Label handling system in an in Mould labelling machine

A method of providing an in mould labelling (IML) machine with IML labels, including using a transfer device with an unrolling device, wherein the transfer device comprises at least four holders, which are movable between a first position and a second position, whereby the first position has a first predetermined relationship between the at least four holders regarding a first distance in an X-direction, and wherein the at least four holders are intended to retrieve the IML labels when in the first position from the unrolling device, which comprises a label web, the length of which extends in a Y-direction, having partially stamped out IML labels, wherein the IML labels are attached to the label web through micro connections, whereby the second position has a second predetermined relationship between the at least four holders regarding a second distance in the X-direction relative to one another, the first distance in the X-direction being different from the second distance in the X-direction, wherein the at least four holders are intended to deliver the IML labels to the label handling system in the second position and in which the unrolling device comprises adjustment means in order to allow retrieval of IML labels in the first position, the adjustment means adjusting distances in the Y-direction so that a retrieval distance in the Y-direction between IML labels in the first position is different from a printing distance in the Y-direction between two adjacent IML labels in the label web, wherein a delivery distance between delivered IML labels in the second position in the Y-direction is bigger than the printing distance in the Y-direction between two adjacent IML labels in the web and is the same as the retrieval distance in the Y-direction between IML labels in the first position, wherein the unrolling device exposes the IML labels with a predetermined distance between the IML labels in the Y-direction, along a longitudinal extension of the label web, which is a different distance in the Y-direction than an existing distance between adjacent IML labels in the label web, by feeding the label web with pre-stamped IML labels through the unrolling device and wherein the transfer device retrieves the IML labels from the label web with the aid of the at least four holders, in the first position, with the IML labels at the first distance between them in the X-direction, across the longitudinal extension of the label web, which at least four holders move the IML labels to the second position for delivery of the IML labels to the label handling system, wherein the second distance between the IML labels is different from the first distance in the first position in the X-direction.

An in mould labelling (IML) system comprising:

• an unrolling device having a label web having partially stamped out IML labels, the label web having a length extending in a Y-direction and a width extending in an X-direction;
• and
• a transfer device comprising:
• first and second uprights each having a longitudinal axis extending along a length thereof;
• and
• at least one holder attached to each of the first and second uprights and arranged orthogonally to the respective first and second uprights, each holder having a plate at an end thereof for retrieving one of the IML labels,
• wherein the first and second uprights are each rotatable about the respective longitudinal axis to move the holders from a first position where each plate retrieves the respective IML label from the label web to a second position where each plate delivers the respective IML label to a label handling system, and
• wherein when the holders are in the first position, the at least one holder on the first upright is spaced a first distance from the at least one holder on the second upright in the X-direction, and when the holders are in the second positon, the at least one holder on the first upright is spaced a second distance different from the first distance from the at least one holder on the second upright in the X-direction,
• wherein rotation of the first and second uprights about the longitudinal axis affects rotation of the holders such that the holders are rotatable 180 degrees from the first position to the second position to deliver the IML labels to the label handling system, and
• wherein a delivery distance between delivered IML labels in the second position in the Y-direction is bigger than a printing distance in the Y-direction between two adjacent IML labels in the web and is the same as a retrieval distance in the Y-direction between IML labels in the first position.