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US3532583A - Label application machine - Google Patents

Label application machine Download PDF

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Publication number
US3532583A
US3532583A US608597A US3532583DA US3532583A US 3532583 A US3532583 A US 3532583A US 608597 A US608597 A US 608597A US 3532583D A US3532583D A US 3532583DA US 3532583 A US3532583 A US 3532583A
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United States
Prior art keywords
tape
strip
wheel
shaft
vacuum
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Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US608597A
Inventor
Edward G Thiele
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THIELE ENGINEERING Co
Cherry Burrell Corp
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Cherry Burrell Corp
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Publication of US3532583A publication Critical patent/US3532583A/en
Assigned to THIELE ENGINEERING COMPANY reassignment THIELE ENGINEERING COMPANY ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: PAXALL GROUP, INC. THE
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65CLABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C9/00Details of labelling machines or apparatus
    • B65C9/08Label feeding
    • B65C9/18Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65CLABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C3/00Labelling other than flat surfaces
    • B65C3/06Affixing labels to short rigid containers
    • B65C3/08Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies
    • B65C3/14Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies the container being positioned for labelling with its centre-line vertical
    • B65C3/16Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container bodies the container being positioned for labelling with its centre-line vertical by rolling the labels onto cylindrical containers, e.g. bottles
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/12Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with cutting, punching, piercing, severing or tearing
    • Y10T156/1317Means feeding plural workpieces to be joined
    • Y10T156/1322Severing before bonding or assembling of parts
    • Y10T156/1339Delivering cut part in sequence to serially conveyed articles
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/17Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
    • Y10T156/1702For plural parts or plural areas of single part
    • Y10T156/1744Means bringing discrete articles into assembled relationship
    • Y10T156/1751At least three articles
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10TTECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T156/00Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
    • Y10T156/17Surface bonding means and/or assemblymeans with work feeding or handling means
    • Y10T156/1702For plural parts or plural areas of single part
    • Y10T156/1744Means bringing discrete articles into assembled relationship
    • Y10T156/1768Means simultaneously conveying plural articles from a single source and serially presenting them to an assembly station
    • Y10T156/1771Turret or rotary drum-type conveyor
    • Y10T156/1773For flexible sheets

Definitions

  • a machine for applying labels or the like onto cans or bottles moving by on a conveyor comprising a wheel which holds a strip of tape having adhesive thereon properly positioned by vacuum, and has means for applying a label onto the adhesive so that a portion of the adhesive still protrudes beyond the label.
  • the machine cuts the strip into individual segments between labels.
  • the can or bottle is moving by the assembly so that it touches the adhesive on a segment after the label has been applied, and at the same time the tape segment is released from the wheel so that it will stick to the can or bottle.
  • the present invention relates to the field of automated handling of a strip of material which has things applied to it, for example labels and coupons, and further in combination with means to put the material on cans, bottles or the like, which are moving on a conveyor line.
  • the strip also could be printed upon when being handled.
  • the strip supporting and handling device forms an important subcombination of the invention.
  • Pat. No. 2,946,370 disclosed application of labels or the like onto a strip of adhesive tape and then either removing the unit from the tape or removing the excessive adhesive from the backing so that the unit will have a layer of adhesive thereon and can be pasted where desired.
  • Means for applying pressure sensitive tape is shown in Pat. No. 2,919,044 and Pat. No. 3,220,909.
  • none of the prior art devices show or disclose a method and apparatus for carrying out the method of applying individual coupons or labels onto the adhesive side of a tape so that the coupon or label can be read through the tape, separating the strip of tape into predetermined segment lengths, and then rapidly applying these onto cans or other articles that are passing by on a conveyor.
  • tape can be removed from a storage reel, and the coupons or labels automatically placed on the adhesive side of the tape while the tape is positioned accurately on the periphery of a wheel and held on this wheel through the use of the vacuum. Then, the tape is cut into individual segments and while it is carried on the wheel, is moved to position wherein a portion of the tape will contact cans or bottles passing the wheel on the conveyor. The adhesive will adhere to the surface of the can or bottle and the coupon or label can thus be easily attached. It permits high speed operation for applying premium coupons or other labels to cans and bottles.
  • the present invention relates to a unique method of handling strip material used as shown in applying coupons or labels to cans.
  • the disclosure shows a transparent film having adhesive backing which adheres to the outside surface of the cans and which covers the label so that the label is held on by the film or tape and readable through the transparent tape.
  • the invention also particularly relates to the machine for accomplishing the application of such labels, and to the method carried out by the machine.
  • the tape is fed at a predetermined speed, the labels are attached at regular intervals to the tape so that the printing on the labels is facing out through the polyester tape.
  • the tape is then cut into individual segments, and applied to cans traveling past the Wheel on a conveyor.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a machine for ap plying labels or coupons made according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken as on line 22 in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View of the label applying wheel used with the machine of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a view showing the drive arrangement for the machine.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a variation of the tape supply.
  • a label applying machine shown generally at 10 comprises a number of individual components.
  • a main frame 11 which is used to mount a storage reel 12 that provides a supply, in the first form of the invention, of a strip of transparent polyester or cellophane tape having a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon.
  • the tape is fairly narrow, but is of size to cover the labels being applied by the machine.
  • the tape 13 passes between a pair of pinch rollers '14 that control the feed of the tape and these can be powered to provide power means to feed the tape.
  • the tape 13 passes over guide rollers 15 and 16 and then engages, with the adhesive side of the tape facing outwardly, a wheel '17.
  • the reel 12 is merely rotatably mounted on the frame and will permit the tape to be unwound as it is fed off the unit.
  • a tape carrier wheel 17 is rotatably mounted with respect to the frame and is drivably mounted on a shaft 18 which is rotatably mounted on the frame in suitable bearings.
  • the tape carrier wheel has a hardened and ground outer surface against which the tape is held.
  • the tape is held in place around the periphery of the wheel by vacuum acting through a series of vacuum passages illustrated in dotted lines at 21 in FIG. 3. As shown, there are several passages extending radially outwardly and the passages 21 each have branches 22 to give several ports at the periphery of the tape carrier which carry a vacuum. Air pressure then holds the tape against the periphery of the carrier.
  • Each of the passages 21 terminates in a port 23.
  • the ports 23 are arranged on the same diameter from the center rotation of the wheel as the other passageways.
  • the tape carrierwheel has a plurality of evenly spaced recesses 20 defined in the outer periphery thereof.
