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EP-4735339-A1 - LINEAR LABELING MACHINE FOR CONTAINERS

EP4735339A1EP 4735339 A1EP4735339 A1EP 4735339A1EP-4735339-A1

Abstract

A linear labeling machine for containers, which comprises a base frame (2), which supports at least one linear conveyor (3), configured to move the containers to be labeled along an advancement direction (100), and at least one labeling station (4), arranged along the above-mentioned advancement direction (100) and configured to apply at least one label to the containers transiting on the linear conveyor (3); the base frame (2) comprises at least one longitudinally extended supporting element (5), which extends substantially parallel to the advancement direction (100) of the containers; coupling means (7) are defined along the supporting element (5) for fixing the at least one labeling station (4) to the supporting element (5), in any position with respect to the longitudinal extension of the supporting element (5).

Inventors

  • BONARDI, LUCA

Assignees

  • P.E. Labellers S.p.A.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240509

Claims (9)

  1. 1. A linear labeling machine for containers, which comprises a base frame (2) which supports at least one linear conveyor (3), configured to move the containers to be labeled along an advancement direction (100), and labeling means, arranged along said advancement direction (100), for applying at least one label to the containers transiting on said linear conveyor (3), characterized in that said base base frame (2) comprises at least one longitudinally extended supporting element (5), which extends substantially parallel to said advancement direction (100), coupling means (7) being defined along said supporting element (5) for fixing, to said supporting element (5), in any position with respect to the longitudinal extension of said supporting element, at least one supporting element (8), which supports at least part of said labeling means.
  2. 2. The machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said coupling means (7) are of the removable type.
  3. 3. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling means (7) are arranged along at least one of longitudinal edges of said supporting element (5).
  4. 4. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said coupling means (7) comprise a plurality of coupling regions which are distributed along the longitudinal extension of said supporting element (5) and are selectively engageable by way of fixing means (9) for connecting said at least one supporting element (8) to said supporting element (5).
  5. 5. The machine according to claim 4, characterized in that said coupling regions comprise a plurality of engagement holes (10) which are arranged uniformly spaced apart along the longitudinal extension of said supporting element (5) and are engageable by connecting screws (11) adapted to fix said at least one supporting element (8) to said supporting element (5).
  6. 6. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one supporting element (8) comprises at least one bracket which can be fixed in a cantilever manner, by virtue of said coupling means (7), to said supporting element (5) and which defines at least one resting surface for mounting said labeling means.
  7. 7. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said supporting element comprises at least one beam which is mounted, at its ends, on supporting sides (13, 14) which rest on the floor, said linear conveyor (3) extending through said sides (13, 14).
  8. 8. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said labeling means comprise at least one labeling station (4).
  9. 9. The machine according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said labeling means comprise at least one auxiliary labeling device.

Description

LINEAR LABELING MACHINE FOR CONTAINERS The present invention relates to a linear labeling machine for containers. Linear labeling machines are known which comprise, on a supporting structure, a linear conveyor which makes it possible to move the containers to be labeled along an advancement direction, and one or more labeling stations, arranged along the longitudinal extension of the linear conveyor, which are configured to automatically apply the labels onto the containers transiting on the linear conveyor. Currently, the supporting structure of linear labeling machines is typically made up of a footing formed by one or more tables, which are placed side by side one after the other along the longitudinal extension of the linear conveyor and which define, on top, a resting surface, on which the linear conveyor and the labeling stations are mounted. This structure of linear labeling machines, in addition to being extremely cumbersome, does not allow a rapid and convenient substitution of the labeling stations, so as to be able to adapt the machine to the application of different types of labels. Furthermore, in current linear labeling machines, the number and the position of the labeling stations, as well as of other auxiliary devices that contribute to the execution of the labeling, such as video cameras, screw feeders or the like, need to be established at the design and construction stage of the machine and, if modifications are required after the initial configuration of the machine, it is necessary either to change the machine, with evident increase in costs, or to carry out considerable intervention operations, which are not always possible, such as perforating the tables of the footing, in order to be able to reposition the labeling stations and the auxiliary devices, with considerable expenditure of time and labor. The aim of the present invention is to provide a linear labeling machine that is capable of improving the known art in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects. Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a linear labeling machine which allows a simple and rapid modification of its configuration, so as to be extremely versatile. Another object of the invention is to provide a linear labeling machine which in terms of construction is simple to provide. Another object of the invention is to provide a linear labeling machine which in terms of dimensions less cumbersome than traditional machines. Another object of the invention is to provide a linear labeling machine that is capable of offering the highest guarantees of reliability and safety in its operation. A further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the known art in an alternative manner to any existing solutions. Another object of the invention is to provide a linear labeling machine which is competitive from a purely economic viewpoint as well. This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a linear labeling machine according to claim 1, optionally provided with one or more of the characteristics of the dependent claims. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the linear labeling machine according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine according to the invention, in a possible configuration thereof; Figure 2 is a perspective view from below of the machine according to the invention, with parts omitted for the sake of simplicity; Figure 3 is a plan view from below of the machine according to the invention; Figure 4 is a plan view from above of the machine according to the invention; Figure 5 is a side view of the machine according to the invention; Figure 6 is a front elevation view of the machine according to the invention; Figure 7 is a partially exploded perspective view of the machine according to the invention. With reference to the figures, the linear labeling machine for containers according to the invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a base frame 2, which supports at least one linear conveyor 3, which is configured to move the containers to be labeled along a substantially straight advancement direction 100. For example, the linear conveyor 3 can be constituted by a conveyor belt moving in the advancement direction 100, on which the containers to be labeled are placed. The base frame 2 furthermore supports labeling means, which make it possible to apply one or more labels on the containers transiting on the linear conveyor 3. In particular, such labeling means comprise at least one labeling station 4, which is arranged along the advancement direction 100 of the containers which is defined by the linear conveyor 3 and is configured to apply at least one label on each individ