EP1789329A1 - Appareil de collage d'etiquettes - Google Patents

Appareil de collage d'etiquettes

Info

Publication number
EP1789329A1
EP1789329A1 EP04787588A EP04787588A EP1789329A1 EP 1789329 A1 EP1789329 A1 EP 1789329A1 EP 04787588 A EP04787588 A EP 04787588A EP 04787588 A EP04787588 A EP 04787588A EP 1789329 A1 EP1789329 A1 EP 1789329A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
strip
shaped support
label
sticking
movable bar
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04787588A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Stefano Nicolis
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pricer AB
Original Assignee
Pricer AB
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pricer AB filed Critical Pricer AB
Publication of EP1789329A1 publication Critical patent/EP1789329A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • B65C9/08—Label feeding
    • B65C9/18—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
    • B65C9/1865—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels adhering on a backing strip
    • B65C9/1869—Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls the labels adhering on a backing strip and being transferred directly from the backing strip onto the article
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C1/00—Labelling flat essentially-rigid surfaces
    • B65C1/02—Affixing labels to one flat surface of articles, e.g. of packages, of flat bands
    • 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
    • B65C9/0006—Removing backing sheets
    • B65C2009/0009—Removing backing sheets by means of a peeling tip

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for sticking on labels, suitable in particular for sticking labels on digital price tags, of the kind used in large-scale retail trade, e.g. those commonly known as ESLs (Electronic Shelf Label).
  • ESLs Electronic Shelf Label
  • the management and the arrangement of the digital tags are absolutely problematic, as in the first place it is necessary to univocally assign one or more tags to each single product, and then to arrange said tags in a correct position.
  • a label is stuck containing product information, generally a description and a bar code, enabling to recognize each individual tag and, by means of a computerized product management, to assign the latter to the corresponding product and to the shelf thereof.
  • a first category of such devices make use of a pneumatic suction system to take the label from a support sheet, used to enable the printing thereof, shift it at the item on which it is to be stuck, and then end the suction, by concomitantly pressing the label against the item.
  • the technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide an apparatus enabling to stick labels on the digital tags used in large-scale retail trade, overcoming the drawbacks mentioned hereto with reference to the known art .
  • the present invention provides several relevant advantages.
  • the main advantage lies in that it enables an accurate and quick labeling via a mechanic device of very simple design that is concomitantly versatile and of limited bulkiness.
  • Figure 1 is a partially sectional perspective view of the apparatus for sticking on labels according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a partial and sectional side view, illustrating an inlet section, an outlet section and tensioning means of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;
  • FIG 3 is a partially sectional perspective view of tensioning means of the apparatus according to the present invention, details of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is a partially sectional perspective view, illustrating the inlet section and the outlet section of Figure 2;
  • Figures 5 A to 5F are schematic side views illustrating the operation of the apparatus according to the present invention;
  • Figure 6 is a schematic illustration showing a feeding section, a control section and a discharge section, used in conjunction with the apparatus according to the present invention
  • Figure 7 is a partially sectional perspective view, illustrating a moving system and — aTTOpticaT ⁇ wrtcTi of the apparatus according to the present invention.
  • an apparatus for sticking labels 1, sequentially arranged on a strip-shaped support 2, on digital tags 6 or on other items comprises an inlet section 3 of the strip-shaped support 2, which in the present embodiment is a label printer, an outlet section 4 of the support strip, and tensioning means 5 of the strip-shaped support 2.
  • the strip-shaped support 2 comprises a continuous roll on which the labels 1, arranged in a row and slightly spaced thereamong, are stuck.
  • the support 2 is made of a paper material, in particular of the kind enabling to stick on the labels 1 and to remove the latter without them being ruined. Such a material, known to any person skilled in the art, does not absorb the adhesive present on the labels, which accordingly can be removed and stuck on another different support.
  • the strip-shaped support is inserted in the feed of the label printer 3, which in particular is of the kind enabling to impress text characters, graphics and a barcode.