  • 3 recesses are defined so that the tape is not backed when it is over the recess.
  • the recesses are spaced the same distance on center as the length of tape necessary for each label.
  • a vacuum manifold 24 is fixed with respect to the frame with suitable framework, and slidably, sealingly engages the top surface of the tape carrier 17.
  • the vacuum is supplied from a source (not shown) to a first part annular groove inside the manifold 24.
  • This groove 25 opens downwardly in the manifold so that it communicates with the ports 23 that align with the groove.
  • any port 23 is aligning with the groove, it is under a negative pressure, and vacuum will be supplied at the ports around the periphery of this tape carrier wheel causing the tape in the areas of these ports to be held tightly against the wheel periphery.
  • a second atmospheric pressure groove 26 is also provided in the manifold 24.
  • groove 25 extends around the periphery of the manifold a substantial amount, so that the tape is held tightly to the periphery of the wheel 17 except in the area where the tape is being applied to the cans or bottles.
  • a coupon placer assembly 30 is provided.
  • the coupon placer assembly 30 is described in complete detail in the application of Paul L. Anderson, Ser. No. 395,673, filed Sept. 11, 1964 (now US. Pat. No. 3,302,946).
  • This assembly 30 is made so that it has a central driven shaft 31 that is power driven and rotates in direction as indicated by arrow 32.
  • This shaft in turn drives a pair of webs or spiders 33.
  • the spiders 33 are axially spaced apart on shaft 31.
  • the spiders in turn are used to mount three satellite shafts 34, that are rotatably mounted on the spiders.
  • Each of the shafts 34 in turn has a separate hollow stem 36- mounted thereon, and each of the stems carries a vacuum cup 35.
  • the shafts 34 have axially extending internal passageways that carry a vacuum from one end of the shaft to the stems and the stems carry vacuum to the interior of the cups.
  • the shafts 34 are driven through sprockets and chains illustrated generally in dotted lines at 37 to fix sprockets co-axial with the shafts 31.
  • the satellite shafts will rotate about the axis of the shaft 31 and also will rotate about their own axes relative to the spiders.
  • Vacuum is carried to the shafts 34 from a vacuum manifold mounted on the spiders concentric with shafts 31 and having two relatively rotatable sections. One of the sections carries vacuum from a vacuum source to the other section which turns with the spiders.
  • the unit is designed so that a cup will pick up an individual coupon or label from a label supply hopper 38.
  • Each vacuum cup will be under vacuum when it reaches a coupon supply and it will contact and then remove the end label from the supply 38 and carry it as the spider rotates.
  • Such a label is shown at 40.
  • the spider rotates sufficiently far so that the vacuum cup 35 on one of the satellite shafts 34 is on center with the plane passing through the axes of rotation of shafts 31 and 18, the label will be touching the adhesive outer surface of the tape 13 on the periphery of wheel 17 and will stick to this surface.
  • the vacuum control manifold for the coupon placing machine 30 will shut off the vacuum supply to that shaft 34 and its cup 35 when the coupon contacts the outer surface of tape 13 and vent that cup to the atmosphere.
  • the label that the cup is carrying will be released from the vacuum and will adhere to the tape.
  • the label carrying or coupon carrying device 30 will operate just as described in Pat. No. 3,302,946 except shaft 31 will be vertically oriented instead of being horizontal and is driven from a gear box.
  • the shaft 31 is also mounted in bearings that are attached directly to the frame.
  • Labels or coupons are shown in place on the tape at 41, 42, 43 and following.
  • the labels will be placed at regularly spaced intervals along the tape 13 as it is held in place on the periphery of the wheel 17.
  • the printed face of the labels will be against the adhesive and thus will be readable through the tape.
  • the drives for the wheel 17 and for the coupon placer assembly 30 are interlocked so that the timing is always precise.
  • the coupons are carried along with the tape and pass a reciprocating tape cutter 45.
  • the cutter as shown is mounted for sliding movement toward and away from the tape carrying wheel.
  • the cutter is driven by crank 46 that is rotatably mounted on the frame.
  • a guide member 47 acting in a slot on the cutter causes linear movement on the cutter.
  • the cutter is wider than the tape and the cutting edge of the cutter will engage the tape at regular spaced intervals between the labels sticking to the tape and will cut the tape in lengths.
  • the cutter acts when the recesses 20 on the tape carrying wheel are aligned therewith.
  • the edge of the cutter will not strike the wheel, but will pass into the recess when it cuts the tape.
  • the edge of the cutter is serrated and this aids in cutting the tape.
  • the slits made by the cutter in the tape are shown in the drawings at 50. This leaves individual segments of tape such as 52, each with a label such as 53, sticking to the outer adhesive surface. Each individual segment of tape 52 is held against the periphery of the tape 17 by the vacuum acting through the passageways 21 and the ports on the wheel surface. It should be noted that the tape may extend past the label all around the periphery of the label or may only extend past the ends of the label.
  • a supply of cans, bottles or other objects to which the labels are going to be attached is maintained.
  • Each of the individual cans 55 engages a conveyor 56 which is a so called fiat top conveyor that moves the cans along in direction as indicated by arrow 57.
  • the cans enter a conveyor section, perhaps best shown in FIG. 1, where the tops of the cans (as shown aerosol cans having caps 58) are held by an endless conveyor belt 60 that is mounted over a pair of spaced apart rollers 61 and 62 that in turn are driven through suitable means.
  • the rollers are mounted onto a portion of the frame 11.
  • the belt 60 moves in direction as indicated by arrow 63.
  • a framework 64 inside the belt supports a plurality of transversely extending metal leaf springs 65.
  • the springs are Z-shaped in cross section and have a lower portion 66 that engages the inner surface of the lower reach of the conveyor belt 60 and resiliently urges the conveyor belt downwardly in direction as indicated by the arrow 67. This means that the belt 60 resiliently engages the caps 58 of the cans 55 shown on the conveyor line.
  • the cans advance along the conveyor line and are initially contiguous to each other.
  • the cans are engaged by a timing conveyor screw 70 that has a shaft 71 that is driven through suitable drive means.
  • the timing screw 70 has a helical groove 72 defined therein which is of size to receive a portion of the one side surface of the cylindrical type can.
  • the screw rotates about its axis and the groove acts as a helix that will pick up a can on the conveyor and will guide its movement along the conveyor for the length of the timing screw.
