CA2094218A1 - Apparatus for convoluting labels around containers - Google Patents
Apparatus for convoluting labels around containersInfo
- Publication number
- CA2094218A1 CA2094218A1 CA002094218A CA2094218A CA2094218A1 CA 2094218 A1 CA2094218 A1 CA 2094218A1 CA 002094218 A CA002094218 A CA 002094218A CA 2094218 A CA2094218 A CA 2094218A CA 2094218 A1 CA2094218 A1 CA 2094218A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- containers
- path
- labels
- belt
- external surfaces
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 229910000639 Spring steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 19
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 description 11
- 238000002372 labelling Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 210000002445 nipple Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007921 spray Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 240000004543 Vicia ervilia Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004323 axial length Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
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
- B65C9/26—Devices for applying labels
- B65C9/34—Flexible bands
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
- B65C3/00—Labelling other than flat surfaces
- B65C3/06—Affixing labels to short rigid containers
- B65C3/08—Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies
- B65C3/14—Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies the container being positioned for labelling with its centre-line vertical
- B65C3/16—Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies the container being positioned for labelling with its centre-line vertical by rolling the labels onto cylindrical containers, e.g. bottles
-
- 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
- B65C9/08—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
- B65C9/1819—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels being cut from a strip and transferred by suction means the suction means being a vacuum drum
Landscapes
- Labeling Devices (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Successive upright bottles, cans or similar containers for beverages are transported by a turntable along a circular path and are simultaneously rotated about their own axes. Endless foraminous belts are provided to deliver and convolute discrete labels all the way around the external surfaces of successive containers. The belts are driven to advance along an endless second path which has a portion adjacent and extending tangentially of a portion of the circular path. The belts are propped from behind by a resilient rail which urges the labels against the respective containers and forms part of a suction chamber serving to attract the labels to the belts. The speed and the positions of the belts relative to the circular path are changed if containers having external surfaces of a first diameter are followed by containers having external surfaces of a different second diameter.
A first paster applies adhesive to the external surfaces of successive containers, and a second paster supplies adhesive to selected portions of partially convoluted labels on successive containers. The pasters are surrounded by the first path.
Successive upright bottles, cans or similar containers for beverages are transported by a turntable along a circular path and are simultaneously rotated about their own axes. Endless foraminous belts are provided to deliver and convolute discrete labels all the way around the external surfaces of successive containers. The belts are driven to advance along an endless second path which has a portion adjacent and extending tangentially of a portion of the circular path. The belts are propped from behind by a resilient rail which urges the labels against the respective containers and forms part of a suction chamber serving to attract the labels to the belts. The speed and the positions of the belts relative to the circular path are changed if containers having external surfaces of a first diameter are followed by containers having external surfaces of a different second diameter.
A first paster applies adhesive to the external surfaces of successive containers, and a second paster supplies adhesive to selected portions of partially convoluted labels on successive containers. The pasters are surrounded by the first path.
Description
2~4218 The invention relates to improvements in apparatus for affixing sheetq to moving object~Q, and more particularly to improvements in apparatus for applying labels to containers. Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvementq in apparatus for convoluting labels around, preferably all the way around, the external surfaces of containers which are tran3ported along a predetermined path and simultaneously rotate about their own axes.
Containers of the type ~uitable to be treated in the apparatuQ of the present invention include, among others, bottleq, cups and jars of glasQ or plaqtic material (for example, PET bottleq) aQ well aq metallic or plastic cans of the type often uqed for confinement of beverageq. Labels which can be manipulated in the apparatuq of the present invention can be made of paper or of a plastic material, particularly a shrinkable polymer such a~ polypropylene.
It is already known to apply labelQ to containers, for example, to cylindrical external surfaces of jars, bottles or cans, in an apparatus wherein the containers are transported along a circular path and are simultaneously caused to turn about their own axe~. The containers can be orbited about a vertical axis by a rotary turntable which carrieq discrete rotary holderq serving to support discrete container_ from above or from below and being driven to rotate each container about its own axis. For example, a container in the form of a bottle can be Quqpended from its holder by being engaged at the neck, and the holder causes the su~pended bottle to turn about a vertical axi~. To thi~ end, the neckQ of ~, .
` 2~2~8 such bottles are or can be provided with quitable collars to permit reliable engagement by a holder which orbits with the turntable and ~imultaneously turns the su~pended bottle about an axis extending in paralleliqm with the axis of the turntable. Containers in the form of metallic cans or the like are often supported from below while advancing along an endle~s circular path paQt a labelling station.
A drawback of conventional labelling apparatuq is that they cannot be readily converted for the application of labels to the external surfaces of containers having different diameter~. Furthermore, presently known labelling apparatus cannot always maintain ~ -the labels in optimum positions for application to the external surfaces of orbiting containers.
The invention is embodies in an apparatu~ for convoluting labels around external surfaces (particularly cylindrical external surfaces) of containerq. The improved apparatus comprises means (including, e.g., a horizontal turntable) for transporting succesqive containers of a serieq of containers along a substantially circular path and having means for simultaneously rotating the containers about discrete parallel axes, and meanq for delivering to 3uccesqive rotating containers discrete labels along a second path which extends substantially tangentially of a predetermined portion of the first path.
~he transporting means can include means for orbiting the containerq about a predetermined axi~ (e.g., a vertical axiq) which is parallel to the aforementioned discrete axes.
As a rule, or at least in certain instances, the . :.-. . :
2~9~2~ 8 axes are qubstantially vertical or nearly vertical and the delivering meanq can compriqe at least one label advancing endless belt, pulleys which are rotatable about substantially vertical axes, and mean~ for temporarily attaching ~e.g., attracting) labels to the at least one belt. The latter i3 trained over the pulleys.
If the at least one belt is foraminous, the attaching means can include at least one suction chamber which is adjacent a predetermined portion of the second path to attract labelq to the foraminous belt. A first side of the at least one belt confronts the first path and serves to advance a series of labels into contact with succeqsive containers arriving at the aforementioned portion of the first path, and a ~econd side which faces away from such portion of the first path. A resilient back ~upport (e.g., a back support including an elongated rail made of spring steel) can be installed adjacent to and bear against the second side of the at least one belt at the aforementioned portion of the first path to urge labels again3t successive containers arriving at such portion of the first path. The back support can be perforated and can constitute a component part of the aforementioned suction chamber which attracts labels to the first side of the at lea~t one belt.
If the apparatus is to be used for the application of labels to external surfaces of containers having dif~erent diameters, the delivering means preferably further comprises adjustable means for driving the at least one belt at a plurality of different ~peeds, one for each of two or more different diameter~. The rotating meanQ of Yuch ver~atile apparatu~ can comprise , - 4 - ~
- - . ~ - .. ., - - . . . .. . .. . . .
2 ~ 2 1 8 meanq for rotating the containers at a fixed angular speed irrespective of the diameters of the containers, i-e- r irreqpective of the diameters of the external surfaces of such container~. The just described versatile apparatuq can further comprise meanq for shifting at least a portion of the qecond path relative to the aforementioned portion of the first path in dependency on the diameters of containers which are being transported along the first path. The shifting means can include mean~ for moving the aforementioned portion of the second path sub~qtantially radially of the first path.
The apparatus can further comprise means for applying an adhesive to external surfaces of containers in the first path, and such adhesive applying means can be surrounded by the firqt path. The apparatus can further compri~e means for supplying an adhesive to partly convoluted labels on successive containers in the first pathr and the first path can qurround quch adhesive supplying means. The adhesive supplying means is installed downstream of the adhesive applying means, as ~een in the direction of transport of containers along the firqt path.