  • the label printer 3 By means of said printer 3, there are impressed the data characterizing the label 1 that is to be placed on the digital tag 6, which will then be automatically matched to the corresponding product.
  • the strip-shaped support 2 is inserted in the printer 3 in the form of a roll 21 , wound about a free pin 31.
  • the printer 3 comprises means 35, 36 for moving and means 80 for controlling, a print area 32, in which the impressing of the characters or of the codebar on the label 1 takes place, and an outlet port 33.
  • rolls 35 In a position adjacent to the print area 32 there are two rolls 35, driven by respective electric motors 36, illustrated in Figure 1, constituting said means for moving.
  • the rolls 35 and the motors 36 enable the advancing of the strip-shaped support 2 during the printing of the label 1, as well as blocking said support 2 during breaks.
  • the outletting motion of the strip-shaped support 2 is set exclusively by the rolls 35, present inside of the printer 3, that during the printing of a label 1, enable the advancing of the former, so as to print the label 1 along its entire length and then, upon ending the printing, to bring the subsequent label at the print area 32.
  • the printing step, and therefore the advancing of the motors, may be adjusted by a personal computer (PC) 80, schematically illustrated in Figure 6, to which the printer is attached and that constitutes said means for controlling.
  • PC personal computer
  • dedicated digital control cards e.g. a PLC 3 may be preset
  • a portion of strip-shaped support is brought outside of the printer 3, via the outlet port 33, with a rate that may easily be adjusted by means of the time interval elapsing between the printings of two subsequent labels.
  • the strip-shaped support 2 is blocked by the rolls 35; pending this condition it cannot come out of the printer, and therefore it can be tensioned by traction.
  • the printer 3 is positioned on slides 34, placed on a bearing plane 7, enabling to house different printers, and to adjust the position thereof.
  • the labeling machine (apparatus for sticking on labels) according to the present invention requires no dedicated printing devices, but can make use of various extant printers, as it suffices that the latter enable to move the strip-shaped support 2 with the abovedescribed modes.
  • the tensioning means is illustrated in figures 2 and 3, and it comprises a movable bar 51, about which the strip-shaped support 2 is wound so as to reverse its direction, and therefore its advancing sense.
  • a movable bar 51 about which the strip-shaped support 2 is wound so as to reverse its direction, and therefore its advancing sense.
  • idle shafts 56 In order to direct the strip-shaped support there are also two idle shafts 56, a first one thereof enabling the strip-shaped support, once outletted from the printer 3, and having rotated about the bar 51, to take a direction opposite to that of outletting from the printer, whereas the second one thereof enables to direct the strip-shaped support toward the outlet section 4.
  • the movable bar 51 can slide along a guide 501, to which it is connected via means for adjusting the height 58 that enable, upon positioning the tensioning means 5 and the printer 3 on the same reference bearing plane 7, to place the movable bar 51 at the height of (level with) the outlet of the strip-shaped support 2 from the printer 3, so that the strip-shaped support 2 remains parallel to the bearing plane 7, from the outlet port 33 of the printer 3 to the movable bar 51.
  • the movable bar 51 is parallelepiped-shaped and it extends between a pair of guides 501.
  • the guides 501 are of the bearing kind7toiimit 1he ⁇ frictiDrr thereof.
  • the movable bar is connected to support plates 57, which are connected, by means of screws 58 constituting said means for adjusting the height, to a block 502, slidable on the guide 501.
  • the guides 501 have a direction parallel to the bearing plane 7, thereby enabling the movable bar 51 to slide in the horizontal direction.
  • the horizontal motion of the movable bar 51 enables to draw near or to move away the position in which the strip-shaped support 2 reverses its direction with respect to the outlet port 33 of the printer 3.
  • the guides 501 comprise a position sensor, e.g. a potentiometer or an LVDT, not shown in the figure.
  • the supports 57 are connected therebetween by means of a rod 59, stiffening the structure thereof, and said rod 59 is connected to the structure (and) to the guides 501 by elastic return means.
  • the elastic return means is a spring 53, having both ends thereof connected to the rod 59, wound about two pulleys 54.
  • the pulleys 54 are free to pivot about respective pins, not shown in the figure, fixed to a plate 55.
  • the plate 55, and therefore also the pulleys 54, is fixed to the guide 501, which in turn is connected to the bearing plane 7, by means of support elements 71.
  • the support elements 71 can also provide the option of being adjustable in height and constitute, alternatively to the screws 58, said means for adjusting the height.
