4. The labelling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one folding plough arranged upstream in relation to the first tucker device configured to interact with the portion of the label exceeding at least one side surface of the tray so as to folding it down with the at least one side surface.

5. The labelling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second tucker device arranged above the first tucker device, the second tack device comprising: at least one structure having a free-end following the shape of the at least one side surface of the tray, the at least one structure being positioned adjacent and above the first tucker device, a second moving mechanism configured to move the structure in a back and forth direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the tray, wherein during labelling the second moving mechanism, in response to the control signal, is configured to initially move the at least one structure to a labelling position where the free-end of the at least one structure presses the portion of the label exceeding at least one side surface of the tray towards an upper side portion of the at least one side surface of the tray, followed by said labelling by the first moving mechanism where the remaining part of the portion of the label exceeding at least one side surface is pressed.

6. The labelling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator block has a sloped face which in said initial position is essentially parallel to the sides(s) of the tray.

7. The labelling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator block has a triangular cross sectional shape, the first tucker device further comprising an upwardly extending block having an upper flat surface, said initial position being an initial angular position where one side of the at least one triangular shaped applicator block is adjacent and parallel to the upper flat surface, the upper flat surface being configured to interact with the at least one triangular shaped applicator block subsequent to said labelling and bring it back to said initial angular position.

8. The labelling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor means comprises a first conveyor and a second conveyor arranged end to an end with a space there between, and where the at least one applicator block is positioned within the space.

9. The labelling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the length of the tray is longer that the length of the space, where the labelling apparatus further comprises a top-conveyor positioned above the space configured to interact with the top surface of the tray and advancing the tray in the conveying direction over the space where the labelling takes place.

10. The labelling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control signal comprises information indicating the position of the tray.

11. A method of labelling a tray while the tray is conveyed using a labelling device which comprises: a label feeder device configured to place a label onto a top surface of the tray such that the label extends across the tray with a portion of the label exceeding at least one side surface of the tray, a first tucker device arranged sidewise to the conveyor means, comprising: at least one applicator block rotatable mounted to an axis extending parallel to the conveying direction and the at least one side surface of the tray, a first moving mechanism configured to move the at least one applicator block in a back and forth direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the tray, the method comprising the steps: moving, in response to a control signal, the at least one applicator block from an initial position to a labelling position where the at least one applicator block presses the portion of the label exceeding the at least one side surface of the tray towards the at least one side surface of the tray such that the at least one applicator block follows the shape of the at least one side surface of the tray via a rotational movement of the least one applicator block around the rotation axis.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the at least one applicator block is designed such that the rotational movement of the least one applicator block around the rotation axis causes that one side of the at least one applicator block presses the label under the tray.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein said label contains an adhesive region on the back side facing the top surface of the tray, and where prior to placing the label onto said top surface the label is advanced by an advancing means with a conveying speed being essentially the same as the conveying speed of the tray, where subsequent to placing the label onto the top surface, the tray with the label pass at least one folding plough arranged upstream in relation to said first tucker device, where the at least one folding plough is configured to fold down the at least one side surface.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the labelling device further comprises a second tucker device arranged above the first tucker device, the second tack device comprising: at least one structure having a free-end following the shape of the at least one side surface of the tray, the at least one structure being positioned adjacent and above the first tucker device, a second moving mechanism configured to move the structure in a back and forth direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the tray, wherein prior to said movement by the at least one applicator block, the method further comprises: moving, in response to the control signal, the at least one structure to a labelling position where the free-end of the at least one structure presses the portion of the label exceeding at least one side surface of the tray towards an upper side portion of the at least one side surface of the tray.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which

[0036] FIG. 1a depicts graphically a perspective view of an example of a tray used for storing food items, and FIG. 1b shows the tray in FIG. 1a after being labelled by a prior art labelling apparatus with an oblong label,

[0037] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a labelling apparatus according to the present invention for labelling a tray,

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a front view of a tray shown in FIG. 2 with a label and a portion of the label exceeding opposite side surfaces of the tray,

[0039] FIGS. 4a-4c depict a front view of the labelling apparatus shown in FIG. 2,

[0040] FIG. 5 depicts a more detailed view of the label feeder device shown in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0041] FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of a labelling apparatus 200 according to the present invention for labelling a tray 210, while the tray is conveyed by a conveyor means 206 in a conveying direction as indicated by arrow 207. The labelling apparatus comprises a label feeder device 201, a first tucker device 202 and a second tucker device which will be discussed in more details in relation to FIGS. 4a-4c.

[0042] The conveyor means 206 comprises a first conveyor 206a and a second conveyor 206b arranged end to an end with a space 209 there between, where the length of the tray 210 is significantly longer than the space length.

[0043] The label feeder device 201 is configured to place a label 304 as shown in FIG. 3 onto a top surface 306 of the tray 210, such that the label extends across the tray 210 with a portion of the label 305a,b exceeding both “lip” sides 302a,b and lips 303a, 303b of the tray as shown in FIG. 3 depicting a front/back view of the tray 210. It should be noted that this portion of the label might just as well just exceed one side of the tray.

[0044] The first tucker device 202 is arranged sidewise to the conveyor means 206 in the space 209 between the first conveyor 206a and the second conveyor 206b, where the first tucker device 202 comprises an applicator block 203 which is rotatable mounted to an axis extending parallel to the conveying direction 207 and the at least one side surface 302 of the tray 301.

[0045] The labelling apparatus 200 further comprises a top-conveyor 205 configured to interact with the top surface of the tray by means of advancing it in said conveying direction 207 at least while the labelling takes place, so as to prevent the tray from falling into the space 209 between the first and the second conveyor. The top-conveyor 205 may preferably be mechanically connected to a moving mechanism 208, which may be electrical, hydraulic etc. driven, for moving the top-conveyor 205 in an up or down position, but this must be done when different trays are to be labelled having different heights.

