Labelling machine and apparatus for the automatic loading of the main magazine of a labelling machine, and a supply magazine which can be used in such an apparatus

In a labelling machine for attaching a label to at least one container or the like, the labelling machine comprising:

• a container platform for supporting at least one container thereon:
• means for applying a label to at least one container, the means for applying a label being disposed adjacent the container platform;
• means for transporting at least one container past the means for applying a label;
• means for feeding at least one container into the labelling machine;
• means for feeding at least one container out of the labelling machine;
• means for supplying labels to the means for applying a label, said means for supplying labels comprising:
• a supply magazine for containing a supply of labels;
• a main magazine disposed between said supply magazine and the means for applying a label;
• means for pivoting said supply magazine between a first position for loading labels from said supply magazine into said main magazine, and a second position, said second position being a standby position wherein labels are not loadable into said main magazine;
• said supply magazine comprising an opening for permitting ejection of labels out of said supply magazine;
• said main magazine comprising means for receiving labels from said supply magazine, said means for receiving comprising an opening;
• and
• said means for pivoting comprising means for disposing said opening of said supply magazine immediately adjacent said opening of said main magazine in said first position of said supply magazine, and for permitting transfer of the labels in said supply magazine to said main magazine.

In a labelling machine for attaching a label to at least one container or the like, the labelling machine comprising:

• a container platform for supporting at least one container thereon;
• means for applying a label to at least one container, the means for applying a label being disposed adjacent the container platform;
• means for transporting at least one container past the means for applying a label;
• means for feeding at least one container into the labelling machine;
• means for feeding at least one container out of the labelling machine;
• a main magazine for supplying labels to the means for applying a label;
• the main magazine comprising an opening for receiving labels;
• the main magazine further comprising two guide elements disposed spaced-apart from one another and immediately adjacent the opening of the main magazine;
• means for inserting labels into the main magazine, the means for inserting comprising means for exerting a force in a first direction to insert the labels into the main magazine;
• a supply magazine for containing a supply of labels to be loaded into the main magazine;
• said supply magazine comprising:
• means for retaining labels within said supply magazine before insertion of the labels into the main magazine;
• said means for retaining comprising two retaining member means;
• said two retaining member means each having means for exerting a force on the labels in said supply magazine in a direction to retain the labels in said supply magazine, said retaining direction being opposite to the first direction;
• said two retaining member means each comprising means for withdrawing each of said two retaining member means from contact with the labels, as labels are being supplied by said supply magazine;
• said two retaining member means each comprising a retaining element, said retaining elements being disposed opposite one another;
• said supply magazine further comprising a base wall and at least two side walls, said at least two side walls being disposed both opposite one another, and substantially perpendicular to said base wall;
• one of said retaining elements being disposed along one of said at least two side walls, the other of said retaining elements being disposed along the other of said at least two side walls;
• said means for retaining further comprising means for permitting movement of each of said retaining elements with respect to a corresponding one of said at least two side walls, each of said retaining elements being movable at least partially into the opening of the main magazine during loading of the main magazine;
• said supply magazine being configured for containing a stack of labels, the stack of labels having a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to said at least two side walls;
• each of said retaining elements comprising a leaf spring disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the label stack, each said leaf spring being movable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the label stack;
• said at least two side walls and said base wall together forming an opening for permitting ejection of labels out of said supply magazine;
• each said leaf spring comprising a first end and a second end, said first ends of said leaf springs being disposed adjacent said opening of said supply magazine, and said second ends of said leaf springs being disposed a substantial distance away from said first ends;
• said means for exerting a force comprising a projection disposed at each of said first ends of said leaf springs, each of said projections being in contact with the label stack;
• each of said projections extending from a corresponding one of said leaf springs towards the longitudinal axis of the label stack;
• said means for withdrawing comprising a curved portion disposed on each of said first ends of said leaf springs, said curved portions each being rounded outwardly in a direction away from the longitudinal axis of the label stack;
• and
• each of said curved portions engaging with a corresponding one of said two guide elements of said main magazine to move said projections of said leaf springs out of said contact with the label stack, to release the label stack from said supply magazine.

A method of operating a labelling machine for attaching a label to at least one container or the like, the labelling machine comprising:

• a container platform for supporting at least one container thereon;
• means for applying a label to at least one container, said means for applying a label being disposed adjacent said container platform;
• means for transporting at least one container past said means for applying a label;
• means for feeding at least one container into said labelling machine;
• means for feeding at least one container out of said labelling machine;
• means for supplying labels to said means for applying a label, said means for supplying labels comprising:
• a supply magazine for containing a supply of labels;
• a main magazine disposed between said supply magazine and said means for applying a label;
• means for pivoting said supply magazine between a first position for loading labels from said supply magazine into said main magazine, and a second position, said second position being a standby position wherein labels are not loadable into said main magazine;
• said supply magazine comprising an opening for permitting ejection of labels out of said supply magazine;
• said main magazine comprising means for receiving labels from said supply magazine, said means for receiving comprising an opening;
• and said means for pivoting comprising means for disposing said opening of said supply magazine immediately adjacent said opening of said main magazine in said first position of said supply magazine, and for permitting transfer of the labels in said supply magazine to said main magazine, said method comprising the steps of:
• providing a container platform for supporting at least one container thereon:
• providing means for applying a label to at least one container, said means for applying a label being disposed adjacent said container platform;
• providing means for transporting at least one container past said means for applying a label;
• providing means for feeding at least one container into said labelling machine;
• providing means for feeding at least one container out of said labelling machine;
• providing means for supplying labels to said means for applying a label, said step of providing the means for supplying labels comprising:
• providing a supply magazine containing a supply of labels;
• providing a main magazine disposed between said supply magazine and said means for applying a label;
• providing means for pivoting said supply magazine between a first position for loading labels from said supply magazine into said main magazine, and a second position, said second position being a standby position wherein labels are not loadable into said main magazine;
• said step of providing said supply magazine further comprising providing an opening for permitting ejection of labels out of said supply magazine;
• said step of providing said main magazine further comprising providing means for receiving labels from said supply magazine, said means for receiving comprising an opening;
• said step of providing means for pivoting further comprising means for disposing said opening of said supply magazine immediately adjacent said opening of said main magazine in said first position of said supply magazine, and for permitting transfer of the labels in said supply magazine to said main magazine;
• said method further comprising the steps of:
• feeding at least one container into the labelling machine, with the means for feeding;
• supporting at least one container on the means for supporting;
• transporting at least one container past said means for applying a label, with the means for transporting;
• applying a label to at least one container, with the means for applying a label;
• supplying labels to said means for applying a label, with the means for supplying labels by:
• pivoting the supply magazine from the second, standby position into the first position, with the means for pivoting;
• disposing said opening of said supply magazine immediately adjacent said opening of said main magazine;
• transferring the labels out of the opening of the supply magazine into the opening of the main magazine;
• and
• pivoting the supply magazine from the first position to the second, standby position with the means for pivoting.