  • the spring 53 tends to return (force) the movable bar 51, together with the movable supporting structure, formed by the supports 57, the screws 58 and the rod 59, to a resting position, thereby constituting said elastic return means for the bar 51.
  • the spring 53 When the bar 51 is slid on the guides 501 in a direction opposite to the printer 3, in practice when moving away therefrom, the spring 53 generates a returning force opposing the motion of the bar 51.
  • the strip-shaped support 2 is wound on the movable bar 51 and therefore it is stretched by means of the spring 53.
  • the tension onto the strip-shaped support 2 can be set; as it will be made evident in the detailed description of the operation, a correct dimensioning facilitates the detaching of the label 1 from the strip-shaped support 2.
  • the pretensioning of the spring 53 may be adjusted; with reference to Figure 3, by moving away or drawing near therebetween the pulleys 54, the spring 53 stretches or shortens. Accordingly, the tension of the spring in the resting position varies.
  • the outlet section 4, illustrated in detail in Figure 4 further comprises means for moving and controlling the strip-shaped support 2.
  • the moving is entrusted to rolls 41, here present in a number equal to two, onto which the strip-shaped support 2 is wound.
  • the rolls 41 are arranged in a horizontal position and side-by-side, so as to block the strip-shaped support 2, so that the latter may be dragged thereby, without however sliding onto their surface.
  • two rolls are arranged facing each other, so as to enclose the strip-shaped support 2 therebetween.
  • one roll has horizontal knurls, whereas the other roll has rubber rings, to increase the adhesion onto the tape 2.
  • the motion of the rolls 41 is driven, e.g., by an electric motor 45 and their motion is adjusted by said means for controlling, which may consist of a control card 81, e.g. a PLC, illustrated in Figure 6.
  • a control card 81 e.g. a PLC, illustrated in Figure 6.
  • the electric motors 36 may be controlled by a control card mounted on the PC 80.
  • the strip-shaped support 2 moves as it is dragged by the rolls 41, and, it being unable to creep thereon, its position with respect to the outlet section 4 could be adjusted by the respective means for moving and controlling.
  • the inlet section 3 does not enable motions of the strip-shaped support 2 when those motions are uncontrolled by the printer and by the related means for moving 35, 36 and controlling 80, since in this case as well the strip-shaped support 2 cannot creep on the pin 31 and on the rolls 35.
  • the length of the portion of strip-shaped support 2 comprised between the inlet section 3, in this case consisting in the printer, and the outlet section 4, is adjusted via the respective means for moving and controlling, in particular via the motors 36 and 45, the PC 80 and the control card 81.
  • the length of this portion may be increased by setting the strip-shaped support 2 outside of the inlet section 3, as well as by returning the support 2 from the outlet section.
  • the movable bar 51 by increasing the length of the support portion 2 comprised between the inlet 3 and outlet 4 sections, the movable bar 51, about which the strip- shaped support is wound, tends to go to a position farther from the inlet section 3, moving in the horizontal direction.
  • the strip-shaped support remains anyhow stretched owing to the action of the spring 53 exerting a force on the bar 51.
  • the portion of strip-shaped support 2 comprised between the inlet 3 and outlet 4 sections may be decreased in length by acting on the rolls 41, and by settig the support 2 outside of the outlet section. In fact, with such a motion, the printer 3 holds the strip-shaped support 2 still, blocked by the rolls 35, and the length of the portion between the inlet 3 and the outlet 4 sections decreases.
  • the position of the movable bar 51 is adjusted via the length of the portion of strip-shaped support comprised between the sections 3 and 4, since, as illustrated hereto, with the increasing of the length of the portion, the movable bar 51 moves on the guides 501, moving away from the inlet section 1.
  • FIG. 5 A The operation of the apparatus and the related method for detaching labels implemented by the apparatus is schematically illustrated in Figures 5 A to 5F.
  • the sticking on of the label 1 starts by positioning the digital tag 6 on the bearing plane 7, at the movable bar 51.
  • the bar is placed in a horizontal position adjacent to the digital tag 6.
  • the positioning of the bar 51 occurs depending on the length of the portion of strip- shaped support 2 comprised between the inlet 3 and outlet 4 sections, portion that is adjustable via the means for controlling 80, 81, which act on the means for moving 35, 36 and 41, 45.
  • the strip-shaped support 2 is advanced toward the outside of the outlet section 4.
  • the printer 3 keeps the strip- shaped support 2 blocked and therefore the length of the portion comprised between the printer 3 and the outlet section 4 decreases and the movable bar 51 moves toward the printer 3, as described in Figure 5B, letting the strip-shaped support 2 slide on its surface.
