Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02609884 2007-11-06
Description
A Labelling Machine
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a labelling machine.
The present invention relates to a labelling machine with manual
operation for applying labels bearing one or more captions, e.g. indications
about the products whereon said labels are applied or the prices of the
products.
In particular, the present invention is suitable for use in warehouses
and/or in any commercial activity, such as department stores, supermarkets,
shops and/or the like in which there is a need to affix various types of
commercial and/or informational indications.
Background Art
As is well known, there are manually operated labelling machines that
comprise a load-bearing structure, within which is provided a device for
feeding
a label-holder tape. The label-holder tape is appropriately guided within the
load-bearing structure to an area of application of the labels, whereat each
label
borne by the tape is detached therefrom to be affixed on a respective surface
of a
package or product of interest.
To allow the advance of the label holder tape within the load-bearing
structure, known labelling machines are provided with an appropriate actuating
device which pulls the tape downstream of the application area, making it
advance towards an area of discharge of the tape without the labels.
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Said labelling machines are also provided with a device for stopping
and/or breaking the tape to enable the application of each label without
undesired dragging of the tape. In particular, known labelling machines
comprise, between the device for feeding the tape and the area of application
of
the labels, a series of inechanisms which continuously press the label holder
tape
against an abutting surface present within the load-bearing structure. In this
way,
when a label that has been partially detached from the label holder tape is
positioned on a destination surface by a combined action of pressure towards
said surface and translation of the labelling machine thereon, the label
holder
tape is maintained in a fixed position, allowing the complete detachment of
the
label to be applied.
Known labelling machines further comprise a control device, usually
constituted by a inovable eleinent which has an appropriate grip, operatively
connected to the actuation device to bring, to the application area,
consecutively
to each other, the labels borne by the tape. In particular, when the control
device
is operated manually, the co-operation between the latter and the actuation
device intensely drive the label holder tape which, overcoming the blocking
forces exercised by the arresting device, advances as described above.
Within the structure is also provided a printing element able to deposit
on each label, upstream of the application area, a predefined quantity of ink
according to pre-set motifs, whereby the aforementioned commercial and/or
informational indications are obtained.
While known labelling machines allow the printing and the satisfactory
application of the labels on the packages and/or surfaces of the products of
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interest, the Applicant has noted that they are not free of some drawbacks,
mainly, in relation to the operation and the wear of the arresting device, to
the
replacement and/or maintenance of one or more components of the printing
device, as well as to the wear of the labels and/or of the label holder tape.
In particular, it has been observed that the constant and continuous
pressure of the arresting device on the label holder tape against the
respective
abutting surface, determines, in the long run, significant problems with the
calibration of the components of said device, as well as excessive wear of the
mechanical parts in rubbing or rolling relationship, requiring constant
interventions to maintain and/or replace one or more components of the
arresting device.
This problem also has an impact on the general conditions of the label
holder tape and on the labels themselves, which may be structurally
compromised, presenting an aesthetically displeasing outside appearance
and/or,
worse yet, an irregular printing surface whereon the ink used is deposited
imprecisely, giving rise to undesired imperfections.
It should also be noted that both the difficulty in accessing the internal
areas of the load-bearing structure of known labelling machines, and the
difficulty in replacing some components of the printing device, e.g. the
inking
roller and the like, normally provided, entails and intense maintenance
activity,
whilst requiring considerable manual skills of the maintenance operator who
must, with particular instruments and tools, access the inking roller to
extract it
from the structure and replace it with another inking roller.
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Disclosure of Invention
An essential object of the present invention, therefore, is to overcome the
drawbacks of the prior art.
In particular, an object of the present invention is to make available a
labelling machine that is provided with a self-regulating braking system, i.e.
able to manage the pressure of the tape against the corresponding abutting
surface according to the advance or arrest of the tape.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a labelling
machine whose replacement of the components of the printing device is easy
and siinple to perform.
Lastly, an object of the invention is to assure the structural integrity of
the labels and of the label holder tape, while assuring the quality of the
print
effected by the printing device.
The technical task set out above and the specified objects are
substantially achieved by a labelling machine comprising the characteristics
described and claiined below.
Description of the Drawings
Further characteristics and advantages shall become more readily
apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive,
embodiment of a labelling machine, in accordance with the present invention.
