Method and machine for labelling bunches of cloths

A machine for labelling a bunch of cloths stacked onto one another, the machine comprising a frame defining a bearing plane for the bunch, a supplying device mounted to said frame and configured for supplying a series of labels containing each a respective identifying code for a single cloth of the bunch, and a labelling device mounted to said frame and comprising a gripping element having an end provided with a cavity configured for being obstructed by a label of the aforesaid series, pneumatic devices pneumatically connected to said cavity for varying pressure in said cavity, and movement devices configured for moving said gripping element with respect to said bearing plane, the machine further comprising an electronic central control unit programmed for controlling the supplying device, the movement devices and the pneumatic devices, the machine being programmed to perform the following steps:

• laying the end of the gripping element onto the label containing the respective identifying code of an upper cloth on top of a bunch of cloths arranged at least partially on said bearing plane, so that the label obstructs the cavity, and creating in the cavity a pressure lower than an ambient pressure in order to take the label;
• laying the label onto the upper cloth on a labelling area of the upper cloth, and fixing the label to the upper cloth;
• after the preceding step, providing in the cavity a pressure lower than an ambient pressure so that the gripping element grips the label and, while the gripping element continues to grip the label, shifting the gripping element and thereby moving the label and the labelling area of the upper cloth to a different location;
• after the preceding step, increasing pressure in the cavity of the gripping element until the label gets off the gripping element, so that the labelling area of the upper cloth which was moved by the gripping element reaches a firm position away from the respective labelling area of a cloth lying directly below the upper cloth, so as to enable a subsequent application of a respective label onto the respective labelling area of the cloth lying directly below.