Machine and method for labelling a stack of elements
AssigneeAl-Gar Projects, S.L.
InventorSilvia Alcázar Homs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A labelling machine for labelling a stack of elements is intended for the automated placement of a label located between elements forming part of the stack, and includes a support structure; printing means configured for printing a label to be placed on a stack of elements; a head supported on the support structure, the head being provided with printing means, the head being movable and adjustable at least in height through guiding means and motorized means; and separation means intended for separating two elements superimposed on one another forming part of the stack, such that they vertically separate an element to be handled, generating a free space between the two elements intended for the arrangement of the label.
Claims16
A labelling machine for labelling a stack of elements for placing a label located between elements, the labelling machine comprising:
- a support structure;
- a printing means configured for printing a label to be placed on a stack of elements;
- a head supported on the support structure, the head being provided with the printing means, the head being movable and adjustable at least in height through guiding means and motorised means;
- and
- a separation means intended for separating two elements superimposed on one another forming part of the stack, such that they vertically separate an element to be handled, generating a free space between the two elements intended for the arrangement of the label,
- wherein abutment means are provided located in the head intended for making contact with a stack of elements to be handled and preventing the movement of the stack of elements during the placement of the printed label, the abutment means located in the head comprising a pneumatic cylinder located in an inclined plane with respect to a horizontal plane, the pneumatic cylinder being coupled to an abutting platen provided with a surface oriented in a vertical plane and intended for abutting with the stack of sheets, and wherein the separation means comprise at least one retractable blade, such that it is movable from a first retracted position to a second extended position in which said at least one blade is introduced into the stack of elements.
A method for labelling a stack of elements to be handled, using a labelling machine, the labelling machine comprising
- a support structure;
- a printing means configured for printing a label to be placed on a stack of elements;
- a head supported on the support structure, the head being provided with the printing means, the head being movable and adjustable at least in height through guiding means and motorised means;
- and
- a separation means intended for separating two elements superimposed on one another forming part of the stack, such that they vertically separate an element to be handled, generating a free space between the two elements intended for the arrangement of the label,
- wherein abutment means are provided located in the head intended for making contact with a stack of elements to be handled and preventing the movement of the stack of elements during the placement of the printed label, the abutment means located in the head comprising a pneumatic cylinder located in an inclined plane with respect to a horizontal plane, the pneumatic cylinder being coupled to an abutting platen provided with a surface oriented in a vertical plane and intended for abutting with the stack of sheets, and wherein the separation means comprise at least one retractable blade, such that it is movable from a first retracted position to a second extended position in which said at least one blade is introduced into the stack of elements;
- wherein the method comprises the execution of labelling on a stack of elements to be handled is carried out by the steps of:
- moving the abutting platen closer so as to come into contact with one side of the stack;
- separating two elements which are superimposed on one another, such that they define a space between both two elements;
- deploying the separation means in a forward movement direction in a horizontal movement;
- printing a label using the printing means, such that the printed label is partially inserted into the space existing between the two separated elements;
- and
- retracting the separation means in a backward movement direction to its standby position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.