  • the screw separates the cans the required distance so they are spaced along the conveyor.
  • the tape segment 74 holding the label 75 for that can will touch the surface of the can.
  • the periphery of the wheel thus has to be properly spaced in relation to the cans so that the tape touches the can at the right position.
  • the adhesive on the tape will cause this tape to adhere to the can along the line of contact and as the can moves along the wheel 17 will partially roll the label and tape onto the side of the can.
  • a spring loaded roller shown schematically in the drawings can be used for rolling the labels completely onto the can.
  • the motor and drive component mount down below the conveyor and on portions of the main frame 11.
  • the components include an electric motor which drives through a clutch assembly 81 and a V-belt 82 to power a gear reducer unit 83.
  • the output shaft 84 of the gear reducer unit drives through a chain and sprocket arrangement 85 to a jack shaft 86.
  • An overload slip clutch 87 is used in the drive to the shaft 86.
  • the shaft 86 in turn is used to drive several of the components.
  • a sprocket 90 is drivably mounted onto the shaft 86 and this in turn drives through chain 91 to a sprocket 92 drivably mounted onto a shaft 93 that is rotatably mounted in bearings 94, 94.
  • the bearings 94, 94 are mounted onto the main frame of the machine.
  • Another sprocket 95 is drivably mounted to the outer end of shaft 93 and drives through chain 96 to a sprocket 97 drivably mounted onto a shaft 98 for driving the timing screw 70.
  • a pair of bevel gears 100 drive from the shaft 86 to a shaft 101 positioned at right angles to the shaft 86.
  • the shaft 101 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings which in turn are mounted onto the frame and a sprocket 102 is drivably mounted onto the shaft 101.
  • the sprocket 102 in turn drives a chain 103 (see FIG. 1) that drives a sprocket 104 which in turn is drivably mounted onto a shaft 105 which mounts one of the end rollers of the conveyor 56.
  • a sprocket (not shown) is drivably mounted onto the opposite end of shaft 105 and this sprocket in turn drives a chain 106 which is used to drive through a sprocket to a shaft 107 that drives the roller 62 for the upper conveyor 60.
  • the drive to the conveyors themselves is from a common shaft 101. It can be seen that as long as the shaft 86 is turning and is driven, the conveyors 56 and 60 as well as the timing screw 70 will be powered.
  • Another power drive from the shaft 86 comprises a sprocket 111 driving through a chain 112 to a drive sprocket 113 which is mounted on the input shaft ofan electric brake and clutch assembly 114 of conventional design.
  • the electric brake and clutch 114 is a unit which will drive, when it is energized, from the input shaft to its output shaft 115. When the electric brake and clutch unit is tie-energized, a brake will hold the shaft 115 from rotation, while the input shaft continues to rotate.
  • the electric brake and clutch 114 is a conventional unit commercially available and is mounted onto the frame portions of the machine.
  • a drive sprocket 116 is drivably mounted onto the output shaft 115 of the electric brake and clutch and this in turn drives another chain 117 which then drives a sprocket 118 mounted onto an input shaft 119 of a right angle gear box 120.
  • An output shaft 31 of the gear box 120 is the same shaft as that upon which the spiders 33 for the coupon placing machine are mounted. It drives the coupon placing machine.
  • the shaft 31 extends out of the gear box 120 and is driven by internal gears in the gear box.
  • the shaft is mounted in suitable bearings, for example bearings 124, to give the shaft stability.
  • a first sprocket 125 is drivably mounted and this sprocket in turn drives a chain 126 which drives a sprocket 127.
  • the sprocket 127 is drivably mounted on a shaft 128 which is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings on the frame.
  • the shaft 128 extends in vertical direction and serves as a jack shaft to mount a first reversing gear 132 that in turn drives a second reversing gear 133 drivably mounted onto a shaft 134 used for driving the crank 46 that operates the cutter 45.
  • the shaft 134 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 135.
  • the reversing gears 132 and 133 are used merely for obtaining the proper direction of rotation of the shaft 134 and crank 46.
  • shaft 31 has a second drive sprocket 136 drivably mounted thereon adjacent the bearing 124 and this sprocket drives a chain 137 that in turn drives a sprocket 138.
  • Sprocket 138 is drivably mounted onto a shaft 139 that is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 142 mounted on the frame.
  • the shaft 139 in turn also has a gear 143 drivably mounted thereon and gear 143 meshes with and drives the gear 144 that in turn is drivably mounted on the shaft 18 that drives the tape carrying wheel 17.
  • the electric brake and clutch unit 114 permits the stopping of the tape carrying wheel 17 and the. cutting knife while the conveyor will continue to run.
  • This control is generally locked into the conveyor line so that if the product sensing switch illustrated schematically at 145 senses that there is no product coming on the conveyor line, the tape carrying wheel 17 and the cutting knife will be stopped because the electric clutch will be deactivated by this action of the product sensing device.
  • the sensing switch is located onthe conveyor line adjacent the input end. A photo cell control or just a microswitch with a sensing finger will work. The conveyors will continue to run to clear the product out of the unit to insure that the unit will be able to start again in proper sequence.
  • the combination of elements thus provides for a means to individually place coupons onto the adhesive side of a tape being carried by vacuum on the periphery of a wheel the coupons being spaced regular intervals.
  • the tape is then slit into segments which are of proper length in size to hold the coupons in place onto the product being labeled.
  • the product is carried into contact with the adhesive surface of the tape by conveyor means that time the product properly and keep it properly spaced.
  • FIG. 5 A variation of the tape feed supply is shown in FIG. 5.
  • a roll of strip cellophane or clear polyester or other backing material is mounted in a suitable manner.
  • the strip 151 of backing is fed from the roll in any suitable manner and passes over and in contact with a roller 152 feeding glue from a glue pot.
  • the glue can be hot melt glue or any other suitable adhesive.
  • the strip with the glue applied passes through a drying chamber 154 to cure the glue the desired amount.
  • the strip, with the adhesive on one surface thereof then goes to the tape holding wheel 17 and is processed as before.
  • a spring mounted roller can be mounted in a manner to engage each can and roll the tape and label firmly onto the surface of each can.
  • a very simple mechanical structure is thus required for applying labels automatically to cans using pressure sensitive tape.
  • the tape is cut into the desired lengths automatically, and the coupons are individually spaced at desired intervals along the tape. This greatly facilitates the automatic handling of cans and applying the labels to the cans after they have been filled and are being distributed to the shipping cartons.
