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The present invention relates to a labelling machine for the application of label sheets to receptacles.

Advantageously, the invention also relates to a labelling method for the application of label sheets to receptacles .

Various technologies are known for the application of label sheets to receptacles, such as bottles, containers or the like. One of these technologies foresees conveying a web of labelling material, cutting the web to obtain individual label sheets, and the application of the label sheets thus obtained on respective receptacles, during the advancement of the receptacles themselves along a pre-set path. Said label sheets are known as "roll-fed label sheets".

The application of the label sheets according to this technology is obtained using automatic labelling machines.

A typical labelling machine comprises:

- a conveying device for conveying the receptacles along a first path; and

- a labelling apparatus for the application of at least one label sheet on each receptacle at a labelling station during advancement of the receptacles themselves along the first path. A typical labelling apparatus comprises:

- a magazine unit, adapted to contain at least one reel, on which the web of material for label sheets is wound-on, and to provide for the web at an initial station;

- conveying means, adapted to convey the aforementioned web along a second path from the initial station to the labelling station;

- a cutting unit, adapted to cut individual label sheets from the aforementioned web at a cutting station interposed between the initial station and the labelling station along the second path; and

- a transfer drum, which is arranged between the initial station and the labelling station along the second path and being adapted to rotate around a first axis, to receive the individual label sheets at a transfer station, and to transfer the individual label sheets to the labelling station; and

- a gluing unit, which is arranged adjacent to the transfer drum and is adapted to apply glue on the individual label sheets prior to their transfer onto the respective receptacles .

The conveying means comprise:

- a driving unit for rotating the reel around a rotation axis so as to unwind the web from the reel;

a buffer unit arranged downstream of the magazine unit and upstream of the transfer drum along the second path for buffering the web while it is being conveyed;

- a feed roller arranged downstream of the buffer unit and upstream of the transfer drum along the second path;

- an auxiliary roller, arranged adjacent to the feed roller for interposing, in use, the web between the auxiliary roller itself and the feed roller; and

- an auxiliary drum adapted to rotate around a rotation axis, is arranged peripherally adjacent to the transfer drum in a position corresponding to the transfer station, and is adapted to transfer the individual label sheets to the transfer drum.

It is known that the transfer drum comprises an outer lateral surface and suction means for holding the individual label sheets on said outer lateral surface during their advancement from the transfer station to the labelling station .

In further detail, the transfer drum, in particular its outer lateral surface, comprises a plurality of retaining segments, arranged angularly equispaced from one another about the first axis of the transfer drum and adapted to retain respective label sheets while being conveyed from the transfer station to the labelling station.

It is known that each retaining segment is provided with a plurality of suction apertures for retaining the respective label sheet by means of suction.

More specifically, each retaining segment comprises a respective retaining section, usually delimited by two interaction elements (pads) , which project from the outer lateral surface, and a respective transition section on which each label sheet runs, in use, during its transfer from the auxiliary drum to the transfer drum, i.e., towards the respective retaining segment, and before being held on the respective retention section. In labelling machines currently in use, the presence of the transition sections is necessary for enabling proper positioning of the label sheets on the respective retaining segments.

However, a drawback of said labelling machines lies in the fact that the respective transition sections are covered by the respective label sheet only during a limited time interval .

In particular, during application of the glue on the label sheets, the respective transition section is free. For this reason, the transition sections are easily contaminated by residue of glue, dust, and other undesirable particles. Such contamination prevents proper operation of the transfer drum, and consequently frequent cleaning interventions are necessary .

Moreover, the transition sections determine a significant loss of efficiency of the suction means. In the sector, there is consequently felt the need for an improvement of labelling machines and of the respective labelling method, in particular to overcome at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a labelling machine and a labelling method that will enable, in a simple and economically advantageous way, at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks to be overcome.

In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide a labelling machine and a labelling method that will allow simplification of the transfer drum, and, more in particular, elimination of the transition sections of the transfer drum itself.

The aforementioned aim is achieved by the present invention, in so far as it regards a machine for labelling receptacles as defined in claim 1.

Moreover, the aforesaid aim is achieved by the present invention, in so far as it regards a labelling method according to claim 6.