The novel features which are concidered as characteriqtic of the invention are qet forth in particular in the appended claimq. The improved apparatus itselfr however, both as to its construction and it~ mode of operation, together with additional features and advantage~ thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain presently preferred specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
_ 5 _ ,. -.
, : ,.. :
- 2~9~218 FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an apparatus which embodie~ one form of the invention and is de3igned to convolute labels all the way around cylindrical external surfaces of container~ in the ~orm of cans;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a detail in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view as qeen in the direction of arrow III in FIG. 2, with certain parts shown in a vertical sectional view;
FIG. 4 is a developed view of a re~ilient back support for use in the label delivering means o~ the improved apparatus; and FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view substantially as seen in the direction of arrows from the line V-V in FIG. 4.
The label applying apparatu~ which is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 comprise~ means for transporting a series of successive equidistant containers 6 along a circular first path in the direction of arrow 3, and means 1 for delivering a succession of discrete labels 14 along a second path extending substantially tangentially of a portion (at 19) of the circular first path. The transporting means comprises a horizontal turntable 2 which is driven by a shaft 2a to rotate about a vertical axis X, and the transporting means further comprises means for rotating (arrow 7) discrete containers 6 about their own vertical axes Y. ~ach rotating mean~ comprises a :
rotary carrier or support 4 which shares the movements of the turntable 2 and rotates a container 6 about the respective axis Y the direction of arrow 7, at leaqt while the container is advanced (by the turntable 2) along the :, ,' 2~9~2~8 portion 19 of the first path. Each container 6 can constitute an upright bottle made of glass or plastic material and having a cylindrical portion with an external surface 6e having its center on the respective axis Y.
The speed of orbital movement of carriers 4 about the axis X is related to the speed of rotational movement about the respective axes Y so that the external surface~ 6e are moved at a predetermined peripheral speed while orbiting at a predetermined speed along the circular first path which iR defined by the turntable 2. Means for rotating a turntable about its own axis while simultaneouRly rotating the carriers 4 about their respective axes are well known in the art of filling and otherwise manipulati~g bottles, cans, jars or like containerq and, therefore, all details of the transporting means including the turntable 2, the shaft 2a and the carriers 4 are not shown in the drawing.
If the containers 6 are bottles, they can be rotated by carriers 4 which define platforms for the bottom portions of the respective bottles and/or by carriers which maintain the respective bottles in suqpended position.
Successive carriers 4 on the turntable 2 receive unlabelled containers 6 from a feeding conveyor 8 which aan constitute or include a conventional turnstile and receive~ container~ from a preceding station, e.g., a bottle filing station (not shown). The carrier~ 4 deliver properly labelled containers 6 to a removing conveyor 9 which can also constitute or include a turnstile and cooperates with one or more additional conveyors ~or the transport of labelled containers to storage, to a crating ~tation or to another destination.
The circular path for the carriers 4 and for the - 2as~2ls containers 6 thereon or therein ~urrounds an adhesive dispensing unit 11 which includes two pasters 12 and 13.
The paster 12 iserve~ as a means for applying a ~uitable adhesive to the external surfaces 6e of succesqive container~ 6 upi~tream o~ the portion 19 (hereinafter called labelling station) of the circular fir3t path (for the containers 6 and their carriers 4), and the paster 13 erves ais a means for supplying a quitable adhesive to selected portions of labels 14 which are partially convoluted around the external qurfaces 6e of the respective containers 6. The paQter 13 iq located downstream of the paster 12 (as seen in the direction of arrow 3, i.e., in the direction of orbital movement of the carrieriQ 4 and of the containeri~q 6 which are being rotated by the respective carriers). The paiQter 12 can include one or more nozzles which discharge sprays of liquid or liquefied adhesive against the external surfaces 6e of the adjacent containers 6, and the paster 13 can include a wheel 15 with raiised radially outwardly extending portions 16 which are dimensioned to deliver strips or films of adheqive to iselected portions of external surfaces of partly applied (partly convoluted) labels 14. Each label 14 is dimensioned in iquch a way that it can be completely convoluted around the respective external Qurface 6e in such a way that the internal surface of itQ trailing end overlies the external Qurface of itiQ leader. The raisefl portions 16 on the wheel 15 of the paster 13 apply adhesive to the external surfaces of the leaderq of iQuccesisive labels 14 so that the thu~ applied a&esive attracts the internal surfaces of the trailing ends of the respective labels 14 during the last stage of each - 8 - ~ -.
~ 2~9~218 convoluting operation. The paster 13 further comprises a source 17 of adheqive pa te and an applicator or transfer element which dips into the source 17 and delivers films of adhesive to successive raised portions 16 on the intermittently or continuously rotated wheel 15 of the paster 13.
An adjuQting device 18 i~ provided to change the positions of the pasters 12 and 13 of the adhesive dispensing unit 11 relative to the containers 6 at the station l9. Such adjustment is necessary to ensure the application of adhesive to predetermined portions of external surfaces of the leaders of succe3sive labels 14.
The detail~ of a presently preferred embodiment of the label delivering means 1 are illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5. The positions of various parts of the delivering means l qhown in FIG. 2 are selected with a view to ensure proper application of labels 14 to the external surfaces 6e of successive containers 6A having an average or medium diameter. The delivering means 1 is adjusted (in a manner to be described hereinafter) if a row or serieq of containers 6A is followed by a row or serieq of containers 6B having a diameter smaller than that of a container 6A
or by a series or row of containers 6C having a diameter greater than that of a container 6A. That portion of the ~econd path (defined by the delivering means 1 for the labels 14) which is adjacent the ~tation 19 i9 tangential or nearly tangential to the respective portion of the circular path for the containers 6.
A comparison of FIGS. 2 and 3 will show that certain parts in the right-hand portion of FIG. 3 are moved from their respective planes into the planes of . .
_ g _ 2~9~2~
parts shown in the left-hand portion of FIG. 3. This has been done for the sake of clarity and for convenience of illustration.
The delivering means 1 compriQes a set of endless foraminous (e.g., perforated) belts Z1 which are disposed in parallel hori~ontal planes. The combined width of the beltq 21 can exceed the axial length of the external surface 6e of a container 6, i.e., certain belts 21 will be put to use (they will actually contact a label 14 during application to an ex-ternal surface 6e) only if the apparatus i~ in the process of applying labels to (i.e., of convoluting labels around) cylindrical external ~urface~ 6e of tallest or very tall container~ 6.
Moreover, one or more belts 21 will be out of use if the delivering means 1 is in the process of supplying relatively small labels 14 to much larger external surfaces 6e, i.e., labels which are dimensioned to overlie only certain portions of the external surfaces 6e of the respective containers 6. The belts 21 are inqtalled between a top wall 22 and a bottom wall 23 of the delivering means 1. The top wall 22 has been omitted in FIG. 2 for the qake of clarity.
The belts 21 are trained over two sets 24, 26 of pulleys and over at least one additional pulley 27. The pulleys 32 of the set 24 are driven, and the pulleys 36 of the set 26 are idler pulleys, the same as the pulley or pulleys 27. The axes of the pulleys 32, 36 and 27 are vertical, i.e., parallel to the axes Y of the containers 60 The meanC for driving the pulleys 32 at a plurality of different speeds (at least one for each series of containers 6 of different diameters to be labelled in the . .
209~2~8 apparatus of the present invention) includes a variable-speed electric motor 28 which i~ adjustable at 59. The output element of the motor 28 drives a belt or band 29 which iq trained over a pulley 31 on the common ~haft 34 of the driven pulleys 32 for the belts 21. The belts 21 are driven in ~uch a way that their inner reaches (adjacent the circular path for the containers 6) advance in the direction of arrow 30. Each belt 21 is provided with internal teeth 33 mating with external teeth of the respective driven pulley 32. The pulleys 32 are keyed to the shaft 34 which i9 driven by the motor 28 through the band 29.