Said description shall be provided below with reference to the accompanying
figures, provided purely by way of non limiting indication, in which:
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Figure 1 is a schematic section of a labelling machine according to the
present invention;
Figure 2 is an additional schematic section of the labelling machine of
the previous figure, shown in open condition;
Figure 3 is a representation of a first detail of the labelling machine of
the previous figures, shown in perspective and in exploded view;
Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the detail of the previous figure;
Figure 5 is a rear perspective view of the detail of Figures 3 and 4;
Figure 6 is a representation of a second detail of the labelling machine of
Figures 1 and 2, shown in perspective and in exploded view;
Figure 7 shows a third detail of the labelling machine, shown in
perspective and in exploded view; and
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a component of the detail of Figure 7.
Descri tion of the Illustrative Embodiment
With reference to the accompanying figures, the number I globally
indicates a labelling machine, in accordance with the present invention.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the labelling machine I comprises a
substantially closed structure 2 presenting a handle 3, preferably coated with
a
co-moulded rubber shell 2b, positioned posteriorly for the manual engagement
of the labelling machine.
Within the structure 2, in a substantially central area, is provided an
element 4 for feeding a tape 5 provided with a plurality of labels 6 (whereof
one
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is schematically shown in Figure 1) to be printed and affixed onto the outer
surfaces of corresponding packages, labels and/or products.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the feeding element 4 preferably comprises
a feeding reel 7 pivotally engaged to the structure 2 to rotate around a
respective
axis of rotation "X".
Advantageously, the feeding reel 7 is removably engaged to the structure
2 in such a way that it can be reinoved therefrom when the feeding reel 7 is
completely einpty.
As shown in Figure 2, the feeding reel 7 can advantageously be inserted
or extracted through an appropriate access opening 8 obtained in a lower part
of
the structure and appropriately kept closed by additional components of the
labelling machine which shall be described below.
To guide the tape 5 at least between the feeding element 4 and an area 9
of application of at least one label 6, the structure 2 is provided with
appropriate
guidance means which define, according to a predetermined route, a path of
advance of said tape 5.
As shown in Figure 1, the guiding ineans lead the tape 5 from the
feeding element 5 to the application area 9 which is preferably located
inferiorly
to the structure 2 of the labelling machine 1 in proximity to a front portion
10
thereof.
The labelling machine further comprises at least device I 1 for actuating
the tape 5 operatively located within the structure 2. The actuating device I
1 is
movable froin a non operative condition in which the tape 5 does not move,
remaining in a predetermined position, and operative condition, in which the
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actuating device 11 induces the tape 5 to move along the path of advance
defined by the guiding means to bring at least one label 6 of the tape 5 to
the
area of application 9.
Again with reference to Figures I and 2, the labelling machine further
comprises an element 12 for arresting the tape 5 operatively positioned within
the structure 2. The arresting element 12 is movable between a condition of
arrest, in which it inhibits the actuation of the tape 5 pressing the latter
against
an abutting surface 13 associated with the structure itself, and a condition
of
release, in which the pressure of the tape 5 against the abutting surface 13
decreases according to a value such that the tape 5 is free to advance along
the
aforementioned path of advance.
In order to operate both the actuating device 1 1 and the arresting element
12, the labelling machine coinprises at least one control device 14
operatively
associated to the structure 2, preferably inferiorly to the handle 3. The
control
device 14 is operatively connected to the arresting element 12 and to the
actuating device I 1 to bring, to the application area 9, at least one label 6
present
on the tape 5.
More in particular, the control device 14 comprises a control lever 15
hinged to the structure 2 of the labelling machine I in a rear area thereof to
oscillate around a respective axis of rotation "Y". The control lever 15 has,
inferiorly to the handle 3, a grip portion 16 shaped ergonomically to
facilitate
and ease the manual grasping thereof. The control lever 15 develops
prevalently
within the structure 2 presenting a first control portion 17 located in
proximity to
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the arresting element 17 and a second control portion 18 located in proximity
to
the actuating device 11.
Advantageously, at least one contrasting elastic element 19, preferably a
helical spring 19a, is operatively interposed between the grip portion of the
control device 14 and the handle 3 of the structure 2 to maintain the latter
in a
predetermined position.
