EP2450284A1

EP2450284A1 - Taping machine

Info

Publication number: EP2450284A1
Application number: EP11160560A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrea Zucchini
Original assignee: T-Trade Engineering Srl
Current assignee: T-Trade Engineering Srl
Priority date: 2010-11-04
Filing date: 2011-03-31
Publication date: 2012-05-09
Also published as: ITBO20100662A1; IT1402464B1

Abstract

A taping machine (1), comprises feed means (3; 25; 5) for feeding an adhesive-coated tape (2) along a feed path (P1) to unwind the tape (2) from a roll (14); a conveyor (11) acting on a plurality of objects (15) in such a way as to move them; an applicator (4) located along the feed path (P1) of the adhesive-coated tape (2) and acting on each object (15) in such a way as to apply the tape (2) to it; a printing device (20) operatively located upstream of the applicator (4) to define a plurality of printed areas (2d) on the tape (2); a timing device (17) operatively located downstream of the printing device (20) and acting on the tape (2) in such a way as to feed the applicator (4) with each printed area (2d) to match a respective object (15).

Description

This invention relates to a taping machine.
More specifically, this invention relates to a taping machine designed to apply adhesive tape to a package in order to seal or pack it. More in detail, a taping machine according to this invention is also able to label the package by printing directly on the adhesive tape before applying it to the package.
At present, packages for delivery must be sealed and packed first of all by taping, that is to say, by applying an adhesive tape to the package. The adhesive tape used may be plain, blank tape or it may be pre-printed with images, text or graphical representations identifying the product inside the package or the product manufacturer.
The package to be sealed is moved by conveyor means which feed it under a roll from which the adhesive-coated tape is unwound and immediately applied to the package.
The taping machine is also equipped with a cutting station for cutting the tape after reaching the length needed to seal the package.
Next, a label identifying the product packed inside the package is applied. The label may include product details, such as, for example, description of the contents, weight, shipment date, production batch, and other information such as consignee's address and details about the manufacturer of the product inside the package.
Normally, the label is made and applied, after taping, by a labelling machine which prints on preshaped labels on a silicone paper base.
The prior art taping and labelling machines have a major disadvantage. In particular, individually labelling each single package is a lengthy and laborious process.
In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to propose a taping machine which overcomes the above mentioned disadvantage of the prior art.
More specifically, this invention has for an aim to provide a taping machine which can simplify and speed up the sealing and labelling process.
The technical purpose indicated and the aim specified are substantially achieved by a taping machine with the technical features set out in one or more of the appended claims.
Further features and advantages of the present invention are more apparent from the non-limiting description which follows of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of a taping machine as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of a taping machine according to the instant invention;
Figure 2 is a simplified schematic view of a part of the machine of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a simplified front view of another part of the machine of Figure 1.

In the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a taping machine according to this invention.
The taping machine 1 is designed to apply adhesive-coated tape to an object 15. This description refers specifically to a box 15 whose sides must be sealed. This reference must be considered only as an example, since the use of the machine of this invention must not be considered limited in any way by the nature of the object 15 to be taped.
The taping machine 1 is of the type designed to use a continuous, adhesive-coated tape 2, preferably of paper or plastic, which can be fed by unwinding at least one roll 14. Preferably, the roll 14 of adhesive-coated tape 2 revolves about a respective horizontal axis of rotation "Y".
The taping machine 1 comprises a conveyor 11 designed to feed a plurality of boxes 15 along a direction "P", preferably at right angles to the rolls 14 of adhesive-coated tape 2.
The conveyor 11 may comprise, for example, conveyor rollers, preferably motor-driven, a conveyor belt, endless parallel belts or even mechanical arms that grip and move the box 15. These are just some examples of the conveyors that could be installed in the taping machine 1.
The machine 1 also comprises means 3, 25, 5 for feeding the adhesive-coated tape 2 along a feed path "P1". The feed means 3, 25, 5 are designed to unwind the roll 14 and are preferably motor-driven. More specifically, the feed means comprise a carrying roller 3 which the adhesive-coated tape 2 rests on during its feed motion. The carrying roller 3 is rotatable about a fixed axis "X", preferably horizontal, and is preferably made entirely of, or coated with, a silicone material for reducing adhesiveness to the adhesive-coated tape 2 (the adhesive side of the tape 2 faces the carrying roller 3).
