ES2612548T3 - Device for applying shrink labels - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (1) for applying heat shrink labels (10) comprising at least one applicator (4) that is adapted to feed from below, and located in an application station (2) for applying a sleeve type label, at least one sleeve type heat shrink label (10) around a respective container (3) to be labeled, said applicator (4) comprising a central body (5) that is substantially cylindrical or is formed to conform to the shape of said container to be labeled (3), said device (1) comprising transfer means for transferring said sleeve type label (10) to the applicator (4), said sleeve type label (10) is fed around the lateral surface (5a) of a body respective central (5), characterized in that a gap is provided between the lateral surface (5a) of said central body (5) and the internal surface of the sleeve type label (10) placed on said central body (5 ) , the mean transverse dimensions of said sleeve type label (10) being 1-5 mm larger than the transverse dimensions of said lateral surface (5a) of said central body (5), said device (1) being provided with a pusher body annular (6) which is arranged coaxially and externally to said central body (5) and can carry out a translational movement at will with respect to said central body (5) along the axis of said central body (5) in order to place said sleeve type label (10) around said container to be labeled (3), the entire lower edge of said sleeve type label (10) being on said annular pusher body (6).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Device for applying shrink labels

Technical field

The present invention refers to a device for applying heat shrinkable labels according to the preamble of claim 1 and as known from WO2004 / 085263.

State of the art

In the field of labeling containers such as bottles, jars and the like, it is currently common practice to use shrink sleeves, known in the sector as "shrink sleeve" or sleeve type labels, which are substantially constituted by a tubular plastic film structure. Heat shrink designed to be placed on the side surface of the container to be labeled.

The distinctive feature of the aforementioned labels consists in the fact that, when they are subjected to heating, they retract, in the process adhering completely to the lateral surface of the container on which they are placed.

To complete the labeling operation, in general the container with its label is sent to a heating station 15 where the heat shrinkage of the label on the lateral surface of the container is performed.

This procedure has been found to be completely satisfactory for the application of sleeve type labels in containers such as bottles or containers that have a widened base since in these situations the sleeve type label is placed from above and taken to rest, with its lower edge, on the support surface of the container, against either an edge or a radial projection formed along its longitudinal length.

In these cases there is no risk that the sleeve type label can move with respect to the container (and in particular peel off) during its movement towards the heating station because, as described, its downward movement is well impeded by the surface of support or by radial widenings formed in the container. 25

However, it has been found that in some fields of use, such as for example the application of sleeve-type labels on conical containers with a tapered portion towards the bottom of the container, such as in jars used to package yogurts, puddings or desserts, It is necessary, precisely due to the conical nature of the jar, to operate by applying the sleeve type label from the bottom up.

In these cases the containers are moved along the labeling line by means of guides that engage the surface that faces downward from an upper projection and, in part due to this, it is evident that the sleeve type labels would slide towards below during transport of the container to the heat shrink station.

To solve this problem, devices have been offered that simultaneously execute the application, positioning and shrinkage of the sleeve type label on the container. 35

One such device is, for example, described in European Patent Application No. EP 1606169 in the name of Comag, which refers to a shuttle operated device consisting essentially of two cylindrical bodies that are coaxially arranged to form a gap between them and which are mutually movable along its common axis through the action of an injector, which is also used to inject hot fluid (air or steam) for heat shrinkage. 40

In practice, the sleeve type tag is placed on the inner cylindrical body and rests on suitable protuberances formed on the inner surface of the outer sleeve.

By pushing the outer jacket upwards, the injector transports the sleeve type label, together with the shirt, towards the container to be labeled, in a way that the label is placed on the container, and at the same time the outer shirt is arranged around him. Then, by means of the injector, the hot fluid is introduced into the gap formed between the outer jacket and the container in such a way as to obtain the heat shrinkage of the sleeve type label over the container.