  • the strip-shaped support 2 remains wound about the movable bar 51; however, in this position also the label, were it to remain adhering to the support 2, should be wound about the bar 51.
  • the support 2 being stretched, the label exhibiting a mechanical strength higher than that of the material of the strip-shaped support 2, and lastly, the movable bar having sufficiently protruding corners, so that the strip-shaped support has it also a pointed vertex, at said corners, the label rises from the support 2, and, as illustrated in Figure 5B, begins to detach therefrom.
  • this first step implements a partial detaching of the label 1 from the strip- shaped support 2, by raising an edge of the label from the support.
  • the detaching of the label 1 is hindered both by an insufficient tension on the strip-shaped support 2, as the former would it also wind up about the bar 51, and by an excessive tension, as the motor of the printer 3 would be subjected to an excessive effort.
  • the movable bar 51 expediently exhibits specific features enabling the detaching of the label 1 : the corners are neither too protruding, as they would make the sliding of the strip-shaped support 2 particularly difficult, nor excessively blunt, as the support 2 would not be bent sharply enough to cause the detaching of the label.
  • the dimensions of the bar 51 are them also relevant to the positioning of the label 1 less than accurate, whereas an overly thin one hinders the motions of the strip-shaped support 2.
  • the printer 3 by executing the printing on a new label 1, advances the strip-shaped support 2 until, concomitantly to the end of the printing, the movable bar 51 moves away from the printer 3 of a quantity such as to position the label 1 perfectly above the digital tag 6. hi this second positioning stage as well, the label 1 remains raised, it being in no way pressed against the support 2.
  • the strip-shaped support 2 is advanced by means of the rolls 41, exiting the outlet section 4, keeping the printer 3 blocked.
  • the movable bar 51 gets closer to the printer 3, and, at least in a first stage, the label 1 further detaches, it being already partially raised from the strip-shaped support 2.
  • the label 1 is positioned at the digital tag 6, with the edge thereof, that had previously been raised, resting on a surface of the latter.
  • the label 1 tends, pushed also by its own weight, to descend downward and to wind about the movable bar 51. Nevertheless, while descending the former rests on the digital tag, and sticks thereto, lying down thereon owing to the motion of the bar 51 that gets closer to the printer 3.
  • the labeling machine further comprises a pad 9 pressing the label 1 against the digital tag 6, so as to facilitate the adhesion thereof and to attain a complete sticking on thereof.
  • the pad 9 may be used, whose motion is it also adjusted by the control device 80, in each of the various stages of the sticking on of the label.
  • All stages are controlled also by the position sensor present inside of the guide 501, so as to check whether the positioning takes place correctly, and optionally intervening in case errors occur.
  • the labeling operation may be automated via the use of feeding, control and discharge sections, along with a system for moving the digital tags.
  • the bearing plane 7 comprises a system for moving 72, in the given embodiment a conveyor belt, connecting a feeding section 82, which enables to house, and therefore to strip off one by one, the digital tags 6.
  • the digital tag 6 Via the conveyor belt 72, the digital tag 6 carries on toward an optional startup section 83, which recognizes the presence of the tag and prepares the printer 3 for the printing.
  • the bearing plane 7 further has an optical switch 73, which, as illustrated in Figure 7, as soon as it is covered blocks the motion of the tag 6, so as to ensure a perfect positioning thereof.
  • Said pad 9 may also be used to accurately block the digital tag 6, at the zone onto which the sticking on of the label will take place. This feature is desirable in case stepping motors, having a less-than-fluid advancing, are used, and the use of the pad lowering onto the label pressing it enables to accurately block the latter and to accurately align the digital tag 6 onto the labeling position. hi order to allow such a functionality to the pad 9, it suffices that it be actuated to lower at the instant when the optical switch is covered by a digital tag 6, to then rise again once the strip 72 is still.
  • the tag advances onto the conveyor belt, until reaching a control section 84, in which it is verified that the label 1 has been printed and then correctly stuck on and matched to the related product.
  • the control section 84 may also forward the tags 6, once they have been controlled, to one or more discharge sections 85.
  • the labeling machine may be associated also to other automation systems, and in particular, just due to its versatility it may adapt to different demands, that could e.g. comprise more complex control systems or systems for distributing tags downstream of the control section.

