EP4347415B1

EP4347415B1 - Apparatus and method for applying a tubular label to an item

Info

Publication number: EP4347415B1
Application number: EP22728305.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mauro PENNATI; Gabriele PROUS
Original assignee: E Packaging Srl
Current assignee: E Packaging Srl
Priority date: 2021-06-03
Filing date: 2022-05-04
Publication date: 2025-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2042-05-04
Also published as: WO2022254470A1; EP4347415C0; EP4347415A1; IT202100014474A1

Description

Field of application of the invention

The present invention is applied to the field of apparatuses to be qualified as "labeling machines", i.e., apparatuses for the automatic application of one or more labels on one or more items.
More precisely, the present invention relates to labeling machines adapted to apply so-called "tubular" labels, i.e., labels which are substantially shaped as a square or rectangular film usually made of plastic material and having two opposite, mutually joint, edges (so as to give rise to a "band" or to a tubular element).
The present invention relates, in particular, to a labeling machine for applying at least one tubular label to at least one item by means of an elastic deformation of said label and the subsequent elastic return thereof on said item. The present invention further relates to a method to be actuated by the aforesaid labeling machine, for applying at least one tubular label to at least one item.

Overview of the prior art

Currently, the labeling machines of the type to which this invention relates apply a tubular label to an item by forcibly "fitting" it onto said item. More precisely, since the label, regardless of the shape given thereto, has a cross-section with a smaller extension than that of the cross-section of the item to be labeled, to apply the label to the item, the latter is inserted into the label, elastically deforming it, and is slid through the label until the latter reaches the desired position.
In light of the above, nowadays, in order to apply a tubular label to an item, the label is slid against the side wall of the item. Said sliding, however, gives rise to a rubbing between the label and the item to be labeled which may cause the tearing of the label (especially in the presence of sharp edges or shearing burrs).
Document NL 1 000 814 C1 discloses an apparatus for applying elastic tubular labels as known from the prior art. The apparatus comprises a first support structure for supporting the labels and a second support structure for supporting the items on which the labels are to be applied. The apparatus further comprises gripping means interposed between said support structures, which include two groups of pairs of opposed jaws, said groups being movable with respect to each other. Each group comprises additional movement means to also move the opposed jaws respective to each other. The apparatus is thus configured to receive a pre-perforated tubular sleeve formed by a plurality of interconnected tubular labels defined by said perforations, grip the foremost tubular label from said plurality by means of the two groups of pairs of opposed jaws acting together, and move the two groups of pairs of opposed jaws concomitantly so as to elastically expand the tubular label, thus separating it from the rest of the sleeve thanks to the perforations made in the sleeve to separate the individual labels. The separated label, still gripped by the jaws, is then moved towards the item such that the item is inserted within the cylindrical space of the label. The jaws are then moved together to a position in which the label is no longer elastically expanded but elastically conforms the item to be labelled, thus being applied to the item.

Objects of the invention

It is the object of the present invention to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks by indicating an apparatus adapted to apply at least one tubular label to at least one item without any rubbing therebetween (i.e., between said label and said item), and a method to be actuated by the aforesaid apparatus for applying at least one tubular label to at least one item without any rubbing therebetween.

Summary and advantages of the invention

The object of the present invention is an apparatus for applying at least one tubular label to at least one item,

said tubular label comprising a tubular side wall elastically deformable and delimiting, at least partially:
- a cavity;
- a first opening to access said cavity;
- a second opening for accessing said cavity and opposite to said first opening,
said apparatus comprising:
- a first support structure adapted to support said label so that said cavity is accessible at least from said first opening;
- a second support structure adapted to support said item;
- gripping means at least partially interposed between said first and second support structures and including:
  - a first jaw;
  - a second jaw, at least partially opposed to said first jaw;
  - first movement means adapted to mutually move said first and second jaws, both towards each other and away from each other, at least between:
    - ➢ a first position in which said first and second jaws are sufficiently close to each other so that each of said first and second jaws is at least partially accommodatable in said cavity from said first opening when said label is supported by said first support structure
      and
    - ➢ a second position in which said first and second jaws are sufficiently distant from each other so that, when said first and second jaws are at least partially accommodated in said cavity, said first and second jaws are both in contact with said tubular side wall and are at a mutual distance such as to tension said tubular side wall elastically deforming it,
      - when said first and second jaws are in said second position, said first and second jaws being also sufficiently distant from each other so that said item is at least partially accommodatable between said first and second jaws and is also at least partially accommodatable in said cavity from said first opening when said first and second jaws are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (in contact with said tubular side wall in light of the foregoing),
      - when said first and second jaws are in said second position and are at least partially accommodated in said cavity, said first and second jaws being also sufficiently distant from each other so that said tubular side wall does not come into contact with said item when the latter is at least partially accommodated between said first and second jaws (and thus in said cavity from said first opening). In other words, the first and second jaws, when in the second position and when at least partially accommodated in the label cavity, spread the tubular side wall sufficiently so that, despite the elastic return of said wall, the latter is spread apart at the point that said item is insertable into said label without coming into contact with said tubular side wall;
  - a third jaw,
    when said label is supported by said first support structure and said first and second jaws are at least partially accommodated in said cavity, said first and third jaws lying on opposite sides with respect to said tubular side wall;
  - second movement means adapted to move said third jaw with respect to said first jaw,
    said third jaw being placeable by said second movement means at least in a position referred to as "clamping position" and in which, when said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first movement means, said first and third jaws are at least partially opposed to each other directly or with the interposition of said tubular side wall when said first and second jaws are at least partially accommodated in said cavity;
  - third movement means adapted to move said third jaw both towards and away from said first jaw, at least between:
    - ➢ a first position in which, when said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first movement means, said first and third jaws are at a certain distance from each other (regardless of whether or not said first and third jaws are opposed, even partially, to each other),
      and in which, when said label is supported by said first support structure and said first and second jaws are at least partially accommodated in said cavity, said third jaw is not in contact with said tubular side wall
      and
    - ➢ a second position in which, when said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first movement means and said third jaw is in said clamping position by means of said second movement means, said first and third jaws are in contact with each other directly or with the interposition of said tubular side wall when said first and second jaws are at least partially accommodated in said cavity,
    - said second and third jaws lying on opposite sides with respect to said first jaw (so that:
      - ➢ moving said third jaw towards said first jaw by means of said third movement means results in moving said third jaw also towards said second jaw
        and
      - ➢ when said third jaw is in said second position by means of said third movement means, said first jaw is interposed between said second and third jaw),
    - said second movement means being adapted to move said third jaw, from said clamping position, with respect to said first jaw so that, when said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first movement means and said third jaw is in said second position by means of said third movement means, said third jaw slides on said first jaw directly or with the interposition of said tubular side wall when said first and second jaws are at least partially accommodated in said cavity;
  - a fourth jaw,
    when said label is supported by said first support structure and said first and second jaws are at least partially accommodated in said cavity, said second and fourth jaws lying on opposite sides with respect to said tubular side wall;
  - fourth movement means adapted to move said fourth jaw with respect to said second jaw,
    said fourth jaw being placeable by said fourth movement means at least in a position referred to as "clamping position" again and in which, when said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first movement means, said second and fourth jaws are at least partially opposed to each other directly or with the interposition of said tubular side wall when said first and second jaws are at least partially accommodated in said cavity;
  - fifth movement means adapted to move said fourth jaw both towards and away from said second jaw, at least between:
    - ➢ a first position in which, when said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first movement means, said second and fourth jaws are at a certain distance from each other (regardless of whether or not said second and fourth jaws are opposed, even partially, to each other),
      and in which, when said label is supported by said first support structure and said first and second jaws are at least partially accommodated in said cavity, said fourth jaw is not in contact with said tubular side wall
      and
    - ➢ a second position in which, when said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first movement means and said fourth jaw is in said clamping position by means of said fourth movement means, said second and fourth jaws are in contact with each other directly or with the interposition of said tubular side wall when said first and second jaws are at least partially accommodated in said cavity,
    - said first and fourth jaws lying on opposite sides with respect to said second jaw so that (:
      - ➢ moving said fourth jaw towards said second jaw by means of said fifth movement means results in moving said fourth jaw also towards said first jaw,
      - ➢ when said fourth jaw is in said second position by means of said fifth movement means, said second jaw is interposed between said first and fourth jaws
        and)
    - said third and fourth jaws lie on opposite sides with respect to said first and second jaws considered as a whole,
    - said fourth movement means being adapted to move said fourth jaw, from said clamping position, with respect to said second jaw so that, when said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first movement means and said fourth jaw is in said second position by means of said fifth movement means, said fourth jaw slides on said second jaw directly or with the interposition of said tubular side wall when said first and second jaws are at least partially accommodated in said cavity;
- sixth movement means adapted to move said gripping means:
  - towards said first support structure and away from said second support structure
    and
  - away from said first support structure and towards said second support structure
  - at least between:
    - a first position in which, when said label is supported by said first support structure, said first and second jaws are not accommodated in said cavity even when in said first position by means of said first movement means
      and
    - a second position in which, when said label is supported by said first support structure, said first and second jaws are at least partially accommodated in said cavity from said first opening in said first position by means of said first movement means or after having penetrated into said cavity, through said first opening, in said first position,
  - said sixth movement means being also adapted to place said gripping means in a position referred to as "fitting position", which can coincide with said first position and in which, when said item is supported by said second support structure and said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first movement means, said item is at least partially accommodated between said first and second jaws and is also at least partially accommodated in said cavity from said first opening when said first and second jaws are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (in contact with said tubular side wall in light of the foregoing),
- said second and fourth movement means being adapted to move said third jaw with respect to said first jaw and said fourth jaw with respect to said second jaw, respectively:
  - simultaneously
  - in mutually parallel directions
  - at the same speed
    and
  - in the same direction,
- said second movement means being adapted to move said third jaw with respect to said first jaw:
  - simultaneously with
  - in a direction parallel to that of
  - at the same speed as that of
    and
  - in a direction opposite to that of
- a movement of said gripping means by means of said sixth movement means, said fourth movement means being adapted to move said fourth jaw with respect to said second jaw:
  - simultaneously with
  - in a direction parallel to that of
  - at the same speed as that of
    and
  - in a direction opposite to that of
- a movement of said gripping means by means of said sixth movement means, said first, second, third and fourth jaws being such that, when:
  - said label is supported by said first support structure,
  - said gripping means are in said second position by means of sixth movement means,
  - said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first movement means after having penetrated into said cavity in said first position by means of said first movement means,
  - said third jaw is in said clamping position by means of said second movement means, and in said second position by means of said third movement means
    and
  - said fourth jaw is in said clamping position by means of said fourth movement means, and in said second position by means of said fifth movement means,
- so that said first and third jaws are mutually in contact with said tubular side wall interposed therebetween, and said second and fourth jaws are mutually in contact with said tubular side wall interposed therebetween,
- the static friction between said tubular side wall and said first, second, third and fourth jaws connects said tubular side wall to said first, second, third and fourth jaws, so that a movement of said gripping means from said second position to said first position by means of said sixth movement means results in a removal of said label from said first support structure,
- said first and third jaws being such that, when:
  - said label is not supported by said first support structure,
  - said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first movement means and are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (in contact with said tubular side wall in light of the foregoing)
    and
  - said third jaw is in said clamping position by means of said second movement means, and in said second position by means of said third movement means,
- so that said first and third jaws are mutually in contact with said tubular side wall interposed therebetween,
- the static friction between said first jaw and said tubular side wall is lower than the static friction between said third jaw and said tubular side wall, so that a sliding of said third jaw on said first jaw with the interposition of said tubular side wall by means of said second movement means causes a sliding of said tubular side wall, together with said third jaw, on said first jaw,
- said second and fourth jaws being such that, when:
  - said label is not supported by said first support structure,
  - said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first movement means and are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (in contact with said tubular side wall in light of the foregoing)
    and
  - said fourth jaw is in said clamping position by means of said fourth movement means, and in said second position by means of said fifth movement means,
- so that said second and fourth jaws are mutually in contact with said tubular side wall interposed therebetween,
- the static friction between said second jaw and said tubular side wall is lower than the static friction between said fourth jaw and said tubular side wall, so that a sliding of said fourth jaw on said second jaw with the interposition of said tubular side wall by means of said fourth movement means causes a sliding of said tubular side wall, together with said fourth jaw, on said second jaw,
- said second and fourth movement means being adapted to sufficiently move said third and fourth jaws, respectively, from the respective clamping positions, with respect to said first and second jaws, respectively, so that, when:
  - said label is not supported by said first support structure,
  - said item is supported by said second support structure,
  - said gripping means are in said fitting position by means of said sixth movement means,
  - said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first movement means and are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (in contact with said tubular side wall in light of the foregoing),
  - said third jaw is in said clamping position by means of said second movement means, and in said second position by means of said third movement means (so that said first and third jaws are mutually in contact with said tubular side wall interposed therebetween),
  - said fourth jaw is in said clamping position by means of said fourth movement means, and in said second position by means of said fifth movement means (so that said second and fourth jaws are mutually in contact with said tubular side wall interposed therebetween),
  - a movement of said gripping means occurs, by means of said sixth movement means, away from said first support structure,
  - both a first sliding of said third jaw on said first jaw, with the interposition of said tubular side wall by means of said second movement means, and a second sliding
    - in the same direction as that of
    - at the same speed as that of and
    - in a direction parallel to that of
      said first sliding of said fourth jaw on said second jaw with the interposition of said tubular side wall by means of said fourth movement means occur
      and
  - said first and second slidings occur
    - simultaneously with
    - at the same speed as that of
    - in a direction opposite to that of
      and
    - in directions parallel to that of
      said movement of said gripping means by means of said sixth movement means,
- said sliding of said tubular side wall, together with said third and fourth jaws, on said first and second jaws, respectively, caused by said first and second slidings, results in a transfer of said tubular side wall from said first and second jaws to said item without any rubbing between said tubular side wall and said item, and an application of said label to said item due to an elastic return of said tubular side wall.