Alternative preferred embodiments are protected by the dependent claims.

For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment thereof is described in the following, purely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the attached drawings, wherein: - Figure 1 is a schematic top plan view of a labelling machine according to the invention, with parts removed for reasons of clarity;

- Figure 2 is a schematic side view of three details of the labelling machine of Figure 1, with parts removed for reasons of clarity; and

- Figures 3a to 3c show by way of example profiles of rotation speed of the three items of the labelling machine illustrated in Figure 2.

With reference to Figure 1, indicated as a whole by referral number 1 is a labelling machine for the application of label sheets 2 to receptacles, such as bottles 3, containers or the like.

The following description refers, in a non-limiting way, to a machine 1 adapted to apply label sheets 2 to receptacles that can be filled or are filled with a pourable product, in particular a pourable food product, for example carbonated liquids (sparkling water, alcohol-free drinks, beer, etc.), non-carbonated liquids (natural water, fruit juice, wine, etc.), emulsions, suspensions, liquids with high viscosity and beverages containing pulp.

In addition, the following description refers in a non limiting way, to bottles 3, in particular made of a thermoplastic polymer such as polyethylene terephthalate .

However, bottles 3 may also be made of a different material such as glass, aluminium, etc.

Each bottle 3 extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a hollow body delimiting an internal space of bottle 3 itself.

With particular reference to Figure 1, machine 1 comprises :

- a conveying device 4 for conveying bottles 3 along a first path P, in particular having an arched shape;

- a labelling apparatus 5 for the application of at least one label sheet 2 to each bottle 3 at a labelling station 6 during the conveying of bottles 3 along path P; and

- a control unit 7 for controlling operation of machine 1 itself.

In greater detail, device 4 comprises a conveying carousel 8 adapted to rotate around an axis A, which in particular has a vertical orientation, and a plurality of retaining units, which are arranged on conveying carousel 8 and each of which is adapted to hold a respective bottle 3 during its advancement along path P.

Preferably, conveying carousel 8 rotates, in use, at a constant rotation speed.

More specifically, each retaining unit is also adapted to rotate the respective bottle 3 about the respective longitudinal axis at least during application of the respective label sheet 2.

Preferably, the retaining units are equispaced and separate from one another about axis A.

With particular reference to Figure 1, apparatus 5 is adapted to:

- convey a web 12 of labelling material along a second path Q;

- cut web 12 during advancement along path Q at a cutting station 13 so as to obtain individual label sheets 2 ; and

- apply each label sheet 2 on the respective bottle 3.

In particular, web 12 is made of polymeric material or paper material. Even more in particular, web 12 comprises a repeated decorative pattern, in which each repetition corresponds to the extension of a single label sheet 2.

In further detail, apparatus 5 comprises:

- a magazine unit 14 adapted to contain web 12 and to feed it to an initial station 15;

- conveying means 16 adapted to convey web 12 along a second path Q from initial station 15 to labelling station 6, in particular to a transfer station 17;

- a cutting unit 18 for cutting the individual label sheets 2 from web 12 at cutting station 13 interposed between initial station 15 and labelling station 6, in particular at transfer station 17, along path Q; and - a transfer drum 20, arranged between initial station 15 and labelling station 6 and adapted to rotate about an axis B, which in particular has a vertical orientation, to advance each label sheet 2 along a path R from transfer station 17 to labelling station 6 and to transfer individual label sheets 2 to labelling station 6.

Preferably, apparatus 5 also comprises a unit 21 adapted to apply glue on each label sheet 2 and/or on each bottle 3 before and/or during application of the aforesaid label sheet 2 on bottle 3. In the specific case illustrated, unit 21 is adapted to apply glue on each label sheet 2 at an application station 22 arranged upstream of labelling station 6 along path R.

In greater detail, magazine unit 14 is configured for containing at least one reel 25, on which web 12 is wound up. In particular, reel 25 is rotatable about an axis C, which in particular is parallel to axis B, to enable unwinding of web 12 from reel 25.

More specifically, magazine unit 14 comprises a housing seat (not illustrated and in itself known) for reel 25, and a driving unit (not illustrated and in itself known) adapted to control rotation of reel 25 about axis C.