The carrying roller 3 has an outside surface 3a which occupies a preferably cylindrical space. Alternatively, however, it might also occupy a space having a different shape, provided always that it is suitable for supporting a continuous tape 2 as the latter is fed forward. The carrying roller 3 is positioned in such a way that it is tangent to the feed path P1 followed by the adhesive-coated tape 2.
The adhesive-coated tape 2 usable in the machine 1 is of the type having a smooth first side 2a which is suitable for printing with graphical designs, text or the like, and an adhesive-coated second side 2b which is suitable for direct application to a product to be labelled.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the adhesive-coated second side 2b is the underside of the tape 2.
The tape 2 may reach the taping machine 1 ready decorated with graphical designs, text or company logos or it may be a plain, one-colour parcel tape 2.
Typically, the adhesive-coated tape 2 used has a thickness of the order of 3-4 hundredths of a millimetre.
The machine 1 comprises an applicator 4, located along the feed path "P1" of the adhesive-coated tape 2. More specifically, the applicator 4 operates on the box 15 to apply the adhesive-coated tape 2 to it.
As shown in Figure 1, the applicator 4 comprises a contact roller 6 located at the start of the path followed by the box 15. More specifically, the contact roller 6 has an axis of rotation which is substantially perpendicular to the feed direction "P" of the box 15.
The purpose of the contact roller 6 is to press one end 2c of the adhesive-coated tape 2 against the box 15. In other words, when the box 15 strikes the contact roller 6, the end 2c sticks to the front surface of the box 15.
The applicator 4 also comprises a cutting element 13, for example, a blade, for cutting the adhesive-coated tape 2. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the cutting element 13 is movable between an operating configuration in which it cuts the tape 2 and a storage configuration in which it is spaced from the tape 2 to allow the latter to be fed forward. Advantageously, the applicator 4 comprises a cutter guard (not illustrated) associated with the cutting element 13. The cutter guard can be engaged by the box 15. More in detail, the cutter guard is pushed by the box 15 during transit under the applicator 4, in such a way that it is interposed between the cutting element 13 and the box 15 when the cutting element 13 is in the storage configuration. As soon as the box 15 passes, the cutter guard moves so as to allow the cutting element 13 to move to the operating configuration where it cuts the adhesive-coated tape 2.
Along the feed path "P1" of the adhesive-coated tape 2 there is also a printing device 20 designed to print directly on the tape 2. This device is operatively located upstream of the applicator 4 and defines a plurality of printed areas 2d on the adhesive-coated tape 2. More in detail, each printed area 2d is obtained on a corresponding portion of the adhesive-coated tape 2 and, preferably, contains all the information necessary to identify the contents of the box 15. In other words, the printed area 2d serves the function of a label for a respective box 15.
The printing device 20, shown in detail in Figure 2, comprises at least one print head 7 which is designed to impress a text or graphical design on the first side 2a of the adhesive-coated tape 2.
The print head is mounted to face the carrying roller 3 which, advantageously, is located inside or in the vicinity of the printing device 20, as shown in Figure 2.
The printing device 20 thus intercepts the adhesive-coated tape 2 feeding along the path P1 before it is applied to the box 15 to be sealed. After being unwound from the roll 14, the tape 2 is made to advance along a feed path "P1" in a feed direction and, after a series of idler rollers 16, is fed to the printing device 20 which reproduces directly on the adhesive-coated tape 2 a graphical design and/or one or more pieces of text and/or bar codes and/or numbering which may be non-repeatable sequence numbering. In other words, the printing device 20 prints the label directly on the tape 2 during the step of unwinding and applying the tape 2 to the object 15 to be sealed or packed.
Below is a detailed description of how the printing device 20 works.
