US20140216281A1 - Machine and method for marking articles - Google Patents
Machine and method for marking articles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140216281A1 US20140216281A1 US13/840,537 US201313840537A US2014216281A1 US 20140216281 A1 US20140216281 A1 US 20140216281A1 US 201313840537 A US201313840537 A US 201313840537A US 2014216281 A1 US2014216281 A1 US 2014216281A1
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- Prior art keywords
- marking
- axis
- article
- carriage
- along
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D22/00—Shaping without cutting, by stamping, spinning, or deep-drawing
- B21D22/02—Stamping using rigid devices or tools
- B21D22/022—Stamping using rigid devices or tools by heating the blank or stamping associated with heat treatment
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F16/00—Transfer printing apparatus
- B41F16/0006—Transfer printing apparatus for printing from an inked or preprinted foil or band
- B41F16/002—Presses of the rotary type
- B41F16/0026—Presses of the rotary type with means for applying print under heat and pressure, e.g. using heat activable adhesive
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F16/00—Transfer printing apparatus
- B41F16/0006—Transfer printing apparatus for printing from an inked or preprinted foil or band
- B41F16/0073—Transfer printing apparatus for printing from an inked or preprinted foil or band with means for printing on specific materials or products
- B41F16/008—Transfer printing apparatus for printing from an inked or preprinted foil or band with means for printing on specific materials or products for printing on three-dimensional articles
- B41F16/0086—Transfer printing apparatus for printing from an inked or preprinted foil or band with means for printing on specific materials or products for printing on three-dimensional articles for printing on articles with cylindrical surfaces
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F17/00—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for
- B41F17/002—Supports of workpieces in machines for printing on hollow articles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
- B41F17/00—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for
- B41F17/08—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces
- B41F17/14—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces on articles of finite length
- B41F17/18—Printing apparatus or machines of special types or for particular purposes, not otherwise provided for for printing on filamentary or elongated articles, or on articles with cylindrical surfaces on articles of finite length on curved surfaces of articles of varying cross-section, e.g. bottles, lamp glasses
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41P—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO PRINTING, LINING MACHINES, TYPEWRITERS, AND TO STAMPS
- B41P2217/00—Printing machines of special types or for particular purposes
- B41P2217/50—Printing presses for particular purposes
- B41P2217/60—Means for supporting the articles
- B41P2217/62—Means for supporting the articles externally, e.g. for bottles
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a machine and a method for marking articles, in particular by hot stamp marking.
- the field of the invention is that of marking rigid articles such as containers, for example made of glass, metal or plastic, with thick walls.
- a marking machine in a known manner, includes a marking head fitted with at least one marking member, of the roller or punch type.
- the marking head is configured to apply a marking force on an article, in particular a container, by means of the marking member.
- the interposition of a marking tape between the marking head and the container makes it possible to create a pattern on the outer surface of the container, or indeed the interposition of a label enables the marking of the surface by labeling.
- the machine may comprise one or more container transport stations facing the marking head, movable according to a linear displacement path, for example on rails, or according to a rotary displacement path, for example on a swivel castor wheel with plate.
- Each transport station includes one or two carriage turrets for supporting the container at its longitudinal ends.
- the first carriage turret comprises a tailstock which is lodged in the neck of the container, while the second carriage turret comprises a catch bottom for holding the container opposite to the neck.
- the tailstock and the base which are fixed in relation to one another, constitute the support means for supporting the ends of the container during its transport and marking.
- Such support means are satisfactory for carrying out paper labelling or silk screen printing, which do not require the application of a significant amount of force to the container. Defects in shape of the container are compensated for by the flexibility of the applicator member for silk screen printing or labels fitted to the marking head.
- the container when the container is made of glass, metal or plastic material and has relatively thick walls, it has greater rigidity and more significant shape defects than a plastic container with thin walls.
- the support means and fixed support rollers are not suitable.
- One aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved machine and method for marking an article, in particular by hot stamp marking, for example on a container made of glass, metal or plastic and having thick walls.
- the invention relates to a machine for marking articles, this machine comprising at least:
- a marking head configured to apply a marking force on an article along a first axis
- the positioning system for positioning the article facing the marking head, wherein the article is positioned generally along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the positioning system comprising at least one carriage turret for holding the article, and
- a support system for supporting the article during its marking by the marking head, the support system comprising at least two rollers which bear the article during the application of the marking force on the article.
- the machine is characterized in that when the article is positioned facing the marking head by at least one carriage turret, this carriage turret has a degree of freedom along a direction which is parallel to the first axis, and in that the support system and/or the at least one carriage turret includes backlash means along a direction parallel to a third axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis to compensate for the shape defects of the article during application of the marking force.
- the invention enables the improvement of the positioning of the article during its marking, and thereby the improvement of the quality of this marking.
- the support system and the carriage turret/s of the positioning system make it possible to define the reference position of the article in view of its marking and then, thanks to their being independently movable, to adapt to its shape defects during marking. If during this marking, the machine included one or more carriage turret or turrets fixed along the axis of marking, as well as supporting rollers fixed relative to each other, the support rollers would not be in contact at all times with the article and could not counter the marking force satisfactorily.
- the machine according to the invention is particularly suitable for hot stamping of articles, in particular of glass containers.
- the machine also includes a system for dispensing the marking tape between the marking head and the article.
- the machine may include a system for dispensing labels, in particular labels that are thick and/or made of metal, between the marking head and the article.
- the machine is a machine for marking articles by labelling.
- Only the support system includes backlash means along a direction parallel to a third axis, these backlash means allowing a linear movement of the support rollers in this direction.
- the positioning system comprises at least one pair of carriage turrets for supporting the article and when the article is positioned facing the marking head by the pair of carriage turrets, each carriage turret of this pair has a degree of freedom independent of the other carriage turret along the direction parallel to the first axis.
- the positioning system comprises at least one pair of carriage turrets supporting the article and one of the two carriage turrets has a degree of freedom in a direction parallel to the second axis, offsetting the length defects of the article supported by the pair of carriage turrets.
- the marking head comprises at least one marking member including an resiliently deformable outer part capable of offsetting the shape defects of the article along the first axis, while the rollers of the support system each include an outer peripheral part having a hardness lower than that of the article and higher than that of the outer part of the marking member.
- the positioning system comprises at least two marking stations each comprising at least one carriage turret, each marking station receives an article to be marked independently of the other marking station or stations, and the support system equipping the machine is a single unique system shared by the different marking stations.
- the positioning system comprises at least two marking stations each comprising at least one carriage turret, each marking station receives an article to be marked independently of the other marking station or stations, and each marking station is associated with a support system specific to it and which is movable with that marking station relative to the marking head.
- the support system has a degree of freedom along a direction parallel to the second axis.
- the support system comprises at least two pairs of rollers and, for each pair of rollers, the backlash means allows movement independent of the other pair or pairs of rollers in a direction parallel to the third axis.
- the invention also relates to a method for marking articles, under the action of a marking head configured to apply a marking force on an article along a first axis, the method comprising the following successive steps:
- a) a step of loading of an article in a positioning system comprising at least one carriage turret; b) a step of positioning the article in front of the marking head via the positioning system, the article being positioned generally along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and interposed between the marking head and a support system comprising at least two rollers adapted to receive the article bearing on it during its marking c) a step of marking consisting in applying the marking force along the first axis on the article via the marking head, and d) a step of unloading of the marked article out of the positioning system.
- the process includes:
- this carriage turret has a degree of freedom along a direction which is parallel to the first axis;
- the shape and form defects of the article are compensated by backlash means along a direction parallel to a third axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, these backlash means equipping the support system and/or the at least one carriage turret.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a marking machine according to an embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a partial view of the machine along the direction of arrow II in FIG. 1 , on an enlarged scale, showing a marking head;
- FIG. 3 is a partial view in perspective of the machine in FIG. 1 , on an enlarged scale, showing a marking station for marking an article;
- FIG. 4 is a view along the arrow IV in FIG. 3
- FIG. 5 is a view on an enlarged of the detail V in FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 6 is a cross section along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5 .
- FIGS. 1 to 6 show a machine 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention, for marking articles.
- the machine 1 is intended to be used for decorating articles 100 by way of applying a marking on the external surface.
- the machine 1 is suitable for the hot stamp marking of containers 100 .
- the machine 1 comprises a base 2 for ground anchoring, an electrical cabinet 3 , a control station 4 , a system 5 for feeding the machine 1 with containers 100 , a marking head 10 , a system 20 for transporting and positioning of containers 100 so as to face the marking head 10 , from the feeding system 5 , as well as a system 30 for supporting the container 100 during the marking process.
- the housing for the electrical cabinet 3 and the housing for the control station 4 are fixed at the base 2 .
- the machine 1 also comprises a system for unloading the marked containers 100 , this system is not shown for the sake of simplification.