The idler pulleyq 36 for the belts 21 are keyed to a common shaft 37 which i8 journalled in two spaced-apart levers or links 64, and these leverq are pivotably mounted on the adjacent walls 22 and 23. The shaft 34 is journalled in levers or linkQ 61 which are pivotable relative to the walls 22 and 23. A discrete idler pulley 36 iQ provided for each driven pulley 32.
As already mentioned above, the belts 21 are foraminous. For example, each belt 21 can be provided with suitably distributed perforationQ 38 (qee FIG. 5) which enable a suction chamber 39 to temporarily attract successive labels 14 to the outer side~ of the belts 21 so that the belts can advance the labels in the direction of arrow 30 for application to the external surfaces 6e of successive containers 6 arriving at the station 19.
The character 41 denotes in FIG. 2 a portion of a hose which serves to connect the suction chamber 39 to the suction intake of a fan or another suitable suction generating device, not shown. A second suction chamber 53 - 11 - ,~ . .
1.", ~ ,,;,,, " ~ ", " ", ,", ~ ,"~ " " ~, "~"~ ~, ; "~, " ~ " ~ " ~ ~ " " ~
- ... . ~. i , , . .. , .. , ., , , . . . , , . , . . ~ .. . .. .
2~218 is provided adjacent the path of the labels 14 at the station 19. This second suction chamber 53 is defined in part by the belts 21 and in part by a perforated resilient back support 42 includin~ a rail 43 of ~pring steel or a like material and located at the station 19 behind those sides of the belts 21 which face away from the turntable 2. The rail 43 i5 of one piece with or iQ connected to a nipple 57 which evacuates air from the suction chamber 53 when the apparatus is in actual use. The back ~upport 42 serves to define a portion of the ~uction chamber 53 as well as to cause the belts 21 to yieldably urge the labels 14 against the adjacent oncoming containers 6 so that the labels are convoluted around the respective external surfaceQ 6e due to orbiting of the carriers 4 about the axiq X, due to rotation of carriers 4 about the axes Y of the containers 6 which are rotated thereby, and due to movement of the labels 14 in the direction of arrow 30.
The rail 43 of the back support 42 has two end portion~q one of which is affixed to the respective end of a coil spring 52 which stores energy and maintains the rail 43 under tension in the region behind the station 19.
The other end portion of the rail 43 i~ secured to a cylindrical or diqc-3haped holder 47 which i3 keyed to the shaft 37 for the idler pulleys 36. The other end portion of the rail 43 includes two parallel stripq 46 (see FIG.
4) which define a slot 44 for one of the idler pulleys 36 and have free ends riveted or otherwise affixed to the disc-shaped member 47. The one end portion of the rail 43 also includes two parallel strips 49 which flank a window 48 for one of the driven pulleys 32 and are affixed to two discs 51; these di~cs are free to rotate on the shaft 34 2~9~218 for the driven pulleys 32. One end convolution of the spring 52 is connected to a tip 50 of the one end portion of the rail 43 and its other end convolution is affixed to a shaft 65 extending between the wallA 22 and 23 and journalled in the levers 64.
The front side of the rail 43 abutq and is in sealing engagement with a sealing element 54 which engages the rear qide of at least one belt 21 and is affixed to the rail 43 by rivets 56 or other suitable fasteners. The sealing element 54 iq formed with a rece~s or depreqsion which i~ actually the ~uction chamber 53. As mentioned above, a nipple 57 is provided on or is integral with the rail 43 to evacuate air from the suction chamber 53 and to thus ensures that a label 14 is attracted to the adjacent sides of the belts 21 during advancement at the station 19. The outer side of the rail 43 iq reinforced by stiffening ribs 58 or in any other suitable way.
The label delivering means 1 can be converted for the application of labels 14 to the external surfaces 6e of containers (6C, 6A, 6B) having larger, medium-sized or smaller diameters in the following way: The converqion involves an adjustment of the speed of the belts 21 (i.e., an adjustment of the variable-speed motor 28) as well as an adjustment of the label-carrying stretcheq of the belts 21 in directions toward or away from the axis X of the turntable 2. The carriers 4 rotate the containers 6A, 6B
or 6C in accordance with a preqelected program which determines the peripheral speed of the momentarily treated containers. The adjusting means 59 regulates the speed of the motor 28 in order to conform the speed of the belts 21 to the peripheral speed of the containers 6A, 6B or 6C.
, . :, .
~ 2~9~21 8 If the RPM of each carrier 4 about the corresponding axis Y is constant, the peripheral speed of the external surfaces 6e varies if the containers 6A are replaced with containers 6B or 6C, and this necessitates an appropriate adjustment of the speed of the belts ~1 in response to adjustment of the motor 28.
The meanq for shifting ~he belts 21 toward or away from the axiq X of the turntable 2 comprises a parallel motion which is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and whose function is to move the shafts 34 and 37 relative to the axis X. The parallel motion includes the aforementioned levers or links 61 which carry the end portions of the shaft 34 for the driven pulleyi~ 32 and are pivotable about the axis of a shaft 62 which is mounted in the walls 22 and 23 and can be non-rotatably but releasably ~ecured to such walls by nut~ 63 or in any other suitable way. The parallel motion mechanism further comprises the levers or links 64 which are mounted on a shaft 69; the latter is mounted in the walls 22, 23 and can be non-rotatably a~fixed to such walls by nuts 68 or in any other suitable way. The shafts 62 and 69 can be released to change their angular po itions relative to the walls 22 and 23; all that i~q necessary is to loosen the nuts 63 and/or 68. The levers or links 64 are connected to each other by the shaft 65 which is parallel to the shaft 69 and i9 connected to the disc-shaped holder 47 (i.e., to the holder for the end portion (strips 46) of the rail 43 by a radially extending screw 66.
The shaft 37 is journalled in at least one fork 67 which i9 secured to the suction chamber 39. The shaft 69 further carries tensioning levers 71 (one shown), one :
~. 2~9g218 for each belt 21 and each carrying a tensioning roller 72 in engagement with the inner side of the respective belt 21. The levers 71 are biased by a coil ~pring 73 which react~ again~t the suction chamber 39. The shaft 65 haq an end portion 74 which extends through the adjacent lever 64 and with clearance through an opening 76 of the fixed wall 22. The opening 76 can constitute an elongated ~lot (see FIG. 2).
The levers or links 61, 64 are connected to each other by at leaqt one link 79 one end of which is rotatably mounted on a lever 61 by a pivok member 78 and the other end of which i~ articulately connected to a lever 64 by a pivot member 77. The lower portion of one of the levers or links 61 carrie~ a scale 81 having graduation~ 83 and being turnable at 62 relative to a fixed index or pointer 82. The scale 81 is calibrated to indicate different position of the delivering means 1 -relative to the turntable 2 and its carriers 4. The graduationq 83 of the scale 81 are distributed in dependency on the diameters of external surfaces 6e of containers having smaller (6B), medium large (6A) or large ~6C) diameters. It is clear that the apparatus of the pre~ent invention can apply labelq to more than three series of containers or that it can be simplified so as to . .
apply labels to containers having.a single diameter (such as 6A) or to containers of two sets (such as 6A, 6B or 6A, 6C or 6B, 6C).