During the printing operation, the outside surface 3a of the carrying roller 3 defines a contact surface which supports the portion of the adhesive-coated tape 2 subjected to the printing process. The print head 7 is of substantially known type and requires the use of a print ribbon 8 which is fed in the same feed direction as the adhesive-coated tape 2 and in contact with the latter's first side 2a. The print ribbon 8 is defined by a continuous base (for example, plastic film) having one side at least partly coated with ink.
The print head 7 is designed to cause the print ribbon 8 to transfer ink to the adhesive-coated tape 2 using dot-by-dot electric discharges, according to a substantially known technology.
The print ribbon 8 is preferably unwound from a respective first reel 9' and then wound onto a respective second reel 9".
The print ribbon 8 is guided by respective further feed means 10, 12 which make it advance along a respective further feed path "P2" with continuous or intermittent feed motion. The further feed means comprise a tension roller 10 located upstream of the print head 7, for example positioned to guide the print ribbon 8 from the respective first reel 9' to the print head 7 (Figure 2).
Preferably, also, the further feed means further comprise a detachment blade 12 located downstream of the print head 7 and designed to facilitate detachment of the adhesive-coated tape 2 and print ribbon 8 from each other. To perform this function, the detachment blade 12 has a pointed tip which is directed away from the print head 7 and round which the print ribbon 8 is trained in such manner as to divert the ribbon at an angle α preferably greater than 90 degrees, more preferably greater than 110 degrees and still more preferably, greater than 120 degrees.
Preferably, the detachment blade 12 is made of an electrically conductive material to allow the print ribbon 8 (which comprises a plastic base) to discharge static electricity that accumulates during the feed movement.
In a preferred embodiment of it, the detachment blade 12 is made of a composite material, preferably carbon fibre.
The aforesaid further feed means are made in such a way as to confer on the feed path "P2" of the print ribbon 8 a configuration having a stretch "S" which is superposed over the feed path "P1" of the adhesive-coated tape 2. More specifically, the superposed stretch "S" extends immediately downstream of the print head 7 (and thus also of the carrying roller 3) and is straight.
The purpose of the superposed stretch "S" is that of allowing predetermined portions (selected by the print head) of the ink layer on the print ribbon 8 to be transferred, and hence printed, to the adhesive-coated tape 2 below it. In fact, along the stretch "S", the tape and ribbon 2, 8 are in contact with each other.
Advantageously, the aforesaid superposed stretch "S" extends downstream of the print head 7 for a length "T" greater than or equal to 12 millimetres, more preferably greater than or equal to 15 millimetres, and still more preferably, greater than or equal to 20 millimetres.
The aforesaid value for the length "T" of the superposed stretch "S" is measured between the outfeed end of the print head 7 and the pointed tip of the detachment blade 12.
These length values allow the print ribbon 8 to remain in contact with the adhesive-coated tape 2 for long enough to correctly and completely transfer the ink.
Next, the tape 2 feeding out of the printing device 20 is applied to the box 15 in such a way as to seal the open sides thereof.
At the carrying roller 3, downstream of the print head 7, the printing device 20 may advantageously comprise a plurality of diverting discs 5, equidistant from each other along the axis of rotation "X" of the carrying roller 3.
Each diverting disc 5 partly penetrates into the space occupied by the carrying roller 3 so that the adhesive-coated tape 2, if it adheres to the outside surface 3a of the carrying roller 3, encounters at least one of the diverting discs 5 when the carrying roller 3 rotates. This facilitates detachment between the adhesive-coated tape 2 and the roller 3.
Preferably, the diverting discs 5 are rotatable about the same, common axis of rotation "Y" which is preferably parallel to the axis of rotation "X" of the carrying roller 3.
Preferably, also, the diverting discs 5 are made to rotate as one about the axis of rotation "K", for example by being mounted on a single shaft with fixed axis.
This shaft is preferably driven rotationally through the use of a drive device, such as, for example, an electric motor, pulley or other transmission system.
The drive device can adjust the rotation speed of the diverting discs 5 as a function of the rotation speed of the carrying roller 3.
In any case, the direction of rotation of the diverting discs 5 is concordant with the direction of rotation of the carrying roller 3 so that during the rotation of the carrying roller 3, the diverting discs 5 can intercept a front portion of the adhesive-coated tape 2 and move it away from the carrying roller 3 itself.