- the containers 100 are glass bottles of a generally cylindrical shape.
- the containers 100 extend along a central axis A 100 between a neck 101 and a rear end 102 , or bottom, opposite to the neck 101 .
- the containers 100 have a hollow body 103 of a generally cylindrical shape, whose external surface is intended to receive the marking.
- the body 103 has a circular cross section, centered on the central axis A 100 of revolution of the container 100 .
- glass is an amorphous material that is geometrically imperfect.
- the production of containers 100 out of glass induces defects in shape that are specific to each of them, in other words, that may be variable from one container to another, whether in the same batch of containers or from batch to batch.
- These deformities may be, in particular, defects with respect to concentricity, cylindricity, and axial or radial backlash of the container 100 .
- the lack of eccentricity of the neck 101 with respect to the body 103 may be of the order of two millimeters.
- the diameter of the body 103 may vary by plus or minus one millimeter along the axis A 100 .
- the length of the container 100 between the neck 101 and the end 102 may vary by plus or minus two millimeter along the axis A 100 .
- the container 100 may be fabricated from another rigid material also liable to exhibit geometrical imperfections.
- the container 100 may be made of metal, of various types such as aerosol, fire extinguisher body, metal bottle, etc.
- the container may be made of plastic with thick walls, obtained by molding or blow molding processes, of the types including bottles, jars or pots, or even by overmolding, in particular of plastic material on plastics, on glass or on metal.
- the present invention is applicable to all rigid articles likely to have geometrical imperfections, and particularly irregular external forms. Such articles may be handled by being held by a pair of means for supporting the ends, in particular between center positions as in the example in FIGS. 1 to 6 , or by a means for supporting a single end, whether or not by being held between centers during the marking.
- the machine 1 is capable of compensating for the defects in shape and form specific to each article 100 during its marking.
- the marking head 10 includes a carriage 11 movable relative to the housing for the electrical cabinet 3 along a vertical marking axis X 10 , a carriage 12 movable relative to the carriage 11 along a horizontal axis Z 10 , a system 15 for dispensing marking tape 16 , as well as two marking rollers 18 and 19 mounted so as to pivot on the carriage 12 .
- the marking head 10 is configured to apply a marking force F 10 on a container 100 along the axis X 10 .
- this marking force F 10 may be very significant, for example in the order of 12,000 Newtons.
- the support system 30 is used to define a reference position for the container 100 along the axis X 10 and counter the marking force F 10 , as detailed here below.
- the roller 18 includes a peripheral part 18 a made of silicone, resiliently deformable during the marking of the container 100 as well as a rigid inner part 18 b , for example made of metal.
- the silicone part 18 a has a greater thickness and a lower surface hardness than if the roller 18 had been designed for labelling plastic containers.
- the roller 18 is rotatable relative to the carriage 12 about an axis Y 18 , perpendicular to the axis Z 10 .
- the axis Y 18 is perpendicular to the axis X 10 .
- the diameter of the roller 18 is preferably greater than or equal to the diameter of the body 103 of the container 100 .
- the roller 18 is equipped with a drive motor with digital control arranged in the carriage 12 . During marking, this motor causes the roller 18 to pivot about the axis Y 18 following a rotational movement R 10 , shown by an arrow in FIGS. 3 and 6 , in the direction opposite to that of the container 100 but with the same linear velocity at their interface.
- the description given here above with reference to the roller 18 is applicable to the roller 19 which is rotatable relative to the carriage 12 about an axis Y 19 .
- the carriage 12 or at least a portion of the carriage 12 including the rollers 18 and 19 is removable so as to enable the modification in a simple manner of the configuration of the marking head 10 .
- the marking head 10 may comprise a single marking roller, which preferably has a diameter twice that of the rollers 18 and 19 .
- the dispensing system 15 is configured so as to run the marking tape 16 between the container 100 and the rollers 18 and 19 in the direction schematically represented by an arrow T 16 in FIGS. 2 , 3 and 6 .
- the system 15 includes a single tape 16 , which is shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 and not shown in FIG. 1 .
- the rollers 18 and 19 press-flatten this tape 16 in alternating fashion on successive containers 100 .
- the rollers 18 and 19 have more time to get heated up before carrying out another marking operation.
- the dispensing system 15 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be configured so as to run two tapes 16 in parallel, each one between the container 100 and one of the rollers 18 and 19 .
- rollers 18 and 19 are narrower and offset relative to each other in the direction defined by their axes Y 18 and Y 19 .
- the or each tape 16 travels from a supply reel 17 a to a collecting reel 17 b , under the action of a pulling device 17 c .
- Return rollers 17 d schematically represented for the purpose of simplification, are used to define the path of travel of the tape 16 between the reels 17 a and 17 b , the rollers 18 and 19 and the container 100 .
- the running of the tape 16 is synchronized with the movement of the rollers 18 and 19 .
- the system 20 of transporting and positioning of containers 100 includes a front platen 21 mounted so as to be movable relative to the housing of the control station 4 and a rear platen 22 mounted so as to be movable relative to the housing of the electrical cabinet 3 .
- the housing of the control station 4 is shown partially torn in FIG. 1 in order to better show the platen 21 .
- the platens 21 and 22 are shown in dashed lines in FIG. 4 for the purpose of simplification.
- the platens 21 and 22 are rotatable about a horizontal axis of rotation Y 20 , in a synchronized manner with each other by means of mechanical or digital connection.
- This synchronized rotation may be alternating or continuous depending on the application and the configuration of the machine 1 .
- the axis Y 20 is perpendicular to the axis X 10 and parallel to the axis Y 18 .
- the support system 30 is disposed between the platens 21 and 22 along the front-rear direction, defined in a parallel manner to the axis Y 20 . When the platens 21 and 22 pivot about the axis Y 20 , the support system 30 does not pivot.
- the machine 1 comprises four distinct transport and marking stations.
- the positioning system 20 includes potential transport means for four containers 100 .
- the four stations of the positioning system 20 may have up to three containers 100 simultaneously: one container 100 received from the feeding system 5 before prior to marking, one container 100 in process of being marked by the marking head 10 and one container 100 already marked being sent to the unloading system.
- the last station, close to the base 2 during the rotation of the platens 21 and 22 around the axis Y 20 does not transport any containers 100 .
- the front platen 21 includes four front carriage turrets 60
- the rear platen 22 includes four rear carriage turrets 70 . Except for the synchronized rotation around the axis Y 20 , the component members of the positioning system 20 are independently movable radially to axis Y 20 , as detailed here below.
- the carriage turrets 60 are mutually independent of each other and independent of the carriage turrets 70 .
- the carriage turrets 70 are mutually independent of each other and independent of the carriage turrets 60 .
- Each carriage turret 60 includes means for moving radially to the axis Y 20 .
- each carriage turret 70 includes means for moving radially to the axis Y 20 .
- each independent carriage turret 60 and 70 has a degree of freedom along a direction perpendicular to the axis Y 20 . More specifically, when the marking station, including carriage turrets 60 and 70 is positioned facing the marking head 10 , each independent carriage turret 60 and 70 has a degree of freedom along a direction defined by an axis, respectively X 60 and X 70 , parallel to the axis X 10 and the marking force F 10 .
- Within each marking station formed by a pair of carriage turrets 60 and 70 they are preferably mechanically independent without any mechanical member connected between them. Apart from the synchronized rotation of the platens 21 and 22 around the axis Y 20 , carriage turrets 60 and 70 are independently movable radially, and their movements may be selectively synchronized if necessary.
- each carriage turret 60 and 70 can be connected by a mechanical member.
- each carriage turret 60 and 70 has a degree of freedom along the direction defined by the axes X 60 and X 70 , in a manner that is interdependent on each other.
- the carriage turret 60 is provided with a tailstock 61 adapted to be lodged in the neck 101 formed at the front end of the container 100 , while the carriage turret 70 is provided with a catch bottom 71 for the rear end 102 of the container 100 .
- the tailstock 61 has a profile elongated along an axis Y 60 parallel to the axis Y 20 .
- the tailstock 61 is configured so as to penetrate into the neck 101 , even when there is angular movement between the axes Y 60 and A 100 .
- the bottom 71 has a hollow tubular profile centered on an axis Y 70 parallel to the axis Y 20 .
- the bottom 71 is configured so as to engage around the end 102 , even when there is angular movement between the axes Y 70 and A 100 .
- the container 100 may be maintained between its two ends 101 and 102 by the tailstock 61 and the bottom 71 , which form the means for supporting the ends of the container 100 during its transport, its positioning and marking.
- the axes Y 60 and Y 70 are always parallel to the axis Y 20 and to each other, while the orientation of the axis A 100 depends on the defects in shape and form of the container 100 and on a possible spacing between the axes Y 60 and Y 70 . In the ideal case shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 the axes Y 60 , Y 70 and A 100 are aligned.