In order to carry out a necessary adjustment, ~ .
the nuts 63 and 68 are loosened together with a nut 75 on the end portion 74 of the ~haft 65. This renders it po~sible to move the ~et 26 of idler pulleys 36 relative 2~42~8 to the station 19 while the link 79 adjusts the position of the scale 81 and its graduations 83 relative to the fixed index 82. Actuation of the parallel motion including the levers or links 61, 64 and the link 79 involves a pivoting of the delivering means 1 about the axis of the idler pulley or pulleys 27 until the outer sides of the belts 21 at the station 19 contact the external surfaces 6e of containers 6 which are being supplied by the turnstile 8 for labelling at the station 19. The next ~tep involves renewed tightening of the nuts 63, 68 and 75 so aq to fix the delivering means 1 in a newly selected po~ition relative to the turntable 2 and itq carriers 4. Fuxthermore, the adjusting means 59 is manipulated to select the speed of the variable-speed motor 29 (i.e., the speed of the belts 21) in dependency on the diameters of containers 6 which are about to be provided with labels 14.
The mode of operation of the improved apparatu~
i~ as followq:
The turnstile 8 delivers unlabelled containers 6 .:
at a spacing matching that of the carriers 4 on the :
turntable 2 so that each carrier 4 which arrives at the transfer station between the turnstile 8 and the turntable 2 receives an upright container 6 which thereupon proceeds to turn (arrow 7) about its own axis Y at a predetermined speed while simultaneously orbiting (arrow 3) about the axis X at a preselected speed. This ensures that a predetermined portion of the external surface 6e of each of a longer or shorter serie3 of identical containers 6 . ..
assumes a predetermined position in front of the nozzle or nozzles of the paster 12 which applies a coat of adhesive ~ :
' .:
~'~ - .
" ' ' ' ' . "' 20~2~
to en~ure that the leader of the oncoming label 14 will a &ere to such selected portion of the external surface 6e. The labels 14 are delivered by the belts 21 which advance in the direction of arrow 30, and the labels are attracted by the suction chambers 39, 53 so ais to ensure that the leader of each of a shorter or longer series of successively delivered labels 14 comes into contact with the adhesive-coated portion of the external 3urface 6e on an oncoming container 6.
The attachment of the leader of a label 1~ to the a~hesive-coated portion of the external surface 6e of a container 6 takes place in the portion U1 ~FIG. 2) of the circular first path. The external surface of the partially convoluted label 14 i9 thereupon coated with a film of adhe~ive by the nearest raised portion 16 of the rotor 15 of the paster 13 o that the inner side of the trailing end of the same label 14 is bonded to the external surface of the leader when the respective container 6 reaches the portion U2 (FIG. 2~ of the circular first path, i.e., when the conversion of an initially flat label 14 into a cylindrical collar completely surrounding the external surface 6e of the re~pective container 6 i~ completed. The path portion -where the outer sides of the leaders of successive labels 1~ are provided with a &esive which is supplied by successive raised portions 16 of the rotor 15 is denoted by the character U3 (see FIG. 1).
Successive labels 14 are biased against the external surfaces 6e of the adjacent containers 6 during advancement from the portion U1 to the portion U2 of their circular path. This is ensured by the resilient rail 43.
:
.
2~94218 In addition, the belts 21 can be trained over the respective pulleys 32, 36, 27 in stressed condition to even further enhance the making of truly cylindrical sleeves (converted labels 14) during advancement of containers 6 from the portion U1 to the portion U2 of their circular path.
Containers 6 which are provided with properly applied labels 14 leave the respective carriers 4 at the tran~fer station between the turntable 2 and the turnstile 9 to be conveyed to storage, to a crating station or to another de-~tination.
An important advantage of the improved apparatus . .
is that it can apply labels to containers 6 having small, medium large or large diameters, and that the diameters of the containers do not influence the quality of the labelling action. Moreover, the adjustability of delivering means 1 relative to the turntable 2 renders it possible to leave the speed of the turntable (about the axis X) and the speed of the carriers 4 (about the respective axes Y) unchanged, irreqpective of the diameters of containers which are being supplied by the turnstile 8. :
Another important advantage of the improved apparatus is its compactness. Such compactneqs i9 achieved, in part, due to the proviqion of the resilient rail 43, which simultaneously forms part of the suction chamber 53, and by such positioning of the delivering means 1 that the label-bearing reaches of the belts 21 are at lea~t substantially tangential to the circular path of orbital movement of containers 6 about the axis X of the :
turntable 2. . .
' .
: ', "` 20~218 A further advantage of the improved apparatus is that the position of the delivering means 1 relative to the circular path for the containers 6 can be adjusted in a simple and time-saving manner. In fact, it is equally within the purview of the invention to monitor the diameters of containers 6 in the turn~tile 8 and/or on the carriers 4 upstream of the paster 12 and to automatically adjust the speed of the belt 21 and the position of the delivering means 1 relative to the turntable 2 when the conveyor 8 begins to supply larger-diameter containers following the delivery of smaller-diameter containers or . .
vice versa. It i3 even possible to deliver to the carriers 4 a series of containers including randomly distributed larger-diameter containers and Qmaller-diameter containers; the monitoring means then adjusts the speed of the belts 21 and the position of the delivering means 1 in dependency on the diameters of oncoming containers. :
The adhesive dispensing unit 11 could be installed outside of the path of orbital movement of containers 6 about the axis X of the turntable 2. :-Moreover, the adhesive dispensing unit could be designed to apply adhesive only to the labels 14, i.e., to position the paster 12 in such a way that it applies sprays or ::~
films of adhesive to the leaders o successive labels 14 : -on the belts 21 rather than to selected portions of (or to ~ -entire) external surfaces 6e of successive containers 6.
The illustrated mode of installing the adhesive applying unit 11 is preferred at this time because this contributes to compactness of the apparatu~ and ensures the application of adhesive (by the pa~ter 12) to accurately .
- 19 - , -` 20~218 selected portions of external surfaceR 6e on successive containers 6 which reach the portion U1 of their circular path about the axi~ X.
It iq further posqible to modify the improved apparatu~ for the application of labelq which need not completely surround the external surface3 of the respective containers. The application of labelq all the way around the external surfaceQ of containers is preferred in many instances. Furthermore, it i~ posQible to omit the pa~ter 12 and to use only the paqter 13 to thu~ ensure that the trailing ends of succe~sive labels will be properly bonded to the respective leaders. This ensure~ that the label~ are not bonded to the containers and Qimplifies the task of removing the label~ from emptied container~, e.g., to Qati fy the rule~ and regulations of authoritie~ in charge of controlling ecologically acceptable disposal of empty bottleQ, jarQ, cans or like containers.
Containers of the type ~uitable to be treated in the apparatuQ of the present invention include, among others, bottleq, cups and jars of glasQ or plaqtic material (for example, PET bottleq) aQ well aq metallic or plastic cans of the type often uqed for confinement of beverageq. Labels which can be manipulated in the apparatuq of the present invention can be made of paper or of a plastic material, particularly a shrinkable polymer such a~ polypropylene.
It is already known to apply labelQ to containers, for example, to cylindrical external surfaces of jars, bottles or cans, in an apparatus wherein the containers are transported along a circular path and are simultaneously caused to turn about their own axe~. The containers can be orbited about a vertical axis by a rotary turntable which carrieq discrete rotary holderq serving to support discrete container_ from above or from below and being driven to rotate each container about its own axis. For example, a container in the form of a bottle can be Quqpended from its holder by being engaged at the neck, and the holder causes the su~pended bottle to turn about a vertical axi~. To thi~ end, the neckQ of ~, .