In order to apply a tubular label to an item by using the apparatus of the invention, it is possible to actuate the method described below, which is also the object of the invention.
More precisely, another object of the invention is a method to be actuated by the aforesaid apparatus, for applying at least one tubular label on at least one item,
said tubular label comprising a tubular side wall at least partially delimiting:

a cavity;
a first opening to access said cavity;
a second opening for accessing said cavity and opposite to said first opening, said method comprising the following steps:
1. a) preparing the aforesaid apparatus in an initial configuration in which:
  - said label is supported by said first support structure so that said cavity is accessible at least from said first opening,
  - said item is supported by said second support structure,
  - said gripping means are in said first position by means of said sixth movement means,
  - said first and second jaws are in said first position by means of said first movement means,
  - said third jaw is in said clamping position by means of said second movement means, and in said first position by means of said third movement means
    and
  - said fourth jaw is in said clamping position by means of said fourth movement means, and in said first position by means of said fifth movement means;
2. b) operating said sixth movement means so as to move said gripping means from said first position to said second position, so that said first and second jaws (in the first position by means of the first movement means) penetrate into said cavity passing through said first opening (so as to be at least partially accommodated into said cavity);
3. c) operating said first movement means so as to move said first and second jaws from said first position to said second position, so that said first and second jaws (with the gripping means in the second position by means of the sixth movement means) come into contact with said tubular side wall tensioning the latter and elastically deforming it;
4. d) operating said third and fifth movement means so as to move said third and fourth jaws from said first position to said second position, respectively, so that said third and fourth jaws (in the clamping position by means of the second and fourth movement means, respectively) come into contact with said first and second jaws, respectively, with the interposition of said tubular side wall;
5. e) operating said sixth movement means so as to move said gripping means from said second position to said fitting position, so that:
  - said first and second jaws (in the second position by means of the first movement means), together with said third and fourth jaws (in the clamping position by means of the second and fourth movement means, respectively, and also in the second position by means of the third and fifth movement means, respectively) remove, by pulling therewith, said label from said first support structure
    and
  - said item is at least partially accommodated both between said first and second jaws and in said cavity passing through said first opening.
    Therefore, the gripping means are moved by the sixth movement means so as to remove the label from the first support structure and fit it on the item to which it must be applied;
6. f) operating said second and fourth movement means so that said third and fourth jaws, together with said tubular side wall, slide on said first and second jaw, respectively
  - in the same direction
  - at the same speed
    and
  - in mutually parallel directions,
    and simultaneously operating said sixth movement means so as to move said gripping means
  - simultaneously with
  - at the same speed as that of
  - in the direction opposite to that of
    and
  - in a direction parallel to that of
    said slidings of said third and fourth jaws,
    so as, and sufficiently (since the gripping means are in the fitting position) for, said slidings of said third and fourth jaws to result in, while taking said tubular side wall therewith:
  - a transfer of said label to said item without any rubbing between said label and said item occurring
    and
  - an application of said label to said item due to an elastic return of said tubular side wall.

Incidentally, the fact that the third and fourth jaws are slid, together with the label, on said first and second jaws, respectively, in the same direction, at the same speed and in the opposite direction with respect to the movement of the gripping means, ensures that there is no relative movement between, on the one hand, the third and fourth jaws (and, therewith, the label) and, on the other hand, the item to be labeled. This ensures that there is no rubbing between the label and the aforesaid item upon the "descent" of the label from the first and second jaws with the consequent transfer thereof onto the item to be labeled.
In light of the method described above, the apparatus of the invention is adapted to apply at least one tubular label to at least one item without any rubbing between said label and said item occurring.
Other innovative features of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and mentioned in the dependent claims.
According to an aspect of the invention, said first movement means are adapted to translate said first and second jaws with respect to each other along a first direction,

said second movement means being adapted to translate said third jaw, with respect to said first jaw, along a second direction orthogonal to said first direction,
said third movement means being adapted to translate said third jaw, with respect to said first jaw, along a third direction parallel to said first direction,
said fourth movement means being adapted to translate said fourth jaw, with respect to said second jaw, along a fourth direction orthogonal to said first direction,
said fifth movement means being adapted to translate said fourth jaw, with respect to said second jaw, along a fifth direction parallel to said first direction,
said sixth movement means being adapted to translate said gripping means, with respect to said first and second support structures, along a sixth direction orthogonal to said first direction.