The feed means for the adhesive-coated tape 2 may comprise other devices such as, for example, feed belt devices 25.
The feed belt device 25 comprises one or more pairs of pulleys round each pair of which a respective belt 21 is trained.
In Figure 2, for example, the first of the two pulleys is the roller 3, while the second pulley 22 is located close to the detachment blade 12, is rotatable about a horizontal axis "W", and is in a position such that a portion of the belt 22 acts as a feed surface 26 supporting the tape 2 from the roller 3 to the blade 12.
Alternatively, the belt 21 might be trained around the pulley 22 and another pulley, not illustrated, other than the roller 3, and interposed between the roller 3 and the first pulley 22. In this case, too, the two pulleys must be positioned at a height such as to guarantee a uniform feed surface 26 for supporting and feeding the adhesive-coated tape 2 from the roller 3 to the blade 12.
Preferably, also, the feed surface 26 of the belt 21 delimits, at the superposed stretch "S" and in conjunction with the print ribbon 8, a guide channel 27 for the feeding of the adhesive-coated tape 2.
More specifically, the feed surface 26 of the belt 21 and the print ribbon 8 form a pair of opposite, parallel belts designed to facilitate feeding of the adhesive-coated tape 2 after it has been printed.
During the feed movement inside the guide channel 27, not only does the belt 21 contribute to determining the feeding of the adhesive-coated tape 2 but so does the print ribbon 8 which generally adheres to the adhesive-coated tape 2 at the points where the ink is transferred.
Advantageously, under the feed surface 26, blower means 18 are provided for directing a jet of air towards the second side 2b of the adhesive-coated tape 2 in order to cool the latter after it has undergone the heating effect created by the print head 7. Advantageously, the jet of air created by the blower means 18 also has the effect, at the aforementioned superposed stretch "S", of keeping the adhesive-coated tape 2 in contact with the print ribbon 8 above it, in such a way that the adhesive-coated tape 2 is dragged forward, that is, accompanied towards the outfeed of the printing device 20.
The greater the length "T" of the superposed stretch "S", the greater this dragging effect is. Advantageously, since the length T" of the superposed stretch "S" is greater than or equal to 12 millimetres, the aforementioned values for the angle of divergence α can be obtained. In effect, when "T" has these values, it is possible for the print ribbon 8 not to interfere with the print head 7 even if the angles of divergence α are close to (or greater than) 120 degrees.
In an embodiment that is not illustrated, the taping machine 1 advantageously comprises two units consisting of roll 14 of adhesive-coated tape 2 and printing device 20, for simultaneously sealing and labelling two opposite sides of the box 15.
In this configuration, these units are mounted on opposite sides of the package 15 feed surface.
The machine 1 advantageously comprises a timing device 17 operatively located downstream of the printing device 20 described above. More specifically, the timing device 17 acts on the tape 2 in such a way as to feed the applicator 4 with a printed area 2d. In other words, the timing device 17 has the function of assigning each printed area 2d to a respective box 15. In effect, it should be noted that in the embodiment described and illustrated, the box 15 advances at a different speed from the speed of the adhesive-coated tape 2 feeding out of the printing device 20. Advantageously, the timing device 17 makes it possible to compensate for this speed difference and to guarantee satisfactory precision in the application of the adhesive-coated tape 2 to the box 15.
More in detail, the timing device 17 comprises a magazine 19 operatively located between the printing device 20 and the applicator 4 in order to store a plurality of printed areas 2d. More in detail, the magazine 19 delivers each printed area 2d to the applicator 4 when the box 15 passes it.
It should be noted that under normal operating conditions of the taping machine 1, the speed of the adhesive-coated tape 2 entering the magazine 19 is different from the speed of the adhesive-coated tape 2 feeding out of the magazine 19.