` 2~2~8 such bottles are or can be provided with quitable collars to permit reliable engagement by a holder which orbits with the turntable and ~imultaneously turns the su~pended bottle about an axis extending in paralleliqm with the axis of the turntable. Containers in the form of metallic cans or the like are often supported from below while advancing along an endle~s circular path paQt a labelling station.
A drawback of conventional labelling apparatuq is that they cannot be readily converted for the application of labels to the external surfaces of containers having different diameter~. Furthermore, presently known labelling apparatus cannot always maintain ~ -the labels in optimum positions for application to the external surfaces of orbiting containers.
The invention is embodies in an apparatu~ for convoluting labels around external surfaces (particularly cylindrical external surfaces) of containerq. The improved apparatus comprises means (including, e.g., a horizontal turntable) for transporting succesqive containers of a serieq of containers along a substantially circular path and having means for simultaneously rotating the containers about discrete parallel axes, and meanq for delivering to 3uccesqive rotating containers discrete labels along a second path which extends substantially tangentially of a predetermined portion of the first path.
~he transporting means can include means for orbiting the containerq about a predetermined axi~ (e.g., a vertical axiq) which is parallel to the aforementioned discrete axes.
As a rule, or at least in certain instances, the . :.-. . :
2~9~2~ 8 axes are qubstantially vertical or nearly vertical and the delivering meanq can compriqe at least one label advancing endless belt, pulleys which are rotatable about substantially vertical axes, and mean~ for temporarily attaching ~e.g., attracting) labels to the at least one belt. The latter i3 trained over the pulleys.
If the at least one belt is foraminous, the attaching means can include at least one suction chamber which is adjacent a predetermined portion of the second path to attract labelq to the foraminous belt. A first side of the at least one belt confronts the first path and serves to advance a series of labels into contact with succeqsive containers arriving at the aforementioned portion of the first path, and a ~econd side which faces away from such portion of the first path. A resilient back ~upport (e.g., a back support including an elongated rail made of spring steel) can be installed adjacent to and bear against the second side of the at least one belt at the aforementioned portion of the first path to urge labels again3t successive containers arriving at such portion of the first path. The back support can be perforated and can constitute a component part of the aforementioned suction chamber which attracts labels to the first side of the at lea~t one belt.
If the apparatus is to be used for the application of labels to external surfaces of containers having dif~erent diameters, the delivering means preferably further comprises adjustable means for driving the at least one belt at a plurality of different ~peeds, one for each of two or more different diameter~. The rotating meanQ of Yuch ver~atile apparatu~ can comprise , - 4 - ~
- - . ~ - .. ., - - . . . .. . .. . . .
2 ~ 2 1 8 meanq for rotating the containers at a fixed angular speed irrespective of the diameters of the containers, i-e- r irreqpective of the diameters of the external surfaces of such container~. The just described versatile apparatuq can further comprise meanq for shifting at least a portion of the qecond path relative to the aforementioned portion of the first path in dependency on the diameters of containers which are being transported along the first path. The shifting means can include mean~ for moving the aforementioned portion of the second path sub~qtantially radially of the first path.
The apparatus can further comprise means for applying an adhesive to external surfaces of containers in the first path, and such adhesive applying means can be surrounded by the firqt path. The apparatus can further compri~e means for supplying an adhesive to partly convoluted labels on successive containers in the first pathr and the first path can qurround quch adhesive supplying means. The adhesive supplying means is installed downstream of the adhesive applying means, as ~een in the direction of transport of containers along the firqt path.
The novel features which are concidered as characteriqtic of the invention are qet forth in particular in the appended claimq. The improved apparatus itselfr however, both as to its construction and it~ mode of operation, together with additional features and advantage~ thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain presently preferred specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
_ 5 _ ,. -.
, : ,.. :
- 2~9~218 FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an apparatus which embodie~ one form of the invention and is de3igned to convolute labels all the way around cylindrical external surfaces of container~ in the ~orm of cans;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a detail in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view as qeen in the direction of arrow III in FIG. 2, with certain parts shown in a vertical sectional view;
FIG. 4 is a developed view of a re~ilient back support for use in the label delivering means o~ the improved apparatus; and FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view substantially as seen in the direction of arrows from the line V-V in FIG. 4.
The label applying apparatu~ which is shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 comprise~ means for transporting a series of successive equidistant containers 6 along a circular first path in the direction of arrow 3, and means 1 for delivering a succession of discrete labels 14 along a second path extending substantially tangentially of a portion (at 19) of the circular first path. The transporting means comprises a horizontal turntable 2 which is driven by a shaft 2a to rotate about a vertical axis X, and the transporting means further comprises means for rotating (arrow 7) discrete containers 6 about their own vertical axes Y. ~ach rotating mean~ comprises a :
rotary carrier or support 4 which shares the movements of the turntable 2 and rotates a container 6 about the respective axis Y the direction of arrow 7, at leaqt while the container is advanced (by the turntable 2) along the :, ,' 2~9~2~8 portion 19 of the first path. Each container 6 can constitute an upright bottle made of glass or plastic material and having a cylindrical portion with an external surface 6e having its center on the respective axis Y.
The speed of orbital movement of carriers 4 about the axis X is related to the speed of rotational movement about the respective axes Y so that the external surface~ 6e are moved at a predetermined peripheral speed while orbiting at a predetermined speed along the circular first path which iR defined by the turntable 2. Means for rotating a turntable about its own axis while simultaneouRly rotating the carriers 4 about their respective axes are well known in the art of filling and otherwise manipulati~g bottles, cans, jars or like containerq and, therefore, all details of the transporting means including the turntable 2, the shaft 2a and the carriers 4 are not shown in the drawing.
If the containers 6 are bottles, they can be rotated by carriers 4 which define platforms for the bottom portions of the respective bottles and/or by carriers which maintain the respective bottles in suqpended position.
Successive carriers 4 on the turntable 2 receive unlabelled containers 6 from a feeding conveyor 8 which aan constitute or include a conventional turnstile and receive~ container~ from a preceding station, e.g., a bottle filing station (not shown). The carrier~ 4 deliver properly labelled containers 6 to a removing conveyor 9 which can also constitute or include a turnstile and cooperates with one or more additional conveyors ~or the transport of labelled containers to storage, to a crating ~tation or to another destination.
The circular path for the carriers 4 and for the - 2as~2ls containers 6 thereon or therein ~urrounds an adhesive dispensing unit 11 which includes two pasters 12 and 13.
The paster 12 iserve~ as a means for applying a ~uitable adhesive to the external surfaces 6e of succesqive container~ 6 upi~tream o~ the portion 19 (hereinafter called labelling station) of the circular fir3t path (for the containers 6 and their carriers 4), and the paster 13 erves ais a means for supplying a quitable adhesive to selected portions of labels 14 which are partially convoluted around the external qurfaces 6e of the respective containers 6. The paQter 13 iq located downstream of the paster 12 (as seen in the direction of arrow 3, i.e., in the direction of orbital movement of the carrieriQ 4 and of the containeri~q 6 which are being rotated by the respective carriers). The paiQter 12 can include one or more nozzles which discharge sprays of liquid or liquefied adhesive against the external surfaces 6e of the adjacent containers 6, and the paster 13 can include a wheel 15 with raiised radially outwardly extending portions 16 which are dimensioned to deliver strips or films of adheqive to iselected portions of external surfaces of partly applied (partly convoluted) labels 14. Each label 14 is dimensioned in iquch a way that it can be completely convoluted around the respective external Qurface 6e in such a way that the internal surface of itQ trailing end overlies the external Qurface of itiQ leader. The raisefl portions 16 on the wheel 15 of the paster 13 apply adhesive to the external surfaces of the leaderq of iQuccesisive labels 14 so that the thu~ applied a&esive attracts the internal surfaces of the trailing ends of the respective labels 14 during the last stage of each - 8 - ~ -.