  • the vacuum carrying wheel subassembly will find wide usage where operations are to be performed on a strip of material, whether it is tape or not.
  • the strip will be held by the vacuum while the operation is performed, such as printing, slitting, punching (for punch coding) or the like, as well as applying labels.
  • the strip can be removed or released from the wheel.
  • the strip is carried from a supply past one or more work stations, and when it clears the work station, the strip will be released.
  • the vacuum ports will carry the strip securely and hold it tightly on the wheel to provide a secure backing for performance of the work operation.
  • An apparatus for placing items such as coupons and the like onto articles being moved by a conveyor including in combination, a frame, a strip of transparent material having and adhesive surface, means on the frame to support said strip, means to apply said item onto the adhesive surface of said strip so said item will adhere thereto, means to feed the article to which said item is to be attached along a predetermined path of movement and at predetermined intervals, and means to position said strip with the adhesive surface thereof facing the surface of said article, said last mentioned means being positioned so that a portion of the adhesive surface of said strip of material contacts the surface of said article to which it is to be applied.
  • said means to support said strip comprises a wheel having a peripheral surface, and a plurality of ports open to said peripheral surface and aligned with said strip, means to supply a vacuum to said ports, said ports being of size so that the strip will be held against the peripheral surface of said wheel when said ports are under vacuum.
  • An apparatus for placing items such as labels and the like onto articles being moved by a conveyor including, a frame, means to supply a strip of material having an adhesive surface, a support wheel rotatably mounted with respect to said frame about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement of said conveyor, means to rotate said wheel, means to move said strip of material to position wherein the surface which does not have adhesive thereon contacts the periphery of said wheel, means to hold said strip material contiguous with the periphery of said wheel, said strip of material being carried by said wheel for a substantial portion of the circumference thereof, means to apply the items onto the adhesive surface of said strip of material as it is carried by said wheel, a portion of the adhesive surface of said strip of material protruding beyond the items, means to sever said strip of material into individual segments so that each individual segment has a separate item thereon, means to separate said article on said conveyor so that the center to center distance of adjacent articles is substantially equal to the center to center distance of the individual segments of material, said wheel being positioned with relation
  • the means to sever said strip of material includes cutting means, and wherein the periphery of the wheel is provided with recesses therein, said recesses being timed with respect to said means to sever the strip of material into individual segments so that the cutting means operates on the strip of material.
  • the means for holding said strip of material contiguous with the periphery of the wheel comprises a plurality of ports open to the peripheral surface and in alignment with the strip of material, and means to carry vacuum to the ports.
  • said cutting means comprises a knife having a cutting edge transverse of said strip of material and means to drive said knife so it contacts and severs said strip of material at predetermined intervals.
  • the apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that said knife is a reciprocating knife, and means to drive said knife toward and away from said wheel.
  • An apparatus for placing labels and the like onto articles being moved by a conveyor including in combination a frame, a strip of material having an adhesive surface, means on the frame to support said strip, means to apply said labels one at a time onto at least portions of the adhesive surface of said strip so said label will adhere thereto and portions of the adhesive surface extend outwardly beyond said label, said strip being provided with at least one portion for each label that permits seeing a portion of the surface of the label which is facing the adhesive therethrough, means to feed the article to which said label is to be attached along a predetermined path of movement and at predetermined intervals, and means to position said strip with said adhesive surface thereof fac ing the surface of said article, said last mentioned means being positioned so that a portion of the adhesive surface of said strip of material contacts the surface of said article to which it is to be applied.
  • said means to support said strip comprises a wheel having a peripheral surface, and a plurality of ports open to said peripheral surface and aligned with said strip, means to supply a vacuum to said ports, said ports being of size so that the strip will be held against the peripheral surface of said wheel when said ports art under vacuum.

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  • Labeling Devices (AREA)

Description

Oct. 6, 1970 E. G. THIELE 3,532,533
LABEL APPLICATION MACHINE I Filed Jan. 11, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 m ENFOR. 0 h/ARD 6E Til/46 Irrmwexs Oct. 6, 1970 (5, 3,532,583
LABEL APPLICATION MACHINE Filed Jan. 11, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 5806706 SIM/7c INJ EXT JR. [bk/172D 6. 70/1 25 BY United States Patent 3,532,583 LABEL APPLICATION MACHINE Edward G. Thiele, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Cherry-Burrell Corporation, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 11, 1967, Ser. No. 608,597 Int. Cl. B65c 3/16 US. Cl. 156521 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A machine for applying labels or the like onto cans or bottles moving by on a conveyor comprising a wheel which holds a strip of tape having adhesive thereon properly positioned by vacuum, and has means for applying a label onto the adhesive so that a portion of the adhesive still protrudes beyond the label. The machine cuts the strip into individual segments between labels. The can or bottle is moving by the assembly so that it touches the adhesive on a segment after the label has been applied, and at the same time the tape segment is released from the wheel so that it will stick to the can or bottle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The present invention relates to the field of automated handling of a strip of material which has things applied to it, for example labels and coupons, and further in combination with means to put the material on cans, bottles or the like, which are moving on a conveyor line. The strip also could be printed upon when being handled. The strip supporting and handling device forms an important subcombination of the invention.
Description of prior art At the present time, there are many ways of applying labels to cans, but none which are particularly suited to high speed processing of cans. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of adhesively applied coupons or labels. Pat. No. 2,946,370 disclosed application of labels or the like onto a strip of adhesive tape and then either removing the unit from the tape or removing the excessive adhesive from the backing so that the unit will have a layer of adhesive thereon and can be pasted where desired. Means for applying pressure sensitive tape is shown in Pat. No. 2,919,044 and Pat. No. 3,220,909. However, none of the prior art devices show or disclose a method and apparatus for carrying out the method of applying individual coupons or labels onto the adhesive side of a tape so that the coupon or label can be read through the tape, separating the strip of tape into predetermined segment lengths, and then rapidly applying these onto cans or other articles that are passing by on a conveyor.
One of the advantages of the present disclosure and invention is accuracy during high speed operation, and the elimination of many hand performed operations. In particular, tape can be removed from a storage reel, and the coupons or labels automatically placed on the adhesive side of the tape while the tape is positioned accurately on the periphery of a wheel and held on this wheel through the use of the vacuum. Then, the tape is cut into individual segments and while it is carried on the wheel, is moved to position wherein a portion of the tape will contact cans or bottles passing the wheel on the conveyor. The adhesive will adhere to the surface of the can or bottle and the coupon or label can thus be easily attached. It permits high speed operation for applying premium coupons or other labels to cans and bottles.
