Apparatus for loading three=dimensionally shaped labels into mould cavities of thermoforming machine - comprises at least one forming cavity which operates in conjunction with plugs and cutters to form containers, label apparatus for forming pre-printed labels and transferring them to cavities etc.

摘要

Apparatus for loading three-dimensionally (3D) shaped labels into the forming mould cavities (9) of a thermoforming machine (2), forms part of an integrated thermoforming plant (1). Thermoforming machine (2) is of known type and includes one or more forming cavities (9) that operate in conjunction with plugs (7) and cutters (14) to form containers (11) from a continuous web of thermoplastic supplied by sheet feeder (4). Label apparatus (3) has the function of 3D forming pre-printed labels and transferring them to the thermoforming cavities (9) where they become fused to containers (11) during thermoforming. Apparatus (3) includes a magazine (18) of flat unformed labels (19), each having a base carrying side wings. Apparatus (3) also includes one or more label-forming dies (20) and a transfer mechanism (29). Mechanism (29) is mounted on carriages (27,28) that allow it to move in the X and Y directions by sliding on guides (26). Transfer mechanism (29) includes a label vacuum pick-up plate (30,32) and a plug (31) that co-operates with dies (20) to shape labels (19) into a 3D form conforming to the shape of thermoforming dies (9). The operation of transfer mechanism (29) is synchronised with thermoforming machine (2) so that plug (31) deposits a formed 3D label (19) into thermoforming die (9) as pick-up plate (30,32) drops an unformed label into forming die (20). Transfer mechanism (29) retracts so that thermoforming can proceed in cavity (9) containing the formed 3D label. Transfer mechanism (29) then descends so that plug (31) forms another label in die (20) while pick-up plate (30,32) picks up a new unformed label. The method is also claimed.