~ 2~9~218 convoluting operation. The paster 13 further comprises a source 17 of adheqive pa te and an applicator or transfer element which dips into the source 17 and delivers films of adhesive to successive raised portions 16 on the intermittently or continuously rotated wheel 15 of the paster 13.
An adjuQting device 18 i~ provided to change the positions of the pasters 12 and 13 of the adhesive dispensing unit 11 relative to the containers 6 at the station l9. Such adjustment is necessary to ensure the application of adhesive to predetermined portions of external surfaces of the leaders of succe3sive labels 14.
The detail~ of a presently preferred embodiment of the label delivering means 1 are illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5. The positions of various parts of the delivering means l qhown in FIG. 2 are selected with a view to ensure proper application of labels 14 to the external surfaces 6e of successive containers 6A having an average or medium diameter. The delivering means 1 is adjusted (in a manner to be described hereinafter) if a row or serieq of containers 6A is followed by a row or serieq of containers 6B having a diameter smaller than that of a container 6A
or by a series or row of containers 6C having a diameter greater than that of a container 6A. That portion of the ~econd path (defined by the delivering means 1 for the labels 14) which is adjacent the ~tation 19 i9 tangential or nearly tangential to the respective portion of the circular path for the containers 6.
A comparison of FIGS. 2 and 3 will show that certain parts in the right-hand portion of FIG. 3 are moved from their respective planes into the planes of . .
_ g _ 2~9~2~
parts shown in the left-hand portion of FIG. 3. This has been done for the sake of clarity and for convenience of illustration.
The delivering means 1 compriQes a set of endless foraminous (e.g., perforated) belts Z1 which are disposed in parallel hori~ontal planes. The combined width of the beltq 21 can exceed the axial length of the external surface 6e of a container 6, i.e., certain belts 21 will be put to use (they will actually contact a label 14 during application to an ex-ternal surface 6e) only if the apparatus i~ in the process of applying labels to (i.e., of convoluting labels around) cylindrical external ~urface~ 6e of tallest or very tall container~ 6.
Moreover, one or more belts 21 will be out of use if the delivering means 1 is in the process of supplying relatively small labels 14 to much larger external surfaces 6e, i.e., labels which are dimensioned to overlie only certain portions of the external surfaces 6e of the respective containers 6. The belts 21 are inqtalled between a top wall 22 and a bottom wall 23 of the delivering means 1. The top wall 22 has been omitted in FIG. 2 for the qake of clarity.
The belts 21 are trained over two sets 24, 26 of pulleys and over at least one additional pulley 27. The pulleys 32 of the set 24 are driven, and the pulleys 36 of the set 26 are idler pulleys, the same as the pulley or pulleys 27. The axes of the pulleys 32, 36 and 27 are vertical, i.e., parallel to the axes Y of the containers 60 The meanC for driving the pulleys 32 at a plurality of different speeds (at least one for each series of containers 6 of different diameters to be labelled in the . .
209~2~8 apparatus of the present invention) includes a variable-speed electric motor 28 which i~ adjustable at 59. The output element of the motor 28 drives a belt or band 29 which iq trained over a pulley 31 on the common ~haft 34 of the driven pulleys 32 for the belts 21. The belts 21 are driven in ~uch a way that their inner reaches (adjacent the circular path for the containers 6) advance in the direction of arrow 30. Each belt 21 is provided with internal teeth 33 mating with external teeth of the respective driven pulley 32. The pulleys 32 are keyed to the shaft 34 which i9 driven by the motor 28 through the band 29.
The idler pulleyq 36 for the belts 21 are keyed to a common shaft 37 which i8 journalled in two spaced-apart levers or links 64, and these leverq are pivotably mounted on the adjacent walls 22 and 23. The shaft 34 is journalled in levers or linkQ 61 which are pivotable relative to the walls 22 and 23. A discrete idler pulley 36 iQ provided for each driven pulley 32.
As already mentioned above, the belts 21 are foraminous. For example, each belt 21 can be provided with suitably distributed perforationQ 38 (qee FIG. 5) which enable a suction chamber 39 to temporarily attract successive labels 14 to the outer side~ of the belts 21 so that the belts can advance the labels in the direction of arrow 30 for application to the external surfaces 6e of successive containers 6 arriving at the station 19.
The character 41 denotes in FIG. 2 a portion of a hose which serves to connect the suction chamber 39 to the suction intake of a fan or another suitable suction generating device, not shown. A second suction chamber 53 - 11 - ,~ . .
1.", ~ ,,;,,, " ~ ", " ", ,", ~ ,"~ " " ~, "~"~ ~, ; "~, " ~ " ~ " ~ ~ " " ~
- ... . ~. i , , . .. , .. , ., , , . . . , , . , . . ~ .. . .. .
2~218 is provided adjacent the path of the labels 14 at the station 19. This second suction chamber 53 is defined in part by the belts 21 and in part by a perforated resilient back support 42 includin~ a rail 43 of ~pring steel or a like material and located at the station 19 behind those sides of the belts 21 which face away from the turntable 2. The rail 43 i5 of one piece with or iQ connected to a nipple 57 which evacuates air from the suction chamber 53 when the apparatus is in actual use. The back ~upport 42 serves to define a portion of the ~uction chamber 53 as well as to cause the belts 21 to yieldably urge the labels 14 against the adjacent oncoming containers 6 so that the labels are convoluted around the respective external surfaceQ 6e due to orbiting of the carriers 4 about the axiq X, due to rotation of carriers 4 about the axes Y of the containers 6 which are rotated thereby, and due to movement of the labels 14 in the direction of arrow 30.
The rail 43 of the back support 42 has two end portion~q one of which is affixed to the respective end of a coil spring 52 which stores energy and maintains the rail 43 under tension in the region behind the station 19.
The other end portion of the rail 43 i~ secured to a cylindrical or diqc-3haped holder 47 which i3 keyed to the shaft 37 for the idler pulleys 36. The other end portion of the rail 43 includes two parallel stripq 46 (see FIG.
4) which define a slot 44 for one of the idler pulleys 36 and have free ends riveted or otherwise affixed to the disc-shaped member 47. The one end portion of the rail 43 also includes two parallel strips 49 which flank a window 48 for one of the driven pulleys 32 and are affixed to two discs 51; these di~cs are free to rotate on the shaft 34 2~9~218 for the driven pulleys 32. One end convolution of the spring 52 is connected to a tip 50 of the one end portion of the rail 43 and its other end convolution is affixed to a shaft 65 extending between the wallA 22 and 23 and journalled in the levers 64.
The front side of the rail 43 abutq and is in sealing engagement with a sealing element 54 which engages the rear qide of at least one belt 21 and is affixed to the rail 43 by rivets 56 or other suitable fasteners. The sealing element 54 iq formed with a rece~s or depreqsion which i~ actually the ~uction chamber 53. As mentioned above, a nipple 57 is provided on or is integral with the rail 43 to evacuate air from the suction chamber 53 and to thus ensures that a label 14 is attracted to the adjacent sides of the belts 21 during advancement at the station 19. The outer side of the rail 43 iq reinforced by stiffening ribs 58 or in any other suitable way.
The label delivering means 1 can be converted for the application of labels 14 to the external surfaces 6e of containers (6C, 6A, 6B) having larger, medium-sized or smaller diameters in the following way: The converqion involves an adjustment of the speed of the belts 21 (i.e., an adjustment of the variable-speed motor 28) as well as an adjustment of the label-carrying stretcheq of the belts 21 in directions toward or away from the axis X of the turntable 2. The carriers 4 rotate the containers 6A, 6B
or 6C in accordance with a preqelected program which determines the peripheral speed of the momentarily treated containers. The adjusting means 59 regulates the speed of the motor 28 in order to conform the speed of the belts 21 to the peripheral speed of the containers 6A, 6B or 6C.