Advantageously, the control device 14 can be moved between a first
position in which the arresting element 12 is in arresting condition and the
actuating device 1 I is in non operative condition (Figure 1), and a second
position in which the arresting element 12 is in release condition and the
actuating device I 1 is in operative condition, i.e. in condition of pulling
the tape
5 that unwinds the respective feeding reel 7.
In greater detail, the movement of the control device 14 from the first to
the second position takes place by manually pressing the grip portion 16 of
the
control lever 15 that consequently rotates around the axis of rotation "Y"
counter-clockwise. The grip portion 16 approaches the handle 3 pressing the
helical spring 19a and the respective control portions 17, 19 move determining
a
change of state relative to the arresting element 12 that reduces its load on
the
tape 5 and the actuating device 11 that drives the tape 5 along the path of
advance.
On the contrary, if the manual action of approach of the grip portion 16
to the handle 3 is interrupted, the control device 14 tends to return to the
initial
position, i.e. completely removed from the handle 3, rotating clockwise around
the axis of rotation "Y".
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With reference to Figures 1-5, and in particular to Figures 3-5, the
aforementioned arresting device 12 comprises, in detail, a first element 20,
preferably made of plastic material, pivotally engaged to the structure 2 by
ineans of a hinging pivot 21 which defines a respective axis of rotation "Z"
substantially parallel to the axis of rotation "X" and "Y" respectively of the
feeding reel 7 and of the control lever 15. At the opposite site from the
hinging
pivot 21 the first element 20 has a small engagement 22, preferably metallic,
engaged, advantageously by co-moulding, in a respective seat 23. The
engagement disk 22 is operatively connected to the first control portion 17 of
the
control device 14 so that the movement thereof between the first and the
second
condition determines the actuation of the arresting device 12 between the
arresting condition and the release condition.
Again with reference to Figures 3 through 5, the arresting elements 12
coinprises a second element 24, preferably metallic, pivotally engaged to the
structure 2 by means of the hinging pivot 21 in such a way as to rotate around
the axis of rotation "Z". Advantageously, the second element 24 has an
inclined
portion 25 that engages the tape 5 to block it against the abutting surface 13
when the arresting device 12 is in arresting condition and to allow the
advance
of the tape itself along the path of advance when the arresting device 12 is
in
release condition.
The arresting element 12 comprises at least one elastic connection
member 26 interposed between the first and the second element 20, 24 to
connect the latter and at the same time to allow relative rotations around the
axis
of rotation "Z".
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The interaction between the elastic connecting member 26, the first and
the second element 20, 24, the control device 14 and the tape 5 on the
abutting
surface 13, determines, in arrest condition, a thrust by the elastic
connecting
member 26 on the second element 24 against the abutting surface 13. In other
words, when the control device 14 is in the first position, the first portion
17 of
the control lever 15 pushes the engagement disk 22 of the first element 20 of
the
arresting member 12 upwards by the action of the contrasting spring 19a. In
practice, the first control portion 17 of the control lever 15 has a shaped
screw
17a a shaped head 17b whereof is directly engaged to the engagement disk 22
present in the end of the first element 20 of the arresting member 12 that is
opposite to the second element 24.
Being fastened in the pivot 21, the first element 20 tends to rotate
counter-clockwise (Figures 1-3 and 5) tensioning the elastic member 26 which
induces the second element 24 in rotation around the axis "Z" and counter-
clockwise. The rotation of the second element 24 is, however, contrasted by
the
contrasting surface 13, transforming itself into a thrust equal to the force
exercised by the elastic inember 26 on the second element 24 and on the
contrasting surface 13. Naturally, a push of the tape 5 against the
contrasting
surface 13 causes its blocking.
On the contrary if the control device 14 is moved from the first to the
second position, the first control portion 17 of the control lever 15 no
longer
pushes against the metallic disk 22, enabling the elastic member 26 to unload,
freeing the tape 5 which can thus slide.
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Again with reference to Figures 3 to 5, the arresting device 12 comprises
two elastic member 26, preferably traction springs 26a, operatively interposed
between a respective hitching portion 20a of the first element 20 and a
corresponding engagement portion 24a of the second element 24 positioned in
proximity to each other.
