Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vacuum plate used in relation to labelling machines and processes.

Object of the Invention

The present invention and application are directed to improvements of existing vacuum plates.

Known systems, wherein linear channels are used to provide suction to hold one or more labels, provide simple and durable solutions. However, when working with soft, thin, and/or bendable materials issues arise where the material may be sucked into the channels thereby damaging the material and making the label more likely to stick to the vacuum plate instead of being released properly when desired.

The present invention provides an improved system to ensure the safe handling and timely release of even thin and/or soft labels.

Description of the Invention

These and other advantages are achieved by a vacuum plate for holding a label during transport from a first position to a second position, said vacuum plate comprising a holding surface, said holding surface having a width W and a length L, said holding surface comprising a first end of the holding surface and an opposing second end of the holding surface, a number of vacuum channels running in the length direction of the holding surface from the first end to the second end of the holding surface, wherein each vacuum channel has at least one bend. By introducing non-linear vacuum channels, i.e. vacuum channels with at least one bend, the pull forces a label held by the vacuum plate is subject to are distributed in different directions. Paper and other materials which labels may be made of have relatively high strength when subjected to forces in different directions. This means that the label will not be sucked into the vacuum channels as known from existing solutions.

The vacuum canals may be arranged with a distance D between neighbouring channels. The distance D may be constant or varied from the first end to the second end of the holding surface. In some embodiments all vacuum channels are arranged with the same distance to adjacent vacuum channels. In other embodiments the distance between different neighbouring channels is not the same.

The vacuum channels may be evenly or un-evenly distributed in the width direction of the holding surface.

Each channel has a cross-sectional area A. Preferably, the cross-sectional area increases from the first end to the second end of the holding surface. This may be achieved by increasing the depth and/or width of the vacuum channels from the first end to the second end of the holding surface. I.e. the depth and/or the width of the vacuum channels is preferably smaller at the first end than at the second end. It may be advantageous that the increase in depth is linear from first end to second end of the holding surface. When the cross-sectional area is increased the vacuum in the vacuum channel is decreased.

To provide suction to each of the vacuum channels, the vacuum plate may comprise a vacuum distribution channel running in the width direction of the vacuum plate. The vacuum distribution channel is in fluid communication with the vacuum channels at the first end of the holding surface thereby creating the suction/vacuum in each vacuum canal.

Each vacuum channel may have 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more bends. For example, 3 - 15 bends. I.e. in various embodiments one or more of the vacuum channels are not straight lines. All vacuum channels may have the same number of bends. Alternatively, one or more of the vacuum channels may have more or less bends than the majority of the channels. In some embodiments all vacuum channels have different number of bends.

Due to the one or more bends the length of the vacuum channels may be longer than the distance from the vacuum distribution channel to the second end of the holding surface. For example, the vacuum channels may at least 2%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% longer than the distance from the vacuum distribution channel to the second end. For example, 5 - 50% or longer than the distance from the vacuum distribution channel to the second end.

The strength of the vacuum may be the same or different in each of the vacuum canals at the first end of the holding surface.

Description of the Drawing

Fig. la shows the holding surface

Fig. lb is a side view of a vacuum plate according to the present invention

Fig. 2a and 2b show alternative arrangements of the vacuum channels

Fig. 3a and 3b illustrate a cross section of a vacuum plate and the cross-section area of vacuum channels

Detailed Description of the Invention

Fig la shows a view of the holding surface 2 of an embodiment of a vacuum plate 1 according to the present invention. The vacuum plate and holding surface have a width W and a length L. The length direction runs between a first end 3 and an opposing second end 4 of the holding surface. Along the length direction of the holding surface five vacuum channels 5 run from the first end to the second end. The vacuum channels are evenly distributed in the width direction of the holding surface.

Each channel has two bends 6, giving the channels a wave shape in the plane of the holding surface. To provide suction to each of the vacuum channels, the vacuum plate comprises a vacuum distribution canal 7 running in the width direction of the vacuum plate inside the vacuum plate. The vacuum distribution channel is in fluid communication with the vacuum channels at the first end of the holding surface thereby creating the suction/vacuum in each vacuum channel. In the side view provided in fig lb the opening of the vacuum distribution channel 7 is seen.

Fig. 2a and 2b show exemplary alternative embodiments of a vacuum plate with a different layout of the vacuum channels. In each case the holding surface has five equidistant vacuum channels. In 2a each vacuum channel has seven sharp bends whereby a zigzag shape is given to each of the vacuum channels. In Fig. 2a each vacuum channel has eight soft bends whereby a wavelike shape is given to each of the vacuum channels.

Fig. 3 a shows a perspective view of a vacuum plate 1 according to the present invention. It is seen that the vacuum channels 5 runs to the edge of the second end of the vacuum plate and holding surface leaving the channels open ended.

In 3b a cross sectional view taken in the direction indicated in Fig. 3b is shown. Here the cross-section A of each channel 5 is seen. The area of each cross section is smaller closer to the first end and larger at the second end of the holding surface. This may be achieved by vacuum channels with an increasing depth towards the second end of each vacuum channel.