In particular, the driving unit is controlled by control unit 7 in such a way so as to vary the rotation speed of reel 25 at least on the basis of the state of loading of web 12 wound on reel 25. More in particular, while web 12 is unwound from reel 25, the amount of web 12 decreases, and simultaneously the outer diameter defined by the wound-up web 12 decreases. This reduction is compensated via adjustment of the rotation speed.

In a non-limiting embodiment, the rotation speed of reel 25 is also controlled in such a way so as to vary the advancement speed of web 12 advancing out of magazine unit 14, as explained in further detail further below.

In particular, cutting unit 18 comprises a blade 23 and a fixed counter-blade 24 configured for cutting web 12 in co-operation with one another.

With particular reference to Figure 1, transfer drum 20 is arranged adjacent to device 4, in particular peripherally adjacent to conveying carousel 8 at labelling station 6.

Preferably, transfer drum 20 is configured for receiving web 12 and/or the individual label sheets 2 from apparatus 5 at transfer station 17 and for conveying, in co operation with apparatus 5, the web 12 and/or the individual label sheets 2. In particular, web 12 is, in use, cut by cutting unit 18 after it has been transferred onto transfer drum 17 so as to obtain a single label sheet 2 transferred on transfer drum 20. Repeated advance of web 12 jointly with repeated transfer of web 12 onto transfer drum 20 and with repeated cutting of web 12 results in a repeated transfer of individual label sheets 2 onto transfer drum 20.

Preferably, the rotation of transfer drum 20 about axis B is controlled by an electric motor 26, in particular of the brushless type.

Preferably, control unit 7 is configured for controlling electric motor 26 in such a way so as to control rotation of transfer drum 20 about axis B, in particular in such a way that transfer drum 20 will turn at a constant speed (see Figure 3a) .

In greater detail, transfer drum 20 comprises an outer lateral surface 27 on which, in use, label sheets 2 are held.

Preferably, label sheets 2 are held on transfer drum 20 via suction means, in the specific case defined by a plurality of suction holes 28 arranged on the surface 27.

More specifically, transfer drum 20, in particular its surface 27, comprises a plurality of retaining segments 29, and each retaining segment 29 is adapted to hold a respective label sheet 2 during its advancement along path R, in particular from transfer station 17 to labelling station 6.

Preferably, the retaining segments 29 are angularly equispaced from one another about the axis B. In particular, the distance between retaining segments 29 is defined by the distance (pitch) between the retaining units.

Preferably, each retaining segment 29 comprises a pair

30 of interaction elements 31 ("pads") ; in particular, each pair 30 delimits a respective retaining segment 29. In particular, one of interaction elements 31 of the respective pair 30 is configured for interacting with an initial portion 32 of the respective label sheet 2, and the other interaction element 31 of the respective pair 30 is configured for interacting with a final portion 33 of the respective label sheet 2.

In the specific example illustrated, each pad 31 projects from surface 27, in particular to enable application of glue by unit 21 on the respective initial portions 32 and on the respective final portions 33.

It is to be noted that transfer drum 20, in particular retaining segments 29, does not have and, as is described in greater detail hereinafter, does not require any transition section .

In an embodiment not illustrated, the transfer drum 20 is configured for enabling definition of the retaining segments 29 in a dynamic way. In particular, the extension of each retaining segment 29 is defined via control of suction holes 28.

Advantageously and with particular reference to Figures 1 and 2, apparatus 5, in particular conveying means 16, comprises :

- a feed roller 37, in particular having a rubberized outer surface, which is adapted to rotate about an axis E, which in particular is parallel to axis B and even more particular has a vertical orientation, is interposed between magazine unit 14 and transfer drum 20, and is adapted to at least partially control the advancement speed of web 12;

- an auxiliary roller 38, arranged adjacent, in particular tangential, to feed roller 37 for interposing, in use, web 12 between auxiliary roller 38 and feed roller 37; and

- an electric motor 39, in particular of the brushless type, which is connected to feed roller 37 and can be selectively activated for rotating feed roller 37 aroundaxis

E.

