Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
  • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
  • B65C9/20—Gluing the labels or articles
  • B65C9/22—Gluing the labels or articles by wetting, e.g. by applying liquid glue or a liquid to a dry glue coating
  • B65C9/2204—Gluing the labels or articles by wetting, e.g. by applying liquid glue or a liquid to a dry glue coating using spraying means
  • B65C9/2213—Applying the liquid on the label
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
  • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
  • B65C9/08—Label feeding
  • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
  • B65C9/1803—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels being cut from a strip
  • B65C9/1815—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels being cut from a strip and transferred by suction means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
  • B65C9/00—Details of labelling machines or apparatus
  • B65C9/26—Devices for applying labels
  • B65C9/28—Air-blast devices

Definitions

• the present invention concerns a method and an apparatus for applying labels, where the apparatus contains at least one conveyor means, where the apparatus is connected to at least one label magazine, where the apparatus includes means that are applying labels on items with compressed air.
• GB 2,253,829 discloses a machine for labelling, where labels are supplied on a carrier strip from a magazine, where labels are printed before the labels are moved to a rotat- ing applicator head by gripping arms, from where labels are applied on items by means of compressed air.
• US 3,751,324 discloses labelling items, primarily address labels for envelopes that use a high-speed multi-label transfer wheel, where labels arrive on a strip but are divided and handled as individual pieces without carrier strip, where labels are retained by means of subpressure during passage of means for applying glue before labels are transferred to items by direct contact between a rotating applicator and items.
• labels are retained at at least one first conveyor belt by a first subpressure, which by means of a first air pump is formed at the rear side of the conveyor belt, where labels are applied by at least on movable applicator head having apertures that interact with a second subpressure, where the applicator head has projections which during application are passing through associated apertures in the conveyor belt, where the projections of the applicator head contain at least one connection to at least one source of compressed air, and where compressed air is transporting labels to contact with items that are to be labelled.
• the projections of the applicator head and thereby labels are in close contact with items before transfer with compressed air occurs. Only by close contact with items, disposition of labels can be sufficiently accurate, and the possibility of tilting labels is minimised with a short transfer distance.
• Labels may be transported by a first conveyor belt from printer to applicator head, where a second conveyor belt can transport labels to correct placing on the applicator head.
• a second conveyor belt can transport labels to correct placing on the applicator head.
• Retention of labels by means of subpressure requires small holes for air, while larger holes in a conveyor belt are necessary if an applicator head contains projections that are to pass through holes in the conveyor belt.
• an air pump for producing subpressure at the rear side of the conveyor belts is reduced in size simultaneously with reducing the energy consumption to the air pump.
• the stipulated problem may be solved with an apparatus as the one specified in the introduction, if the apparatus includes at least one conveyor belt, where a first subpressure may retain labels on the conveyor belt, where the apparatus may include at least one air pump for forming a subpressure, where the apparatus may include at least one actuator that interact with at least one applicator head, where the applicator head may have projections that may interact with corresponding apertures in a conveyor belt, where the applicator head may contain apertures communicating with a second subpressure, where the applicator head may contain at least one compressed air duct communicating with at least one source of compressed air through at least one compressed air valve, where the actuator can move the applicator head, whereby at least one label may be released from the conveyor belt, after which the actuator may continue the movement until there is achieved a first defined distance to the item, after which at least one compressed air valve may open, and compressed air may convey the label for contact with an item, after which the actuator may return the applicator head.
• the apparatus may be designed with means for shaping labels, where the means for shaping labels may be provided between a possible printer and moistening station, where shaping of label can be guided by markings on the label.
• shaping of labels is effected after printing labels.
• adaptation of labels may take place at a very late time in relation to the real application.
• the apparatus can use uniform raw materials which thereby can be purchased in large amounts at lower prices.
• the projections of the applicator head may advantageously be formed by an exchangeable module where the module is adapted to the shape of the labels.
• the applicator head has about the same shape as labels, whereby labels are supported over a large part of the area, and labels may be released from the appli- cator head with a minimum of adhering if the applicator head has sides that are fairly flush with the applicator head.
• the exchangeable module may contain a hole pattern where the holes can have connection to a second subpressure where the hole pattern can be adapted to the shape of the labels.
• the hole pattern can be adapted to the shape of the labels.
• the exchangeable module of the applicator can contain a pattern of the compressed air holes, where the pattern of the compressed air holes may be adapted to the shape of labels.
• the pattern of the compressed air holes may be adapted to the shape of labels.
• the compressed air holes may communicate with a compressed air source through at least one electrically controlled compressed air valve.
• the electric compressed air valve may have connection to an electronic control system that may get input from at least one detector determining the position of items moving on a belt.
• the compressed air holes may advantageously have connection to plural electronic controlled compressed air valves, where a time for opening the compressed air valves is adjusted to the shape of the labels and the shape of the items to be labelled, where the electrically controlled compressed air valves communicate with an electronic control circuit.