- the axis Y 60 is perpendicular to the axis X 60 and the axis Y 70 is perpendicular to the axis X 70 .
- the carriage turret 60 is also provided with a spring 62 disposed between the tailstock 61 and a base 63 for supporting this tailstock 61 .
- the tailstock 61 is mounted so as to be slidable along the axis Y 60 in this support base 63 .
- the spring 62 tends to push the tailstock 61 in the direction of the bottom 71 . Thanks to the spring 62 , the shape defects and deformities of the container 100 in length along its axis A 100 can be compensated.
- the spring 62 shown is a mechanical one, however alternatively the carriage turret 60 can be provided with a pneumatic spring.
- the carriage turret 60 has a degree of freedom along the front-rear direction parallel to the axis Y 60 , in a manner so as to compensate for defects in length of the container 100 along the axis A 100 .
- this compensation may be in the range of plus or minus two millimeters.
- the reference position of the container 100 along the front-rear direction is thus defined by the bottom 71 of the carriage turret 70 .
- the carriage turret 60 further comprises a radial linear guide device 65 , comprising of two rails 66 integrally fixed to the platen 21 pivoting about the axis Y 20 , a block 67 movable radially to the axis Y 20 by sliding on the rails 66 , a pneumatic cylinder 68 and a pressure regulator 69 .
- the device 65 is actuated by the pneumatic cylinder 68 , designed to move the block 67 along the rails 66 .
- the base 63 for supporting the tailstock 61 is integrally fixed to the block 67 .
- the device 65 makes it possible to move the tailstock 61 radially to the axis Y 20 , that is to say along the axis X 60 parallel to the axis X 10 when the carriage turret 60 and the container 100 are positioned facing the marking head 10 .
- the carriage turret 70 comprises a geared motor unit 73 for driving the rotation of the bottom 71 about the axis Y 70 . More precisely, the device 73 is configured so as to pivot the container 100 that is engaged with the bottom 71 along a rotational movement R 100 , represented by an arrow in FIGS. 3 and 6 , about the axis Y 70 during the application of the marking force F 10 .
- the direction of rotation R 100 of the bottom 71 and of the container 100 is opposite to the direction of rotation R 10 of the marking roller 18 .
- the rotations R 10 and R 100 are synchronized with the same linear velocity at their contact interface.
- the turret carriage 70 further comprises a radial linear guide device 75 , comprising of two rails 76 integrally fixed to the platen 21 pivoting about the axis Y 20 , a block 77 movable radially to the axis Y 20 by sliding on the rails 76 , a pneumatic cylinder 78 and a pressure regulator 79 .
- the device 75 is actuated by the pneumatic cylinder 78 , designed to move the block 77 along the rails 76 .
- the geared motor unit 73 is integrally fixed to the block 77 , while the bottom 71 is mounted so as to pivot about the axis Y 70 relative to this block 77 .
- the device 75 enables movement of the bottom 71 radially to the axis Y 20 , that is to say along the axis X 70 parallel to the axis X 10 when the turret carriage 70 and the container 100 are positioned facing the marking head 10 .
- the device 75 of the carriage turret 70 is independent of the device 65 of the carriage turret 60 .
- the pneumatic cylinder 68 and 78 maintain the devices 65 and 75 in stop position internally or externally, which constitutes the reference position of the positioning system 20 radially to the axis Y 20 .
- the axes Y 60 and Y 70 respectively defined by the tailstock 61 and the bottom 71 are as close as possible to the axis Y 20 .
- the support system 30 comprises a vertical linear movement device 32 , the blocks 40 A and 40 B supporting four support rollers 41 , 42 , 43 and 44 arranged in pairs, as well as a support base 50 interposed between the device 32 on the one hand and the blocks 40 A and 40 B on the other hand.
- the four rollers 41 , 42 , 43 and 44 are capable of supporting the container 100 bearing thereon, before and during the application of the marking force F 10 .
- the device 32 is schematically represented only in FIGS. 4 and 6 , in the interest of simplification.
- the device 32 comprises a digital control motor and means for transmitting movement to the base 50 .
- the device 32 is designed to move the base 50 along the vertical direction defined by the axis X 10 , in particular by bringing it closer to the marking head 10 when the container 100 supported by the carriage turrets 60 and 70 is positioned opposite the marking head 10 .
- the base 50 , the blocks 40 A and 40 B and the rollers 41 - 44 are moved by the device 32 by a predetermined distance, for example of the order of five millimeters in the direction of the marking head 10 .
- the container 100 comes to bear on the rollers 41 - 44 and is moved in the direction of the marking head 10 , thanks to the degree of freedom of the carriages turrets 60 and 70 along the axes X 60 and X 70 parallel to the axis X 10 .
- the support system 30 defines a reference position for the container 100 along the axis X 10 , prior to the application of the marking force F 10 . More specifically, the reference position is defined by the rollers 41 - 44 .
- the device 32 exerts on the base 50 a force opposite to the force F 10 , so as to maintain the reference position defined by the rollers 41 - 44 .
- the roller 41 includes an outer peripheral part 41 a made of polyurethane, resiliently deformable during the marking of the container 100 as well as a rigid inner part 41 b , for example made of metal.
- the outer part 41 a has a hardness lower than that of the container 100 and greater than that of the outer part 18 a of the marking rollers 18 and 19 .
- the outer part 41 a does not cause any damage to the container 100 and any eventual decorative embellishments or prior varnishing while ensuring the reference position.
- Mounted in the inner part 41 b is a ball bearing 45 , which itself is mounted on a shaft 46 integrally fixed to a support piece 47 .
- roller 41 is rotatable relative to the support piece 47 around a horizontal axis Y 41 .
- roller 42 which includes in particular an outer peripheral part 42 a made of polyurethane.
- the two support pieces 47 are mounted on a platen 48 , in part, positioned in a housing 57 of the base 50 , as detailed here below.
- the roller 42 is rotatable, relative to its own support piece, about a horizontal axis Y 42 parallel to the axis Y 41 .
- the center to center spacing between the rollers 41 and 42 is constant during the marking. This spacing can be adjusted when the machine 1 is not in operation, in particular so as to accommodate the particular dimensions of a new batch of containers 100 to be marked.
- Two bars 49 are fixed to the sides of the platen 48 , on each side of the rollers 41 and 42 .
- the bars 49 cover the top opening of the housing 57 , on both sides of the platen 48 , so as to prevent dust or foreign objects from getting inside the housing 57 .
- each block 40 A and 40 B includes a pair of rollers, respectively 41 - 42 and 43 - 44 , a pair of bearings 45 , shafts 46 and support pieces 47 , as well as a single platen 48 flanked by two lateral bars 49 .
- the base 50 comprises a stack of platens 51 and 52 , a rail 53 and a recirculating ball bearing guide 54 .
- the platen 51 is a single, while the elements 52 , 53 and 54 are arranged in each block 40 A and 40 B.
- the ball bearings of the recirculating guide 54 are not shown in the cross sectional plane in FIG. 6 .
- the base 50 also includes, for each block 40 A and 40 B, a device 55 for securing the platens 51 and 52 with each other, two lateral walls 56 defining the housing 57 .
- the lower platen 51 is connected to the device 32 .
- the platen 51 is secured to a pin 51 a of trapezoidal shape, while the rail 53 is secured to platen 52 by means of screws not shown in their screw holes for the purpose of simplification.
- the pin 51 a is positioned in a recess 52 a of a trapezoidal shape formed in the platen 52 disposed on the platen 51 .
- the platen 52 can slide over the platen 51 , and then the device 55 serves to lock their respective positions.
- the device 55 includes a piece 55 a which can be pressed flat against the pin 51 a by screwing a screw 55 b in the platen 52 .
- the pin 51 a , the recess 52 a and the device 55 can thus form a mechanical connection of the dovetail type.
- each block 40 A and 40 B is partially housed in the housing 57 , between the walls 56 .
- the platen 48 rests on the recirculating ball bearing guide 54 , forming a sliding connection between the base 50 and the block 40 A or 40 B.
- the support system 30 also includes springs 36 interposed between the base 50 and each block 40 A and 40 B. More specifically, for each block 40 A and 40 B, two springs 36 are disposed on each side of the platen 48 between this platen 48 and the walls 56 .
- the springs 36 are compressible/extensible along a direction defined by a horizontal axis Z 30 perpendicular to the axes X 10 and Z 70 .
- the springs 36 shown are mechanical, however, an alternative support system can be equipped with pneumatic springs.
- the springs 36 constitute the backlash means for the support system 30 along the horizontal direction defined by the axis Z 30 .
- these springs 36 constitute backlash means for each block 40 A or 40 B, and thus for each pair of rollers 41 - 42 or 43 - 44 , along this horizontal direction defined by the axis Z 30 , perpendicular to their respective axes Y 41 and Y 43 .
- the sliding connection defined between each platen 48 and 54 permits and facilitates this backlash along the axis Z 30 .
- the platens 48 and 54 form linear guide means for each block 40 A and 40 B relative to the base 50 .
- the springs 36 and the linear guide means 48 + 54 allow each pair of support rollers 41 - 42 and 43 - 44 to move in linear direction parallel to the axis Z 30 , independently of the other pair of rollers.
- the rollers 41 - 44 remain in contact with the container 100 despite its shape defects and deformities, prior to marking and during its marking, in particular during its rotation around the axis Y 70 .
- the support system 30 may have an additional degree of freedom along the front-rear direction defined parallel to the axes Y 20 , Y 60 and Y 70 .
- each block 40 A and 40 B or at least one of them is also movable relative to the base 50 along this front-rear direction.
- additional backlash means for example of the spring type are disposed between the base 50 and the block 40 A and/or 40 B.
- the backlash for the rollers 41 - 44 is thus possible along two horizontal directions perpendicular to the vertical direction defined by the marking axis X 10 .
- the method comprises a step a) of loading a container 100 in the positioning system 20 , via the feeding system 5 .
- the positioning system 20 includes at least one carriage turret 60 and/or 70 , preferably at least one pair of carriage turrets 60 and 70 .
- the first carriage turret 60 is provided with a tailstock 61 being lodged in the neck 101 of the container 100
- the second carriage turret 70 is provided with a catch bottom 71 for holding the container 100 opposite the neck 101 .
- the method also includes a step b) of positioning the container 100 in front of the marking head 10 via the positioning system 20 .
- the container 100 is positioned generally along the axis Y 70 defined by the bottom 71 , perpendicular to the axis X 10 .
- the container 100 is interposed between the marking head 10 and the support system 30 comprising at least two rollers 41 - 44 , which are adapted to receive the container 100 bearing on it during its marking.
- this or each carriage turret has a degree of freedom along a direction parallel to the axis X 10 . These directions are respectively defined by the axes X 60 and X 70 .
- the method then comprises a step c) of marking consisting in applying the marking force F 10 along the axis X 10 on the container 100 via the marking head 10 and, at the same time, compensating for the defects in shape of the container 100 via the means 36 of backlash in a direction parallel to the axis Z 30 .
- a tape or label 16 is interposed between the marking head 10 and the container 100 .
- the marking force F 10 is applied by one of the rollers 18 or 19 made of silicone, whose flexibility allows it to absorb a part of the defects in shape of the container 100 and the marking force F 10 , without changing the position of the container 100 .
- the axis of backlash Z 30 is perpendicular to the axes X 10 and Y 70 .
- the backlash means 36 are provided to the support system 30 and/or the at least one carriage turret 60 and/or 70 .
- backlash means 36 are provided to the support system 30 , they permit a linear displacement of the support rollers 41 - 44 along the direction parallel to the axis Z 30 .
- the backlash means 36 are provided to at least one of the carriage turrets 60 and 70 , they permit a linear displacement of the tailstock 61 and/or of the bottom 71 along the direction parallel to the axis Z 30 .
- the method comprises finally a step d) of unloading of the marked container 100 out of positioning system 20 , then out of the machine 1 .
- the machine 1 may be shaped differently from the FIGS. 1 to 6 without departing from the scope of the invention.
- the marking head 10 , the positioning system 20 and the support system 30 may be shaped differently.
- each transport station belonging to the positioning system 20 may comprise a single carriage turret 100 for transporting an article 100 .
- the container 100 can be supported by this single carriage turret, or even be held by an additional carriage turret.
- each transport and marking station may comprise a means for supporting a single end of the container 100 , or indeed a pair of means for supporting the ends of the container 100 .
- the machine 1 may include a single marking station.
- the positioning system 20 includes a single carriage turret 60 and/or 70 or a single pair of carriage turrets 60 and 70 .
- the platen 21 includes a single carriage turret 60 and/or the platen 22 includes a single carriage turret 70 .
- the machine 1 comprises at least two marking stations with at least two pairs of carriage turrets 60 and 70 .
- each pair of carriage turrets 60 and 70 constitutes a marking station for a container 100 independently of the other pairs of carriage turrets.
- the support system 30 is a single one and shared by the different marking stations.
- each marking station may be associated with a support system 30 specific to it.
- Each support system 30 is thus equipped with its marking station and movable with this marking station relative to the marking head 10 .
- the carriage turrets 60 and 70 of each pair or of at least some pairs may be connected by one or more mechanical members, for example a bar.
- the rotation of the carriage turrets 60 and 70 around the axis Y 20 is synchronized by mechanical connection.
- each carriage turret 60 and 70 of this pair has a degree of freedom in a direction parallel to the axis X 10 .
- the front carriage turret 60 can be provided with a bottom 71 and with a device for driving the rotation of the bottom 71
- the rear carriage turret 70 is provided with a tailstock 61 and with a damping device.
- one of the carriage turrets 60 and 70 has a degree of freedom along the front-rear direction, in a manner so as to compensate for the defects in the length of the container 100 .
- the means for supporting the ends of container 100 may be configured differently with a tailstock 61 and a bottom 71 .
- the machine 1 in replacement of the system 15 for dispensing of tape 16 , can be equipped with a system for dispensing label to be affixed to the container 100 under the action of the marking head 10 .
- the support system 30 may comprise a single movable block 40 A supported by the base 50 , as well as with backlash means 36 interposed between the block 40 A and the base 50 .
- the movable block 40 A may include one or more pairs of rollers fixed to each other and movable relative to the base 50 thanks to the backlash means 36 .
- the axis X 10 of the marking head 10 may be positioned horizontally, while axis Y 20 of the positioning system 20 is arranged vertically.
- the axis X 10 of the marking head 10 and the axis Y 20 of the positioning system 20 are both arranged vertically.
- the positioning system 20 may be configured as a horizontal disk on which the axis A 100 of the container 100 is oriented horizontally.
- the machine 1 may include a linear transport and positioning system instead of the pivoting transport and positioning system 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 .
- the carriage turrets 60 and 70 may be mounted on parallel rails and be movable linearly in a direction perpendicular to the axis X 10 of the marking head 10 .
- Each pair of carriage turrets 60 and 70 constitutes a marking station for a container 100 independently of other pairs of carriage turrets.
- each of the pneumatic cylinders 68 and 78 may be replaced by a pair of opposing springs, according to an arrangement similar to that of the springs 36 in the support system.
- This variant is particularly applicable to a machine with transport of containers in a horizontal plane, in a linear manner or on a platen with vertical axis.
- the system 20 does not permit the transport of containers 100 from one zone of the machine 1 to another, but only the positioning of the containers 100 in front of the marking head 10 , with the help of a carriage turret 60 and/or 70 or a pair of carriage turrets 60 and 70 .
- the containers may be positioned and unloaded manually from the positioning system 20 comprising at least one carriage turret 60 and/or 70 .
- the machine 1 may be adapted for marking faceted articles, having a generally polygonal cross section.
- the marking head 10 may be equipped with a flat plate, suitable for marking a facet that is generally planar, rather than a cylindrical roller.
- the support system 30 and the bottom 71 are specifically adapted to receive the article with facets.
- the system 30 may include a specific number of pairs of rollers 41 - 44 and/or 41 - 44 these rollers may have a specific arrangement, corresponding to the particular form of the faceted article.
- the positioning system 20 does not necessarily include means for driving the rotation of the bottom 71 .
- the machine 1 may be adapted for the marking of articles of parallelepiped shape, having a generally square or rectangular cross section.
- the cylindrical roller 18 is made to roll on a planar surface of the article.
- the support system 30 and the bottom 71 are specifically adapted to receive this article.
- the positioning system 20 does not necessarily include means for driving the rotation of the bottom 71 .
- the machine 1 may be adapted for marking articles with oval or conical cross section.
- the marking head 10 may be provided with a plate comprising a rigid metal base and a peripheral part made of silicone, which has a profile specially adapted to the particular shape of the article.
- the support system 30 and the bottom 71 are specifically adapted to receive this article.
- the positioning system 20 may comprise a carriage turret, in particular at least one of the independent carriage turrets 60 and 70 of the same pair, which is provided with horizontal backlash means.
- the support system 30 cannot be provided with horizontal backlash means.
- the support system 30 and/or the at least one carriage turret 60 and/or 70 includes backlash means along a direction parallel to the axis Z 30 , which is perpendicular to the axes X 10 and Y 70 in order to compensate for defects in shape and form of the article 100 during the application of the marking force F 10 .
- the machine 1 may be suitably adapted in terms of cost, functionality and performance.
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority to French Patent Application 1350937, filed 4 Feb. 2013, and titled “MACHINE ET PROCEDE DE MARQUAGE D'ARTICLES,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
- The present invention relates to a machine and a method for marking articles, in particular by hot stamp marking. The field of the invention is that of marking rigid articles such as containers, for example made of glass, metal or plastic, with thick walls.
- In a known manner, a marking machine includes a marking head fitted with at least one marking member, of the roller or punch type. The marking head is configured to apply a marking force on an article, in particular a container, by means of the marking member. The interposition of a marking tape between the marking head and the container makes it possible to create a pattern on the outer surface of the container, or indeed the interposition of a label enables the marking of the surface by labeling.
- The machine may comprise one or more container transport stations facing the marking head, movable according to a linear displacement path, for example on rails, or according to a rotary displacement path, for example on a swivel castor wheel with plate. Each transport station includes one or two carriage turrets for supporting the container at its longitudinal ends. For example, the first carriage turret comprises a tailstock which is lodged in the neck of the container, while the second carriage turret comprises a catch bottom for holding the container opposite to the neck. The tailstock and the base, which are fixed in relation to one another, constitute the support means for supporting the ends of the container during its transport and marking. Such support means are satisfactory for carrying out paper labelling or silk screen printing, which do not require the application of a significant amount of force to the container. Defects in shape of the container are compensated for by the flexibility of the applicator member for silk screen printing or labels fitted to the marking head.
- Additionally, it is a known practice to equip the machine with fixed support rollers against which the container is supported during its marking. These support rollers are positioned opposite to the marking head relative to the container and provide a means of countering the marking force applied to the container. In particular, in the context of marking via a hot stamping process or by the application of a label that is thick and/or of metal, the marking force is higher than for a paper labelling or a silk screen printing process. Without the support rollers, the overhang span between the means for supporting the ends might be too large. When the container is made of plastic with thin walls, such as a conventional plastic bottle, due to its flexibility and relatively low degree of manufacturing defects, it is positioned satisfactorily between the support rollers and the marking member.
- However, when the container is made of glass, metal or plastic material and has relatively thick walls, it has greater rigidity and more significant shape defects than a plastic container with thin walls. In this case, the support means and fixed support rollers are not suitable.
- One aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved machine and method for marking an article, in particular by hot stamp marking, for example on a container made of glass, metal or plastic and having thick walls.
- To this end, the invention relates to a machine for marking articles, this machine comprising at least:
- a marking head configured to apply a marking force on an article along a first axis,
- a positioning system for positioning the article facing the marking head, wherein the article is positioned generally along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, the positioning system comprising at least one carriage turret for holding the article, and
- a support system for supporting the article during its marking by the marking head, the support system comprising at least two rollers which bear the article during the application of the marking force on the article.
- The machine is characterized in that when the article is positioned facing the marking head by at least one carriage turret, this carriage turret has a degree of freedom along a direction which is parallel to the first axis, and in that the support system and/or the at least one carriage turret includes backlash means along a direction parallel to a third axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis to compensate for the shape defects of the article during application of the marking force.
- Thus, the invention enables the improvement of the positioning of the article during its marking, and thereby the improvement of the quality of this marking. According to the invention, the support system and the carriage turret/s of the positioning system make it possible to define the reference position of the article in view of its marking and then, thanks to their being independently movable, to adapt to its shape defects during marking. If during this marking, the machine included one or more carriage turret or turrets fixed along the axis of marking, as well as supporting rollers fixed relative to each other, the support rollers would not be in contact at all times with the article and could not counter the marking force satisfactorily. The machine according to the invention is particularly suitable for hot stamping of articles, in particular of glass containers.
- Preferably, the machine also includes a system for dispensing the marking tape between the marking head and the article. Alternatively, the machine may include a system for dispensing labels, in particular labels that are thick and/or made of metal, between the marking head and the article. In this case, the machine is a machine for marking articles by labelling.
- According to other advantageous characteristic features of the machine according to the invention, taken individually or in combination:
- Only the support system includes backlash means along a direction parallel to a third axis, these backlash means allowing a linear movement of the support rollers in this direction.
- The positioning system comprises at least one pair of carriage turrets for supporting the article and when the article is positioned facing the marking head by the pair of carriage turrets, each carriage turret of this pair has a degree of freedom independent of the other carriage turret along the direction parallel to the first axis.
- The positioning system comprises at least one pair of carriage turrets supporting the article and one of the two carriage turrets has a degree of freedom in a direction parallel to the second axis, offsetting the length defects of the article supported by the pair of carriage turrets.
- The marking head comprises at least one marking member including an resiliently deformable outer part capable of offsetting the shape defects of the article along the first axis, while the rollers of the support system each include an outer peripheral part having a hardness lower than that of the article and higher than that of the outer part of the marking member.
- The positioning system comprises at least two marking stations each comprising at least one carriage turret, each marking station receives an article to be marked independently of the other marking station or stations, and the support system equipping the machine is a single unique system shared by the different marking stations.
- The positioning system comprises at least two marking stations each comprising at least one carriage turret, each marking station receives an article to be marked independently of the other marking station or stations, and each marking station is associated with a support system specific to it and which is movable with that marking station relative to the marking head.
- The support system has a degree of freedom along a direction parallel to the second axis.
- The support system comprises at least two pairs of rollers and, for each pair of rollers, the backlash means allows movement independent of the other pair or pairs of rollers in a direction parallel to the third axis.
- The invention also relates to a method for marking articles, under the action of a marking head configured to apply a marking force on an article along a first axis, the method comprising the following successive steps:
- a) a step of loading of an article in a positioning system comprising at least one carriage turret;
b) a step of positioning the article in front of the marking head via the positioning system, the article being positioned generally along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and interposed between the marking head and a support system comprising at least two rollers adapted to receive the article bearing on it during its marking
c) a step of marking consisting in applying the marking force along the first axis on the article via the marking head, and
d) a step of unloading of the marked article out of the positioning system. - The process includes:
- in that during the positioning step b) and marking step c), when the article is positioned facing the marking head by the at least one carriage turret, this carriage turret has a degree of freedom along a direction which is parallel to the first axis; and
- in that during the marking step c), the shape and form defects of the article are compensated by backlash means along a direction parallel to a third axis, which is perpendicular to the first axis and the second axis, these backlash means equipping the support system and/or the at least one carriage turret.
- The invention will be better understood upon reading the description which follows, given by way of non-limiting example and with reference made to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a marking machine according to an embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a partial view of the machine along the direction of arrow II inFIG. 1 , on an enlarged scale, showing a marking head; -
FIG. 3 is a partial view in perspective of the machine inFIG. 1 , on an enlarged scale, showing a marking station for marking an article; -
FIG. 4 is a view along the arrow IV inFIG. 3 -
FIG. 5 is a view on an enlarged of the detail V inFIG. 4 ; and -
FIG. 6 is a cross section along the line VI-VI inFIG. 5 . -
FIGS. 1 to 6 show a machine 1, according to an embodiment of the invention, for marking articles. - The machine 1 is intended to be used for decorating
articles 100 by way of applying a marking on the external surface. In particular, the machine 1 is suitable for the hot stamp marking ofcontainers 100. - The machine 1 comprises a
base 2 for ground anchoring, anelectrical cabinet 3, acontrol station 4, asystem 5 for feeding the machine 1 withcontainers 100, a markinghead 10, asystem 20 for transporting and positioning ofcontainers 100 so as to face the markinghead 10, from thefeeding system 5, as well as asystem 30 for supporting thecontainer 100 during the marking process. The housing for theelectrical cabinet 3 and the housing for thecontrol station 4 are fixed at thebase 2. The machine 1 also comprises a system for unloading themarked containers 100, this system is not shown for the sake of simplification. - In the example in
FIGS. 1 to 6 , thecontainers 100 are glass bottles of a generally cylindrical shape. Thecontainers 100 extend along a central axis A100 between aneck 101 and arear end 102, or bottom, opposite to theneck 101. Thecontainers 100 have ahollow body 103 of a generally cylindrical shape, whose external surface is intended to receive the marking. Thebody 103 has a circular cross section, centered on the central axis A100 of revolution of thecontainer 100. - In practical terms, glass is an amorphous material that is geometrically imperfect. The production of
containers 100 out of glass induces defects in shape that are specific to each of them, in other words, that may be variable from one container to another, whether in the same batch of containers or from batch to batch. These deformities may be, in particular, defects with respect to concentricity, cylindricity, and axial or radial backlash of thecontainer 100. For example, the lack of eccentricity of theneck 101 with respect to thebody 103 may be of the order of two millimeters. According to another example, the diameter of thebody 103 may vary by plus or minus one millimeter along the axis A100. In another example, the length of thecontainer 100 between theneck 101 and theend 102 may vary by plus or minus two millimeter along the axis A100. - Alternatively, the
container 100 may be fabricated from another rigid material also liable to exhibit geometrical imperfections. For example, thecontainer 100 may be made of metal, of various types such as aerosol, fire extinguisher body, metal bottle, etc. According to another example, the container may be made of plastic with thick walls, obtained by molding or blow molding processes, of the types including bottles, jars or pots, or even by overmolding, in particular of plastic material on plastics, on glass or on metal. - The present invention is applicable to all rigid articles likely to have geometrical imperfections, and particularly irregular external forms. Such articles may be handled by being held by a pair of means for supporting the ends, in particular between center positions as in the example in
FIGS. 1 to 6 , or by a means for supporting a single end, whether or not by being held between centers during the marking. - According to the invention, the machine 1 is capable of compensating for the defects in shape and form specific to each
article 100 during its marking. - As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 , the markinghead 10 includes acarriage 11 movable relative to the housing for theelectrical cabinet 3 along a vertical marking axis X10, acarriage 12 movable relative to thecarriage 11 along a horizontal axis Z10, asystem 15 for dispensing markingtape 16, as well as two markingrollers carriage 12. The markinghead 10 is configured to apply a marking force F10 on acontainer 100 along the axis X10. For the intended applications, this marking force F10 may be very significant, for example in the order of 12,000 Newtons. Under these conditions, thesupport system 30 is used to define a reference position for thecontainer 100 along the axis X10 and counter the marking force F10, as detailed here below. - As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 6 , theroller 18 includes aperipheral part 18 a made of silicone, resiliently deformable during the marking of thecontainer 100 as well as a rigidinner part 18 b, for example made of metal. Thesilicone part 18 a has a greater thickness and a lower surface hardness than if theroller 18 had been designed for labelling plastic containers. Arranged in thecarriage 12 there is a device for heating theroller 18 with a view to carrying out the hot stamp marking, for example, heating tiles. Theroller 18 is rotatable relative to thecarriage 12 about an axis Y18, perpendicular to the axis Z10. During application of the marking force F10 by theroller 18 on thecontainer 100, the axis Y18 is perpendicular to theaxis X 10. The diameter of theroller 18 is preferably greater than or equal to the diameter of thebody 103 of thecontainer 100. Theroller 18 is equipped with a drive motor with digital control arranged in thecarriage 12. During marking, this motor causes theroller 18 to pivot about the axis Y18 following a rotational movement R10, shown by an arrow inFIGS. 3 and 6 , in the direction opposite to that of thecontainer 100 but with the same linear velocity at their interface. The description given here above with reference to theroller 18 is applicable to theroller 19 which is rotatable relative to thecarriage 12 about an axis Y19. - Advantageously, the
carriage 12 or at least a portion of thecarriage 12 including therollers head 10. According to a particular alternative, the markinghead 10 may comprise a single marking roller, which preferably has a diameter twice that of therollers - The dispensing
system 15 is configured so as to run the markingtape 16 between thecontainer 100 and therollers FIGS. 2 , 3 and 6. In the simplest case, thesystem 15 includes asingle tape 16, which is shown inFIGS. 2 to 6 and not shown inFIG. 1 . Therollers tape 16 in alternating fashion onsuccessive containers 100. Thus, therollers system 15 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 can be configured so as to run twotapes 16 in parallel, each one between thecontainer 100 and one of therollers rollers system 15, the or eachtape 16 travels from asupply reel 17 a to a collectingreel 17 b, under the action of a pullingdevice 17 c.Return rollers 17 d schematically represented for the purpose of simplification, are used to define the path of travel of thetape 16 between thereels rollers container 100. The running of thetape 16 is synchronized with the movement of therollers - As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 4 , thesystem 20 of transporting and positioning ofcontainers 100 includes afront platen 21 mounted so as to be movable relative to the housing of thecontrol station 4 and arear platen 22 mounted so as to be movable relative to the housing of theelectrical cabinet 3. The housing of thecontrol station 4 is shown partially torn inFIG. 1 in order to better show theplaten 21. In addition, theplatens FIG. 4 for the purpose of simplification. In practice, theplatens support system 30 is disposed between theplatens platens support system 30 does not pivot. - According to the embodiment in
FIGS. 1 to 6 , the machine 1 comprises four distinct transport and marking stations. In other words, thepositioning system 20 includes potential transport means for fourcontainers 100. In practice, the four stations of thepositioning system 20 may have up to threecontainers 100 simultaneously: onecontainer 100 received from thefeeding system 5 before prior to marking, onecontainer 100 in process of being marked by the markinghead 10 and onecontainer 100 already marked being sent to the unloading system. The last station, close to thebase 2 during the rotation of theplatens containers 100. - The
front platen 21 includes fourfront carriage turrets 60, while therear platen 22 includes fourrear carriage turrets 70. Except for the synchronized rotation around the axis Y20, the component members of thepositioning system 20 are independently movable radially to axis Y20, as detailed here below. On theplaten 21, thecarriage turrets 60 are mutually independent of each other and independent of thecarriage turrets 70. On theplaten 22, thecarriage turrets 70 are mutually independent of each other and independent of thecarriage turrets 60. Eachcarriage turret 60 includes means for moving radially to the axis Y20. Similarly, eachcarriage turret 70 includes means for moving radially to the axis Y20. In other words, eachindependent carriage turret carriage turrets head 10, eachindependent carriage turret carriage turrets platens carriage turrets - Alternatively, the
carriage turrets carriage turret - The
carriage turret 60 is provided with atailstock 61 adapted to be lodged in theneck 101 formed at the front end of thecontainer 100, while thecarriage turret 70 is provided with a catch bottom 71 for therear end 102 of thecontainer 100. Thetailstock 61 has a profile elongated along an axis Y60 parallel to the axis Y20. Thetailstock 61 is configured so as to penetrate into theneck 101, even when there is angular movement between the axes Y60 and A100. The bottom 71 has a hollow tubular profile centered on an axis Y70 parallel to the axis Y20. The bottom 71 is configured so as to engage around theend 102, even when there is angular movement between the axes Y70 and A100. Thus, thecontainer 100 may be maintained between its twoends tailstock 61 and the bottom 71, which form the means for supporting the ends of thecontainer 100 during its transport, its positioning and marking. The axes Y60 and Y70 are always parallel to the axis Y20 and to each other, while the orientation of the axis A100 depends on the defects in shape and form of thecontainer 100 and on a possible spacing between the axes Y60 and Y70. In the ideal case shown inFIGS. 1 to 6 the axes Y60, Y70 and A100 are aligned. When the marking station comprising thecarriage turrets head 10, the axis Y60 is perpendicular to the axis X60 and the axis Y70 is perpendicular to the axis X70. - The
carriage turret 60 is also provided with aspring 62 disposed between thetailstock 61 and abase 63 for supporting thistailstock 61. In practice, thetailstock 61 is mounted so as to be slidable along the axis Y60 in thissupport base 63. Thespring 62 tends to push thetailstock 61 in the direction of the bottom 71. Thanks to thespring 62, the shape defects and deformities of thecontainer 100 in length along its axis A100 can be compensated. Thespring 62 shown is a mechanical one, however alternatively thecarriage turret 60 can be provided with a pneumatic spring. Thus, thecarriage turret 60 has a degree of freedom along the front-rear direction parallel to the axis Y60, in a manner so as to compensate for defects in length of thecontainer 100 along the axis A100. For example, this compensation may be in the range of plus or minus two millimeters. The reference position of thecontainer 100 along the front-rear direction is thus defined by the bottom 71 of thecarriage turret 70. - The
carriage turret 60 further comprises a radiallinear guide device 65, comprising of tworails 66 integrally fixed to theplaten 21 pivoting about the axis Y20, ablock 67 movable radially to the axis Y20 by sliding on therails 66, apneumatic cylinder 68 and apressure regulator 69. Thedevice 65 is actuated by thepneumatic cylinder 68, designed to move theblock 67 along therails 66. Thebase 63 for supporting thetailstock 61 is integrally fixed to theblock 67. Thus, thedevice 65 makes it possible to move thetailstock 61 radially to the axis Y20, that is to say along the axis X60 parallel to the axis X10 when thecarriage turret 60 and thecontainer 100 are positioned facing the markinghead 10. - The
carriage turret 70 comprises a gearedmotor unit 73 for driving the rotation of the bottom 71 about the axis Y70. More precisely, thedevice 73 is configured so as to pivot thecontainer 100 that is engaged with the bottom 71 along a rotational movement R100, represented by an arrow inFIGS. 3 and 6 , about the axis Y70 during the application of the marking force F10. The direction of rotation R100 of the bottom 71 and of thecontainer 100 is opposite to the direction of rotation R10 of the markingroller 18. The rotations R10 and R100 are synchronized with the same linear velocity at their contact interface. - The
turret carriage 70 further comprises a radiallinear guide device 75, comprising of tworails 76 integrally fixed to theplaten 21 pivoting about the axis Y20, ablock 77 movable radially to the axis Y20 by sliding on therails 76, apneumatic cylinder 78 and apressure regulator 79. Thedevice 75 is actuated by thepneumatic cylinder 78, designed to move theblock 77 along therails 76. The gearedmotor unit 73 is integrally fixed to theblock 77, while the bottom 71 is mounted so as to pivot about the axis Y70 relative to thisblock 77. Thus, thedevice 75 enables movement of the bottom 71 radially to the axis Y20, that is to say along the axis X70 parallel to the axis X10 when theturret carriage 70 and thecontainer 100 are positioned facing the markinghead 10. Thedevice 75 of thecarriage turret 70 is independent of thedevice 65 of thecarriage turret 60. - When the
container 100 is not positioned in front of the markinghead 10, in particular when it is being loaded in thepositioning system 20, thepneumatic cylinder devices positioning system 20 radially to the axis Y20. In this reference position, the axes Y60 and Y70 respectively defined by thetailstock 61 and the bottom 71 are as close as possible to the axis Y20. Once thecarriage turrets container 100 to its position in front of the markinghead 10, thesupport system 30 comes to bear against thecontainer 100, as detailed here below. - As shown in
FIGS. 3 to 6 , thesupport system 30 comprises a verticallinear movement device 32, theblocks support rollers support base 50 interposed between thedevice 32 on the one hand and theblocks rollers container 100 bearing thereon, before and during the application of the marking force F10. Thedevice 32 is schematically represented only inFIGS. 4 and 6 , in the interest of simplification. - The
device 32 comprises a digital control motor and means for transmitting movement to thebase 50. Thedevice 32 is designed to move thebase 50 along the vertical direction defined by the axis X10, in particular by bringing it closer to the markinghead 10 when thecontainer 100 supported by thecarriage turrets head 10. In practice, thebase 50, theblocks device 32 by a predetermined distance, for example of the order of five millimeters in the direction of the markinghead 10. Thecontainer 100 comes to bear on the rollers 41-44 and is moved in the direction of the markinghead 10, thanks to the degree of freedom of thecarriages turrets support system 30 defines a reference position for thecontainer 100 along the axis X10, prior to the application of the marking force F10. More specifically, the reference position is defined by the rollers 41-44. Preferably, during the marking, thedevice 32 exerts on the base 50 a force opposite to the force F10, so as to maintain the reference position defined by the rollers 41-44. - As shown in
FIG. 6 , theroller 41 includes an outerperipheral part 41 a made of polyurethane, resiliently deformable during the marking of thecontainer 100 as well as a rigidinner part 41 b, for example made of metal. Theouter part 41 a has a hardness lower than that of thecontainer 100 and greater than that of theouter part 18 a of the markingrollers outer part 41 a does not cause any damage to thecontainer 100 and any eventual decorative embellishments or prior varnishing while ensuring the reference position. Mounted in theinner part 41 b is aball bearing 45, which itself is mounted on ashaft 46 integrally fixed to asupport piece 47. Thus, theroller 41 is rotatable relative to thesupport piece 47 around a horizontal axis Y41. The description provided above with reference made to theroller 41 also applies toroller 42, which includes in particular an outerperipheral part 42 a made of polyurethane. The twosupport pieces 47 are mounted on aplaten 48, in part, positioned in ahousing 57 of thebase 50, as detailed here below. Theroller 42 is rotatable, relative to its own support piece, about a horizontal axis Y42 parallel to the axis Y41. The center to center spacing between therollers containers 100 to be marked. Twobars 49 are fixed to the sides of theplaten 48, on each side of therollers bars 49 cover the top opening of thehousing 57, on both sides of theplaten 48, so as to prevent dust or foreign objects from getting inside thehousing 57. - The description provided herein with reference made to the
block 40A including therollers rollers roller 43 is rotatable relative to itssupport piece 47 about a horizontal axis Y43. Theroller 44 is rotatable relative to itsown support piece 47 about a horizontal axis parallel to the axis Y43. The center to center spacing between therollers block bearings 45,shafts 46 andsupport pieces 47, as well as asingle platen 48 flanked by twolateral bars 49. - The
base 50 comprises a stack ofplatens rail 53 and a recirculatingball bearing guide 54. Theplaten 51 is a single, while theelements block recirculating guide 54 are not shown in the cross sectional plane inFIG. 6 . The base 50 also includes, for eachblock device 55 for securing theplatens lateral walls 56 defining thehousing 57. Thelower platen 51 is connected to thedevice 32. Theplaten 51 is secured to apin 51 a of trapezoidal shape, while therail 53 is secured to platen 52 by means of screws not shown in their screw holes for the purpose of simplification. Thepin 51 a is positioned in arecess 52 a of a trapezoidal shape formed in theplaten 52 disposed on theplaten 51. Theplaten 52 can slide over theplaten 51, and then thedevice 55 serves to lock their respective positions. For this purpose, thedevice 55 includes apiece 55 a which can be pressed flat against thepin 51 a by screwing ascrew 55 b in theplaten 52. Thepin 51 a, therecess 52 a and thedevice 55 can thus form a mechanical connection of the dovetail type. Theplaten 48 of eachblock housing 57, between thewalls 56. Theplaten 48 rests on the recirculatingball bearing guide 54, forming a sliding connection between the base 50 and theblock - As shown in
FIG. 6 , thesupport system 30 also includessprings 36 interposed between the base 50 and eachblock block springs 36 are disposed on each side of theplaten 48 between thisplaten 48 and thewalls 56. Thesprings 36 are compressible/extensible along a direction defined by a horizontal axis Z30 perpendicular to the axes X10 and Z70. Thesprings 36 shown are mechanical, however, an alternative support system can be equipped with pneumatic springs. Thesprings 36 constitute the backlash means for thesupport system 30 along the horizontal direction defined by the axis Z30. In other words, thesesprings 36 constitute backlash means for eachblock platen platens block base 50. When thecontainer 100 comes to bear against the rollers 41-44, thesprings 36 and the linear guide means 48+54 allow each pair of support rollers 41-42 and 43-44 to move in linear direction parallel to the axis Z30, independently of the other pair of rollers. Thus, the rollers 41-44 remain in contact with thecontainer 100 despite its shape defects and deformities, prior to marking and during its marking, in particular during its rotation around the axis Y70. - Moreover, the
support system 30 may have an additional degree of freedom along the front-rear direction defined parallel to the axes Y20, Y60 and Y70. In this case, eachblock base 50 along this front-rear direction. For this purpose, additional backlash means, for example of the spring type are disposed between the base 50 and theblock 40A and/or 40B. In other words, the backlash for the rollers 41-44 is thus possible along two horizontal directions perpendicular to the vertical direction defined by the marking axis X10. - The marking method according to the invention is detailed here below.
- Firstly, the method comprises a step a) of loading a
container 100 in thepositioning system 20, via thefeeding system 5. Thepositioning system 20 includes at least onecarriage turret 60 and/or 70, preferably at least one pair ofcarriage turrets first carriage turret 60 is provided with atailstock 61 being lodged in theneck 101 of thecontainer 100, while thesecond carriage turret 70 is provided with a catch bottom 71 for holding thecontainer 100 opposite theneck 101. - The method also includes a step b) of positioning the
container 100 in front of the markinghead 10 via thepositioning system 20. At this stage, thecontainer 100 is positioned generally along the axis Y70 defined by the bottom 71, perpendicular to the axis X10. Thecontainer 100 is interposed between the markinghead 10 and thesupport system 30 comprising at least two rollers 41-44, which are adapted to receive thecontainer 100 bearing on it during its marking. When thecontainer 100 is positioned facing the markinghead 10 by at least onecarriage turret 60 and/or 70, this or each carriage turret has a degree of freedom along a direction parallel to the axis X10. These directions are respectively defined by the axes X60 and X70. - The method then comprises a step c) of marking consisting in applying the marking force F10 along the axis X10 on the
container 100 via the markinghead 10 and, at the same time, compensating for the defects in shape of thecontainer 100 via themeans 36 of backlash in a direction parallel to the axis Z30. A tape orlabel 16 is interposed between the markinghead 10 and thecontainer 100. The marking force F10 is applied by one of therollers container 100 and the marking force F10, without changing the position of thecontainer 100. The axis of backlash Z30 is perpendicular to the axes X10 and Y70. In practice, the backlash means 36 are provided to thesupport system 30 and/or the at least onecarriage turret 60 and/or 70. In the case where backlash means 36 are provided to thesupport system 30, they permit a linear displacement of the support rollers 41-44 along the direction parallel to the axis Z30. In the case where the backlash means 36 are provided to at least one of thecarriage turrets tailstock 61 and/or of the bottom 71 along the direction parallel to the axis Z30. - The method comprises finally a step d) of unloading of the
marked container 100 out ofpositioning system 20, then out of the machine 1. - Moreover, the machine 1 may be shaped differently from the
FIGS. 1 to 6 without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the markinghead 10, thepositioning system 20 and thesupport system 30 may be shaped differently. - By way of a variant not shown, each transport station belonging to the
positioning system 20 may comprise asingle carriage turret 100 for transporting anarticle 100. In this case, during the marking, thecontainer 100 can be supported by this single carriage turret, or even be held by an additional carriage turret. In other words, each transport and marking station may comprise a means for supporting a single end of thecontainer 100, or indeed a pair of means for supporting the ends of thecontainer 100. - According to another variant not shown, the machine 1 may include a single marking station. In this case, the
positioning system 20 includes asingle carriage turret 60 and/or 70 or a single pair ofcarriage turrets platen 21 includes asingle carriage turret 60 and/or theplaten 22 includes asingle carriage turret 70. - Preferably, the machine 1 comprises at least two marking stations with at least two pairs of
carriage turrets carriage turrets container 100 independently of the other pairs of carriage turrets. In the example inFIGS. 1 to 6 , thesupport system 30 is a single one and shared by the different marking stations. Alternatively, each marking station may be associated with asupport system 30 specific to it. Eachsupport system 30 is thus equipped with its marking station and movable with this marking station relative to the markinghead 10. - According to another variant not shown, the
carriage turrets carriage turrets container 100 is positioned facing the markinghead 10 by the pair ofcarriage turrets carriage turret - According to another variant not shown, the
front carriage turret 60 can be provided with a bottom 71 and with a device for driving the rotation of the bottom 71, while therear carriage turret 70 is provided with atailstock 61 and with a damping device. Preferably one of thecarriage turrets container 100. - According to another variant not shown, the means for supporting the ends of
container 100 may be configured differently with atailstock 61 and a bottom 71. - According to another variant not shown, in replacement of the
system 15 for dispensing oftape 16, the machine 1 according to the invention can be equipped with a system for dispensing label to be affixed to thecontainer 100 under the action of the markinghead 10. - According to another variant not shown, the
support system 30 may comprise a singlemovable block 40A supported by thebase 50, as well as with backlash means 36 interposed between theblock 40A and thebase 50. Themovable block 40A may include one or more pairs of rollers fixed to each other and movable relative to the base 50 thanks to the backlash means 36. - According to another variant not shown, the axis X10 of the marking
head 10 may be positioned horizontally, while axis Y20 of thepositioning system 20 is arranged vertically. - According to another variant not shown, the axis X10 of the marking
head 10 and the axis Y20 of thepositioning system 20 are both arranged vertically. For example, thepositioning system 20 may be configured as a horizontal disk on which the axis A100 of thecontainer 100 is oriented horizontally. - According to another variant not shown, the machine 1 may include a linear transport and positioning system instead of the pivoting transport and
positioning system 20 shown inFIGS. 1 to 6 . In this case, thecarriage turrets head 10. Each pair ofcarriage turrets container 100 independently of other pairs of carriage turrets. - According to a variant, not shown, within the transport and
positioning system 20, each of thepneumatic cylinders springs 36 in the support system. This variant is particularly applicable to a machine with transport of containers in a horizontal plane, in a linear manner or on a platen with vertical axis. - According to another variant not shown, the
system 20 does not permit the transport ofcontainers 100 from one zone of the machine 1 to another, but only the positioning of thecontainers 100 in front of the markinghead 10, with the help of acarriage turret 60 and/or 70 or a pair ofcarriage turrets positioning system 20 comprising at least onecarriage turret 60 and/or 70. - According to another variant not shown, the machine 1 may be adapted for marking faceted articles, having a generally polygonal cross section. In this case, the marking
head 10 may be equipped with a flat plate, suitable for marking a facet that is generally planar, rather than a cylindrical roller. Thesupport system 30 and the bottom 71 are specifically adapted to receive the article with facets. For example, thesystem 30 may include a specific number of pairs of rollers 41-44 and/or 41-44 these rollers may have a specific arrangement, corresponding to the particular form of the faceted article. Thepositioning system 20 does not necessarily include means for driving the rotation of the bottom 71. - According to another variant not shown, the machine 1 may be adapted for the marking of articles of parallelepiped shape, having a generally square or rectangular cross section. The
cylindrical roller 18 is made to roll on a planar surface of the article. Thesupport system 30 and the bottom 71 are specifically adapted to receive this article. Thepositioning system 20 does not necessarily include means for driving the rotation of the bottom 71. - According to another variant not shown, the machine 1 may be adapted for marking articles with oval or conical cross section. The marking
head 10 may be provided with a plate comprising a rigid metal base and a peripheral part made of silicone, which has a profile specially adapted to the particular shape of the article. Thesupport system 30 and the bottom 71 are specifically adapted to receive this article. - According to another variant not shown, the
positioning system 20 may comprise a carriage turret, in particular at least one of theindependent carriage turrets support system 30 cannot be provided with horizontal backlash means. - Whatever be the embodiment, the
support system 30 and/or the at least onecarriage turret 60 and/or 70 includes backlash means along a direction parallel to the axis Z30, which is perpendicular to the axes X10 and Y70 in order to compensate for defects in shape and form of thearticle 100 during the application of the marking force F10. - Moreover, the technical characteristics of the various embodiments and variants proposed here above may, with respect to all or some of them, be combined. Thus, the machine 1 may be suitably adapted in terms of cost, functionality and performance.
Claims (10)
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
MX2015010025A MX360485B (en) | 2013-02-04 | 2014-01-31 | Machine and method for marking articles. |
PL14703519T PL2951017T3 (en) | 2013-02-04 | 2014-01-31 | Machine and method for marking articles |
RU2015133250A RU2628957C2 (en) | 2013-02-04 | 2014-01-31 | Articles marking machine and method |
CA2900216A CA2900216C (en) | 2013-02-04 | 2014-01-31 | Machine and method for marking articles |
PCT/US2014/014211 WO2014121103A1 (en) | 2013-02-04 | 2014-01-31 | Machine and method for marking articles |
EP14703519.0A EP2951017B1 (en) | 2013-02-04 | 2014-01-31 | Machine and method for marking articles |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR1350937 | 2013-02-04 | ||
FR1350937A FR3001648B1 (en) | 2013-02-04 | 2013-02-04 | MACHINE AND METHOD FOR MARKING ARTICLES |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20140216281A1 true US20140216281A1 (en) | 2014-08-07 |
US8800443B1 US8800443B1 (en) | 2014-08-12 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/840,537 Active US8800443B1 (en) | 2013-02-04 | 2013-03-15 | Machine and method for marking articles |
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US (1) | US8800443B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2951017B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2900216C (en) |
FR (1) | FR3001648B1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX360485B (en) |
PL (1) | PL2951017T3 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2628957C2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2014121103A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2018028036A1 (en) * | 2016-08-10 | 2018-02-15 | 意力(广州)电子科技有限公司 | Automated graph-text printing apparatus for invisible key of curved touch control glass |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN109572172A (en) * | 2018-12-03 | 2019-04-05 | 东莞市逸飞热转印科技有限公司 | A kind of full-automatic plastic cup printing machine |
CN112590366B (en) * | 2020-12-07 | 2022-08-23 | 江苏集萃华科智能装备科技有限公司 | Automatic thermal transfer printing labeling process equipment and labeling method |
CN112549753B (en) * | 2020-12-07 | 2022-08-23 | 江苏集萃华科智能装备科技有限公司 | Flexible clamping equipment and flexible clamping method in automatic thermal transfer printing labeling |
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2013
- 2013-02-04 FR FR1350937A patent/FR3001648B1/en active Active
- 2013-03-15 US US13/840,537 patent/US8800443B1/en active Active
-
2014
- 2014-01-31 EP EP14703519.0A patent/EP2951017B1/en active Active
- 2014-01-31 PL PL14703519T patent/PL2951017T3/en unknown
- 2014-01-31 CA CA2900216A patent/CA2900216C/en active Active
- 2014-01-31 RU RU2015133250A patent/RU2628957C2/en active
- 2014-01-31 MX MX2015010025A patent/MX360485B/en active IP Right Grant
- 2014-01-31 WO PCT/US2014/014211 patent/WO2014121103A1/en active Application Filing
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
FR3001648B1 (en) | 2015-07-17 |
WO2014121103A1 (en) | 2014-08-07 |
CA2900216C (en) | 2017-11-28 |
RU2015133250A (en) | 2017-03-10 |
MX2015010025A (en) | 2016-02-05 |
US8800443B1 (en) | 2014-08-12 |
EP2951017A1 (en) | 2015-12-09 |
PL2951017T3 (en) | 2018-11-30 |
FR3001648A1 (en) | 2014-08-08 |
RU2628957C2 (en) | 2017-08-23 |
EP2951017B1 (en) | 2018-06-13 |
CA2900216A1 (en) | 2014-08-07 |
MX360485B (en) | 2018-11-05 |
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