Advantageously and with particular reference to Figure 3b, control unit 7 is configured for controlling electric motor 39 in such a way so as to vary the rotation speed of feed roller 37 between a maximum speed and a minimum speed, with consequent variation of the advancement speed of web 12, in particular coming off (exiting from) feed roller 37, as a function of the state of transfer of web 12 and/or of a single label sheet 2 onto transfer drum 20, in particular also as a function of the distance between retaining segments 29 and of the rotation speed of transfer drum 20.

Preferably, control unit 7 is configured for controlling electric motor 39 in such a way that the rotation speed of feed roller 37 is the maximum speed during transfer of web 12 and/or of single label sheets 2 onto transfer drum

20. In particular, the maximum speed of the feed roller 37 allows for an advancement of web 12 at a respective advancement speed that is identical to the peripheral speed of transfer drum 20 (to the speed at which the surface 27 advances) . Even more preferably, control unit 7 is also configured for controlling electric motor 39 in such a way that the rotation of feed roller 37 will be, in use, decelerated, in particular down to the minimum speed, after transfer of web 12 and/or of the respective single label sheet 2 onto transfer drum 20 and will be, in use, accelerated, in particular up to the respective maximum speed, prior to repeated transfer of web 12 and/or of the respective single label sheet 2 onto transfer drum 20.

In particular, control unit 7 is configured for controlling electric motor 39 in such a way that the rotation speed of feed roller 37 will be varied, in particular accelerated and decelerated, as a function of the distance between retaining segments 29. In this way, it is possible to obtain a precise positioning of web 12 and/or of label sheet 2 on transfer drum 20, preferably on the respective retaining segments 29, in particular without the need for transition sections.

In a non-limiting embodiment, control unit 7 is configured for controlling the driving unit so as to vary, in use, the rotation speed of reel 25 as a function of the rotation speed of feed roller 37. In this way, it is possible to control the advancement speed of the web 12 from magazine unit 14 to feed roller 37. Preferably, the rotation speed of reel 25 is controlled in such a way that the advancement speed of web 12 from magazine unit 14 to feed roller 37 is substantially identical to the advancement speed of web 12 coming off feed roller 37.

Preferably, apparatus 5, in particular conveying means 16, comprises an auxiliary conveyor device 40 interposed between transfer drum 20 and feed roller 38 and adapted to guide the advancement of web 12 and/or of the single label sheets 2 towards, in particular onto, transfer drum 20, in particular at transfer station 17.

In greater detail, auxiliary conveyor device 40 comprises :

- an auxiliary drum 41, in particular carrying a portion of cutting unit 18, even more particular carrying blade 23, being adapted to rotate around an axis F, which in particular is parallel to axis E and even more particular has a vertical orientation, and is adapted to advance web 12 along a portion Q1 of path Q, in particular towards transfer station 17, and/or each label sheet 2 to transfer station 17; and

- an auxiliary electric motor 42, in particular of the brushless type, which is connected to auxiliary drum 41 and can be selectively activated for rotating auxiliary drum 41 around axis F.

In greater detail, auxiliary drum 41 is arranged adjacent to transfer drum 20 at transfer station 17.

Preferably, auxiliary drum 41 is provided with respective suction means for holding web 12 and/or single label sheets 2, in particular in a slidable manner. In particular, the suction means comprise a plurality of suction holes 43 formed on the outer lateral surface of auxiliary drum 41.

With particular reference to Figure 3c, control unit 7 is configured in such a way so as to control auxiliary electric motor 42 so as to vary the rotation speed of auxiliary drum 41 between a maximum speed and a minimum speed as a function of the rotation speed of feed roller 37. In particular, control unit 7 is configured in such a way so as to control auxiliary electric motor 42 to obtain the rotation of auxiliary drum 41 at the maximum speed during rotation of the feed roller 37 at its maximum speed, i.e., during the transfer of web 12 and/or of single label sheet 2 onto transfer drum 20. Even more particular, control unit 7 is also configured in such a way so as to control auxiliary electric motor 42 for decelerating and accelerating the rotation of auxiliary drum 41 during deceleration and acceleration, respectively, of feed roller 37. In particular, control unit 7 is configured for controlling the rotation of auxiliary drum 41 via control of auxiliary electric motor 42 so as to guarantee advancement of web 12 and/or of single label sheets 2 as a function of the rotation (in particular, of the rotation speed) of feed roller 37, even more in particular also to guarantee that blade 23 and counter-blade 24 are properly positioned with respect to one another at the moment of cutting of web 12 in order to obtain the individual label sheets 2.

