Labelling machine

Abstract

A labelling machine, comprising a series of label dispensers (2) arranged in a column, a label application device (3) and transportation means for transporting labels from the dispensers (2) to the application device (3), these transportation means being formed by a first transportation module (4), which may be moved vertically, and a second transportation module (5) that tips via a vertical axis.

Claims

1. A labelling machine comprising: a housing comprising a plurality of label dispensers for dispensing printed and/or pre-printed labels, the plurality of label dispensers arranged in a column and located one on top of the other, at different levels, inside the housing; a base outside the housing; a vertical guide or vertical driver between the housing and the base; and transportation means for transporting labels, the transportation means comprising: a vertically movable first transportation module, mounted to the vertical guide or vertical driver and configured to receive the labels printed by the plurality of label dispensers; and a vertically fixed second transportation module, mounted to the base, comprising a label application device and configured to supply the label application device with labels obtained from the vertically movable first transportation module; wherein the vertically movable first transportation module is located opposite to the vertically fixed second transportation module, in order to transfer labels from the vertically movable first transportation module to the vertically fixed second transportation module, wherein the plurality of label dispensers are arranged in a column and located one on top of the other, at different heights, and the first transportation module may be moved vertically between positions that coincide with those occupied by the label dispensers, and wherein the vertically fixed second transportation module is mounted to the base by means of a vertical tip axis.

2. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the vertically movable first transportation module mounted to the guide or vertical driver is provided with pulling means capable of moving said module between positions opposite the label dispensers and to the vertically fixed second transportation module.

3. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the label application device is mounted to the vertically fixed second transportation module, at the output of the same.

4. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the vertically fixed second transportation module and the label application device are located higher than the vertically movable first transportation module, thereby positioning said vertically movable first transportation module opposite the vertically fixed second transportation module, at different heights thereof.

5. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the vertically movable first transportation module and vertically fixed second transportation module are formed by means of continuous cords or belts, which may be moved longitudinally and which are located near and parallel to one another, defining a flat transportation surface, inside which a vacuum system is arranged, which is responsible for pressing the labels against the flat transportation surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings attached illustrate a possible, non-limiting embodiment of a labelling machine built in accordance with the invention, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine, built according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the transportation means, located between the label dispensers and the label application device;

(4) FIG. 3 is a blown-up representation of detail A shown in FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 is a detailed representation of the transportation means shown in FIG. 2 and;

(6) FIG. 5 is a cross-section of the transportation means, according to the cut line V-V shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(7) FIG. 1 represents a labelling machine, comprising a case 1 in which a series of label dispensers 2 are housed, arranged in a column and located one on top of the other, at different levels, these label dispensers being built in a known manner.

(8) The machine shown in FIG. 1 also comprises a label application device 3, which may be of the roller, brush or palette knife variety, etc. This label application device 3 is located at a distance from the column of label dispensers 2.

(9) Label transportation means are located between the column of label dispensers 2 and the label application device 3. They are responsible for transporting the labels supplied by one of the label dispensers 2 to the label application device 3.

(10) The transportation means mentioned comprise a first transportation module 4, which may be moved vertically between positions that coincide with those occupied by the label dispensers 2 and a second transportation module 5, the height of which is fixed in position.

(11) The first transportation module 4 is mounted to a guide or vertical applicator 6, with means for moving this first module 4 vertically, in order to locate it in a position opposite any one of the label dispensers 2, in order to adjust the labels printed and provided by the label dispenser to each position.

(12) FIG. 2 shows the first transportation module 4 mounted to the vertical guide 6, which includes an elevation mechanism 7, for example of the chain variety.

(13) The second transportation module 5 is mounted to a base 8 via a vertical axis 9, upon which it may tip as a result of being driven by a hydraulic cylinder 10.

(14) The transportation module 3 shown in greater detail in FIG. 3 is formed by a series of continuous cords or belts, which are mounted between vertical traction rollers and change direction. These cords or belts define a flat plane along their trajectory, as shown in a front view in FIG. 3, which constitutes the label transportation surface. This module furthermore includes means 13 for creating a vacuum system within the module, which will create suction from the outside in, via the cords or belts 12, which thereby gives rise to the labels 14 that reach the transportation surface of the module being driven or pressed against said cords or belts.

(15) The first transportation module 4 is built in the same way as described for the second module 5. In other words, it is a transportation system formed by continuous cords or belts, which define a flat platform that serves as a transportation surface for the labels 15, which also includes a vacuum system, for example made from ventilators, similar to that of the second transportation module 5.

(16) With the construction described, when one wishes to collect the label provided by a certain label dispenser 2, the first transportation module 4 is moved along the guide 6 until it is located at the same height as the label dispenser, the flat transportation surface being defined by the continuous cords or belts that extend the output of the label dispenser, as shown in FIG. 1. The first transportation module 4 is then moved along the guide 6, until it reaches the height of the second transportation module 5, this second module occupying the position shown in FIG. 4, in which the flat transportation surface of the same remains in a position considerably coplanar to the flat transportation surface of the first module 4. In this location, the label may be moved from the first transportation module 4 to the second transportation module 5. As of this moment, the second transportation module 5 will tip around the vertical axis 9, secured by the cylinder 10, until the label application device 3 is opposite and approximately tangent to the surface of the object or article to be labelled.

(17) As can be seen in FIG. 2, the second transportation module 5 is higher than the labels 14, in order to facilitate the application thereof at different heights, without the module having to be raised and lowered. When the project to be labelled reaches the height of the label application device 3, this second transportation module will tip, in order to put the label in contact with the product, via the application device 3, thereby finalising the labelling process.

(18) As the second transportation module 5 applies the label, the first transportation module 4 may collect the label from the other label dispenser 2.

(19) In addition to the time overlap between the actions of transportation modules 4 and 5, various label dispensers 2 are mounted in a column, which enables the machine to continue working as the supplies consumed by the machine are changed, in addition to making it possible for the machine to work with different label formats at the same time.

(20) As the label dispensing machine 2 operates, information on the arrival of a product is received and this information is then managed, printing any variations shown on the label if necessary. The first transportation module 1 then selects and dispenses the label needed, in order to transfer it to the correct height, at which the second transportation module 5 and the label application device, responsible for transferring the label to the product in question, are located.

(21) The construction of the machine, object of the invention, described, makes it possible:

(22) To increase productivity in those label application or printing and application processes carried out on products at different heights. In turn, this makes it possible to use different label formats. Thereby achieving non-stop manufacturing.

(23) As a result, the time the production cycle itself takes to carry out is not increased.