The arresting device 12 further comprises an auxiliary elastic member
27, preferably a torsion spring 27a, operatively interposed between an
abutting
portion 20b (Figure 4) of the first element 20 and an abutting surface 24b
(Figure 5) of the second element 24, oriented substantially opposite relative
to
the contrasting surface 13. The auxiliary elastic member 27 co-operates with
the
elastic members 26 to enhance the thrusting action of the second element 24
against the contrasting surface 13 when the arresting device 12 is in
arresting
condition and assure the tensioning of the tape 5 when the control device 14
is in
the second position in such a way as to obtain the correct detachment of the
labels from the tap in the application area 9.
With reference to Figures 1, 2, and in particular to Figures 7 and 8, the
actuating device 11 coinprises at least one driving roller 28 pivotally
engaged to
the structure 2 along the path of advance of said tape 5 and downstream of the
area of application 9 of the labels 6. The driving roller 28 partially defines
the
path of advance of the tape 5 and it can be actuated in rotation according to
a
predefined angle of rotation to advance the tape 5 according to a respective
predetermined measure of advance.
The driving roller 28 is advantageously connected to the control device
14, so that it is actuated in rotation around a respective axis of rotation
"W",
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substantially parallel to the axes of rotation "X", "Y" and "Z" when the
arresting
member 12 is in release condition.
Describing more in detail the structure of the actuating device 11, the
driving roiler 28 has a plurality of actuating projections 29 positioned at
both the
planar lateral surfaces 28a thereof, operatively engaged by an actuating
member
30 interposed between the driving roller 28 and the second control portion 18
of
the control lever 15 of the control device 14. The actuating member 30
operates,
on the action of the control device 14, consecutively on each actuating
projection 29 to rotate at constant pitch the driving roller 28 around the
respective axis of rotation "W" clockwise and according to a predefined angle
of
rotation.
More in detail, the actuating member 30 is preferably constituted by a
pawl 31 hinged at its ends to the structure 2 between the driving roller 28
and
the grip portion 16 of the control device 14.
When the control device 14 moves from the second to the first position
on the action of the spring 19a, the pawl 3 1 enmeshes the actuating
projections
29 of the driving roller 28 obtaining a stepped rotation thereof around the
axis
GGW),
In order to inhibit any counter-rotations of the driving roller 28 during
the movement of the control device 14 from the first to the second position
the
driving roller 28 is provided with a plurality of locking projections 32
(Figure 8)
operatively engaged by corresponding locking members 33. In particular, the
locking projections 32 are obtained circumferentially inside the driving
roller 28
and they are accessible through two annular recesses 34. The locking members
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.
33 constitute a one-way pawl mechanism provided with two elastic tongues that
intervene on the profile of the locking projections 32.
On the cylindrical surface at the sides of a central annular recess 35, the
driving roller 28 has a series of notches 36 able to engage inside
corresponding
slits (not shown) obtained on the tape 5.
Peripherally to the cylindrical surface of the driving roller 28 is provide
an elastic tape-guiding device 37 with arched shape which is fastened
removably, at its ends to the structure 2 and it is able to maintain the tape
5
pressed on the driving roller 28.
In particular, the elastic tape-guide device 37 has a first end 37a hinged
to the structure 2, by means of two pins 37b, and a second end 37c, hinged to
the
structure 2, by means of a shaft 37d that engages within respective hinging
holes
37e obtained on the structure of the tape-guide device itself. The tape-guide
device 37 is advantageously made elastic by two laminar sections 37f that can
rotate because they are hinged on the shaft 37d through the opening 37e so the
settling and the phasing of the advance of the tape 5 are assured.
As shown in Figure 2, both the abutting surface 13 and the actuating
device 1 1 are supported by a portion 2a of the structure 2, able to rotate
around a
hinging axis "K", coinciding with the axis of hinging of the actuating member
30. The displacement of the portion 2a of the structure 2, as shown in Figure
2,
defines the aforementioned access opening 8 for the insertion and/or the
extraction of the reel 7 for feeding the tape 5.