• a time for opening the compressed air valves is adjusted to the shape of the labels and the shape of the items to be labelled, where the electrically controlled compressed air valves communicate with an electronic control circuit.
• the applicator head can carry at least two labels from the conveyor belt, where the labels are transferred one at a time to different items, where electronically controlled compressed air valves, by controlling their time of opening, determine which label is to be applied.
• the applicator head is only to be lowered every other time a label is to be transferred.
• more labels may be taken with, and the application speed can be increased considerably.
• the applicator head may be designed with at least one mechanical stop that the labels are abutting on during application.
• the labels may be achieved a very precise disposition of labels on an applicator head whereby a possible source of positioning errors may be eliminated.
• the apparatus may contain a first conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt, where the first conveyor belt may convey labels from label magazine to applicator, where the second conveyor belt may convey labels to abutment against stop on the applicator head.
• individual conveyor belts may be adapted to the actual application.
• labels are retained on a belt, and the holes in the belt and the subpressure behind can be accurately adapted to the shape of labels.
• an air pump can be adapted to the real task.
• Retaining labels may here require another subpressure, and there may be loss of subpressure from uncovered openings.
• the first conveyor belt can contain a cloth where a subpressure prevails at the rear side of the cloth. Labels may hereby be retained onto the cloth, and if retention is to be increased, the cloth may be designed with holes.
• the cloth can be suspended by rollers and a drive system in a chamber where subpressure prevails, where one side of the chamber is constituted by a section of the cloth at the outer side of which labels may be retained.
• the second conveyor belt may contain a chain containing holes which interact with the projections of the applicator head.
• the conveyor belt may hereby advantageously be used for transport across a retracted applicator head.
• both method and apparatus may include a glue station that can supply adhesive to items to be labelled before transfer of labels from the applicator head.
• a glue station that can supply adhesive to items to be labelled before transfer of labels from the applicator head.
• labels do not have to be designed with an adhesive surface which will make handling difficult.
• the apparatus may handle an active adhesive surface, particularly storage of a large number of labels is a problem when one is to avoid that labels are sticking to each other.
• adhesive directly to items is achieved that a far greater number of possible adhesives can be used.
• adhesives can be selected for different purposes, and by the selection regard can be made to the suitability of the adhesive to the actual surface.
• the apparatus can include a glue station which supplies adhesive to the rear side of the labels during the transport of the labels at the outer side of the appara- tus.
• a glue station which supplies adhesive to the rear side of the labels during the transport of the labels at the outer side of the appara- tus.
• Fig. 1 shows a section through a possible embodiment of the invention
• Fig. 2 shows an enlarged detail of the same embodiment
• Fig. 3 shows a detail of an alternative embodiment
• Fig. 4 shows a possible embodiment of the invention seen from the bottom
• Fig. 5 shows a possible embodiment of an applicator head
• Fig. 6 shows labels of different size
• Fig. 7 shows a possible embodiment of a bottom for an applicator head
• Fig. 8 shows the applicator head with the bottom dismounted
• Fig. 9 shows a possible embodiment of a glue station.
• Fig. 1 shows a Section through a dispenser station 1 consisting of a conveyor belt 2, which is conveying items 4 to be dispensed. Over the belt 2 is shown a printer 6 fed from a magazine 8.
• the dispenser 10 interacts with an adhesive activator 12 where the dispenser 10 includes an applicator head 14. Labels are transported from the printer 6 to the applicator head 14 by a conveyor belt 6.
• the applicator belt is connected to an actuator 18 that in connection with application of a label lowers the applicator head 14 for close contact with the item 4.
• An air pump 20 produces a subpressure in the whole dispenser, whereby labels are retained on the conveyor belt 16 and on the applicator head 14.
• a label which is first printed by the printer 6 is transferred to the belt 16, from which the label is conveyed to the applicator head 14 by the conveyor belt 16.
• the label is retained while the applicator head 14 is low- ered by the actuator for close contact with the item 4.
• this is effected by opening a valve whereby compressed air is conducted to apertures in the applicator head, whereby the label is transferred to the item 4, where a pressing roller 22 presses a label against the item 4.
• Fig. 2 shows an enlarged detail of the same invention as shown on Fig. 1.
• a conveyor belt 116 provides transport of labels to an applicator head 114 that may be lowered by means of an actuator 118.
• An air pump 120 is forming a subpressure in the dispenser 110, whereby labels are retained to the conveyor belt 116 and the applicator head 114.
• the conveyor belt 116 is driven by a drive roller 126 connected to a motor which is not shown on the Figure.
• the conveyor belt 116 is running over a number of rollers 128.
• Fig. 3 shows a section through an alternative embodiment of the invention that differs from the embodiment shown on Figs. 1 and 2 by the alternative embodiment containing two different conveyor belts.
