DEVICE FOR DRIVING LABELS OR THE LIKE IN PARTICULAR INTO MEAT AND SIMULTANEOUSLY PRINTING INFORMATION ONTO THE LABELS

DISPOSITIF POUR INTRODUIRE DES ETIQUETTES, PARTICULIEREMENT DANS LES VIANDES, ET IMPRIMER SIMULTANEMENT CES ETIQUETTES

English Abstract

Abstract:
DEVICE FOR DRIVING LABELS OR THE LIKE IN PARTICULAR INTO MEAT AND
SIMULTANEOUSLY PRINTING INFORMATION ONTO THE LABELS
A device for driving labels (2), guarantee seals or the like into
products such as meat of any type, for example poultry or the
like, or into containers in particular of expanded material for
such products, comprises a label dispensing member (1) with a
label-carrying guide (6) positioned at the end of said member (1),
an actuator for expelling the labels (2) from the device or rather
from a magazine (3), and means for mobilizing the actuator. To
the front of said member (1) there is provided a stamper (14)
comprising a type-carrying plate (24) associated with an arm (23)
guidedly movable within a support (15) with which a cartridge (18)
containing ink is associated, said plate (24) being arranged to
penetrate a seat (35) provided in said member (1) so as to arrive
at and print characters on a label (2) before its expulsion from
the magazine (3).

Claims

Claims:
1. A device for driving labels, guarantee seals or the like
into products such as meat of any type, or into containers in
particular of expanded material for such products, comprising a
label dispensing member with a label-carrying guide positioned at
one end of the dispensing member, an actuator for expelling the
labels from said member or rather from a label receiver of this
latter, and means for mobilizing the actuator, characterised in
that to the front of a wall (12) defining the end (5) of said
dispensing member (1) there is provided a stamper member (14)
comprising a movable stamping element (23) supporting a type-
carrying plate (24) arranged to penetrate a through hole (35)
provided in said wall (12) and opening into said receiver (4), so
as to arrive at and print characters on a label before its
expulsion from the receiver.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that a
bracket (13) supporting the stamper member (14) is fixed to the
wall (12) defining the end (5) of the label dispensing member (1).
3. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised by
comprising a valve (38) for distributing feed air for operating
the stamper member (14) and then the label dispensing member (2)
so that a label is dispensed after it has been stamped, said valve
being connected by an air feed line (39) and return line (40) to
usual means for mobilizing the stamping element (23) and at least
by an air feed line (41) to means for mobilizing the actuator for
expelling the seals or labels (2).

Description

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DEVICE FOR DRIVING LAH~LS OR THE LIKE IN PARTICULAR INTO MEAT AND
SIMULTANEOUSLY PRINTING INFORMATION ONTO THE LABELS
This invention relates to a device for driving labels, guarantee
seals or the like into products such as meat of any type, or into
containers in particular of expanded material for such products,
comprising a label dispensing member with a label-carrying guide
positioned at one end of the dispensing member, an actuator for
expelling the labels from said member, and mobilizing means for
the actuator.
Devices of the aforesaid type have been known for some time.
Stampers are also known comprising a type-carrying base associated
with an arm guidedly movable within a support frame with which a
cartridge containing ink is associated.
Generally, such stampers are used independently to apply dates,
guarantee inscriptions and the like.
An object of the present invention is to provide a device of the
aforesaid type with which a stamper of the stated type is
associated, the resultant combination enabling inscriptions to be
sequentially and reliably applied to labels (or the like) which
are then associated with products or product containers.
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A further object is to provide a device of the aforesaid type `~
which is of simple construction and easy to use, and wllich has a
very hi~h operatin~ capacity. ~ -~
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2These and further ob~jects which will be apparent to the expert of
the art are attained by a device in accordance with the
characterizing part of the independent claim and the other
accompanying claims.
The invention will be more apparent from the accompanying drawing,
which is provided by way of non-limiting example and in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device according to the
invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of part of Figure l; and
FiKure 3 is a partial front perspective view of the device
according to the invention.
~ith reference to said figures. the device of the invention
comprises a pneumatic member or gun 1 of known type for driving,
for example into meat such as poultry or the like, labels 2
carrying information such as the name of the producer or its
method of preservation.
The gun 1 comprises a magazine 3 movable within a receiver 4
terminating at the front end 5 of the gun in proximity to a label-
carrying guide 6. At this end there are provided usual hydraulic
means 8 (for example a single-acting piston opposed by a spring,
not shown) acting on an actuator (of known type and not shown~ for
expelling the labels 2 from the receiver 4. The actuator supports
an element 10 movable within a guide 11 provided on a wall 12 of
the end 5.
A bracket 13 is fixed perpendicularly to the wall 12 (in known
manner, for example by screws, not shown) and supports a stamper
14 of known type. This latter is fixed to the bracket in any
known manner, for example by screws, not shown.
::
The stamper comprises a frame 15 on the top of which there is a
seat 17 for an ink cartridge 1~ of known type. The frame
comprises arcuate guides 20 in side walls 21 within which there
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2126520
move rollers 22 associated with an arm 23 carrying at its top a
type-carrying plate 24. The arm 23 is associated with known
levers 25 and 26. The lever 26 is torsionally fixed onto a shaft
30 which can be rotated by a usual hydraulic means, such as an
impeller (not shown) contained in a casing 33 to the side of the
frame 15.
The plate 24 can be inserted into a through seat or slot 35
provided in the wall 12 of the gun 1 so as to come into contact
with the label 2 present in the receiver and maintained adhering
to said wall in knoun manner.
Firlally, the gun 1 comprises known means 36 for connection to a
usual air line (not shown), the means 36 being connected by a
first line 37 to a slide valve 38. This latter is connected to
the casing 33 via feed and return lines 39 and 40 and to the
hydraulic means 8 via a feed line 41. A usual trigger 42 enables
the device of the invention to be used.
In this respect, on pulling said actuator or trigger, the valve 38
firstly feeds air to the line 39 causing the plate 24 to firstly
approach the wall 12 of the gun 1, then enter the hole 35 and
press against the label 2 present in the receiver 4 (as shown in
Figure 2). The symbols present on the plate (for e~ample defining
a date) are hence printed onto the label. The air is then
returned from the casing 33 via the line 40 by the valve 38 and is
fed to the line 41. This causes the plate to firstly withdraw
from said wall 12, then return into the frame 15 and press against
a usual pad (not shown) associated with the cartridge 18 (as shown
in Figure 1). The air fed into the line 41 then mobilizes the gun
actuator to expel the label 2 from the gun.
One embodiment of the invention has been described. Further ~ ~-
embodiments are however possible in the light of the present
description. Such embodiments are to be considered as falling
within the scope of the present document. ~
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Representative Drawing