According to another aspect of the invention, said second, fourth and sixth directions are mutually parallel.
According to another aspect of the invention, said apparatus comprises a frame onto which said first and second support structure are connected,

said gripping means comprising a third support structure at least partially interposed between said first and second support structures,
said first movement means comprising:
- a first linear actuator connected to both said third support structure and said first jaw, and adapted to translate the latter along said first direction with respect to said third support structure;
- a second linear actuator connected to both said third support structure and said second jaw, and adapted to translate the latter along said first direction with respect to said third support structure,
said second movement means comprising a third linear actuator connected to both said third support structure and a first runner, and adapted to translate the latter along said second direction with respect to said third support structure,
said third movement means comprising a fourth linear actuator connected to both said first runner and said third jaw, and adapted to translate the latter along said third direction with respect to said first runner,
said fourth movement means comprising a fifth linear actuator connected to both said third support structure and a second runner, and adapted to translate the latter along said fourth direction with respect to said third support structure,
said fifth movement means comprising a sixth linear actuator connected to both said second runner and said fourth jaw, and adapted to translate the latter along said fifth direction with respect to said second runner,
said sixth movement means comprising a seventh linear actuator connected to both said frame and said third support structure, and adapted to translate the latter along said sixth direction with respect to said frame.

According to another aspect of the invention, each of said first and second jaws comprises:

an inner surface facing said item when the latter is at least partially accommodated between said first and second jaws;
an outer surface opposite to said inner surface and facing said tubular side wall when said first and second jaws are at least partially accommodated in said cavity,

in each of said first and second jaws, said inner surface and said outer surface extend in length, at least partially, parallel to said sixth direction,
in each of said first and second jaws, said inner surface having a concave cross-section and said outer surface having a convex cross-section.

Advantageously, according to this aspect of the invention, the shape of the first and second jaws is optimal so as to take a tubular label from the first support structure and transfer it to an item to be labeled.
According to another aspect of the invention, each of said third and fourth jaws comprises an inner surface extending in length, at least partially, parallel to said sixth direction and facing said outer surface of said first and second jaws, respectively, when said third and fourth jaws are in said clamping position,

said inner surface of said third jaw being shaped so as to match, at least partially, said outer surface of said first jaw when:
- said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first movement means,
- said third jaw is in said clamping position by means of said second movement means, and in said second position by means of said third movement means
  and
- said tubular side wall is not interposed between said first and third jaws (so that the latter are directly in contact with each other),
said inner surface of said fourth jaw being shaped so as to match, at least partially, said outer surface of said second jaw when:
- said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first movement means,
- said fourth jaw is in said clamping position by means of said fourth movement means, and in said second position by means of said fifth movement means
  and
- said tubular side wall is not interposed between said second and fourth jaws (so that the latter are directly in contact with each other).

According to another aspect of the invention, each of said first and second jaws:

comprises a first end and a second end opposite said first end,
faces said first support structure at said first end,
faces said second support structure at said second end
and
extends in length, at least partially, parallel to said sixth direction, from said first end to said second end,

said first and second jaws being connected to said first and second actuators, respectively, at a respective portion thereof at a certain distance from said respective first end,
when:
- said label is supported by said first support structure,
- said gripping means are in said first position by means of said seventh actuator
  and
- said first and second jaws are in said first position, respectively, by means of said first movement means,
upon a movement of said gripping means from said first position to said second position by means of said seventh actuator, said first and second jaws penetrating into said cavity, passing through said first opening, at said respective first end,
when:
- said label is not supported by said first support structure,
- said item is supported by said second support structure,
- said gripping means are in said fitting position by means of said seventh actuator,
- said first and second jaws are in said second position by means of said first and second actuators, respectively, and are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (in contact with said tubular side wall in light of the foregoing),
- said third jaw is in said clamping position by means of said third actuator, and in said second position by means of said fourth actuator,
- said fourth jaw is in said clamping position by means of said fifth actuator, and in said second position by means of said sixth actuator,
- a movement of said gripping means occurs, by means of said seventh actuator, away from said first support structure,
- both said first sliding of said third jaw on said first jaw, with the interposition of said tubular side wall by means of said third actuator towards said first support structure, and said second sliding of said fourth jaw on said second jaw, with the interposition of said tubular side wall by means of said fifth actuator and towards said first support structure occur and
- said first and second slidings occur simultaneously and at the same speed, both therebetween and with respect to said movement of said gripping means by means of said seventh actuator,
said transfer of said tubular side wall from said first and second jaws to said item, caused by said sliding of said tubular side wall together with said third and fourth jaws, occurring at said first end of each of said first and second jaws.

According to another aspect of the invention, said first support structure comprises spreader means at least partially accommodatable in said cavity from said second opening,

said spreader means, when at least partially accommodated in said cavity, being adapted to prevent a contact between two mutually opposite portions of said tubular side wall (so as to keep both the tubular side wall and the first and second openings "open"),
an at least partial accommodation of said spreader means in said cavity resulting in a support of said label by said first support structure.

According to another aspect of the invention, said spreader means comprise a first end and a second end opposite to said first end,

said spreader means face said second support structure at the first end thereof, said tubular side wall being fittable onto said spreader means, from said first opening, at said second end of said spreader means,
said first support structure comprising seventh movement means adapted to slide said tubular side wall, when fitted onto said spreader means from said first opening and at said second end of said spreader means, towards said first end of said spreader means and beyond the latter, so that said tubular side wall protrudes from said spreader means at said first opening and said spreader means are at least partially accommodated, at said first end of the latter, in said cavity from said second opening.

Brief description of the drawings

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof and from the accompanying drawings, merely given by way of non-limiting explanation, in which:

Figure 1 shows, in a diagrammatic top view, an apparatus according to the present invention prepared to apply a tubular label to an item;
Figure 2 shows, in a front and diagrammatic plan view, the label in Figure 1 supported by a structure forming part of the apparatus in Figure 1;
Figures 3 and 4 show two steps, respectively in sequence, of a method according to the present invention for applying a tubular label to an item. Said method is actuated by the apparatus in Figure 1 from the configuration shown in said Figure;
Figure 5 shows the label in Figure 2 tensioned and elastically deformed by a pair of jaws forming part of the apparatus in Figure 1;
Figures 6 to 9 show three steps, respectively in sequence, of the above method following the step in Figure 4.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