3,532,583 Patented Oct. 6, 1970 SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention relates to a unique method of handling strip material used as shown in applying coupons or labels to cans. The disclosure shows a transparent film having adhesive backing which adheres to the outside surface of the cans and which covers the label so that the label is held on by the film or tape and readable through the transparent tape. The invention also particularly relates to the machine for accomplishing the application of such labels, and to the method carried out by the machine. The tape is fed at a predetermined speed, the labels are attached at regular intervals to the tape so that the printing on the labels is facing out through the polyester tape. The tape is then cut into individual segments, and applied to cans traveling past the Wheel on a conveyor.
It is an object of the present invention to present a machine for applying labels or coupons to cans utilizing an adhesive backed film for holding the labels or coupons in place.
It is a further object of the present invention to present a method of applying labels to cans utilizing an adhesive backed transparent layer for covering the label and holding it in place on the can, bottle or other object.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a machine for ap plying labels or coupons made according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken as on line 22 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View of the label applying wheel used with the machine of the present invention; and
FIG. 4 is a view showing the drive arrangement for the machine; and
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a variation of the tape supply.
Referring to the drawings and the numerals of reference thereon, a label applying machine shown generally at 10 comprises a number of individual components. First, it has a main frame 11 which is used to mount a storage reel 12 that provides a supply, in the first form of the invention, of a strip of transparent polyester or cellophane tape having a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon. The tape is fairly narrow, but is of size to cover the labels being applied by the machine. The tape 13 passes between a pair of pinch rollers '14 that control the feed of the tape and these can be powered to provide power means to feed the tape. The tape 13 passes over guide rollers 15 and 16 and then engages, with the adhesive side of the tape facing outwardly, a wheel '17. The reel 12 is merely rotatably mounted on the frame and will permit the tape to be unwound as it is fed off the unit.
A tape carrier wheel 17 is rotatably mounted with respect to the frame and is drivably mounted on a shaft 18 which is rotatably mounted on the frame in suitable bearings. The tape carrier wheel has a hardened and ground outer surface against which the tape is held. The tape is held in place around the periphery of the wheel by vacuum acting through a series of vacuum passages illustrated in dotted lines at 21 in FIG. 3. As shown, there are several passages extending radially outwardly and the passages 21 each have branches 22 to give several ports at the periphery of the tape carrier which carry a vacuum. Air pressure then holds the tape against the periphery of the carrier. Each of the passages 21 terminates in a port 23. The ports 23 are arranged on the same diameter from the center rotation of the wheel as the other passageways.
The tape carrierwheel has a plurality of evenly spaced recesses 20 defined in the outer periphery thereof. The
3 recesses are defined so that the tape is not backed when it is over the recess. The recesses are spaced the same distance on center as the length of tape necessary for each label.
A vacuum manifold 24 is fixed with respect to the frame with suitable framework, and slidably, sealingly engages the top surface of the tape carrier 17. The vacuum is supplied from a source (not shown) to a first part annular groove inside the manifold 24. This groove 25 opens downwardly in the manifold so that it communicates with the ports 23 that align with the groove. When any port 23 is aligning with the groove, it is under a negative pressure, and vacuum will be supplied at the ports around the periphery of this tape carrier wheel causing the tape in the areas of these ports to be held tightly against the wheel periphery.
It should be noted that the vacuum force holding the tape on the wheel will in most cases provide sufiicient force to pull the tape off its storage roll, but the pinch rollers are best for this purpose.
A second atmospheric pressure groove 26 is also provided in the manifold 24. When the ports 23 align with this groove 26 as the wheel rotates with respect to the manifold, there is no longer any vacuum at these ports, and any tape aligned with the ports connected to the passageways 21 and open to groove 26 will be released from the vacuum hold.
As can be seen, groove 25 extends around the periphery of the manifold a substantial amount, so that the tape is held tightly to the periphery of the wheel 17 except in the area where the tape is being applied to the cans or bottles.
As a part of the overall machine assembly, a coupon placer assembly 30 is provided. The coupon placer assembly 30 is described in complete detail in the application of Paul L. Anderson, Ser. No. 395,673, filed Sept. 11, 1964 (now US. Pat. No. 3,302,946). This assembly 30 is made so that it has a central driven shaft 31 that is power driven and rotates in direction as indicated by arrow 32. This shaft in turn drives a pair of webs or spiders 33. The spiders 33 are axially spaced apart on shaft 31. The spiders in turn are used to mount three satellite shafts 34, that are rotatably mounted on the spiders. Each of the shafts 34 in turn has a separate hollow stem 36- mounted thereon, and each of the stems carries a vacuum cup 35. The shafts 34 have axially extending internal passageways that carry a vacuum from one end of the shaft to the stems and the stems carry vacuum to the interior of the cups. The shafts 34 are driven through sprockets and chains illustrated generally in dotted lines at 37 to fix sprockets co-axial with the shafts 31. As the shafts 31 and spiders 33 rotate, the satellite shafts will rotate about the axis of the shaft 31 and also will rotate about their own axes relative to the spiders.
Vacuum is carried to the shafts 34 from a vacuum manifold mounted on the spiders concentric with shafts 31 and having two relatively rotatable sections. One of the sections carries vacuum from a vacuum source to the other section which turns with the spiders.
Separate vacuum hoses then connect from the manifold section that turns with the spiders to each of the satellite shaft passageways through rotatable couplings.
The unit is designed so that a cup will pick up an individual coupon or label from a label supply hopper 38. Each vacuum cup will be under vacuum when it reaches a coupon supply and it will contact and then remove the end label from the supply 38 and carry it as the spider rotates. Such a label is shown at 40. When the spider rotates sufficiently far so that the vacuum cup 35 on one of the satellite shafts 34 is on center with the plane passing through the axes of rotation of shafts 31 and 18, the label will be touching the adhesive outer surface of the tape 13 on the periphery of wheel 17 and will stick to this surface. The vacuum control manifold for the coupon placing machine 30 will shut off the vacuum supply to that shaft 34 and its cup 35 when the coupon contacts the outer surface of tape 13 and vent that cup to the atmosphere. The label that the cup is carrying will be released from the vacuum and will adhere to the tape. The label carrying or coupon carrying device 30 will operate just as described in Pat. No. 3,302,946 except shaft 31 will be vertically oriented instead of being horizontal and is driven from a gear box. The shaft 31 is also mounted in bearings that are attached directly to the frame.
