Labeling module with optimized start-up
AssigneeSidel Participations
InventorsMattia GIULIANI, Alberto RIZZI
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described is a labeling module for a labeling machine configured to label containers designed to contain a pourable product by means of labels obtained from a strip of labeling material. Also described is a packaging line for packaging a pourable product, the packaging line including the labeling machine. Also described are methods for labeling containers for a pourable product using the labeling machine.
Claims18
A labeling module for a labeling machine configured to label containers designed to contain a pourable product by means of labels obtained from a strip of labelling material, the module comprising:
- a feeding system including a feed roller that feeds the strip along a feed path;
- a transfer drum which is arranged downstream of the feed roller, along the feed path, and is configured to receive a series of labels, to transport them and to apply them in sequence onto respective containers;
- a cutting device including a cutting roller configured to cut repeatedly the strip at a cutting station which is arranged along the feed path, so as to separate in sequence the labels from the strip, the feed roller being configured to supply the strip towards the cutting station;
- and
- a control unit;
- the module being configured to operate in a normal working condition, in which the transfer drum, the cutting roller and the feed roller operate at respective linear peripheral working speeds, so as to label the containers with labels of a desired length, and in a transient start-up condition, in which the transfer drum, the cutting roller and the feed roller are accelerated from respective initial linear peripheral speeds, which are preferably zero, to respective linear peripheral working speeds;
- wherein the control unit is configured to control, during the transient start-up condition, the start-up of the transfer drum, the cutting roller and the feed roller from the respective initial speeds to the respective working speeds;
- wherein the control unit is configured to activate automatically the start-up of the feed roller after the transfer drum and the cutting roller have reached the respective peripheral working speeds.
A packaging line for packaging a pourable product inside containers (2), the packaging line comprising:
- a filling machine for filling the containers with the pourable product;
- and
- a labeling machine for labeling the containers;
- wherein the labeling machine comprises a rotating conveyor for moving the containers along a labeling path and a labeling module as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the module being arranged along the periphery of the rotating conveyor, the transfer drum being configured to apply labels onto the containers conveyed by the rotating conveyor;
- and wherein, in said normal working condition, the conveyor is synchronized with the drum so that the labels are correctly applied.
A method for labeling containers designed to contain a pourable product, the method comprising the steps of:
- feeding a strip with a motor-driven feed roller along a feed path;
- repeatedly cutting the strip with a cutting device including a motor-driven cutting roller, at a cutting station which is arranged along the feed path, so as to separate in sequence the labels from the strip, the feed roller being configured to supply the strip towards the cutting station;
- receiving a series of labels by a motor-driven transfer drum arranged downstream of the feed roller, along the feed path, transporting the labels and applying the labels in sequence onto respective containers;
- operating in a normal working condition, in which the transfer drum, the cutting roller and the feed roller operate at respective linear peripheral working speeds, so as to label the containers with labels having a desired length;
- operating in a transient start-up condition, in which the transfer drum, the cutting roller and the feed roller are accelerated from respective initial linear peripheral speeds, which are preferably zero, to the respective linear peripheral working speeds;
- controlling, during the transient start-up condition, the start-up of the transfer drum, the cutting roller and the feed roller from the respective initial speeds to the respective working speeds;
- and
- automatically activating the start-up of the feed roller after the transfer drum and the cutting roller have reached the respective working speeds.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.