Again with reference to Figures 1 and 2, and in particular with Figure 6,
the labelling machine I comprises a printing device 38 operatively associated
to
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the structure 2 to deposit on at least one label 6 a predefined quantity of
ink
according to a pre-set motif. The printing device 38 is movable, upon
operation
of the control device 14, between a condition of rest (Figure 1) coinciding
with
the first position of the control device 14 in which the printing member 38 is
distanced from the tape 5, and a printing condition coinciding with the second
position of the control device 14, in which the printing member 38 operates on
a
respective label of the tape 5.
Advantageously, the printing member 38 comprises at least one support
element or support arm 39 operatively associated to the structure 2 and having
a
free end 40 preferably provided with two support projections 41. The printing
meinber 38 further comprises at least one inking roller 42 removably engaged
to
the support element 39 between the support projections 41.
As visible in Figures 1 and 2, the printing member 38 is also provided
with means for feeding the ink 43 to be provided to the inking roller 42 which
are only mentioned here because they do not represent the subject of the
present
invention.
Advantageously, the printing member 38 comprises at least one
engagement device 44 (Figure 6) able to be operatively interposed between the
support eleinent 39 and the inking roller 42 to allow, integrally with the
inking
roller 42, the removable engagement thereof to the support element 39. In
other
words, the engagement device 44 enables the inking roller 42 to be engaged or
removed from the support element 39 within coming in contact with the
cylindrical surface of the inking roller 42.
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Preferably, the engagement device 44 has snap-in engagement means 45
for the engagement of the inking roller 42 to the support element 39.
With reference again to Figure 6, the engagement device 44 comprises a
substantially "U" shaped roller-holder structure 46 having two lateral
portions
46a, each provided with a respective seat 47 for the pivotal engagement of a
respective longitudinal pivot 48 of the inking roller 42 and a central
connecting
portion 46b interposed between the lateral portions 46a.
The engagernent device 44 further comprises two elastic connecting
elements 49 each operatively engaged externally to a respective lateral
portion
46a of the roller-holder structure 46. Each elastic connecting element 49 is
inovable between a first position in which it is distanced from the respective
lateral portion 46a of the roller-holder structure 46 and a second position in
which it is approached to the respective lateral portion 46a of the roller-
holder
structure 46.
Each elastic connecting element 49 has, at opposite side relative to the
respective lateral portion 46a of the roller-holder structure 46 at least one
hitching projection 50, adapted to engage at least one respective hitching
seat 51
obtained internally in a respective support projection 41 of the support
element
39 and at least one thrust edge 52 through which the hitching projection 50 is
displaced from the first to the second position, engaging the respective
hitching
seat 51 when the roller-holder structure 46 is engaged between the support
projections 41 of the support element 39.
As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 6, the labelling machine advantageously
comprises at least one door 53 having a first end 53a hinged to the structure
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and a second end 53b, opposite the first end 53a, provided with at least one
element 54 for locking the door 53 on the structure. The door 53 is able to
rotate
around a hinging axis "Q", defined in the first end 53a, between a closed
position (Figure 1) in which the structure 2 is closed by the door 53, and an
open
position (Figure 2), in which the door 53 is at least partially removed from
the
structure 2.
Advantageously, the support element 39 of the inking roller 42 is hinged,
at the opposite side from its free end 40, to the second end 53b of the door
53.
According to said connection, the support element 39 is positioned within the
structure 2 when the door 53 is in closed position and it is positioned at
least
partially, preferably completely (Figure 2) outside the structure 2 when the
door
53 is in open position to facilitate accessibility to the inking roller 42.
As shown in Figure 6, at the axis of hinging "Q" is also pivotally
engaged an application roller 55 by means of which it is possible to press the
label exiting the corresponding application area against an underlying
surface.
The present invention solves the problems observed in the prior art and
achieves the proposed objects.
First of all, the subject of the present invention enables structurally to
preserve the components of the arresting member as well as the labels borne by
the feeding tape.
In particular, the arresting system whose braking or locking action
regulates automatically in relation to the positions assumed by the control
device
prevents the arresting member from being subjected to excessive rubbing
friction which lead to rapid structural wear.
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It should also be considered that the arrangement of a device for
engaging the inking roller like the one described above together with a system
for opening and extracting said inking roller like the one represented by the
door
hinged to the support element of the printing device, facilitates any
operation for
the maintenance, cleaning and/or replacement of the inking roller without
coming in contact with dirty parts thereof, i.e. without intercepting surfaces
that
are inked for printing the labels.
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