Landscapes

  • Labeling Devices (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention a trait à un appareil de collage d'étiquettes (1) disposées en séquence sur un support en forme de bande (2) sur des articles (6) à étiqueter, comportant: une section d'admission (3) et une section d'évacuation (4) du support en forme de bande (2), les deux comprenant des moyens (35, 36, 41, 45, 80, 81) pour le déplacement et le contrôle de la position du support en forme de bande (2) et un moyen de mise sous tension (5) aptes à maintenir le support en forme de bande (2) tendu. Le moyen de mise sous tension (5) comporte un barre mobile (51), au niveau de laquelle le support en forme de bande (2) comporte au moins une inversion de la direction de déplacement. Les moyens de déplacement et de contrôle agissent sur le support en forme de bande (2) en vue du fonctionnement séquentiel d'un premier détachement partiel de ladite étiquette (1) dudit support en forme de bande (2), du positionnement de ladite étiquette (1) à un article respectif (6) à étiqueter, et un détachement final de l'étiquette dudit support en forme de bande (2), avec le collage éventuel de ladite étiquette (1) sur ledit article (6).
EP04787588A 2004-09-13 2004-09-13 Appareil de collage d'etiquettes Withdrawn EP1789329A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IT2004/000490 WO2006030456A1 (fr) 2004-09-13 2004-09-13 Appareil de collage d'etiquettes

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1789329A1 true EP1789329A1 (fr) 2007-05-30

Family

ID=34959056

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04787588A Withdrawn EP1789329A1 (fr) 2004-09-13 2004-09-13 Appareil de collage d'etiquettes

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1789329A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2006030456A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102007047601A1 (de) * 2007-10-05 2009-04-09 Schulz Farben- Und Lackfabrik Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Etikettieren von Gebinden
SE536840C2 (sv) 2012-06-01 2014-09-30 Alevax Ab Förfarande och anordning för applicering av en etikett på ett föremål

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3618542A1 (de) * 1986-06-03 1987-12-10 Hermann Gmbh Co Heinrich Verfahren und vorrichtung zum spenden von auf einem traegerband haftenden etiketten
GB8704414D0 (en) * 1987-02-25 1987-04-01 Harlow Labelling & Packing Ser Labelling machine
BE1005153A6 (nl) * 1991-07-24 1993-05-04 Carpentier Bart Eric Etiketteerinrichting.
US5619416A (en) * 1995-09-14 1997-04-08 Ncr Corporation Labeling system and method for an electronic price label
FR2797250B1 (fr) * 1999-08-03 2001-12-14 Jean Pierre Libre Procede et dispositif de prelevement, en vue de leur pose, d'etiquettes auto-adhesives, depuis une bande de support

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2006030456A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2006030456A1 (fr) 2006-03-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0124803B1 (fr) Etiqueteuse
US4375189A (en) Label printer
US5423617A (en) Shelf mountable printing apparatus
US6179030B1 (en) Apparatus and method for configuring, locating, and applying information to a label, and printing and applying labels to articles
US4435246A (en) Label dispensing and applying apparatus
US4073234A (en) Printing machine for label strip, or the like
EP3034307A1 (fr) Procédé et appareil permettant d'imprimer des colliers
US20050121146A1 (en) Label printer that dispenses labels in non-peel or automatic peel modes
US20120148782A1 (en) Label and label printer
WO2006030456A1 (fr) Appareil de collage d'etiquettes
US3556898A (en) Label printing and dispensing apparatus
US3941278A (en) Label dispensing machine
CN210527056U (zh) 一种线缆自动贴合电子标签装置
US4589505A (en) Printer with two printing capabilities
EP0592517B1 (fr) Appareil ameliore pour impression d'etiquettes
CN211077606U (zh) 一种Mark异常返工线上料装置
JPS6133926A (ja) ラベル貼付機
CN210391836U (zh) 自动打印贴附标签并将标签与rfid卡配对的***
CN215156427U (zh) 试管碳带打印机
US4226183A (en) Ink supply device for label printing machine
CN219948828U (zh) 一种出版物印刷贴标机
CN211309225U (zh) 一种标签的校正装置
CN217973613U (zh) 一种横缝机的挂标制造装置
CN115504056B (zh) 一种适应不同形状货物的可打印标贴机
EP0300059A1 (fr) Appareil de traitement des composants electroniques

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20070308

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20100831

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20160105

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20160518