Labels or coupons are shown in place on the tape at 41, 42, 43 and following. The labels will be placed at regularly spaced intervals along the tape 13 as it is held in place on the periphery of the wheel 17. The printed face of the labels will be against the adhesive and thus will be readable through the tape.
The drives for the wheel 17 and for the coupon placer assembly 30 are interlocked so that the timing is always precise. As the wheel 17 rotates in direction as indicated by the arrow 44, the coupons are carried along with the tape and pass a reciprocating tape cutter 45. The cutter as shown is mounted for sliding movement toward and away from the tape carrying wheel. The cutter is driven by crank 46 that is rotatably mounted on the frame. A guide member 47 acting in a slot on the cutter causes linear movement on the cutter. The cutter is wider than the tape and the cutting edge of the cutter will engage the tape at regular spaced intervals between the labels sticking to the tape and will cut the tape in lengths. The cutter acts when the recesses 20 on the tape carrying wheel are aligned therewith. This means that the edge of the cutter will not strike the wheel, but will pass into the recess when it cuts the tape. The edge of the cutter is serrated and this aids in cutting the tape. The slits made by the cutter in the tape are shown in the drawings at 50. This leaves individual segments of tape such as 52, each with a label such as 53, sticking to the outer adhesive surface. Each individual segment of tape 52 is held against the periphery of the tape 17 by the vacuum acting through the passageways 21 and the ports on the wheel surface. It should be noted that the tape may extend past the label all around the periphery of the label or may only extend past the ends of the label.
A supply of cans, bottles or other objects to which the labels are going to be attached is maintained. Each of the individual cans 55, as shown, engages a conveyor 56 which is a so called fiat top conveyor that moves the cans along in direction as indicated by arrow 57. The cans enter a conveyor section, perhaps best shown in FIG. 1, where the tops of the cans (as shown aerosol cans having caps 58) are held by an endless conveyor belt 60 that is mounted over a pair of spaced apart rollers 61 and 62 that in turn are driven through suitable means. The rollers are mounted onto a portion of the frame 11. The belt 60 moves in direction as indicated by arrow 63. A framework 64 inside the belt supports a plurality of transversely extending metal leaf springs 65. The springs are Z-shaped in cross section and have a lower portion 66 that engages the inner surface of the lower reach of the conveyor belt 60 and resiliently urges the conveyor belt downwardly in direction as indicated by the arrow 67. This means that the belt 60 resiliently engages the caps 58 of the cans 55 shown on the conveyor line. The cans advance along the conveyor line and are initially contiguous to each other. The cans are engaged by a timing conveyor screw 70 that has a shaft 71 that is driven through suitable drive means. The timing screw 70 has a helical groove 72 defined therein which is of size to receive a portion of the one side surface of the cylindrical type can. The screw rotates about its axis and the groove acts as a helix that will pick up a can on the conveyor and will guide its movement along the conveyor for the length of the timing screw. The screw separates the cans the required distance so they are spaced along the conveyor. When the cans are about in the midsection of the timing screw, for example at position of can 73, the tape segment 74 holding the label 75 for that can will touch the surface of the can. The periphery of the wheel thus has to be properly spaced in relation to the cans so that the tape touches the can at the right position. The adhesive on the tape will cause this tape to adhere to the can along the line of contact and as the can moves along the wheel 17 will partially roll the label and tape onto the side of the can. Once the label reaches the position where the tape or adhesive on the tape engages the can, the vacuum to the ports holding that tape segment 74 is released permitting this tape segment to stick to and to be carried by the can itself. A spring loaded roller shown schematically in the drawings can be used for rolling the labels completely onto the can.
Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 4, the drive train utilized with the present device is shown. The motor and drive component mount down below the conveyor and on portions of the main frame 11. The components include an electric motor which drives through a clutch assembly 81 and a V-belt 82 to power a gear reducer unit 83. The output shaft 84 of the gear reducer unit drives through a chain and sprocket arrangement 85 to a jack shaft 86. An overload slip clutch 87 is used in the drive to the shaft 86. The shaft 86 in turn is used to drive several of the components. First, a sprocket 90 is drivably mounted onto the shaft 86 and this in turn drives through chain 91 to a sprocket 92 drivably mounted onto a shaft 93 that is rotatably mounted in bearings 94, 94. The bearings 94, 94 are mounted onto the main frame of the machine. Another sprocket 95 is drivably mounted to the outer end of shaft 93 and drives through chain 96 to a sprocket 97 drivably mounted onto a shaft 98 for driving the timing screw 70.
A pair of bevel gears 100 drive from the shaft 86 to a shaft 101 positioned at right angles to the shaft 86. The shaft 101 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings which in turn are mounted onto the frame and a sprocket 102 is drivably mounted onto the shaft 101. The sprocket 102 in turn drives a chain 103 (see FIG. 1) that drives a sprocket 104 which in turn is drivably mounted onto a shaft 105 which mounts one of the end rollers of the conveyor 56. A sprocket (not shown) is drivably mounted onto the opposite end of shaft 105 and this sprocket in turn drives a chain 106 which is used to drive through a sprocket to a shaft 107 that drives the roller 62 for the upper conveyor 60. Thus the drive to the conveyors themselves is from a common shaft 101. It can be seen that as long as the shaft 86 is turning and is driven, the conveyors 56 and 60 as well as the timing screw 70 will be powered.
Another power drive from the shaft 86 comprises a sprocket 111 driving through a chain 112 to a drive sprocket 113 which is mounted on the input shaft ofan electric brake and clutch assembly 114 of conventional design. The electric brake and clutch 114 is a unit which will drive, when it is energized, from the input shaft to its output shaft 115. When the electric brake and clutch unit is tie-energized, a brake will hold the shaft 115 from rotation, while the input shaft continues to rotate. The electric brake and clutch 114 is a conventional unit commercially available and is mounted onto the frame portions of the machine.
A drive sprocket 116 is drivably mounted onto the output shaft 115 of the electric brake and clutch and this in turn drives another chain 117 which then drives a sprocket 118 mounted onto an input shaft 119 of a right angle gear box 120.