Hereinafter in the present description, a drawing may also be shown with reference to elements not expressly indicated in that drawing but indicated in other drawings. The scale and proportions of the various elements depicted do not necessarily correspond to the real values.
Figure 1 shows an apparatus 1 of the present invention for applying at least one tubular label 2 to at least one item 3. As it is known, "tubular" labels comprise an elastically deformable tubular side wall 4 (shown in Figure 2) at least partially delimiting a cavity 5 (shown in Figure 5), a first opening 6 for accessing the cavity 5 and a second opening 7 (indicated in Figure 7) which is opposite to the opening 6 and is also for accessing the cavity 5.
The apparatus 1 comprises a frame to which a first structure 8 (shown in Figure 2), adapted to support the label 2, and a second structure 9, adapted to support the item 3, are connected. The structure 8 is adapted to support the label 2 so that the cavity 5 is accessible at least from the opening 6.
As it can be seen in Figure 1, between the structures 8 and 9 there is interposed, at least partially, a group of elements 10 previously identified with the expression "gripping means" and adapted both to remove the label 2 from the structure 8, and to apply said label 2 to the item 3. The group 10 comprises a third structure 11 which is also at least partially interposed between the structures 8 and 9, and acting as a support for the other components of the group 10. The latter includes a first, preferably linear, actuator 12 and a second, preferably linear, actuator 13 which are mutually opposed. The actuator 12, preferably comprising a double-acting pneumatic cylinder, is connected both to the structure 11 and to a first jaw 14 so as to be able to move, and preferably translate, the latter with respect to the structure 11. Similarly, the actuator 13, also preferably comprising a double-acting pneumatic cylinder, is connected both to the structure 11 and to a second jaw 15 so as to be able to move, and preferably translate, the latter with respect to the structure 11. The direction along which the jaw 14 is translatable by the actuator 12 is preferably identical to the direction along which the jaw 15 is translatable by the actuator 13. Said direction, preferably horizontal, has been previously identified with the expression " first direction". The jaws 14 and 15 are preferably mutually opposed and are movable, by means of the actuators 12 and 13, both towards each other and away from each other. More specifically, the actuators 12 and 13, forming part of the aforesaid "first movement means", are adapted to move the jaws 14 and 15, respectively with respect to each other between at least one first position, shown in Figures 1 and 3, at which the jaws 14 and 15 are sufficiently close to each other so that each of the jaws 14 and 15 is at least partially accommodatable in the cavity 5 from the opening 6 when the label 2 is supported by the structure 8, and a second position, shown in Figures 4 to 9, at which the jaws 14 and 15 are sufficiently distant from each other so that, when the jaws 14 and 15 are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5, both jaws 14 and 15 are in contact with the wall 4 and are at a mutual distance from each other such as to tension, by elastically deforming, said wall 4 (as shown in Figure 5). In addition to what has been said and as shown in Figure 8, when the jaws 14 and 15 are in the second position, said jaws 14 and 15 are sufficiently distant from each other so that the item 3 is at least partially accommodatable between the jaws 14 and 15 and is also at least partially accommodatable in the cavity 5 from the opening 6 if the jaws 14 and 15 are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5 (and in contact with the wall 4). Again in addition to what has been said and again as shown in Figure 8, when the jaws 14 and 15 are in the second position and are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5 (and in contact with the wall 4), said jaws 14 and 15 are sufficiently distant from each other so that the wall 4 does not come into contact with the item 3 when the latter is at least partially accommodated between the jaws 14 and 15 (and thus in the cavity 5 from the opening 6).
As it can be seen in Figure 1, the jaw 14 comprises a first end 14a and a second end 14b opposite to the end 14a. The jaw 14 faces the structure 8 at the end 14a and faces the structure 9 at the end 14b. The jaw 14 extends from the end 14a to the end 14b preferably orthogonally to the aforesaid "first direction" and more preferably horizontally. The jaw 14 is connected to the actuator 12 at an intermediate portion thereof between the ends 14a and 14b, and therefore at a certain distance from the end 14a. Said portion of jaw 14 is preferably closer to the end 14b than to the end 14a.
Similarly, the jaw 15 comprises a first end 15a and a second end 15b opposite to the end 15a. The jaw 15 faces the structure 8 at the end 15a and faces the structure 9 at the end 15b. The jaw 15 extends from the end 15a to the end 15b preferably orthogonally to the aforesaid "first direction" and more preferably horizontally to the direction in which the jaw 14 extends (from the end 14a to the end 14b). The jaw 15 therefore extends from the end 15a to the end 15b, preferably horizontally. The jaw 15 is also preferably connected to the actuator 13 at an intermediate portion thereof between the ends 15a and 15b, and therefore at a certain distance from the end 15a. Said portion of jaw 15 is preferably closer to the end 15b than to the end 15a.
The group 10 comprises a third, preferably linear, actuator 16, preferably comprising a double-acting pneumatic cylinder, connected both to the structure 11 and to a first runner 17 so as to be able to move, and preferably translate, the latter with respect to the structure 11. The direction along which the runner 17 is translatable by the actuator 16 is preferably orthogonal to the aforesaid first direction and is preferably parallel to the direction along which the jaws 14 and 15 extend. The direction along which the runner 17 is translatable by the actuator 16, previously identified with the expression "second direction", is therefore preferably horizontal. The actuator 16, together with the runner 17, is part of the aforesaid "second movement means".
The group 10 further comprises a fourth, preferably linear, actuator 18, preferably comprising a double-acting pneumatic cylinder, connected both to the runner 17 and to a third jaw 19 so as to be able to move, and preferably to translate, the latter with respect to the runner 17. The direction along which the jaw 19 is translatable by the actuator 18, previously identified with the expression "third direction", is preferably parallel to the aforesaid first direction and is therefore preferably horizontal. The actuator 18 is part of the aforesaid "third movement means".
As it can be seen in Figure 1, since the jaw 19 is connected to the runner 17 by the actuator 18, the actuator 16 is adapted to move the jaw 19 with respect to the jaw 14 along the aforesaid second direction (i.e., preferably parallel to the direction along which the jaws 14 and 15 extend). More precisely, the jaw 19 is placeable by the actuator 16 (by means of the runner 17 and the actuator 18) at least in a position previously identified as the "clamping position" shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, 6 , 7 and 8, and at which, when the jaws 14 and 15 are in the aforesaid second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13, the jaws 14 and 19 are at least partially opposed to each other (directly or with the interposition of the wall 4 if the jaws 14 and 15 are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5). The actuator 18, being connected to the structure 11 by means of the actuator 16 and the runner 17, is adapted to move the jaw 19 both towards and away from the jaw 14 between at least one first position, shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, at which, when the jaws 14 and 15 are in the second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13, the jaws 14 and 19 are at a certain distance from each other (regardless of whether or not the jaws 14 and 19 are opposed, even partially, to each other), and a second position, shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, at which, when the jaws 14 and 15 are in the second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13 and the jaw 19 is in the clamping position by means of the actuator 16, the jaws 14 and 19 are in contact with each other directly or with the interposition of the wall 4 if the jaws 14 and 15 are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5, so that, in the latter case, the wall 4 is clamped between the jaws 14 and 19. In addition to what has been said and as shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the jaw 19 is in the aforesaid first position by means of the actuator 18, the label 2 is supported by the structure 8 and the jaws 14 and 15 are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5, the jaw 19 is sufficiently distant from the jaw 14, regardless of whether or not the latter is in the second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13, so as not to be in contact with the wall 4.
As it can be seen in Figure 1, the jaws 15 and 19 lie on opposite sides with respect to the jaw 14 so that the jaw 19 moving towards the jaw 14 by means of the actuator 18 results in the jaw 19 also moving towards to the jaw 15. When the jaw 19 is in the aforesaid second position by means of the actuator 18, the jaw 14 is also interposed between the jaws 15 and 19.
In addition to placing the jaw 19 in the clamping position, the actuator 16 is adapted to move the jaw 19, from the clamping position, with respect to the jaw 14 so that, when the jaws 14 and 15 are in the second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13 and the jaw 19 is in the second position by means of the actuator 18, the jaw 19 slides on the jaw 14 (as shown "passing from" Figure 8 to Figure 9) directly or with the interposition of the wall 4 when the jaws 14 and 15 are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5.
The group 10 comprises a fifth, preferably linear, actuator 20, preferably comprising a double-acting pneumatic cylinder, connected both to the structure 11 and to a second runner 21 so as to be able to move, and preferably translate, the latter with respect to the structure 11. The direction along which the runner 21 is translatable by the actuator 20 is preferably orthogonal to the aforesaid first direction and is preferably parallel to the direction along which the jaws 14 and 15 extend. The direction along which the runner 17 is translatable by the actuator 16, previously identified with the expression "fourth direction", is therefore preferably parallel to the second direction and horizontal. The actuator 20, together with the runner 21, is part of the aforesaid "fourth movement means". The group 10 further comprises a sixth, preferably linear, actuator 22, preferably comprising a double-acting pneumatic cylinder, connected both to the runner 21 and to a fourth jaw 23 so as to be able to move, and preferably to translate, the latter with respect to the runner 21. The direction along which the jaw 23 is translatable by the actuator 22, previously identified with the expression "fifth direction", is preferably parallel to the aforesaid first direction and is therefore preferably parallel to the third direction and horizontal. The actuator 22 is part of the aforesaid "fifth movement means".
As it can be seen in Figure 1, since the jaw 23 is connected to the runner 21 by the actuator 22, the actuator 20 is adapted to move the jaw 23 with respect to the jaw 15 along the aforesaid fourth direction (i.e., preferably parallel to the direction along which the jaws 14 and 15 extend). More precisely, similarly to what has been said for the jaw 19, the jaw 23 is placeable by the actuator 20 (by means of the runner 21 and the actuator 22) at least in a position previously identified as the "clamping position" shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8, and at which, when the jaws 14 and 15 are in the aforesaid second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13, the jaws 15 and 23 are at least partially opposed to each other (directly or with the interposition of the wall 4 if the jaws 14 and 15 are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5). The actuator 22, being connected to the structure 11 by means of the runner 21 and the actuator 20, is adapted to move the jaw 23 both towards and away from the jaw 15 between at least one first position, shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, at which, when the jaws 14 and 15 are in the second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13, the jaws 15 and 23 are at a certain distance from each other (regardless of whether or not the jaws 15 and 23 are opposed, even partially, to each other), and a second position, shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8, at which, when the jaws 14 and 15 are in the second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13 and the jaw 23 is in the clamping position by means of the actuator 20, the jaws 15 and 23 are in contact with each other directly or with the interposition of the wall 4 if the jaws 14 and 15 are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5, so that, in the latter case, the wall 4 is clamped between the jaws 15 and 23. In addition to what has been said and as shown in Figures 3 and 4, when the jaw 23 is in the aforesaid first position by means of the actuator 22, the label 2 is supported by the structure 8 and the jaws 14 and 15 are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5, the jaw 23 is sufficiently distant from the jaw 15, regardless of whether or not the latter is in the second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13, so as not to be in contact with the wall 4.
As it can be seen in Figure 1, the jaws 14 and 23 lie on opposite sides with respect to the jaw 15 so that the jaw 23 moving towards the jaw 15 by means of the actuator 22 results in the jaw 23 also moving towards to the jaw 14. When the jaw 23 is in the aforesaid second position by means of the actuator 22, the jaw 15 is also interposed between the jaws 14 and 23. The jaws 19 and 23 therefore lie on opposite sides with respect to the jaws 14 and 15 considered as a whole.
In addition to placing the jaw 23 in the clamping position, the actuator 20 is adapted to move the jaw 23, from the clamping position, with respect to the jaw 15 so that, when the jaws 14 and 15 are in the second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13 and the jaw 23 is in the clamping position by means of the actuator 20, the jaw 23 slides on the jaw 15 (as shown "passing from" Figure 8 to Figure 9) directly or with the interposition of the wall 4 when the jaws 14 and 15 are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5.
Again, as it can be seen in Figure 1, the actuator 12, the jaw 14, the actuator 16, the runner 17, the actuator 18 and the jaw 19 are preferably specular, with respect to the same plane of symmetry, to the actuator 13, the jaw 15, the actuator 20, the runner 21, the actuator 22 and the jaw 23, respectively.
The apparatus 1 comprises a seventh, preferably linear actuator 24, preferably with toothed belts, connected both to the frame of the apparatus 1 and to the structure 11 so as to move, and preferably translate, the latter with respect to the frame and thus with respect to the structures 8 and 9. More precisely, the actuator 24 is adapted to move the structure 11 both towards and away from the structure 8 (and at the same time both away from and towards the structure 9). The direction along which the structure 11 is translatable by the actuator 24, previously identified with the expression "sixth direction", is preferably orthogonal to the aforesaid first direction and is more preferably parallel to the directions in which the jaws 14 and 15 extend, respectively. The direction along which the structure 11 is translatable by the actuator 24 is therefore preferably horizontal. In light of the above, the aforesaid second, fourth and sixth directions are preferably mutually parallel.
The actuator 24 is adapted to move the structure 11, and thus the group 10, between at least one first position, shown in Figure 1, at which, when the label 2 is supported by the structure 8, the jaws 14 and 15 are not accommodated in the cavity 5 (even when the latter are in the first position by means of the actuators 12 and 13), and a second position, shown in Figures 3 and 4, at which, when the label is supported by the structure 8, the jaws 14 and 15 (connected to the actuators 12 and 13, respectively, which are connected, in turn, to the structure 11) are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5 from the opening 6 (in the first position by means of the actuators 12 and 13 or after having entered the cavity 5 in the first position).
The actuator 24 is further adapted to place the structure 11, and thus the group 10, in a position previously defined as the "fitting position", shown in Figures 8 and 9, which may coincide with the aforesaid first position and at which, when the item 3 is supported by the structure 9 and the jaws 14 and 15 are in the aforesaid second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13, the item 3 is at least partially accommodated between the jaws 14 and 15 and is also at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5 from the opening 6 if the jaws 14 and 15 are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5 (and in contact with the wall 4).
The actuators 16 and 20 are adapted to translate the jaws 19 and 23, respectively, (by means of the runner 17 and the actuator 18, and by means of the runner 21 and the actuator 22, respectively), from the respective clamping positions, with respect to the jaws 14 and 15, respectively, simultaneously, in mutually parallel directions, at the same speed and in the same direction. The actuator 16 is further adapted to move the jaw 19 (by means of the runner 17 and the actuator 18), with respect to the jaw 14, simultaneously, in a direction parallel to, at the same speed but in a direction opposite to a movement of the structure 11, and thus of the group 10, by means of the actuator 24. Also the actuator 20 is adapted to move the jaw 23 (by means of the runner 21 and the actuator 22), with respect to the jaw 15, simultaneously, in a direction parallel to, at the same speed but in a direction opposite to a movement of the structure 11, and thus of the group 10, by means of the actuator 24.
The jaws 14, 15, 19 and 23 are such that, when:

the label 2 is supported by the structure 8,
the structure 11, and thus the group 10, is in the second position by means of the actuator 24,
the jaws 14 and 15 are in the second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13 (after having entered the cavity 5 in the first position by means of the actuators 12 and 13),
the jaw 19 is in the clamping position by means of the actuator 16, and in the second position by means of the actuator 18
and
the jaw 23 is in the clamping position by means of the actuator 20, and in the second position by means of the actuator 22,

so that the jaws 14 and 19 are mutually in contact with the wall 4 interposed therebetween, and the jaws 15 and 23 are mutually in contact with the wall 4 interposed therebetween,
the static friction between the wall 4 and the jaws 14, 15, 19 and 23 connects the wall 4 to the jaws 14, 15, 19 and 23, so that a movement of the structure 11 from the second position to the first position by means of the actuator 24 results in a removal of the label 2 from the structure 8.

The jaws 14 and 19 are further such that, when:

the label 2 is not supported by the structure 8,
the jaws 14 and 15 are in the second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13, and are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 15 (in contact with the wall 4)
and
the jaw 19 is in the clamping position by means of the actuator 16, and in the second position by means of the actuator 18,

so that the jaws 14 and 19 are mutually in contact with the wall 4 interposed therebetween (i.e., with the wall 4 clamped between the jaws 14 and 19),
the static friction between the jaw 14 and the wall 4 is lower than the static friction between the jaw 19 and the wall 4, so that a sliding of the jaw 19 on the jaw 14 with the interposition of the wall 4 by means of the actuator 16 produces a sliding of the wall 4, together with the jaw 19, on the jaw 14. For this purpose, the jaw 14 is preferably made of metal and the jaw 19 is preferably made of rubber.

Similarly, the jaws 15 and 23 are such that, when:

the label 2 is not supported by the structure 8,
the jaws 14 and 15 are in the second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13, and are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 15 (in contact with the wall 4)
and
the jaw 23 is in the clamping position by means of the actuator 20, and in the second position by means of the actuator 22,

so that the jaws 15 and 23 are mutually in contact with the wall 4 interposed therebetween (i.e., with the wall 4 clamped between the jaws 15 and 23),
the static friction between the jaw 15 and the wall 4 is lower than the static friction between the jaw 23 and the wall 4, so that a sliding of the jaw 23 on the jaw 15 with the interposition of the wall 4 by means of the actuator 20 produces a sliding of the wall 4, together with the jaw 23, on the jaw 15. For this purpose, the jaw 15 is preferably made of metal and the jaw 23 is preferably made of rubber.

The actuators 16 and 20 are adapted to sufficiently move the jaws 19 and 23, respectively, from their respective clamping positions, with respect to the jaws 14 and 15, respectively, so that, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, when:

the label 2 is not supported by the structure 8;
the item 3 is supported by the structure 9,
the structure 11 is in the fitting position by means of the actuator 24,
the jaws 14 and 15 are in the second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13, and are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5 (in contact with the wall 4),
the jaw 19 is in the clamping position by means of the actuator 16, and in the second position by means of the actuator 18 (so that the jaws 14 and 19 are mutually in contact with the wall 4 interposed therebetween, i.e., with the wall 4 clamped between the jaws 14 and 19),
the jaw 23 is in the clamping position by means of the actuator 20, and in the second position by means of the actuator 22 (so that the jaws 15 and 23 are mutually in contact with the wall 4 interposed therebetween, i.e., with the wall 4 clamped between the jaws 15 and 23),
a movement of the structure 11 occurs by means of the actuator 24 away from the structure 8,
there is both a first sliding of the jaw 19 on the jaw 14 with the interposition of the wall 4 by means of the actuator 16, as well as a second sliding
- in the same direction as that of
- at the same speed as that of
  and
- in a direction parallel to that of
  said first sliding, of the jaw 23 on the jaw 15 with the interposition of the wall 4 by means of the actuator 20
  and
said first and second slidings occur
- simultaneously with
- at the same speed as that of
- in a direction opposite to that of
  and
- in directions parallel to that of
said movement of the structure 11 by means of the actuator 24,

jaws

item

label

item

With reference to Figure 2 , it can be seen that the structure 8 comprises a spreader element 25, preferably with an elongated shape, on which the label 2 is preferably fittable so that the wall 4 adheres to the side wall of the spreader 25. The shape of the spreader 25 is preferably such that, when the label 2 is fitted on the spreader 25, the cross-section of the wall 4 (corresponding to the section of the wall 4 in the plane of the sheet of Figure 2) substantially corresponds to the perimeter of a flat geometric figure consisting of a rectangle and two semicircles each of which having a diameter congruent with a short side of the rectangle and matching with the short sides of said rectangle, respectively, at the side thereof corresponding to the diameter. The spreader 25 is at least partially accommodatable in the cavity 5 from the opening 7, and when it is at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5 from the opening 7 it is adapted to prevent contact between two mutually opposite portions of the wall 4 (so as to keep the wall 4 and the openings 6 and 7 "open").
As it can be seen in Figure 1, the label 2 is preferably part of a tubular strip 26 corresponding to the tubular side wall of a plurality of tubular labels adjacent to each other so that the opening 7 of a label coincides with the opening 6 of the label immediately following in said strip 26. The spreader 25 preferably comprises a first end 27 at which it faces the group 10 and the structure 9, and a second end opposite the first end thereof. The strip 26 (or the wall 4 of the label 2 alone) is preferably fittable on the spreader 25, from the opening 6 of the first label 2 of the strip 26, at the second end of the spreader 25. The structure 8 preferably comprises one or more, preferably linear, actuators, part of the aforesaid "seventh movement means", adapted to slide the strip 26 (or the wall 4 of the label 2 alone) when fitted onto the spreader 25 from the opening 6 of the first label 2 of the strip 26 and at the second end of the spreader 25, towards the end 27 and beyond the latter, so that the strip 26 (or the wall 4 of the label 2 alone) protrudes from the spreader 25 (as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4) at the opening 6 of the first label 2 of the strip 26, and the spreader 25 is at least partially accommodated, at the end 27, in the cavity 5 of the first label 2 of the strip 26 from the opening 7 of the first label 2 of the strip 26. An at least partial accommodation of the spreader 25 in the cavity 5 results in the label 2 being supported by the structure 8.
In order to apply the label 2 to the item 3 by using the apparatus 1, it is possible to actuate the method described below, which is also the object of the invention. The aforesaid method is actuated from an initial configuration, shown in Figure 1, in which:

the label 2 is supported by the structure 8 so that the cavity 5 is accessible at least from the opening 6,
the item 3 is supported by the structure 9,
the structure 11, and thus the group 10, is in the first position by means of the actuator 24,
the jaws 14 and 15 are in the first position by means of the actuators 12 and 13,
the jaw 19 is in the clamping position by means of the actuator 16, and in the first position by means of the actuator 18
and
the jaw 23 is in the clamping position by means of the actuator 20, and in the first position by means of the actuator 22.