The main drawback of this device is related to the fact that the thrust on the sleeve type tag is applied by protrusions that are angularly spaced around the longitudinal axis.

of the label, which apply vertical forces located at certain points of the label with the consequence that during the heat shrinkage phase they cause localized deformations that can compromise the successful result of the labeling process.

It has also been observed that, in order to simultaneously execute the application, positioning and heat shrinkage of the sleeve type label on the container, it is necessary, for the same speed of the labeling line 5, to significantly reduce the time spent correctly positioning the label with the consequent risk that the sleeve type label may not be perfectly placed on the respective container.

A sleeve type label applicator is also known from EP 1587736 B1 in the name of Benco Pack Srl, which is formed by a first plate which is provided with a plurality of vertical bars to hold the label to be applied and by a second plate which it is movable vertically with respect to the first plate and on which 10 hot air spray nozzles are fixed.

By lifting, by means of a pneumatic lifting device, the second plate, the label and the spray nozzles are arranged around the respective containers.

Subsequently, the introduction of hot air is activated by the spray nozzles, and the heat shrinkage of the labels around the respective containers is obtained. fifteen

Although valid from a conceptual point of view, it has been found that this applicator also has drawbacks.

The main problem refers to the difficulty of placing, at certain speeds, the sleeve type label to be transferred to the container on the plurality of vertical bars that rise from the first plate.

This determines the need to operate more slowly and consequently reduces the productivity of the plant. twenty

In addition, in this case also, if we want to execute the thermo-shrinking process simultaneously with the positioning of the label around the container, then it is necessary to seek to limit as much as possible the time spent in pushing and positioning the sleeve type label around the container, with a consequent increase in the risk of imperfections.

Other types of labeling apparatus are also known to have, usually along the peripheral edge 25 of a carousel, a plurality of forming spindles, around which a section of heat shrinkable film is wrapped, one at a time.

The free ends of the heat shrink film section wrapped around the forming spindle are superimposed and, in the superimposed area, a heat shrink line is executed in such a way as to make, around the forming spindle, a sleeve type label. 30

Some solutions, such as those described in US 3,959,065 and US 4,302,275, specify thrust means that are designed to move the sleeve label up.

When the sleeve type tag is formed directly on the forming spindles, it adheres completely to the outer surface of such forming spindle and, for this reason, the pusher means are typically constituted by an external body having a plurality of pusher elements that are they extend radially in the direction of the axis of the forming spindle and are designed to slide into recesses formed complementary to the forming spindle and running parallel to the longitudinal axis of such forming spindle.

Explanation of the invention.

The main objective of the present invention is to solve the problems in the state of the art and overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by offering a device for applying thermo-shrinking labels that is capable of eliminating, or at least drastically reducing, the drawbacks mentioned above in the devices currently known.

Within this objective, an object of the invention is to provide a device for applying heat shrink labels that make the phase of positioning the sleeve type label around the container to be labeled extremely fast and effective. Four. Five

Another object of the invention is to make available a device for applying thermoset labels that have a high level of operational efficiency, in such a way as to make their use significantly advantageous from an economic point of view as well as from an operational point of view.

This objective, as well as these and other objects that will be better apparent in the following, are achieved by means of a device for applying thermoset labels according to claim 1.

According to another aspect, the present invention refers to a method for applying heat shrink labels according to claim 12.

Brief description of the drawings 5

Other features and advantages of the invention will be better apparent from the following description of preferred but not exclusive embodiments of a device for applying heat shrink labels according to the invention, illustrated by non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings. that:

Figure 1 shows a side elevation view of a labeling line with sleeve type labels wrapped 10 in the central body;

Figure 2 shows, in an enlarged view, the station for applying the sleeve type labels of the labeling line shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the labeling line with the sleeve type labels placed on the containers to be labeled; fifteen

Figure 4 shows, in an enlarged view, the station for applying the sleeve type labels of the labeling line shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a pair of applicators with the associated annular body in the lowered condition;

Figure 6 shows a final elevated view of the applicators shown in Figure 5; twenty

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the applicators with the annular body in the lowered condition, taken along the line marked VII-VII in Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a pair of applicators with the associated annular body in the elevated condition;

Figure 9 shows a final elevated view of the applicators shown in Figure 8; 25

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the applicators with the annular body in the elevated condition, taken along the line marked X-X in Figure 9.