An output shaft 31 of the gear box 120 is the same shaft as that upon which the spiders 33 for the coupon placing machine are mounted. It drives the coupon placing machine. As can be seen, the shaft 31 extends out of the gear box 120 and is driven by internal gears in the gear box. The shaft is mounted in suitable bearings, for example bearings 124, to give the shaft stability. Between bearing 124 and the gear box 120, a first sprocket 125 is drivably mounted and this sprocket in turn drives a chain 126 which drives a sprocket 127. The sprocket 127 is drivably mounted on a shaft 128 which is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings on the frame. The shaft 128 extends in vertical direction and serves as a jack shaft to mount a first reversing gear 132 that in turn drives a second reversing gear 133 drivably mounted onto a shaft 134 used for driving the crank 46 that operates the cutter 45. The shaft 134 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 135. The reversing gears 132 and 133 are used merely for obtaining the proper direction of rotation of the shaft 134 and crank 46.
In addition, shaft 31 has a second drive sprocket 136 drivably mounted thereon adjacent the bearing 124 and this sprocket drives a chain 137 that in turn drives a sprocket 138. Sprocket 138 is drivably mounted onto a shaft 139 that is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 142 mounted on the frame. The shaft 139 in turn also has a gear 143 drivably mounted thereon and gear 143 meshes with and drives the gear 144 that in turn is drivably mounted on the shaft 18 that drives the tape carrying wheel 17.
Thus it can be seen that the entire unit is driven from a common power source and the timing of the unit can be made easily by proper selection of the sprocket ratios and gear ratios. The electric brake and clutch unit 114 permits the stopping of the tape carrying wheel 17 and the. cutting knife while the conveyor will continue to run. This control is generally locked into the conveyor line so that if the product sensing switch illustrated schematically at 145 senses that there is no product coming on the conveyor line, the tape carrying wheel 17 and the cutting knife will be stopped because the electric clutch will be deactivated by this action of the product sensing device. The sensing switch is located onthe conveyor line adjacent the input end. A photo cell control or just a microswitch with a sensing finger will work. The conveyors will continue to run to clear the product out of the unit to insure that the unit will be able to start again in proper sequence.
The combination of elements thus provides for a means to individually place coupons onto the adhesive side of a tape being carried by vacuum on the periphery of a wheel the coupons being spaced regular intervals. The tape is then slit into segments which are of proper length in size to hold the coupons in place onto the product being labeled. The product is carried into contact with the adhesive surface of the tape by conveyor means that time the product properly and keep it properly spaced.
A variation of the tape feed supply is shown in FIG. 5. Instead of using pressure sensitive cellophane or clear backed tape, a roll of strip cellophane or clear polyester or other backing material is mounted in a suitable manner. The strip 151 of backing is fed from the roll in any suitable manner and passes over and in contact with a roller 152 feeding glue from a glue pot. The glue can be hot melt glue or any other suitable adhesive. The strip with the glue applied the passes through a drying chamber 154 to cure the glue the desired amount. The strip, with the adhesive on one surface thereof then goes to the tape holding wheel 17 and is processed as before.
When the can has moved the wheel, the tape segment and the attached label will be applied to the can with the printing on the label visible through the transparent backing of the tape. If desired or necessary a spring mounted roller can be mounted in a manner to engage each can and roll the tape and label firmly onto the surface of each can.
A very simple mechanical structure is thus required for applying labels automatically to cans using pressure sensitive tape. The tape is cut into the desired lengths automatically, and the coupons are individually spaced at desired intervals along the tape. This greatly facilitates the automatic handling of cans and applying the labels to the cans after they have been filled and are being distributed to the shipping cartons.
The vacuum carrying wheel subassembly will find wide usage where operations are to be performed on a strip of material, whether it is tape or not. The strip will be held by the vacuum while the operation is performed, such as printing, slitting, punching (for punch coding) or the like, as well as applying labels. When the operation is complete, the strip can be removed or released from the wheel.
The strip is carried from a supply past one or more work stations, and when it clears the work station, the strip will be released. The vacuum ports will carry the strip securely and hold it tightly on the wheel to provide a secure backing for performance of the work operation.
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for placing items such as coupons and the like onto articles being moved by a conveyor including in combination, a frame, a strip of transparent material having and adhesive surface, means on the frame to support said strip, means to apply said item onto the adhesive surface of said strip so said item will adhere thereto, means to feed the article to which said item is to be attached along a predetermined path of movement and at predetermined intervals, and means to position said strip with the adhesive surface thereof facing the surface of said article, said last mentioned means being positioned so that a portion of the adhesive surface of said strip of material contacts the surface of said article to which it is to be applied.
2. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said strip is a continuous strip, and said items are placed on said strip at predetermined intervals, and means to sever said strip into individual segments between each pair of adjacent items.
3. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said means to support said strip comprises a wheel having a peripheral surface, and a plurality of ports open to said peripheral surface and aligned with said strip, means to supply a vacuum to said ports, said ports being of size so that the strip will be held against the peripheral surface of said wheel when said ports are under vacuum.
4. The combination as specified in claim 3 wherein said wheel is positioned adjacent said articles as they are moved by the means to feed the articles, and wherein the periphery of said Wheel is spaced from the path of said article a distance so that the adhesive surface of said strip contacts said article when the strip is carried past said article by said wheel.
5. The combination as specified in claim 4 and means operative to release the vacuum pressure at the ports on the periphery on the wheel which are supporting the portion of said strip contacting an article.
6. An apparatus for placing items such as labels and the like onto articles being moved by a conveyor including, a frame, means to supply a strip of material having an adhesive surface, a support wheel rotatably mounted with respect to said frame about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement of said conveyor, means to rotate said wheel, means to move said strip of material to position wherein the surface which does not have adhesive thereon contacts the periphery of said wheel, means to hold said strip material contiguous with the periphery of said wheel, said strip of material being carried by said wheel for a substantial portion of the circumference thereof, means to apply the items onto the adhesive surface of said strip of material as it is carried by said wheel, a portion of the adhesive surface of said strip of material protruding beyond the items, means to sever said strip of material into individual segments so that each individual segment has a separate item thereon, means to separate said article on said conveyor so that the center to center distance of adjacent articles is substantially equal to the center to center distance of the individual segments of material, said wheel being positioned with relation to the articles being moved on said conveyor so that the adhesive surface of said strip of material contacts the surface of the articles being conveyed at the point wherein the surface of each of said articles becomes tangent to the periphery of the wheel.