The actuator 24 is operated so as to make the structure 11 translate away from the structure 9 (as indicated by a pair of arrows in Figure 1), from the first position to the second position, so that the jaws 14 and 15 (in the first position by means of the actuators 12 and 13) penetrate into the cavity 5 passing through the opening 6 at the respective ends 14a and 15a, so as to be at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5. Figure 3 shows the apparatus 1 at the end of said operation of the actuator 24. As it can be seen in this Figure, when the label 2 is supported by the structure 8 and the jaws 14 and 15 are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5, the jaws 14 and 19, as well as the jaws 15 and 23, lie on opposite sides with respect to the wall 4. In the configuration shown in Figure 3, the jaws 14 and 15 are preferably very close to, or in contact with, the end 27 of the spreader 25 at the respective ends 14a and 15a thereof.
The actuators 12 and 13 are therefore operated so as to make the jaws 14 and 15 translate away from each other (as indicated by a pair of arrows in Figure 3), from the first position to the second position, so that the jaws 14 and 15, at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5, come into contact with the wall 4 tensioning the latter and elastically deforming it. Figures 4 and 5 show the apparatus 1 at the end of said operation of the actuators 12 and 13. As it can be seen in Figure 5, each of the jaws 14 and 15 preferably comprises an outer surface 28 facing the wall 4 when the jaws 14 and 15 are at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5, and an inner surface 29 opposite to the surface 28. In each of the jaws 14 and 15, the surfaces 28 and 29 at least partially extend in length, preferably parallel to said sixth direction. In each of the jaws 14 and 15, the surface 28 preferably has a convex cross-section preferably shaped as an arc of circumference. In each of the jaws 14 and 15, the surface 29 preferably has a concave cross-section also preferably shaped as an arc of circumference. Similarly and again, as it can be seen in Figure 5, each of the jaws 19 and 23 preferably comprises an inner surface 30 at least partially extending in length, parallel to the aforesaid sixth direction (and therefore parallel to the direction in which the surfaces 28 and 29 of the jaws 14 and 15 extend), and an outer surface 31 opposite to the surface 30. The jaws 19 and 23, when in the clamping position, face the surface 28 of the jaws 14 and 15 at the surface 30 thereof, respectively. In each of the jaws 19 and 23, the surface 30 preferably has a concave cross-section preferably shaped as an arc of circumference. In each of the jaws 19 and 23, the surface 31 preferably has a convex cross-section also preferably shaped as an arc of circumference. The surface 30 of the jaw 19 is preferably shaped so as to match, at least partially, the surface 28 of the jaw 14 when:

the jaws 14 and 15 are in the second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13,
the jaw 19 is in the clamping position by means of the actuator 16, and in the second position by means of the actuator 18
and
the wall 4 is not interposed between the jaws 14 and 19 (so that the latter are directly in contact with each other).

Similarly, the surface 30 of the jaw 23 is preferably shaped so as to match, at least partially, the surface 28 of the jaw 15 when:

the jaws 14 and 15 are in the second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13,
the jaw 23 is in the clamping position by means of the actuator 20, and in the second position by means of the actuator 22
and
the wall 4 is not interposed between the jaws 15 and 23 (so that the latter are directly in contact with each other).

From the configuration shown in Figure 4, the actuators 18 and 22 are operated so as to make the jaws 19 and 23 translate towards each other, respectively (as indicated by a pair of arrows in Figure 4), from the first position to the second position, so that the jaws 19 and 23, in the clamping position, by means of the actuators 16 and 20, respectively, come into contact with the jaws 14 and 15, respectively, with the interposition of the wall 4 (i.e., with the latter clamped between the jaws 14 and 19 and between the jaws 15 and 23). Figure 6 shows the apparatus 1 at the end of said operation of the actuators 18 and 22.
The actuator 24 is therefore operated so as to make the structure 11 translate towards the structure 9 (as indicated by a pair of arrows in Figures 6 and 7), from the second position to the fitting position, so that:

the jaws 14 and 15 (in the second position by means of the actuators 12 and 13), together with the jaws 19 and 23 (in the clamping position by means of the actuators 16 and 20, respectively, and in the second position by means of the actuators 18 and 22, respectively) remove, by pulling therewith, the label 2 from the support 8, detaching the label 2 from the strip 16. The detachment of the label 2 from the strip 16 is obtainable, for example, by means of easybreaking lines obtained in the strip 16 so as to separate the wall 4 of a label from that of the label 2 immediately following it in the strip 16,
and
the item 3 is at least partially accommodated both between the jaws 14 and 15, and in the cavity 5 from the opening 6 (also being the jaws 14 and 15 at least partially accommodated in the cavity 5).

The structure 11, and thus the group 10, is therefore translated so as to remove the label 2 from the structure 8 and fit it on the item 3 (onto which it must be applied).
Figure 7 shows the apparatus 1 during the aforesaid operation of the actuator 24. Figure 8 shows the apparatus 1 at the end of the aforesaid operation of the actuator 24.
Incidentally, in the configuration shown in Figure 8, the surface 29 of each of the jaws 14 and 15 faces the item 3.
To transfer the label 2 from the jaws 14 and 15 onto the item 3, the actuators 16 and 20 are operated so that the jaws 19 and 23, together with the wall 4, slide on the jaws 14 and 15, respectively (as indicated by a first pair of arrows in Figure 8)

in the same direction (towards structure 8)
at the same speed
and
in mutually parallel directions,
and simultaneously the actuator 24 is operated so as to move the structure 11, and thus the group 10 (as indicated by a second pair of arrows in Figure 8),
simultaneously with
at the same speed as that of
in a direction opposite (away from the structure 8) to that of
and
in a direction parallel to that of

jaws

structure

group

jaws

a transfer of the label 2 on the item 3 at the ends 14a and 15a of the jaws 14 and 15, without any rubbing between the label 2 and the item 3 occurring
and
an application of the label 2 to the item 3 due to an elastic return of the wall 4.

Figure 9 shows the apparatus 1 at the end of the aforesaid operations of the actuators 16, 20 and 24.
Incidentally, the fact that the jaws 19 and 23 are slid, together with the label 2, on the jaws 14 and 15, respectively, in the same direction, at the same speed and in the opposite direction with respect to the movement of the structure 11, ensures that there is no relative movement between, on the one hand, the jaws 19 and 23 (and, therewith, the label 2) and, on the other hand, the item 3 to be labeled. This ensures that there is no rubbing between the label 2 and the item 2 upon the "descent" of label 2 from the jaws 14 and 15 with the consequent transfer of the label 2 on the item 3.
Based on the description given for a preferred embodiment, it is apparent that some changes may be introduced by those skilled in the art, without however departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

An apparatus (1) for applying at least one tubular label (2) to at least one item (3),
said label (2) comprising a tubular side wall (4) elastically deformable and delimiting, at least partially:
• a cavity (5);

• a first opening (6) for accessing said cavity (5);

• a second opening (7) for accessing said cavity (5) and opposite to said first opening (6),

said apparatus (1) comprising:
• a first support structure (8) adapted to support said label (2) so that said cavity (5) is accessible at least from said first opening (6);

• a second support structure adapted to support said item,

said apparatus (1) further comprising:
• gripping means (10) at least partially interposed between said first and second support structures (8, 9) and including:
- a first jaw (14);

- a second jaw (15), at least partially opposed to said first jaw (14);

- first movement means (12, 13) adapted to mutually move said first and second jaws (14, 15), both towards each other and away from each other, at least between:
➢ a first position in which said first and second jaws (14, 15) are sufficiently close to each other so that each of said first and second jaws (14, 15) is at least partially accommodatable in said cavity (5) from said first opening (6) when said label (2) is supported by said first support structure (8)
and

➢ a second position in which said first and second jaws (14, 15) are sufficiently distant from each other so that, when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5), said first and second jaws (14, 15) are both in contact with said tubular side wall (4) and are at a mutual distance such as to tension said tubular side wall (4) elastically deforming it,
when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position, said first and second jaws (14, 15) being also sufficiently distant from each other so that said item (3) is at least partially accommodated between said first and second jaws (14, 15) and is also at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5) from said first opening (6) when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5),

when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position and are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5), said first and second jaws (14, 15) being also sufficiently distant from each other so that said tubular side wall (4) does not come into contact with said item (3) when the latter is at least partially accommodated between said first and second jaws (14, 15);

- a third jaw (19), the apparatus being configured such that when said label (2) is supported by said first support structure (8) and said first and second jaws (14, 15) are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5), said first and third jaws (14, 19) lying on opposite sides with respect to said tubular side wall (4);

- second movement means (16, 17) adapted to move said third jaw (19) with respect to said first jaw (14),
said third jaw (19) being placeable by said second movement means (16, 17) at least in a clamping position in which, when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first movement means (12, 13), said first and third jaws (14, 19) are at least partially opposed to each other directly or with the interposition of said tubular side wall (4) when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5);

- third movement means (18) adapted to move said third jaw (19) both towards and away from said first jaw (14), at least between:
➢ a first position in which, when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first movement means (12, 13), said first and third jaws (14, 19) are at a certain distance from each other,
and in which, when said label (2) is supported by said first support structure (8) and said first and second jaws (14, 15) are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5), said third jaw is not in contact with said tubular side wall (4)
and