Preferably, machine 1, in particular apparatus 5, even more in particular conveying means 16, comprises/comprise a buffer unit 46, adapted to accumulate in a variable way portions of web 12, being arranged between magazine unit 14 and feed roller 37, and having an inlet 47 for receiving web 12 from magazine unit 14 and an outlet 48 for directing web 12 towards feed roller 37.

Even more preferably, control unit 7 is configured for controlling the advancement speed of web 12 from outlet 48 to feed roller 37 as a function of the rotation speed of feed roller 37. In particular, control unit 7 is configured for controlling the advancement speed of web 12 from outlet 48 in such a way that the advancement speed from the outlet 48 to feed roller 37 and from feed roller 37 to transfer drum 20 is substantially identical.

In use, the machine 1 applies at least one respective label sheet 2 to each bottle 3.

In greater detail, the labelling method, in particular during operation of the machine 1, comprises the following steps :

- advancing the bottles 3 to be labelled along the path

P;

- feeding the web 12 along the path Q from the initial station 15 to the labelling station 6, where at least one single label sheet 2 is applied on each bottle 3 that is advancing along the path P;

cutting web 12 at cutting station 13 to obtain individual label sheets 2;

- transferring web 12 and/or the respective individual label sheets 2 onto transfer drum 20 rotating around axis B, in particular at a constant rotation speed (Figure 3a) ; and

- applying each individual label sheet 2 from transfer drum 20 onto the respective bottle 3 at labelling station 6.

In further detail, during the step of advancing, the device 4, in particular the conveying carousel 8, feeds the bottles 3 along the path P, in particular at a constant velocity .

Preferably, during the step of advancing, the bottles 3 rotate, at least during the step of transferring, around their respective longitudinal axes. In particular, each retaining unit drives the rotation of the respective bottle 3 around its respective longitudinal axis.

In further detail, during the step of cutting, web 12 is cut at cutting station 13 in such a way so as to obtain a single label sheet 2 from web 12. In particular, by cutting web 12 at cutting station 13, the respective final portion 33 of label sheet 2, which is transferred onto transfer drum 20, and the respective initial portion 32 of the next label sheet 2 to be transferred are obtained.

More specifically, during the step of cutting, blade 23 and counter-blade 24 cut, in co-operation with one another, web 12 at cutting station 13.

Preferably, the step of cutting is carried out during the step of transferring of web 12 and/or the respective single label sheet 2 onto transfer drum 20. In particular, the step of cutting is carried out when the respective initial portion 32 of the respective single label sheet 2 has already been transferred onto transfer drum 20.

In greater detail, during the step of transferring, control unit 7 controls electric motor 26 in such a way that transfer drum 20 rotates at a constant rotation speed (Figure 3a) , in particular as a function of the advancement speed of bottles 3.

In further detail, during the step of transferring, web 12 and/or single label sheets 2 are transferred from feed roller 37 to transfer drum 20 by means of auxiliary conveyor device 40, in particular by means of auxiliary drum 41 rotating at a variable rotation speed.

In greater detail, during the step of feeding, web 12 advances between feed roller 37, which rotates around axis E, and auxiliary roller 38.

Advantageously, during the step of feeding, control unit 7 controls electric motor 39 in such a way that the rotation speed of feed roller 37 varies between a maximum speed and a minimum speed so as to vary the advancement speed of web 12 (Figure 3b) , in particular as a function of the state of the step of transferring, even more in particular also as a function of the distance between retaining segments 29 and of the rotation speed of transfer drum 20.