• Labels come from a not shown preceding process that may include printing and shaping, where rollers 224 are transporting the labels to abutment against the first conveyor belt 216 driven by a toothed roller 226, where the conveyor belt is passing a number of rollers 228, where the conveyor belt is pressed to abutment against rollers 228 by other rollers 232.
• the conveyor belt reverses over a roller 230.
• the labels are transferred to the second conveyor belt 234 which advantageously may be designed as a toothed belt driven by a toothed roller 238 which is driven by a motor 242 by a belt 240.
• the applicator head 214 is connected to an actuator 218 that lowers the applicator head 218 in connection with application of labels.
• a partitioning wall 248 divides the interior of the dispenser into two different chambers 250 and 252. In the chamber 250 an air pump 220 produces subpressure in the whole chamber.
• the only access for air into the chamber 250 is through the conveyor belt 216, whereby labels are retained to the conveyor belt which can be designed as a cloth through which the air can penetrate.
• the cloth may be designed with holes in order thereby to increase the ability of the conveyor to retain labels.
• In the second chamber 252 there may prevail a pressure which is different form the pressure in the chamber 250.
• Labels are to be retained at the applicator head 214 by means of a subpressure behind apertures at the bottom of the applicator head.
• a small air pump 246 can pro- vide a subpressure in the interior of the applicator head 214.
• the applicator head 214 has cutouts for receiving the conveyor belt 234, whereby the applicator head may be lowered down through the conveyor belt 234.
• a compressed air connection 244 communicating with a compressed air source through an electromagnetic valve provides for the applicator head blowing labels over onto items by means of compressed air nozzles.
• Fig. 4 shows a dispenser 300 as seen from the bottom, where the dispenser 300 is of the same kind as the one shown on Fig. 3.
• a first conveyor belt 316 is seen from the abutment surface of the labels, where the conveyor belt 316 is designed with holes 348.
• a second conveyor belt 334 is designed of toothed belts where the applicator head 314 is designed with projections that interact with the interspace between the toothed belts 334.
• the projections of the applicator head 314 are designed with ducts 347 which are connected to a subpressure, while labels are to be retained, where the ducts are connected to a compressed air source when a label is to be applied.
• Fig. 5 shows an applicator head 400 where the head 400 is divided into an upper part 402 and an exchangeable bottom 404, where the exchangeable bottom is retained by a number of magnets 408.
• the bottom 404 may hereby be changed easily and simply without using tools.
• the bottom 404 may be adapted to the design of different labels, and by adapting the bottom 404, labels with different shape may be applied.
• projections 404 interact with corresponding apertures in the conveyor belt.
• the nozzles 410 are connected to a subpressure when labels are to be retained, where the nozzles 410 are connected to a compressed air source when labels are to be applied.
• the connection to the compressed air source is controlled by an electromagnetic valve 414 which is designed with a coil 416. In immediate vicinity of the electromagnetic coil 414 there is provided a pressure tank 416 whereby a sufficient compressed air storage is achieved for giving sufficient air for applying a label.
• Fig. 6 shows labels 500, where labels 502 are shown with different size.
• Fig. 7 shows a possible embodiment for a bottom 60 for an applicator head as shown on Fig. 5.
• the bottom 60 has projections 606 with holes 610 for alternating coupling to subpressure and compressed air.
• the bottom 600 has a partitioning wall 620 that divides the bottom 600 into a passive and an active section. A label 622 is shown on the active section.
• Fig. 8 shows a top part 700 of an applicator head where a chamber 702 alternating may be connected to sub- or overpressure depending on whether a label is to be retained or applied.
• the top part 700 has magnets 708 for securing a bottom.
• FIG. 9 is shown an alternative embodiment of a possible embodiment 800 for the invention.
• a conveyor belt 802 is transporting an item 804 towards an applicator 810 that is provided with an applicator head 814.
• optical sensor 818 By means of optical sensor 818, the position of items 804 on the belt 802 is determined.
• a printer 806 prints labels, where labels are stored in a magazine 808. With a cutter device 830 labels are cut off in the desired shape.
• a glue station 820 that prepares an adhesive for use, where adhesive is supplied through tubes 822 and 824 to at least one dispensing nozzle 826 and/or 828. By using dispensing nozzle 826, the adhesive may be supplied to an item 804 before labelling.
• the adhesive is supplied to the label with a dispensing nozzle 828.
• the adhesive it is possible to supply adhesive to label as well as to item. Different chemical compositions may be supplied to different surfaces so that activation of the adhesive occurs when surfaces come in contact with each other.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Labeling Devices (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Publications (1)

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Country Status (3)

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• 2003
  • 2003-03-13 WO PCT/DK2003/000156 patent/WO2003076274A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2003-03-13 EP EP03743790A patent/EP1490266A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2003-03-13 AU AU2003236186A patent/AU2003236186A1/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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