That means the magazine 19 has a variable capacity. More specifically, the containing capacity of the magazine 19 may pass from a minimum volume to a minimum volume, depending on how much adhesive-coated tape 2 needs to be contained. In other words, the capacity increases, that is, the magazine 19 expands, when the speed of the tape 2 being fed into it is greater than the speed of the tape 2 being fed out of it. Similarly, the capacity decreases, that is, the magazine 19 contracts, when the speed of the tape 2 being fed into it is less than the speed of the tape 2 being fed out of it. It should also be noticed that in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the speed of the tape 2 being fed into the magazine 19 is equal to the speed of the tape 2 being fed out of the printing device 20. Similarly, the speed of the tape 2 being fed out of the magazine 19 is equal to the speed of the tape 2 at the applicator 4.
More specifically, the magazine 19 comprises at least one supporting roller 23 for the tape 2. The magazine 19 also comprises at least one tensioning roller 24 which is movable relative to the supporting roller 23 in order to tension the tape 2. More in detail, the tensioning roller 24 is movable both away and towards the supporting roller 23, thereby varying the capacity of the magazine 19. In other words, when the capacity of the magazine 19 increases, the tensioning roller 24 moves away from the supporting roller 23. On the contrary, when the capacity of the magazine 19 decreases, the tensioning roller 24 moves towards the supporting roller 23.
More in detail, the magazine 19 comprises a guide 29, preferably straight and preferably perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the supporting roller 23, so as to allow the tensioning roller 24 to make the movements described above. The magazine 19 also comprises means (not illustrated) for withdrawing the tensioning roller 24. These withdrawing means are designed to act on the tensioning roller 24 in such a way as to move it away from the supporting roller 23, especially along a path defined by the guide 29. That way, the tensioning roller 24 can keep the adhesive-coated tape 2 tensioned at all times, independently of the instantaneous capacity of the magazine 19.
More in detail, the withdrawing means may be of an elastic type. In that case, they comprise a spring (not illustrated) operating between the tensioning roller 24 and the supporting roller 23. Alternatively, the withdrawing means may comprise a counterweight and a pulley (not illustrated), connected to the tensioning roller 24 in such a way as to apply a constant force on it to move it away from the carrying roller 23. It should be noted that whatever their nature, the withdrawing means always oppose the tension of the adhesive-coated tape 2, that is to say, they tauten the tape 2. More in detail, as shown in Figure 1, the magazine 19 comprises two tensioning rollers 24. Each of these tensioning rollers 24 is movable along a respective guide 29 in such a way that it can move towards and away from the supporting rollers 23. The guides 29 are preferably parallel and oriented according to a feed path "P1" of the tape 2 within the magazine 19.
It should be noted that although the embodiment of Figure 1 has two tensioning rollers 24, alternative embodiments comprising any number of tensioning rollers 24 are possible. Similarly, the embodiment of Figure 1 comprises three supporting rollers 23 which may also vary in number in other embodiments which are not illustrated.
Advantageously, when there are two or more tensioning rollers 24, they may be connected by a slide in such a way as to make them integral with each and, more specifically, so that they move as one towards and away from the respective supporting rollers 23. In this case, the slide may run in a guide not illustrated, similar to the guide 29 described above. Alternatively, each tensioning roller 24 may have its own guide 29, and the slide serves the function of connecting the tensioning rollers to each other 24. If the slide is present, it is advantageous to connect to it (and not to each single tensioning roller 24) the above mentioned withdrawing means which, nevertheless, continue to operate on the group of tensioning rollers 24, as described above in the case of a single roller.
In a further embodiment, shown in figure 3, each guide 29 is substantially parallel to the feed direction "P" of the boxes 15. Thus, movement of the tensioning rollers 24 towards and away from the supporting rollers 23 occurs along a direction "D" substantially parallel to the feed direction "P" of the boxes 15.
More specifically, in the drawing, the tensioning rollers 24 are mounted on a single slide 44 which runs in a respective guide 45. The guide 45 defines for the tensioning rollers 24 a movement along the direction "D" substantially parallel to the direction "P".
The timing device 17 also comprises a control device 30 operating on the cutting element 13 described above. More specifically, the control device 30 comprises a sensor 31, an actuator 32 and a processing unit 35, and is designed to activate the cutting element 13 so that the latter cuts the adhesive-coated tape 2.