Ways to carry out the invention

In the following embodiments, the individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may actually be exchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other examples of embodiment.

With reference to the figures, the present invention refers to a device, generally designated by reference number 1, for applying thermo-shrinking labels 10 on containers 3 to be labeled such as for example jars for yogurts, puddings or desserts.

The device 1 is located specifically in a station 2 to apply a sleeve type label 10, such station 2 being arranged along a labeling line 100.

The labeling device 1 has at least one applicator 4 that is adapted to feed at least one sleeve-type heat shrink label from around 10 around a respective container 3 to be labeled.

The applicator 4 comprises a central body 5 that is substantially cylindrical or generally formed to conform to the shape of the side surface of the container 3 to be labeled and is designed to accommodate, 40 around its own side surface 5a a respective type label sleeve 10 to be fed to the container to be labeled 3.

Conveniently, the sleeve type label 10 is transferred, already formed, by known means of transfer to the applicator 4.

For example, the central body 5 can thus have a cylindrical side surface 5a with a circular base as shown in the figures, but it can also have a base that is rectangular or triangular or according to the shape of the surface side on which the body tag to be labeled is applied 3.

The applicator 4 also has an annular pusher body 6 that is coaxially arranged to, and outside the central body 5 and which can carry out a translational movement at will with respect to the central body 5 along the axis 101 5 of the central body 5 in order of placing the sleeve type label 10 around a respective container 3 to be labeled.

The mean transverse dimensions of the label 10 are larger (typically 1-5 mm) than the transverse dimensions of the lateral surface 5a of the central body 5 in such a way as to form a conduit or gap between the internal surface of the label 10 and the lateral surface 5a of the central body 5. 10

The device 1 is provided with heating means 7 that act in the region of action of the applicator 4 (and therefore in the application station 2), and which are adapted to activate the partial heat shrinkage of the sleeve type label 10 placed around of the respective container to be labeled 3.

In practical terms, the heating means 7 acting in the application station 2 act, for an extremely short time and / or in localized areas of the sleeve type label 10 in such a way as to allow a partial thermal shrinkage that is at least capable of ensuring that the sleeve type label 10 does not slide down during its subsequent movement along the labeling line 100.

In this regard, it is possible for the labeling line 100 to be provided with a guide 8 for moving the containers 3 to be labeled in the upright condition.

The guide 9 may for example be constituted by a pair of movement rails on which the lower surface of the upper edge of the containers 3 rests.

Conveniently, the heating means 7 may be constituted by first heating means 7a located near the portion of the movement guide 8 which is arranged in the region of action of the applicator 4.

With reference to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the first heating means 7a may be constituted by a perforated conduit 9 which can be connected, at a first end 9a, to a steam supply conduit 11, and in the other end, with a final nozzle 12 to discharge the condensate.

The heating means 7 can also comprise second heating means 13 comprising at least one spray nozzle 13a that is supported by the applicator 4 and which can be moved simultaneously with the annular body 6 in order to be located next to the sleeve type label 10 once it has been positioned by the applicator around the container to be labeled 3. The device 1 is conveniently provided with a station 30 to complete the heat shrink 14 which is arranged downstream of the region of action of the applicator 4 (and therefore both downstream of the application station 2) along the movement guide 8.

The station for completing the heat shrink 14 can be implemented, for example, using heating furnaces 14a that are located below the area through which the containers 3 travel.

According to a preferred embodiment, the central body 5 internally has an axial cavity 15 that accommodates elastic return means, typically a spring 16, acting between the central body 5 (and typically between an upper abutment edge 17) and the annular body 6 and which are adapted to return the annular body 6 to the lowered position (as shown in figures 5 to 7).