➢ a second position in which, when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first movement means (12, 13) and said third jaw (19) is in said clamping position by means of said second movement means (16, 17), said first and third jaws (14, 19) are in contact with each other directly or with the interposition of said tubular side wall (4) when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5),

said second and third jaws (15, 19) lying on opposite sides with respect to said first jaw (14),

said second movement means (16, 17) being adapted to move said third jaw (19), from said clamping position, with respect to said first jaw (14) so that, when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first movement means (12, 13) and said third jaw (19) is in said second position by means of said third movement means (18), said third jaw (19) slides on said first jaw (14) directly or with the interposition of said tubular side wall (4) when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5);

- a fourth jaw (23), the apparatus being configured such that when said label (2) is supported by said first support structure (8) and said first and second jaws (14, 15) are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5), said second and fourth jaws (15, 23) lying on opposite sides with respect to said tubular side wall (4);

- fourth movement means (20, 21) adapted to move said fourth jaw (23) with respect to said second jaw (15),
said fourth jaw (23) being placeable by said fourth movement means (20, 21) at least in a clamping position in which, when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first movement means (12, 13), said second and fourth jaws (15, 23) are at least partially opposed to each other directly or with the interposition of said tubular side wall (4) when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5);

- fifth movement means (22) adapted to move said fourth jaw (23) both towards and away from said second jaw (15), at least between:
➢ a first position in which, when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first movement means (12, 13), said second and fourth jaws (15, 23) are at a certain distance from each other,
and in which, when said label (2) is supported by said first support structure (8) and said first and second jaws (14, 15) are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5), said fourth jaw (23) is not in contact with said tubular side wall (4)
and

➢ a second position in which, when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first movement means (12, 13) and said fourth jaw (23) is in said clamping position by means of said fourth movement means (20, 21), said second and fourth jaws (15, 23) are in contact with each other directly or with the interposition of said tubular side wall (4) when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5),

said first and fourth jaws (14, 23) lying on opposite sides with respect to said second jaw (15) so that said third and fourth jaws (19, 23) lie on opposite sides with respect to said first and second jaws (14, 15) considered as a whole,

said fourth movement means (20, 21) being adapted to move said fourth jaw (23), from said clamping position, with respect to said second jaw (15) so that, when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first movement means (12, 13) and said fourth jaw (23) is in said second position by means of said fifth movement means (22), said fourth jaw (23) slides on said second jaw (15) directly or with the interposition of said tubular side wall (4) when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5);

• sixth movement means (24) adapted to move said gripping means (10):
- towards said first support structure (8) and away from said second support structure (9)
and

- away from said first support structure (8) and towards said second support structure (9)

at least between:
- a first position in which, when said label (2) is supported by said first support structure (8), said first and second jaws (14, 15) are not accommodated in said cavity (5) even when in said first position by means of said first movement means (12, 13)
and

- a second position in which, when said label (2) is supported by said first support structure (8), said first and second jaws (14, 15) are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5) from said first opening (6) in said first position by means of said first movement means (12, 13) or after having penetrated into said cavity (5), through said first opening (6), in said first position,

said sixth movement means (24) being also adapted to place said gripping means (10) in a fitting position which can coincide with said first position and in which, when said item (3) is supported by said second support structure (9) and said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first movement means (12, 13), said item (3) is at least partially accommodated between said first and second jaws (14, 15) and is also at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5) from said first opening (6) when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5),

said second and fourth movement means (16, 17, 20, 21) being adapted to move said third jaw (19) with respect to said first jaw (14) and said fourth jaw (23) with respect to said second jaw (15), respectively:
• simultaneously

• in mutually parallel directions

• at the same speed
and

• in the same direction,

said second movement means (16, 17) being adapted to move said third jaw (19) with respect to said first jaw (14):
• simultaneously with

• in a direction parallel to that of

• at the same speed as that of
and

• in a direction opposite to that of

a movement of said gripping means (10) by means of said sixth movement means (24),

said fourth movement means (20, 21) being adapted to move said fourth jaw (23) with respect to said second jaw (15):
• simultaneously with

• in a direction parallel to that of

• at the same speed as that of
and

• in a direction opposite to that of

a movement of said gripping means (10) by means of said sixth movement means (24),

said first, second, third and fourth jaws (14, 15, 19, 23) being such that, when:
• said label (2) is supported by said first support structure (8),

• said gripping means (10) are in said second position by means of said sixth movement means (24),

• said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first movement means (12, 13) after having penetrated into said cavity (5) in said first position by means of said first movement means (12, 13),

• said third jaw (19) is in said clamping position by means of said second movement means (16, 17), and in said second position by means of said third movement means (18)
and

• said fourth jaw (23) is in said clamping position by means of said fourth movement means (20, 21), and in said second position by means of said fifth movement means (22),

so that said first and third jaws (14, 19) are mutually in contact with said tubular side wall (4) interposed therebetween, and said second and fourth jaws (15, 23) are mutually in contact with said tubular side wall (4) interposed therebetween, the static friction between said tubular side wall (4) and said first, second, third and fourth jaws (14, 15, 19, 23) connects said tubular side wall (4) to said first, second, third and fourth jaws (14, 15, 19, 23), so that a movement of said gripping means (10) from said second position to said first position by means of said sixth movement means (24) results in a removal of said label (2) from said first support structure (8),

said first and third jaws (14, 19) being such that, when:
• said label (2) is not supported by said first support structure (8),

• said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first movement means (12, 13) and are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5)
and

• said third jaw (19) is in said clamping position by means of said second movement means (16, 17), and in said second position by means of said third movement means (18),

so that said first and third jaws (14, 19) are mutually in contact with said tubular side wall (4) interposed therebetween,

the static friction between said first jaw (14) and said tubular side wall (4) is lower than the static friction between said third jaw (19) and said tubular side wall (4), so that a sliding of said third jaw (19) on said first jaw (14) with the interposition of said tubular side wall (4) by means of said second movement means (16, 17) causes a sliding of said tubular side wall (4), together with said third jaw (19), on said first jaw (14),

said second and fourth jaws (15, 23) being such that, when:
• said label (2) is not supported by said first support structure (8),

• said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first movement means (12, 13) and are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5)
and

• said fourth jaw (23) is in said clamping position by means of said fourth movement means (20, 21), and in said second position by means of said fifth movement means (22),

so that said second and fourth jaws (15, 23) are mutually in contact with said tubular side wall (4) interposed therebetween,

the static friction between said second jaw (15) and said tubular side wall (4) is lower than the static friction between said fourth jaw (23) and said tubular side wall (4), so that a sliding of said fourth jaw (23) on said second jaw (15) with the interposition of said tubular side wall (4) by means of said fourth movement means (20, 21) causes a sliding of said tubular side wall (4), together with said fourth jaw (23), on said second jaw (15),

said second and fourth movement means (15, 23) being adapted to sufficiently move said third and fourth jaws (19, 23), respectively, from the respective clamping positions, with respect to said first and second jaws (14, 15), respectively, so that, when:
• said label (2) is not supported by said first support structure (8),

• said item (3) is supported by said second support structure (9),

• said gripping means (10) are in said fitting position by means of said sixth movement means (24),

• said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first movement means (12, 13) and are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5),

• said third jaw (19) is in said clamping position by means of said second movement means (16, 17), and in said second position by means of said third movement means (18),

• said fourth jaw (23) is in said clamping position by means of said fourth movement means (20, 21), and in said second position by means of said fifth movement means (22),

• a movement of said gripping means (10) occurs, by means of said sixth movement means (24), away from said first support structure (8),

• both a first sliding of said third jaw (19) on said first jaw (14), with the interposition of said tubular side wall (4) by means of said second movement means (16, 17), and a second sliding
- in the same direction as that of

- at the same speed as that of
and

- in a direction parallel to that of
said first sliding of said fourth jaw (23) on said second jaw (15) with the interposition of said tubular side wall (4) by means of said fourth movement means (20, 21) occur,
and

• said first and second slidings occur
- simultaneously with

- at the same speed as that of

- in a direction opposite to that of
and

- in directions parallel to that of
said movement of said gripping means (10) by means of said sixth movement means (24),

said sliding of said tubular side wall (4), together with said third and fourth jaws (19, 23), on said first and second jaws (14, 15), respectively, caused by said first and second slidings, results in a transfer of said tubular side wall (4) from said first and second jaws (14, 15) to said item (3) without any rubbing between said tubular side wall (4) and said item (3), and an application of said label (2) to said item (3) due to an elastic return of said tubular side wall (4).
An apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first movement means (12, 13) are adapted to translate said first and second jaws (14, 15) with respect to each other along a first direction,
said second movement means (16, 17) being adapted to translate said third jaw (19), with respect to said first jaw (14), along a second direction orthogonal to said first direction,

said third movement means (18) being adapted to translate said third jaw (19), with respect to said first jaw (14), along a third direction parallel to said first direction,

said fourth movement means (20, 21) being adapted to translate said fourth jaw (23), with respect to said second jaw (15), along a fourth direction orthogonal to said first direction,

said fifth movement means (22) being adapted to translate said fourth jaw (23), with respect to said second jaw (15), along a fifth direction parallel to said first direction,

said sixth movement means (24) being adapted to translate said gripping means (10), with respect to said first and second support structures (8, 9), along a sixth direction orthogonal to said first direction.
An apparatus (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that said second, fourth and sixth directions are mutually parallel.
An apparatus (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises a frame to which said first and second support structures (8, 9) are connected,
said gripping means (10) comprising a third support structure (11) at least partially interposed between said first and second support structures (8, 9),

said first movement means (12, 13) comprising:
• a first linear actuator (12) connected to both said third support structure (11) and said first jaw (14), and adapted to translate said first jaw (14) along said first direction with respect to said third support structure (11);