More in detail, the sensor 31 is designed to activate the actuator 32 and to separate a portion of adhesive-coated tape 2 comprising the printed area 2d. The sensor 31 is located between the printing device 20 and the applicator 4, preferably at the latter. Further, the sensor 31, preferably of an optic type, operates on the tape 2 to detect a marking on the tape 2 which represents the end of a single printed 2d. The marking may be a notch, a symbol, a letter, a barcode or any other predetermined sign which the sensor 31 is capable of detecting. It should be noted that the marking may be pre-printed on the adhesive-coated tape 2 or, more advantageously, may be printed directly by the printing device 20.
The sensor 31 then sends to the processing unit 35 a signal "ST" indicating that the marking on the adhesive-coated tape 2 has passed. The processing unit acquires the signal "ST" from the sensor 31 and, if necessary, performs marking recognition. That way, after detecting that the marking has passed by the sensor 31, the processing unit sends a command to the actuator 32 in order to activate the cutting element 13. More specifically, the cutting element 13 passes from the storage configuration to the operating configuration. Advantageously, this makes it possible to cut off a precise length of tape 2 and thus to separate the portion of tape 2 comprising a single printed area 2d. That way, it is possible to suitably seal and label the box 15.
The actuator 32 is connected to an applicator 4 mounting element 33 and to the cutting element 13. More specifically, as described above, the actuator 32 has the function of activating the cutting element 13. Still more specifically, the actuator 32 moves the cutting element 13 between the storage configuration and the operating configuration. In the embodiment schematically illustrated in Figure 1, the actuator 32 is a hydraulic piston 34 which comprises a cylinder and a rod.
With reference to the embodiment of Figure 3, the cutting element 13 comprises a cutter 36 for cutting the tape 2 and a cutter 36 support 37 connected to the actuator 32 of the control device 30. In this embodiment, too, the cutting element 13 comprises a cutter guard, not illustrated in the drawing, as described in connection with the embodiment of Figure 1.
The actuator 32 comprises an electromagnet 38 controlled by the processing unit 35. The electromagnet 38 is connected directly to the support 37 of the cutter 36 so as to obtain higher precision and sensitivity in cutting the tape 2. Moreover, in this embodiment, the adhesive-coated tape 2, downstream of the sensor 31, is kept tensioned by a first tension roller 39 and by a non-return roller 40. More specifically, the non-return roller 40 prevents the feed direction of the tape 2 from being reversed, which might cause the machine 1 to jam or which might reduce the tension of the tape 2.
Further, downstream of the non-return valve 40, there are a second tension roller 41 designed to keep the adhesive-coated tape 2 tensioned, a knurled roller 42 designed to facilitate tape 2 feed to the contact roller 6 and a smooth roller 43 to facilitate application of the tape 2 to the boxes 15 by the contact roller 6.
Also forming part of this invention is a method for taping objects 15. More in detail, the adhesive-coated tape 2 is fed along the feed path P1, preferably by unwinding it from the roll 14. The tape 2 is then printed to define a plurality of printed areas 2d.
Next, a plurality of objects 15 to be taped, such as, for example, the box 15, is fed forward in such a way that it meets the tape 2 along its feed path "P1".
During this step, the feeding of the tape 2 and its application on the box 15 is controlled according to box 15 feed. More specifically, the feeding of the tape 2 at the box 15 is timed relative to the box 15 itself in such a way as to assign each printed area 2d to a respective object 15. In other words, at the box 15, the tape 2 is made to advance at the same speed as the box 15.
More specifically, it is possible to store a plurality of printed areas 2d and to deliver one of them when a box 15 passes.
A portion of the adhesive-coated tape 2 is then applied to each box 15 and the tape 2 is then cut. More specifically, the above mentioned marking on the tape 2 is detected so as to cut the tape 2 as described above and separate a portion of the tape 2 comprising a single printed area 2d.
Thus, once the box 15 has been sealed, the tape 2 is cut. This operation can be carried out by detecting a predetermined marking on the tape 2 so as to cut the latter in a suitable area.
The invention achieves the aims set. The presence of a printing device in the taping machine just upstream of the zone where the tape is applied to the package makes it possible to speed up operations for the sealing and labelling of packages. That eliminates the need for a labelling machine because the labelling function is performed by the taping machine.