The device 1 is also provided with movement means 18 for moving the annular body 6 which act in contrast to the elastic return means in order to push the annular body 6 upwards to carry at will 40 the respective sleeve type label 10 from the lateral surface 5a of the cylindrical body 5 in engagement with the respective container to be labeled 3.

Advantageously, the movement means comprise pusher elements 19 that act, on the impulse of motor means and due to the interposition of kinematic connection means 20, at least partially along the axial cavity 15 of the central body 5. 45

The central body 5 is conveniently provided with first longitudinal grooves 21 that pass through the lateral surface 5a of the central body 5.

The longitudinal grooves 21 can be slidably engaged by respective portions 22 for the connection between the annular body 6 and a central element 23 that can move along the axial cavity 15 under the alternating action of the movement means 18 and the return means elastic. fifty

The central body 5 also has second longitudinal grooves 26 that are adapted to reduce sliding friction between the outer surface 5a of the central body 5 and the inner surface of the sleeve type labels 10 associated therewith.

Conveniently, the central body 5 has a tapered portion 27 that is directed upward and that is adapted to facilitate feeding the sleeve type labels 10 to the central body 5. 5

To increase the productivity of the line, the applicators 4 can be mounted on the outer surface of a drum 28 that rotates around an axis that is substantially horizontal and within which the movement means 18 act.

With this exemplary embodiment, a region can be set aside to feed the sleeve-type labels 10 to the central bodies 5 before they are taken to the application station 2. 10

The present invention also makes reference to a method for applying thermoset labels 10 to containers to be labeled 3 comprising the phases of:

- feed a container to be labeled 3 to a station 2 to apply a sleeve-type heat shrink label 10;

- feed from the bottom, by means of an applicator 4, a sleeve type label 10 to the container to be labeled 3; fifteen

- heating, by virtue of heating means 7 arranged in the application station 2, at least a portion of the sleeve type label 10 placed around the container 3 to be labeled in order to activate the partial heat shrinkage of the sleeve type label 10;

- sending the container 3 from the application station 2 to a heating station 14 which is adapted to complete the heat shrinkage of the sleeve type label 10 on the container to be labeled 3. 20

The invention conceived in this way is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

In practice it has been discovered that in all the embodiments the invention has fully achieved the objective and the objects.

In particular, the use of the central cylindrical body facilitates the feeding of the sleeve type labels 10 to the 25 applicator 4 and the annular body 6, on which the entire lower edge of the sleeve type label rests 10, makes it possible to push the label upwards evenly without the possibility of creating localized tensions.

In addition, the possibility of carrying out the thermo-shrinking process in two different times (and in particular in two different regions) makes it possible to significantly increase the time taken to position the label, drastically reducing the possibility of errors during this critical phase. 30

In practice the dimensions can be any according to the requirements.

In addition, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In this regard, there is no specific reason to prevent the annular body 6 from being divided into one or more sections.

Where the technical elements mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by example by such reference signs.

Claims (12)