7. The combination as specified in claim 6 wherein the means to sever said strip of material includes cutting means, and wherein the periphery of the wheel is provided with recesses therein, said recesses being timed with respect to said means to sever the strip of material into individual segments so that the cutting means operates on the strip of material.
8. The combination as specified in claim 7 wherein the means for holding said strip of material contiguous with the periphery of the wheel comprises a plurality of ports open to the peripheral surface and in alignment with the strip of material, and means to carry vacuum to the ports.
9. The combination as specified in claim 8 wherein there are a plurality of ports under each of the individual segments of said strip of material after the strip has been severed into its individual segements, and each of said plurality of ports under each individual segment is connected by a separate passageway to a source of vacuum, said passageways being open to a vacuum manifold, and wherein said vacuum manifold includes means to vent each of the passageways to atmosphere when the individual segment of the strip of material being held by the ports connected to the passageway is in contact with an article on the conveyor.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said cutting means comprises a knife having a cutting edge transverse of said strip of material and means to drive said knife so it contacts and severs said strip of material at predetermined intervals.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that said knife is a reciprocating knife, and means to drive said knife toward and away from said wheel.
12. An apparatus for placing labels and the like onto articles being moved by a conveyor including in combination a frame, a strip of material having an adhesive surface, means on the frame to support said strip, means to apply said labels one at a time onto at least portions of the adhesive surface of said strip so said label will adhere thereto and portions of the adhesive surface extend outwardly beyond said label, said strip being provided with at least one portion for each label that permits seeing a portion of the surface of the label which is facing the adhesive therethrough, means to feed the article to which said label is to be attached along a predetermined path of movement and at predetermined intervals, and means to position said strip with said adhesive surface thereof fac ing the surface of said article, said last mentioned means being positioned so that a portion of the adhesive surface of said strip of material contacts the surface of said article to which it is to be applied.
13. The combination as specified in claim 12 wherein said strip is a continuous strip, and said labels are placed on said strip at predetermined intervals, and means to sever said strip into individual segments between each pair of adjacent labels.
14. The combination as specified in claim 12 wherein said means to support said strip comprises a wheel having a peripheral surface, and a plurality of ports open to said peripheral surface and aligned with said strip, means to supply a vacuum to said ports, said ports being of size so that the strip will be held against the peripheral surface of said wheel when said ports art under vacuum.
15. The combination as especified in claim 14 wherein the strip is a continuous strip and wherein the periphery of the wheel is provided with recesses therein, said recesses being spaced apart, knife means to sever said continuous strip into individual segments on said wheel, said recesses being timed with respect to said knife means so 9 that the knife means engages the strip of material only 2,956,484 when said knife means is aligned with one of said recesses. 3,140,214 3,300,363 References Cited 3 3 7 22 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,585,250 2/ 1952 Jones et a1 156-449 2,678,748 5/1954 McCain et a1. 156-521 2,788,150 4/1957 Rose 156-448 X Subklew 156-108 X Von Hofe 156-448 X Burroughs 156-521 Hofiier 156-363 X 5 VERLIN R. PENDEGRASS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.
mg UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3532583 Dated October 6, 1970 Edward G. Thiele Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:
Column 1, line 44 "disclosed" should be--discloses-- (Spec, pg. 2, line 15). Column 6, line 60 after "applied", "the" should be--then-- (Spec. pg 16, line 1). Column 7, line 21, Cl. 1 "and" should be--an-- (Claim 1, line 4) Column 7, line 73, Cl. 6 "article" should be--articles-- (Amend Cl. 6, line 18) Column 8, line 69, Cl. 14 "art" should be--are-- (Amend Cl. 19, line 7).
$IGNED 2WD SFATED ISEAL) Attest:
will-Fletch, 1 mm E. SW, IR. M50!!! Banner of Patents
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US3871943A (en) * 1971-12-04 1975-03-18 Rudolf Zodrow Bottle labeling machine
US4605459A (en) * 1984-02-03 1986-08-12 New Jersey Machine Inc. Literature applying machine and method
US4798648A (en) * 1986-03-18 1989-01-17 John Waddington Plc Article feeding devices for labellers
DE3729352A1 (en) * 1987-09-02 1989-03-23 Gerd Kueppersbusch Labelling apparatus
EP0344932A1 (en) * 1988-05-31 1989-12-06 B & H Manufacturing Company Straight through labelling machine
US20080110555A1 (en) * 2006-11-14 2008-05-15 Steve Bouchelle Device and method for labeling vials useful in system for dispensing prescriptions

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US2585250A (en) * 1950-05-24 1952-02-12 Eastman Kodak Co Machine for applying tape to cylindrical containers
US2678748A (en) * 1950-11-10 1954-05-18 Mccain Mailing machine
US2788150A (en) * 1953-01-29 1957-04-09 Rose Brothers Ltd Machines for labelling bottles and the like
US2956484A (en) * 1956-04-28 1960-10-18 Berkley Machine Co Apparatus for forming patches for application to envelope blanks and similar articles
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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3871943A (en) * 1971-12-04 1975-03-18 Rudolf Zodrow Bottle labeling machine
US4605459A (en) * 1984-02-03 1986-08-12 New Jersey Machine Inc. Literature applying machine and method
US4798648A (en) * 1986-03-18 1989-01-17 John Waddington Plc Article feeding devices for labellers
DE3729352A1 (en) * 1987-09-02 1989-03-23 Gerd Kueppersbusch Labelling apparatus
EP0344932A1 (en) * 1988-05-31 1989-12-06 B & H Manufacturing Company Straight through labelling machine
US4931122A (en) * 1988-05-31 1990-06-05 B & H Manufacturing Company, Inc. Straight through labelling machine
AU618353B2 (en) * 1988-05-31 1991-12-19 B & H Manufacturing Company, Inc. Straight through labelling machine
US20080110555A1 (en) * 2006-11-14 2008-05-15 Steve Bouchelle Device and method for labeling vials useful in system for dispensing prescriptions
WO2008060340A1 (en) * 2006-11-14 2008-05-22 Parata Systems, Llc Device and method for labeling vials useful in system for dispensing prescriptions
US20090283199A1 (en) * 2006-11-14 2009-11-19 Steve Bouchelle Device and method for labeling vials useful in system for dispensing prescriptions
US8869861B2 (en) 2006-11-14 2014-10-28 Parata Systems, Llc Device and method for labeling vials useful in system for dispensing prescriptions

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