[0046] To facilitate the labelling process, as will be discussed in more details in relation to FIGS. 4a-4c, a folding plough 204 is provided arranged upstream in relation to the first tucker device 202 for interacting with the portion of the label 305 exceeding the surface sides 302a,b of the tray 210 so as to folding it down with the at least one side surface. In case the label 305 exceeds the both surface sides 302a,b as shown in FIG. 3 the labelling will result in a so-called D-wrap labelling, whereas if it exceeds only on side of the tray it will result in a so-called C-wrap labelling.

[0047] FIG. 4a-c depicts a front view of the labelling apparatus 200 shown in FIG. 2, showing in more details the applicator block 203a,b arranged opposingly to each other at opposite sides the conveyor means. A first moving mechanism 401 is shown configured to move the two applicator blocks 203 in a back and forth direction perpendicular to the conveying direction 207 of the tray 210. The first moving mechanism 401a,b may comprise an air-driven or electric driven jack, or similar means, that moves the applicator blocks 203a,b in a back and forth direction. The applicator blocks 203a,b are rotatable mounted to an axis 402a,b that is rigidly mounded to side structure pairs 405a,b and define a rotation axis being parallel to the conveying direction. As shown here, the applicator block 203a,b have a triangular cross-sectional shape for facilitating the labeling at the sides and below the tray. This will be discussed in more details below.

[0048] The front view shown here further shows said second tucker device 406a,b arranged above the first tucker device 202a,b, where the second tucker device comprises structure 407a,b at both sides of the conveyor means having a free-end following the shape of the at least one side surface of the tray, where the structures 407a,b are positioned adjacent and above the first tucker device 202a,b. The second tucker device 406a,b is connected to a second moving mechanism 404a,b, configured to move the structure in a back and forth direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the tray. The second moving mechanism may in a preferred embodiment be similar to the one disclosed in EP2695819 hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

[0049] Also, the front view also shows where the top-conveyor 205, shown here as two conveyor sections 205a,b, interacts with the top surface of the tray 210 during the labeling prior to and/or during the labeling while simultaneously advancing it in said conveying direction.

[0050] It should be noted that before starting labelling a tray having specific geometric dimensions, and adjustment is needed for the first and the second tucker devices 203a,b, 406a,b so as to obtain optimal labelling. This may be done manually by an operator where via appropriate moving mechanism where height level of the tucker devices may be adjusted and/or the initial sidewise position, or automatically where one or more measuring devices may be provided for reading/measuring the height, width, length etc. and adjust the initial positions of the tucker devices accordingly.

[0051] Also, the width of the tray 210 may be used as input data in order to determine the labelling position, i.e. the travelling length of the tucker devices such that it is ensured that the tray will not be damaged during the labelling. This may especially be relevant for the first tucker device since the second moving mechanism may be based on the principle disclosed in EP2695819.

[0052] FIG. 4a shows the labelling apparatus 200 shortly before the labelling starts. As may be seen the tray 210 has passed the folding ploughs arranged at the opposite sides 204a,b causing that said portion of the label 305a,b exceeding the surface sides are partly folded down along the sides of the tray 210.

[0053] FIG. 4b depicts where the structures or plate structures 407a,b move as indicated by arrows 411a,b, in response to a control signal indicating the exact position of the tray, originating from e.g. any type of a sensor, from the starting position to a labelling position. In this case, the labeling position is below and adjacent the “lips” 302a,b of the tray. Referring to the above mentioned adjustment, it is accordingly important that the height level of the structures 407a,b is such that they press the label slightly below this lips 302a,b. It is important to note that in case the labels being used do not contain backing paper, but instead glue lines, that these glue lines are correctly positioned to ensure proper adhesion at this location below the lips. Accordingly, the step shown in FIG. 4b aims at obtaining an adhesion between the label and the tray at the corners of the lips 302a,b. Subsequent to pressing the label at the upper side of the tray below the lips, the structures 407a,b move automatically back to the original position.

[0054] FIG. 4c depicts where the labelling process in FIG. 4b is followed by the subsequent movement of the applicator blocks 203a,b where the applicator blocks presses the remaining portion of the label exceeding the at least one side surface of the tray towards the at least one side surface of the tray such that the at least one applicator block follows the shape of the at least one side surface of the tray via a rotational movement of the least one applicator block around the rotation axis. As shown here, the initial labeling process shown in FIG. 4b provides an adhesion between the label and the sides of the tray from the upper corner and downwards by the sides of the tray.

[0055] This subsequent movement completes the adhesion by pressing a lower portion of the tray sides followed by a rotational movement 212a,b of the triangular shaped applicator blocks 203a,b around the axis as shown in FIG. 4c such that one side of the triangle presses the a label portion to the bottom side of the tray and thus ensures a complete adhesion between the label and the tray and thus completes the labelling resulting in said D-wrap labelling.

[0056] The steps shown may also involve using said applicators etc. on only one side of the conveyor means, if the labelling is C-wrap labelling, i.e. where the side labelling process applies only on one side of the tray.

[0057] FIG. 5 depicts a more detailed view of a label feeder device 501 as shown as a label feeder device 201 in FIG. 2 comprising a label source which may e.g. comprise a label roller, a drive unit, and the like (not shown), where a continuous label feed is provided that undergoes a cutting unit 502 comprising a cutting blade that cuts the continuous label feed into portions that are separated and conveyed on an infeed conveyor 503 comprising an endless continuous belt in a direction as indicated by the arrow towards a free end roller 505 where the labels 504 are received by incoming trays (not shown), resulting in a tray with a label on where a portions of the label exceeds at least one side of the tray as shown in FIG. 3.

[0058] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.