• a second linear actuator (13) connected to both said third support structure (11) and said second jaw (15), and adapted to translate said second jaw (15) along said first direction with respect to said third support structure (11),

said second movement means (16, 17) comprising a third linear actuator (16) connected to both said third support structure (11) and a first runner (17), and adapted to translate said first runner (17) along said second direction with respect to said third support structure (11),

said third movement means comprising a fourth linear actuator (18) connected to both said first runner (17) and said third jaw (19), and adapted to translate said third jaw (19) along said third direction with respect to said first runner (17), said fourth movement means (20, 21) comprising a fifth linear actuator (20) connected to both said third support structure (11) and a second runner (21), and adapted to translate said second runner (21) along said fourth direction with respect to said third support structure (11),

said fifth movement means comprising a sixth linear actuator (22) connected to both said second runner (21) and said fourth jaw (23), and adapted to translate said fourth jaw (23) along said fifth direction with respect to said second runner (21),

said sixth movement means comprising a seventh linear actuator (24) connected to both said frame and said third support structure (11), and adapted to translate said third support structure (11) along said sixth direction with respect to said frame.
An apparatus (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that each of said first and second jaws (14, 15) comprises:
• an inner surface (29) facing said item (3) when the latter is at least partially accommodated between said first and second jaws (14, 15);

• an outer surface (28) opposite to said inner surface (29) and facing said tubular side wall (4) when said first and second jaws (14, 15) are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5),

in each of said first and second jaws (14, 15), said inner surface (29) and said outer surface (28) extend in length, at least partially, parallel to said sixth direction,

in each of said first and second jaws (14, 15), said inner surface (29) having a concave cross-section and said outer surface (28) having a convex cross-section.
An apparatus (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that each of said third and fourth jaws (19, 23) comprises an inner surface (30) extending in length, at least partially, parallel to said sixth direction and facing said outer surface (28) of said first and second jaws (14, 15), respectively, when said third and fourth jaws (19, 23) are in said clamping position by means of said second and fourth movement means (16, 17, 20, 21), respectively,
said inner surface (30) of said third jaw (19) being shaped so as to match, at least partially, said outer surface (28) of said first jaw (14) when:
• said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first movement means (12, 13),

• said third jaw (19) is in said clamping position by means of said second movement means (16, 17), and in said second position by means of said third movement means (18)
and

• said tubular side wall (4) is not interposed between said first and third jaws (14, 19),

said inner surface (30) of said fourth jaw (23) being shaped so as to match, at least partially, said outer surface (28) of said second jaw (15) when:
• said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first movement means (12, 13),

• said fourth jaw (23) is in said clamping position by means of said fourth movement means (20, 21), and in said second position by means of said fifth movement means (22)
and

• said tubular side wall (4) is not interposed between said second and fourth jaws (15, 23).
An apparatus (1) according to claim 4 or claim 5 when dependent on claim 4, or claim 6 when claim 5 depends on claim 4, characterized in that each of said first and second jaws (14, 15):
• comprises a first end (14a, 15a) and a second end (14a, 15b) opposite to said first end (14a, 15a),

• faces said first support structure (8) at said first end (14a, 15a),

• faces said second support structure (9) at said second end (14b, 15b) and

• extends in length, at least partially, parallel to said sixth direction, from said first end (14a, 15a) to said second end (14b, 15b),

said first and second jaws (14, 15) being respectively connected to said first and second actuators (12, 13) at a respective portion thereof at a certain distance from said respective first end (14a, 15a),

when:
• said label (2) is supported by said first support structure (8),

• said gripping means (10) are in said first position by means of said seventh actuator (24)
and

• said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said first position, respectively, by means of said first movement means (12, 13),

upon a movement of said gripping means (10) from said first position to said second position by means of said seventh actuator (24), said first and second jaws (14, 15) penetrating into said cavity (5), passing through said first opening (6), at said respective first end (14a, 15a),

when:
• said label (2) is not supported by said first support structure (8),

• said item (3) is supported by said second support structure (9),

• said gripping means (10) are in said fitting position by means of said seventh actuator (24),

• said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said second position by means of said first and second actuator (12, 13), respectively, and are at least partially accommodated in said cavity (15),

• said third jaw (19) is in said clamping position by means of said third actuator (16), and in said second position by means of said fourth actuator (18),

• said fourth jaw (23) is in said clamping position by means of said fifth actuator (20), and in said second position by means of said sixth actuator (22),

• a movement of said gripping means (10) occurs, by means of said seventh actuator (24), away from said first support structure (8),

• both said first sliding of said third jaw (19) on said first jaw (14), with the interposition of said tubular side wall (4) by means of said third actuator (16) towards said first support structure (8), and said second sliding of said fourth jaw (23) on said second jaw (15), with the interposition of said tubular side wall (4) by means of said fifth actuator (20) and towards said first support structure (8) occur,
and

• said first and second slidings occur simultaneously and at the same speed, both therebetween and with respect to said movement of said gripping means (10) by means of said seventh actuator (24),

said transfer of said tubular side wall (4) from said first and second jaws (14, 15) to said item (3), caused by said sliding of said tubular side wall (4) together with said third and fourth jaws (19, 23), occurring at said first end (14a, 15a) of each of said first and second jaws (14, 15).
An apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first support structure (8) comprises spreader means (25) at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5) from said second opening (7),
said spreader means (25), when at least partially accommodated in said cavity (5) from said second opening (7), being adapted to prevent a contact between two mutually opposite portions of said tubular side wall (4),

an at least partial accommodation of said spreader means (25) in said cavity (5) from said second opening (7) resulting in a support of said label (2) by said first support structure (8).
An apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said spreader means (25) comprise a first end (27) and a second end opposite to said first end (27) thereof,
said spreader means (25) face said second support structure (9) at the first end (27) thereof,

said tubular side wall (4) being fittable onto said spreader means (25), at said first opening (6), from said second end of said spreader means (25),

said first support structure (8) comprising seventh movement means adapted to slide said tubular side wall (4), when at least partially fitted onto said spreader means (25) from said first opening (6) and from said second end of said spreader means (25), towards said first end (27) of said spreader means (25) and beyond the latter, so that said tubular side wall (4) protrudes from said spreader means (25) at said first opening (6) and said spreader means (25) are accommodated, at least at said first end (27) of the latter, in said cavity (5) from said second opening (7).
A method for applying at least one tubular label (2) to at least one item (3),
said label (2) comprising a tubular side wall (4) at least partially delimiting:
• a cavity (5);

• a first opening (6) for accessing said cavity (5);

• a second opening (7) for accessing said cavity (5) and opposite to said first opening (6),

said method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
a) providing an apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in an initial configuration in which:
• said label (2) is supported by said first support structure (8) so that said cavity (5) is accessible at least from said first opening (6),

• said item (3) is supported by said second support structure (9),

• said gripping means (10) are in said first position by means of said sixth movement means (24),

• said first and second jaws (14, 15) are in said first position by means of said first movement means (12, 13),

• said third jaw (19) is in said clamping position by means of said second movement means (16, 17), and in said first position by means of said third movement means (18)
and

• said fourth jaw (23) is in said clamping position by means of said fourth movement means (20, 21), and in said first position by means of said fifth movement means (22);

b) operating said sixth movement means (24) so as to move said gripping means (10) from said first position to said second position, so that said first and second jaws (14, 15) penetrate into said cavity (5) passing through said first opening (6);

c) operating said first movement means (12, 13) so as to move said first and second jaws (14, 15) from said first position to said second position, so that said first and second jaws (14, 15) come into contact with said tubular side wall (4) tensioning said tubular side wall (4) and elastically deforming it;

d) operating said third and fifth movement means (18, 22) so as to move said third and fourth jaws (19, 23) from said first position to said second position, respectively, so that said third and fourth jaws (19, 23) are in contact with said first and second jaws (14, 15), respectively, with the interposition of said tubular side wall (4);

e) operating said sixth movement means (24) so as to move said gripping means (10) from said second position to said fitting position, so that:
• said first and second jaws (14, 15), together with said third and fourth jaws (19, 23), remove, by pulling therewith, said label (2) from said first support structure (8)
and

• said item (3) is at least partially accommodated both between said first and second jaws (14, 15) and in said cavity (5) passing through said first opening;

f) operating said second and fourth movement means (16, 17, 20, 21) so that said third and fourth jaws (19, 23), together with said tubular side wall (4), slide on said first and second jaw (14, 15), respectively,
• in the same direction

• at the same speed
and

• in mutually parallel directions,
and simultaneously operating said sixth movement means (24) so as to move said gripping means (10)

• simultaneously with

• at the same speed as that of

• in the direction opposite to that of
and

• in a direction parallel to that of

said slidings of said third and fourth jaws (19, 23),

so as, and sufficiently for, said slidings of said third and fourth jaws (19, 23) to result in, while taking said tubular side wall (4) therewith:
• a transfer of said label (2) to said item (3) without any rubbing between said label (2) and said item (3) occurring,
and

• an application of said label (2) to said item (3) due to an elastic return of said tubular side wall (4).