Preferably, during the step of feeding, control unit 7 controls the electric motor 39 in such a way that feed roller 37 will turn around axis E at the maximum speed during transfer of web 12 and/or of single label sheet 2 onto transfer drum 20. In particular, the maximum speed of feed roller 37 enables feeding of web 12 at a respective advancement speed that is identical to the peripheral speed of transfer drum 20 (to the speed with which surface 27 advances) . Even more preferably, control unit 7 controls electric motor 39 in such a way that rotation of feed roller 37 will be decelerated, in particular to the minimum speed, after transfer of web 12 and/or of the respective single label sheet 2 onto transfer drum 20 and will be accelerated, in particular to the maximum speed, prior to the repeated transfer of web 12 and/or of the respective single label sheet 2 onto transfer drum 20.

Preferably, control unit 7 is also configured for controlling electric motor 39 in such a way that the rotation speed of feed roller 37 will be varied, in particular accelerated and decelerated, as a function of the distance between retaining segments 29. In this way, it is possible to obtain a precise positioning of web 12 and/or of label sheet 2 on transfer drum 20, in particular without the need for a transition section.

Even more preferably, during the step of feeding, control unit 7 controls also auxiliary electric motor 42 so as to vary the rotation speed of auxiliary drum 41 between a respective maximum speed and a respective minimum speed as a function of the rotation speed of feed roller 37 (Figure 3c), in particular, to obtain rotation of auxiliary drum 41 at the maximum speed during rotation of feed roller 37 at its maximum speed, i.e., during transfer of web 12 and/or of single label sheet 2 onto transfer drum 20. In particular, control unit 7 also controls auxiliary electric motor 42 for decelerating and accelerating rotation of auxiliary drum 41 during deceleration and acceleration, respectively, of the feed roller 37. In particular, control unit 7 controls rotation of auxiliary drum 41 via control of auxiliary electric motor 42 to guarantee supply of web 12 and/or of single label sheets 2 as a function of the rotation (in particular, of the rotation speed) of feed roller 37. Even more particular, control unit 7 controls rotation of auxiliary drum 41 via control of auxiliary electric motor 42 also to guarantee that blade 23 and the counter-blade 24 will be properly positioned with respect to one another during the step of cutting .

In a non-limiting embodiment, during the step of feeding, control unit 7 controls rotation of reel 25 around the axis of rotation C, in particular via control of the driving unit, in such a way so as to vary the rotation speed of reel 25 as a function of the rotation speed of feed roller 37. In this way, it is possible to control the advancement speed of web 12 from magazine unit 14 to feed roller 37. Preferably, the rotation speed of reel 25 is controlled in such a way that the advancement speed of web 12 from magazine unit 14 to feed roller 37 is substantially identical to the advancement speed of web 12 coming off feed roller 37.

In another non-limiting embodiment, during the step of feeding, control unit 7 controls the advancement speed of web 12 from outlet 48 to feed roller 37 as a function of the rotation speed of feed roller 37. Preferably, the advancement speed of web 12 from outlet 48 to feed roller 37 is substantially identical to the advancement speed of web 12 coming off feed roller 37.

From an examination of the characteristics of the labelling machine 1 and of the respective labelling method provided according to the present invention the advantages that it allows to achieve are evident.

In particular, machine 1 enables in a simple and economically advantageous way precise positioning of web 12 and/or of single label sheets 2 on transfer drum 20, in particular on the respective retaining segments 29. This in turn makes it possible to provide a transfer drum 20, in particular retaining segments 29, without any transition sections. Control of the rotation speed of the feed roller 37 enables variation of the advancement speed of the web 12 as a function of the angular position of the respective retaining segment 29.

A further advantage lies in the fact that electric motor 39, in particular also auxiliary electric motor 42, even more in particular also electric motor 26, are of the brushless type so as to enable a high precision in the control of the respective speed or velocities of rotation.

Clearly, changes may be made to labelling machine 1 and to the labelling method described and illustrated herein, without thereby departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims.

In an alternative embodiment not illustrated, cutting unit 18 comprises means for contactless cutting of web 12. Said means could, for example, comprise a laser.

In another alternative embodiment not illustrated, unit 21 for the application of glue comprises means, for example at least one application nozzle, for contactless application of the glue on the label sheets 2 and/or on the bottles.