, . :, .
~ 2~9~21 8 If the RPM of each carrier 4 about the corresponding axis Y is constant, the peripheral speed of the external surfaces 6e varies if the containers 6A are replaced with containers 6B or 6C, and this necessitates an appropriate adjustment of the speed of the belts ~1 in response to adjustment of the motor 28.
The meanq for shifting ~he belts 21 toward or away from the axiq X of the turntable 2 comprises a parallel motion which is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and whose function is to move the shafts 34 and 37 relative to the axis X. The parallel motion includes the aforementioned levers or links 61 which carry the end portions of the shaft 34 for the driven pulleyi~ 32 and are pivotable about the axis of a shaft 62 which is mounted in the walls 22 and 23 and can be non-rotatably but releasably ~ecured to such walls by nut~ 63 or in any other suitable way. The parallel motion mechanism further comprises the levers or links 64 which are mounted on a shaft 69; the latter is mounted in the walls 22, 23 and can be non-rotatably a~fixed to such walls by nuts 68 or in any other suitable way. The shafts 62 and 69 can be released to change their angular po itions relative to the walls 22 and 23; all that i~q necessary is to loosen the nuts 63 and/or 68. The levers or links 64 are connected to each other by the shaft 65 which is parallel to the shaft 69 and i9 connected to the disc-shaped holder 47 (i.e., to the holder for the end portion (strips 46) of the rail 43 by a radially extending screw 66.
The shaft 37 is journalled in at least one fork 67 which i9 secured to the suction chamber 39. The shaft 69 further carries tensioning levers 71 (one shown), one :
~. 2~9g218 for each belt 21 and each carrying a tensioning roller 72 in engagement with the inner side of the respective belt 21. The levers 71 are biased by a coil ~pring 73 which react~ again~t the suction chamber 39. The shaft 65 haq an end portion 74 which extends through the adjacent lever 64 and with clearance through an opening 76 of the fixed wall 22. The opening 76 can constitute an elongated ~lot (see FIG. 2).
The levers or links 61, 64 are connected to each other by at leaqt one link 79 one end of which is rotatably mounted on a lever 61 by a pivok member 78 and the other end of which i~ articulately connected to a lever 64 by a pivot member 77. The lower portion of one of the levers or links 61 carrie~ a scale 81 having graduation~ 83 and being turnable at 62 relative to a fixed index or pointer 82. The scale 81 is calibrated to indicate different position of the delivering means 1 -relative to the turntable 2 and its carriers 4. The graduationq 83 of the scale 81 are distributed in dependency on the diameters of external surfaces 6e of containers having smaller (6B), medium large (6A) or large ~6C) diameters. It is clear that the apparatus of the pre~ent invention can apply labelq to more than three series of containers or that it can be simplified so as to . .
apply labels to containers having.a single diameter (such as 6A) or to containers of two sets (such as 6A, 6B or 6A, 6C or 6B, 6C).
In order to carry out a necessary adjustment, ~ .
the nuts 63 and 68 are loosened together with a nut 75 on the end portion 74 of the ~haft 65. This renders it po~sible to move the ~et 26 of idler pulleys 36 relative 2~42~8 to the station 19 while the link 79 adjusts the position of the scale 81 and its graduations 83 relative to the fixed index 82. Actuation of the parallel motion including the levers or links 61, 64 and the link 79 involves a pivoting of the delivering means 1 about the axis of the idler pulley or pulleys 27 until the outer sides of the belts 21 at the station 19 contact the external surfaces 6e of containers 6 which are being supplied by the turnstile 8 for labelling at the station 19. The next ~tep involves renewed tightening of the nuts 63, 68 and 75 so aq to fix the delivering means 1 in a newly selected po~ition relative to the turntable 2 and itq carriers 4. Fuxthermore, the adjusting means 59 is manipulated to select the speed of the variable-speed motor 29 (i.e., the speed of the belts 21) in dependency on the diameters of containers 6 which are about to be provided with labels 14.
The mode of operation of the improved apparatu~
i~ as followq:
The turnstile 8 delivers unlabelled containers 6 .:
at a spacing matching that of the carriers 4 on the :
turntable 2 so that each carrier 4 which arrives at the transfer station between the turnstile 8 and the turntable 2 receives an upright container 6 which thereupon proceeds to turn (arrow 7) about its own axis Y at a predetermined speed while simultaneously orbiting (arrow 3) about the axis X at a preselected speed. This ensures that a predetermined portion of the external surface 6e of each of a longer or shorter serie3 of identical containers 6 . ..
assumes a predetermined position in front of the nozzle or nozzles of the paster 12 which applies a coat of adhesive ~ :
' .:
~'~ - .
" ' ' ' ' . "' 20~2~
to en~ure that the leader of the oncoming label 14 will a &ere to such selected portion of the external surface 6e. The labels 14 are delivered by the belts 21 which advance in the direction of arrow 30, and the labels are attracted by the suction chambers 39, 53 so ais to ensure that the leader of each of a shorter or longer series of successively delivered labels 14 comes into contact with the adhesive-coated portion of the external 3urface 6e on an oncoming container 6.
The attachment of the leader of a label 1~ to the a~hesive-coated portion of the external surface 6e of a container 6 takes place in the portion U1 ~FIG. 2) of the circular first path. The external surface of the partially convoluted label 14 i9 thereupon coated with a film of adhe~ive by the nearest raised portion 16 of the rotor 15 of the paster 13 o that the inner side of the trailing end of the same label 14 is bonded to the external surface of the leader when the respective container 6 reaches the portion U2 (FIG. 2~ of the circular first path, i.e., when the conversion of an initially flat label 14 into a cylindrical collar completely surrounding the external surface 6e of the re~pective container 6 i~ completed. The path portion -where the outer sides of the leaders of successive labels 1~ are provided with a &esive which is supplied by successive raised portions 16 of the rotor 15 is denoted by the character U3 (see FIG. 1).
Successive labels 14 are biased against the external surfaces 6e of the adjacent containers 6 during advancement from the portion U1 to the portion U2 of their circular path. This is ensured by the resilient rail 43.
:
.
2~94218 In addition, the belts 21 can be trained over the respective pulleys 32, 36, 27 in stressed condition to even further enhance the making of truly cylindrical sleeves (converted labels 14) during advancement of containers 6 from the portion U1 to the portion U2 of their circular path.
Containers 6 which are provided with properly applied labels 14 leave the respective carriers 4 at the tran~fer station between the turntable 2 and the turnstile 9 to be conveyed to storage, to a crating station or to another de-~tination.
An important advantage of the improved apparatus . .
is that it can apply labels to containers 6 having small, medium large or large diameters, and that the diameters of the containers do not influence the quality of the labelling action. Moreover, the adjustability of delivering means 1 relative to the turntable 2 renders it possible to leave the speed of the turntable (about the axis X) and the speed of the carriers 4 (about the respective axes Y) unchanged, irreqpective of the diameters of containers which are being supplied by the turnstile 8. :
Another important advantage of the improved apparatus is its compactness. Such compactneqs i9 achieved, in part, due to the proviqion of the resilient rail 43, which simultaneously forms part of the suction chamber 53, and by such positioning of the delivering means 1 that the label-bearing reaches of the belts 21 are at lea~t substantially tangential to the circular path of orbital movement of containers 6 about the axis X of the :
turntable 2. . .