1. A device (1) for applying heat shrink labels (10) comprising at least one applicator (4) that is adapted to feed from below, and located in an application station (2) for applying a sleeve type label, to the minus a sleeve-type heat shrink label (10) around a respective container (3) to be labeled, said applicator (4) comprising a central body (5) that is substantially cylindrical or is formed 5 to conform to the shape of said container to be labeled (3), said device (1) comprising transfer means for transferring said sleeve type label (10) to the applicator (4), said sleeve type label (10) is fed around the side surface (5a) of a respective central body (5), characterized in that a gap is provided between the lateral surface (5a) of said central body (5) and the internal surface of the sleeve type label (10) placed on said body center 1 (5), the average transverse dimensions of said type 10 sleeve label (10) being 1-5 mm larger than the transverse dimensions of said lateral surface (5a) of said central body (5), said device (1) being provided with an annular pusher body (6) which is arranged coaxially and externally to said central body (5) and can carry out a translational movement at will with respect to said central body (5) along the axis of said central body (5) in order to place said sleeve type label (10) around said container to be labeled (3), the entire lower edge of said sleeve type label (10) said annular pusher body (6) being over 15. 2. The device (1) for applying thermoset labels according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises heating means (7) that act in the region of action of said at least one applicator (4) and are adapted to activate the partial heat shrinkage of the sleeve type label (10) placed around the respective container to be labeled (3). twenty 3. The device (1) for applying thermoset labels according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a guide (8) for moving said containers to be labeled (3) in the upright condition, said heating means (7) comprising first heating means (7a) located near the portion of said movement guide (8) which is arranged in the region of action of said at least one applicator (4). The device (1) for applying thermoset labels according to claim 3, characterized in that said heating means (7) comprise second heating means (13) comprising at least one spray nozzle (13a) which is supported by said applicator (4) and can move simultaneously with said annular body (6). 5. The device (1) for applying heat shrink labels according to one or more of the preceding claims 2-4, characterized in that it comprises a station (14) completing the heat shrinking process that is arranged downstream of said region of action of said at least one applicator (4) along said movement guide (8). 6. The device (1) for applying thermoset labels according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said central body (5) is internally provided with an axial cavity (15) that accommodates elastic return means (16 ) acting between said central body (5) and said annular body (6) and are adapted to return said annular body (6) to the lowered position. The device (1) for applying thermoset labels according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises movement means (18) for moving said annular body (6) that act in contrast to said elastic return means for the purpose of pushing said annular body (6) up to move the respective sleeve type label (10) until it engages with the respective container to be labeled (3). 40 The device (1) for applying thermoset labels according to one or more of the preceding claims 7, characterized in that said movement means (18) act at least partially along said axial cavity (15) of said central body (5). 9. The device (1) for applying thermoset labels according to one or more of the preceding claims 8, characterized in that said central body (5) comprises first longitudinal grooves (21) that pass through the lateral surface ( 5a) of said central body (5) and can be slidably engaged by respective portions (22) for the connection between said annular body and a central element (23) that can move along said axial cavity (15) said central element ( 23) kinematically connected to said movement means (16) and said elastic return means. 10. The device (1) for applying thermoset labels according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said central body (5) comprises second longitudinal grooves (26) that are adapted to reduce sliding friction between the lateral surface (5a) of said central body (5) and the internal surface of said sleeve type label (10). 11. The device (1) for applying thermoset labels according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said central body (5) has a tapered portion (27) which is directed upwards and is adapted to facilitate the feeding said sleeve type labels (10) to said central body (5). 12. A method for applying heat shrink labels, comprising the steps of: - feed a container to be labeled (3) to a station (2) to apply a heat shrink label of type 5 sleeve (10); - transferring a sleeve-type heat shrink label (10) to an applicator (4) said applicator (4) comprising a central body (5) that is substantially cylindrical or is formed to conform to the shape of said container to be labeled (3) , said sleeve type label (10) being fed around the lateral surface (5a) of a respective central body (5), a gap being provided between the lateral surface (5a) of said central body (5) and the surface 10 internal of the sleeve type label (10) placed on said central body (5), the average transverse dimensions of said sleeve type label (10) being 1-5 mm larger than the transverse dimensions of said lateral surface (5a) of said central body (5); - feeding from below, by means of said applicator (4), said sleeve type label (10) to said container to be labeled (3), an annular pusher body (6) being coaxially and externally arranged to said central body (5) and 15 being able to carry out a translational movement at will with respect to said central body (5) along the axis of said central body (5) in order to place said sleeve type label (10) around said container to be labeled (3), the entire lower edge of said sleeve type label (10) resting on said annular pusher body (6); - heating, by virtue of heating means (7) arranged in said application station (2), at least a portion of said sleeve type label (10) placed around said container to be labeled (3) in order to activating the partial heat shrinkage of said sleeve type label (10); - sending said container (3) from said application station (2) to a heating station (14) that is adapted to complete the heat shrinkage of said sleeve type label (10) on said container to be labeled (3). 25