The taping machine also offers an important advantage. The presence of the timing device allows the printed areas to be positioned on the box with a good level of precision and prevents misalignment between the printed areas and the individual boxes after extended operation.

Claims

A taping machine (1), comprising feed means (3; 25; 5) for feeding an adhesive-coated tape (2) along a feed path (P1) to unwind the tape (2) from a roll (14); a conveyor (11) acting on a plurality of objects (15) in such a way as to move them; an applicator (4) located along the feed path (P1) of the adhesive-coated tape (2) and acting on each object (15) in such a way as to apply the tape (2) to it; characterized in that it comprises a printing device (20) operatively located upstream of the applicator (4) to define a plurality of printed areas (2d) on the tape (2); a timing device (17) operatively located downstream of the printing device (20) and acting on the tape (2) in such a way as to feed the applicator (4) with each printed area (2d) to match a respective object (15).
The machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the timing device (17) comprises a magazine (19) operatively located between the printing device (20) and the applicator (4) in order to store a portion of tape (2) having a plurality of the printed areas (2d) and to deliver each printed area (2d) to the applicator (4) when the respective object (15) passes.
The machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the magazine (19) increases in capacity when the speed of the tape (2) feeding in is greater than the speed of the tape (2) feeding out; the magazine (19) also decreasing in capacity when the speed of the tape (2) feeding in is lower than the speed of the tape (2) feeding out.
The machine (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the magazine (19) comprises at least one supporting roller (23) for the tape (2) and at least one tensioning roller (24) movable towards and away from the supporting roller (23) to tension the tape (2) and vary the capacity of the magazine (19).
The machine (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the magazine (19) comprises means for withdrawing the tensioning roller (24) in order to move it away from the supporting roller (23) and tension the tape (2) .
The machine (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that each tensioning roller (24) is movable towards and away from the respective supporting roller (23) along a direction (D) substantially parallel to the direction (P) of object (15) feed.
The machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator (4) comprises a cutting element (13) for cutting the tape (2), the timing device (17) further comprising a control device (30) acting on the cutting element (13).
The machine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the control device (30) comprises an actuator (32) for activating the cutting element (13) and cutting the tape (2); the control device (30) comprising a sensor (31) acting on the tape (2); the sensor (31) detecting on the tape (2) a marking which represents the end of a printed area (2d) in order to activate the actuator (32) and separate a portion of tape (2) comprising that printed area (2d).
The machine (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the cutting element (13) comprises a cutter (36) and a cutter (36) support (37) connected to the actuator (32) of the control device (30).
The machine (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the actuator (32) comprises an electromagnet (38) controlled by the processing unit (35).
The machine (1) according to any of the claims from 8 to 10, characterized in that it comprises, downstream of the sensor (31), a first tension roller (39) and a non-return roller (40), designed to keep the tape (2) tensioned and to prevent reversing the feed direction of the tape (2).
The machine (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises, downstream of the non-return roller (40), a second tension roller (41) designed to keep the tape (2) tensioned, a knurled roller (42) designed to facilitate tape (2) feed and a smooth roller (43) to facilitate application of the tape (2) to the object (15).
A method for taping objects (15), comprising the steps of feeding an adhesive-coated tape (2) along a feed path (P1); feeding a plurality of objects (15) to be taped so that they meet the tape (2); applying a portion of the adhesive-coated tape (2) to each object (15); characterized in that it comprises the steps of printing the tape (2) to form a plurality of printed areas (2d); timing tape (2) feed at the object (15) with the object (15) itself so as to assign each printed area (2d) to a respective object (15).
The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the step of timing tape (2) feed comprises the sub-step of storing a portion of tape (2) having a plurality of the printed areas (2d) and delivering each printed area (2d) when the respective object (15) passes.
The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that it comprises the step of cutting the tape (2); and in that the step of timing tape (2) feed comprises the sub-steps of detecting on the tape (2) a marking which represents the end of a printed area (2d) so as to issue a command for cutting and separating a portion of tape (2) comprising that printed area (2d).