' .
: ', "` 20~218 A further advantage of the improved apparatus is that the position of the delivering means 1 relative to the circular path for the containers 6 can be adjusted in a simple and time-saving manner. In fact, it is equally within the purview of the invention to monitor the diameters of containers 6 in the turn~tile 8 and/or on the carriers 4 upstream of the paster 12 and to automatically adjust the speed of the belt 21 and the position of the delivering means 1 relative to the turntable 2 when the conveyor 8 begins to supply larger-diameter containers following the delivery of smaller-diameter containers or . .
vice versa. It i3 even possible to deliver to the carriers 4 a series of containers including randomly distributed larger-diameter containers and Qmaller-diameter containers; the monitoring means then adjusts the speed of the belts 21 and the position of the delivering means 1 in dependency on the diameters of oncoming containers. :
The adhesive dispensing unit 11 could be installed outside of the path of orbital movement of containers 6 about the axis X of the turntable 2. :-Moreover, the adhesive dispensing unit could be designed to apply adhesive only to the labels 14, i.e., to position the paster 12 in such a way that it applies sprays or ::~
films of adhesive to the leaders o successive labels 14 : -on the belts 21 rather than to selected portions of (or to ~ -entire) external surfaces 6e of successive containers 6.
The illustrated mode of installing the adhesive applying unit 11 is preferred at this time because this contributes to compactness of the apparatu~ and ensures the application of adhesive (by the pa~ter 12) to accurately .
- 19 - , -` 20~218 selected portions of external surfaceR 6e on successive containers 6 which reach the portion U1 of their circular path about the axi~ X.
It iq further posqible to modify the improved apparatu~ for the application of labelq which need not completely surround the external surface3 of the respective containers. The application of labelq all the way around the external surfaceQ of containers is preferred in many instances. Furthermore, it i~ posQible to omit the pa~ter 12 and to use only the paqter 13 to thu~ ensure that the trailing ends of succe~sive labels will be properly bonded to the respective leaders. This ensure~ that the label~ are not bonded to the containers and Qimplifies the task of removing the label~ from emptied container~, e.g., to Qati fy the rule~ and regulations of authoritie~ in charge of controlling ecologically acceptable disposal of empty bottleQ, jarQ, cans or like containers.
Claims (15)
1. Apparatus for convoluting labels around external surfaces of containers, comprising means for transporting successive containers of a series of containers along a substantially circular first path and for simultaneously rotating the containers about discrete parallel axes; and means for delivering to successive rotating containers discrete labels along a second path extending substantially tangentially of a predetermined portion of said first path.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said transporting means includes means for orbiting the containers about a predetermined axis which is parallel to said discrete axes.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said axes are at least substantially vertical and said delivering means comprises at least one label advancing endless belt, pulleys rotatable about substantially vertical axes, and means for temporarily attaching labels to said at least one belt, said at least one belt being trained over said pulleys.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said at least one belt is foraminous and said attaching means includes at least one suction chamber adjacent a predetermined portion of said second path.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said at least one belt has a first side confronting said first path and arranged to advance a series of labels into contact with successive containers arriving at said portion of said first path, and a second side facing away from said portion of said first path, and a resilient back support bearing against the second side of said at least one belt at said portion of said first path to urge labels against successive containers arriving at said portion of said first path.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said back support includes an elongated rail.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said at least one belt is foraminous and further comprising means for attracting labels to the first side of said at least one belt, said attracting means comprising a suction chamber adjacent the second side of said at least one belt at said portion of said first path, said back support forming part of said suction chamber.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said back support contains spring steel.
9. The apparatus of claim 3 for convoluting labels around external surfaces of containers having different diameters, wherein said delivering means further comprises adjustable means for driving said at least one belt at a plurality of different speeds, one for each of said different diameters.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said rotating means comprises means for rotating the containers at a fixed angular speed irrespective of the diameters of containers.
11. The apparatus of claim 3 for convoluting labels around external surfaces of containers having different diameters, further comprising means for shifting at least a portion of said second path relative to said portion of said first path in dependency on the diameters of containers being transported along said first path.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said shifting means includes means for moving said portion of said second path substantially radially of said first path.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for applying an adhesive to external surfaces of containers in said first path, said adhesive applying means being surrounded by said first path.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising means for supplying an adhesive to partially convoluted labels on successive containers in said first path, said first path surrounding said supplying means.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said transporting means includes means for conveying containers in a predetermined direction, said adhesive supplying means being disposed downstream of said adhesive applying means as considered in said direction.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP4212988 | 1992-04-18 | ||
| DE4212988A DE4212988A1 (en) | 1992-04-18 | 1992-04-18 | Device for labeling containers |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2094218A1 true CA2094218A1 (en) | 1993-10-19 |
Family
ID=6457089
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002094218A Abandoned CA2094218A1 (en) | 1992-04-18 | 1993-04-16 | Apparatus for convoluting labels around containers |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0566918B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH0648430A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2094218A1 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE4212988A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5904804A (en) * | 1995-09-06 | 1999-05-18 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Battery label wrapping method and apparatus |
| DE10019438A1 (en) * | 2000-04-19 | 2001-10-25 | Meto International Gmbh | Security tagging unit has automatic pick up and bonding is economical to do suitable for all tag types |
| DE202012104875U1 (en) * | 2012-12-14 | 2013-02-01 | Langguth Gmbh | Wet glue labeling machine |
| DE102013107841A1 (en) * | 2013-07-23 | 2015-01-29 | Khs Gmbh | Label feeding device and labeling device |
| DE102019134648A1 (en) * | 2019-12-17 | 2021-06-17 | Khs Gmbh | Label suction device and labeling machine for labeling containers |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1582482A (en) * | 1967-12-02 | 1969-09-26 | ||
| US3664222A (en) * | 1970-04-07 | 1972-05-23 | Domain Ind Inc | Labeling machine |
| US4124429A (en) * | 1977-07-29 | 1978-11-07 | Label-Aire Inc. | Label applicator with belt transport |
| DE8322207U1 (en) * | 1983-08-02 | 1983-11-10 | Krones Ag Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik, 8402 Neutraubling | LABELING MACHINE |
| GB2170178A (en) * | 1984-12-21 | 1986-07-30 | Stackpole Machinery Ltd | Roll fed labelling machine |
| US4694633A (en) * | 1985-05-21 | 1987-09-22 | Fuji Seal Industry Co., Ltd. | Film wrapping machine |
| DE3613317A1 (en) * | 1986-04-19 | 1987-10-29 | Jagenberg Ag | Labelling machine for the labelling of articles with labels, especially all-round labels, extracted directly from a label stack by the articles |
| DE8713757U1 (en) * | 1986-10-14 | 1988-03-17 | Krones Ag Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik, 8402 Neutraubling | Labelling machine for applying labels, especially wrap-around labels, to containers |
| US4855005A (en) * | 1987-06-18 | 1989-08-08 | Dennison Manufacturing Company | Web transport motion compensation apparatus |
-
1992
- 1992-04-18 DE DE4212988A patent/DE4212988A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1993
- 1993-04-03 DE DE59301432T patent/DE59301432D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1993-04-03 EP EP93105572A patent/EP0566918B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1993-04-16 CA CA002094218A patent/CA2094218A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1993-04-16 JP JP5090163A patent/JPH0648430A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0566918B1 (en) | 1996-01-17 |
| DE59301432D1 (en) | 1996-02-29 |
| JPH0648430A (en) | 1994-02-22 |
| EP0566918A1 (en) | 1993-10-27 |
| DE4212988A1 (en) | 1993-10-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |