EP2840031B1

EP2840031B1 - Machine for labelling cable marking sleeves

Info

Publication number: EP2840031B1
Application number: EP14002574.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniele Carlotto
Original assignee: KM Corporate Srl
Current assignee: KM Corporate Srl
Priority date: 2013-08-01
Filing date: 2014-07-24
Publication date: 2016-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-24
Also published as: EP2840031A1; ITPD20130216A1

Description

The field of application of this invention concerns an improved machine for labelling cable marking sleeves.

Prior art

A machine for labelling cable marking sleeves and for associating such cable marking sleeves with a corresponding wire according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from EP 2 452 884 A1 .
Said machine includes a printer for printing the codes and/or characters for identifying the cable on the relative label; after this latter has been adequately printed it will be put together with the above-mentioned cable marking sleeve made of a transparent material.
The printer prints the labels that are required for the process with the preparation of a series of printed labels.
After this series of labels have been printed, they advance to the successive processing by means of the movement of the strip to which all are joined laterally at one end.
The successive handling comprises the insertion of each single label in a pocket of a cable marking sleeve.
Then said cable marking sleeve that comes from a sleeve tape is cut to size to contain precisely the label inserted inside it.
Only at this point, after a further advancement in the process for handling the series of labels, each one contained inside a sleeve that has been cut to size, is a single label detached from the label strip to be inserted inside the end of a cable in an elastic collar of the cable marking sleeve.
Even if the labelling machine described in EP 2452884 is the most advanced automated type that currently exists in this field, some aspects and drawbacks make managing it problematic and expensive.
In fact, the printing of the labels occurs in sequence on a series of labels long before their use and also long before any control that they have been regularly joined to the end of the respective cable.
So that if during the control it emerges that there is no correspondence between the label and the cable, all the labels that have already been printed and processed and inserted inside the respective cable marking sleeves would be unusable and would have to be discarded, with the result that not only would the label that had been badly joined need to be reprinted, but also the entire successive sequence.
Moreover, such a machine does not easily adapt to the requirements of labels with different lengths.
In fact, the reel that has been mounted has labels that all have the same length, therefore a different length necessarily involves either a waste of material or the requirement to replace the reel currently being used with another reel whose label dimensions correspond to the contingent work requirements.
The extension of the cut of the cable marking sleeve, which is pre-set in the machine's initial configuration phase, corresponds to the length of the labels, and any variation in the length of the labels involves a new setting and configuration of the labelling machine.
Lastly, because said machines have to use a strip of labels joined only at one of their lateral ends, said labels are printed in an approximate manner, since the protruding part is not held fixed by anything during printing.
Moreover, the handling of such a series of labels with this machine means that the individual labels can be processed individually only after all the operations for connecting with the corresponding cable marking sleeve have been carried out, since the labelling machine is not equipped with elements capable of processing a single and discrete label alone.

Presentation of the invention

The purpose of this invention is to make available an improved labelling machine that overcomes one or more of the drawbacks of the prior art.
Another object of this invention is to make available a labelling machine that is more versatile.
A further object of this invention is to make available a labelling machine that can also handle labels individually.
Another object of this invention is to make available a labelling machine that can easily handle labels of varying sizes.
A further object of this invention is to make available a labelling machine that can easily handle various types of labels.
A valid purpose of this invention is to make available a labelling machine that can prevent waste also in the case of an isolated error in connecting a label to the relative cable end.
An important object of this invention is to make available a labelling machine that can handle a reel of printable labels precisely.
A useful object of this invention is to make available a labelling machine that can prevent wasting of cable marking sleeves.

Description of the invention

These and other objects are all attained with an improved machine for labelling cable marking sleeves and the relative connection of these sleeves to the corresponding cable, in accordance with the distinctive part of claim 1.
The improved labelling machine comprises:

a printer of the known variety capable of printing at least one label that is part of a strip or sheet individually;
an actuator for moving the strip of labels, or the sheet of labels, with at least the first label printed moved towards
a device for cutting the front of said label on the head-end side, or the front, where said cutting device has cutting elements for cutting the label to the pre-set length and
a cutting device for rendering the label independent with respect to the sheet or strip of which it is part,
a connecting and shifting device equipped with gripping elements that connect with a notch on the label for moving it, and shifting actuators, for moving and handling the individual label,
a connection device for joining said label to the cable marking sleeve,
a device for the cutting to measure of the cable marking sleeve, to a length corresponding to the length of the label connected to it;
a device for removing the label from the strip or the side support tape;
a known device for preparing the part of a cable marking sleeve that has a printed label to have the end of an electric cable inserted into it.
an equally known device for the insertion inside the piece of cable marking sleeve, to which the printed label is already attached, the end part of a cable into the elastic collar of the cable marking sleeve.

Beneficial characteristics of the invention

Very advantageously said device for cutting the front of said label on the head-end side, or the front, has depth adjustment so that its cutting elements for cutting the label can cut the label to a variable length at will.
Advantageously the labelling machine can handle both a strip of labels, which holds a series of labels protruding manner on just one side, as well as a sheet of labels which are joined to the side tapes on both side extremities.
Advantageously the actuator for moving the strip is part of the printer itself, thereby avoiding the need for another actuator for the step by step movement of each label.
Another advantage is that said machine can handle just one label, after it has been printed, singularly and independently, for all the successive phases, where the operation for separating the single label from the strip or sheet, the operation immediately after the printing phase, which makes said label single and independently treatable.
Very advantageously during the separation of said label from the relative strip or sheet, namely from the parts of the lateral connection parts or the connection parts on both extremities to the support, said label is brought in each case to the desired lengths.
Very conveniently, the above-mentioned sizing is carried out by creating a notch or tapering on the end of the label that facilitates the automated insertion of the label inside the pocket of the cable marking sleeve.
It is very convenient that the cutting of the above-mentioned cable marking sleeve occurs uniformly at the dimension already selected and created for the label, thereby avoiding any unjustifiable waste of material and an excessive size beyond the dimensions of the label itself.
Beneficially the device for connecting and holding the single label allows just one label to be processed, thereby preventing this having any movement with respect to said connecting means, and customising all the handling possibilities, adapting to production requirements and the support itself.
Another beneficial aspect is that the printing of another label only takes place after confirmation of the positive connection of the cable marking sleeve, with the cable marking label, to the end of the respective electric cable.
Beneficially, said printing of another label can be forestalled, programmed to a positive outcome of one or more of the immediately previous phases.
After describing this invention, reference will be made to a specific and preferred embodiment having as its object a machine for labelling cable marking sleeves with a pre-cut strip from which the single labels are taken, with the beneficial characteristics set out above, without any intention of restricting the protection, which can generally be included in the definition of the invention in its fundamental characteristics.

Brief description of the drawings

The technical characteristics of the invention, according to the above-mentioned aims, can be clearly found in the claims below and the benefits will be clearer in the detailed description that follows, made with reference to the attached drawings, which represent an embodiment that is purely by way of example, and in no way restrictive, where:

figs. 1 and 2 show a prospective view of the machine that is the object of the invention;
figs. 3 to 6 show the cutting device for giving the label the desired length and render said label independent with respect to the strip that it is part of;
figs. 7 and 8 show the shifting device capable of connecting and moving a single label from the cutting device to the device for joining the cable marking sleeve, to the device for inserting the end section of the cable;
figs. 9 and 10 show in detail the handling, using a shifting movement, of a single label by the shifting device;
figures 11 to 14 show the device for connecting the label inside the relative label-holding pocket of the cable marking sleeve and relative cutting to measure of the length of each individual independent label;
fig. 15 shows the device for preparing the end section of the cable to go inside the relative elastic collar of the cable marking sleeve;
fig. 16 shows the centring device for connecting the end of the electric cable to the relative cable marking sleeve with printed label.
fig. 17 shows a sheet of labels and the trimming cuts in dotted lines and the cut to render said label independent with respect to the sheet of which it is part;
fig. 18 shows a single label that is independent from the sheet of labels after the frontal and lateral cuts.

Detailed description

With reference to the drawings, the improved machine 1 for labelling cable marking sleeves can handle both the known types of labels that protrude from a support strip, as well as sheets 2 of labels 3 held by a pair of retention tapes 4 and support at the two lateral extremities of the labels 3.
On at least one support tape 4 there is a notch or perforation 5 for handling an individual label 3 after being rendered independent and removed from the relative sheet 2.
Said labelling machine 1 is usually supplied with a sheet 2 in the form of a roll or reel that feeds a label printer (not shown in the drawings) for the programmed printing of the codes and/or the writing for identifying the electric cable.
With this labelling machine 1 it is preferable that the printing of the labels 3 takes place singularly, one by one, where the printing of the successive label takes place after the confirmation of the successful connection of the cable marking sleeve 6, with a label 3, to the respective end section of the cable.
In fact, in this way there is the advantage of not wasting a cable marking sleeve 6 or labels 3 that have already been printed, and above all it is possible to proceed rapidly and with certainty with a methodical and well-defined process.
Said sheet 2, with at least the first printed label 3, is made to advance by special feed devices, which can be the same feed devices for printing, to the label cutting device 7.
Said label cutting device 7 is equipped with lateral cutting elements, preferably lateral shears and front cutting elements, preferably frontal shears 9.
Said lateral shears 8 and said frontal shears 9 can advantageously be operated at the same time, obtaining a precise cut to the desired length and a reduction in operation times for rendering a label independent in a singular manner.
Said shears 8 renders the already printed label 3 independent from the sheet 2 so that it can be handles separately later.
Said frontal shears 9 expediently trims the label 3 to the desired length, obtaining all the required lengths from just one roll or reel of labels 3, without the system having to be stopped to change the roll of labels for one of a pre-determined length.
Moreover, the same cutting 13 made by the frontal shears creates a tapering 14 or convenient tab for inserting the label 3 inside the corresponding label-holder pocket of the cable marking sleeve.
At the same time as the above-mentioned label cutting operations, or immediately after, inside the stop or perforation 5 on the lateral support tape 4, a shifting element 10 is joined to the label 3.
Said moving element 10, brought by the shifting device 11, moves the relative label 3 without any appreciable relative motion, and provides for the precise handling of the individual label 3 that is free of the sheet 2 also for successive operations.
Advantageously said perforation 5 is made of a through-hole with a triangular or polygonal configuration, so that the movement element 10 can precisely enter through said hole and above all prevent the rotation that the label 3 could make with respect to the movement element 10 during the rapid shifting to which it is subject.
As soon as the label 3 is cut by the cutting device 7 and has been separated from the sheet 2, of which it is part, the shifting device 11 moves said label 3, at the label 3 connection device 12, to the cable marking sleeve 6.
Said cable marking sleeve 6 has a pocket inside which the label enters, which has a tab or tapered part 14 at its end to facilitate the automated insertion.
When the label 3 has been inserted inside the pocket of the cable marking sleeve 6, the cable marking sleeve 6 is cut by shears 15 to the required length, corresponding to the length of the label 3.
In this way, no cable marking sleeve material is wasted, since the cut is always regulated to the length of the label 3.
After the insertion and cutting of the cable marking sleeve 6, the label 3, which has been inserted inside a part of the cable marking sleeve is further moved by the shifting device 11 to the removal device 16 of the support tape 4 and/or the connection to the support, so that the cable marking sleeve 6 with the printed label 3 inside is ready for the successive preparation operations for insertion into the end section of the electric cable.
The successive operations for handling the piece of cable marking sleeve 6, with a printed label 3 inside, carried out at the preparation device 17 and at the insertion device 18, are well-known operations.

Claims

Machine for labelling cable marking sleeves, comprising:
- a printer capable of printing at least one label (3) individually, which is part of a tape or sheet (2);

- an actuator for moving the tape or sheet (2) of labels, with at least the first label (3) printed, towards a device (7) for cutting said label (3);

- a device (7) for cutting said label (3) to render the label (3) independent with respect to the sheet (2) or strip of which it is part;

- a shifting device (11) that moves a joining and moving element (10) capable of joining to a notch (5), said notch (5) being a fixed part of the label (3), and the shifting device (11) being then able to move said label (3) without any appreciable relative motion with respect to the moving element (10) itself, towards a connection device (12) for joining said label to the cable marking sleeve (6);

- a connection device (12) for joining said label to the cable marking sleeve (6), where the coupling device (12) comprises a device for cutting the sleeve (6) to measure, corresponding to the length of the label (3) joined to it; this marking sleeve (6) with its label cutted to measure, defined as section, shifted by the shifting device (11) towards a device for removing (16) the label (3) from the strip or the support sheet (4);

- a device for removing (16) the label (3) from the strip or the support sheet (4); and successively handled by a well-known device for preparing (17);

- a device for preparing (17) the section of cable marking sleeve (6) with a printed label (3) for being inserted in the end an electric cable; and finally

- a device for inserting (18) inside the section of cable marking sleeve (6), to which the label is already attached, the end section of a cable in the elastic collar of the cable marking sleeve (6),
characterized in that
the device (7) for cutting comprises a frontal cutting device (9), where said frontal cutting device (9) has elements for cutting the label (3) on the front or head-end, and a lateral cutting device (8) to render the label (3) independent with respect to the sheet (2) or strip of which it is part.
Machine for labelling cable marking sleeves according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said cutting device (7) for said label (3) on the head-end or frontal side (9), has adjustable cutting elements for cutting the label (3) to the desired length.
Machine for labelling cable marking sleeves according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said cutting device (7) for said label (3) on the head-end or frontal side (9), has cutting elements that make a cut with a taper (14) on the head-end or frontal side (9).
Machine for labelling cable marking sleeves according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said actuator for moving the strip or the sheet (2) is part of the label printer.
Machine for labelling cable marking sleeves according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said moving element (10), brought by the shifting element (11), joins said notch (5) to the label (3), with said notch (5) being on the support tape (4) on the side of the label (3).
Machine for labelling cable marking sleeves according to claim 1 or 5, characterised by the fact that said moving element 10 can be precisely inserted, entering through said notch (5) defined as a perforation formed by a through-hole with a triangular or polygonal configuration.
Machine for labelling cable marking sleeves according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said moving element (10), brought by the shifting element (11), moves the label (3), which has been rendered independent and single with respect to the tape (2), first towards the joining device (12) and then towards the removal device (16).
Machine for labelling cable marking sleeves according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said joining device (12) has a cable marking sleeves cutting device (6) that continually regulates the length of the label (3).
Machine for labelling cable marking sleeves according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that the label printer prints a new label (3) only after the section of cable marking sleeve (6) has been correctly joined to the end section of the electric cable and/or only after a previously printed label (3) has been correctly joined to the cable marking sleeve (6).
Machine for labelling cable marking sleeves according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said the front (9) and side (8) cutting operations and eventually the connection of the moving element (10) to the respective notch (5) are contemporaneous.