CA1255707A - Linear actuator and rotary arm label transfer apparatus - Google Patents
Linear actuator and rotary arm label transfer apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1255707A CA1255707A CA000567575A CA567575A CA1255707A CA 1255707 A CA1255707 A CA 1255707A CA 000567575 A CA000567575 A CA 000567575A CA 567575 A CA567575 A CA 567575A CA 1255707 A CA1255707 A CA 1255707A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- label
- label transfer
- arm
- transfer apparatus
- transfer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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- Blow-Moulding Or Thermoforming Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure A label transferring apparatus useable for in-mold label application. In a first embodiment, a transfer device is mounted on a pivotable radial arm and comprises two pairs of transfer heads mounted for rapid, reciprocal transverse movement. A stack of labels is supplied by corresponding two pairs of magazines located at a first radial position.
The radial arm is positioned by a fluid actuated rack and pinion mechanism. In another embodiment, a transfer device is mounted on a linear actuator having a piston rod extending out a first end and carrying the label transfer device and extending out the other end whereat it is supported on a track means. A stack of labels is supplied by corresponding two pairs of magazines located at a first radial position. In a second embodiment the linear actuator is mounted so as to be cantilevered back over the forward end of the piston and cylinder which comprises the linear actuator. In this embodiment the piston and cylinder may be shortened by excluding that portion of the piston rod extending out the other end of the cylinder.
The radial arm is positioned by a fluid actuated rack and pinion mechanism. In another embodiment, a transfer device is mounted on a linear actuator having a piston rod extending out a first end and carrying the label transfer device and extending out the other end whereat it is supported on a track means. A stack of labels is supplied by corresponding two pairs of magazines located at a first radial position. In a second embodiment the linear actuator is mounted so as to be cantilevered back over the forward end of the piston and cylinder which comprises the linear actuator. In this embodiment the piston and cylinder may be shortened by excluding that portion of the piston rod extending out the other end of the cylinder.
Description
This is a divisional of application 477,~18 fi]ed on March 25, 1985.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
-The present invention relates to apparatus for providing a supply of labels and for transferring those labels to another location. In particular, the present invention realtes to label transfer apparatus for picking up a label from a label supply means such as a magazine and transferring and depositing the label at a distal location, such as in the mold of a molding machine.
The present invention also relates to apparatus for transferring an object, such as a label, from a pickup point at a delivery point. In particular, the present invention relates to a linear actuator for transporting a label transfer device from a label supply means such as a magazine to a distal location, such as the interior of a mold cavity of a molding machine.
The present invention is also an improvement of the invention disclosed in Canadian pa-tent 1, 233,308, by the same inventors, This patent also discusses the problems and disadvantages existing in the prior art label transferring apparatuses. However, those problems and disadvantages will be summarized herein for convenience.
~ kl~o\~t~ ~o aL~I~ly ~ 1 t~ ~ LlL~ C~ r ~
) y l~ l ow Illo .L ~i i ll y l~ y ~ 17~ L y i l3 ~3 t ~ ' L i ll !; i d ~ (' IllO I. d, I'revioU~ arr~l~gelllcnts for sul~L~lyin~3 tllc 1LII)Cl5 intO ~he nI0Id are depicted, for exalnple, in the Dickinson ~.S. Pat~nt l~o.
3,324 "~, the ~orkmall U.S. Patent l~o. 3,292,2~9, the two U.~.
Hellmer U.S. ~atents l~os. 4,355,967 and 4,359,314, and the ~ellmer et al Patent No. 4,397,625. These references are dis-cussed in the aforementioned patent application.
While th~ prior art does recognize the basic concept of supplying labels at one location and transferring those labels into an open mold at another location, the devices of the prior art suffer from certain disadvantages. Gener~lly, the afore-mentioned patents disclose label transferring and applying machines haYing complex structures that are incapable of modi-fication so as to permit their incorporation into conventional, installed mold ~nachinery. ~`urthermore, the prior art devices do not permit very rapid, yet accurate transferring an~ po-sitioniny of tll~ labels.
The successful, rapid and accurate positioning of a label inside the mold or a Inolding machine re~uires tne int~rrelateà, cooperative aspects of several components. Of par~icular iln-portal~ce is a trans~er mechanism tnat is capa~le of positively and accurately relnoving a la~el from a label supply ~neans, re-taininy the label duriny a transfer ope.ratiotl, and accurately, reliably de~ositing the label at the salne location inside the molà. In addition, the transfer apparatus must have a reliable m~ans ior rapidly and accurately Jnoving the transfer heads from a label supply Ineans to the inside of a mold, and then retract to outside of the mold and return to the label supply means to contillue the cycle.
~2~
Tlle pr~blems become even Inore difficult when tile re-irelnen~ is a~e~ tl-at the label deliv~ry a~paratus mu:,~ r~e desiglle~ with flexibility 50 tilat it can be incorporated into a nun~er of different types of previously installed Inoldin-J ap-paratuses. The re(luirelnent for cornponent flexibility also means tl~at the individual compollents rnust work .~eparately and in colnbination in a variety of orientations and in a variety of macllinery environments.
The critical interrelationships between the label pickup means and the label supplying means becomes even more important when higl~ label transfer speed and accurate label positioning are re~uired. Consistent accuracy can be acnieved if tne label transfer mecllanism has a sitnplistic rnotion and it has to travel a minilnal distance. In all of the devices of the afore-mentione~ Dickinson, Borkman, ~ellmer and ~3ellmer et al patents, there is a transverse component of movemellt between tlle transfer head and the label both at the moment of pickup of the label and at the moment of transfer of t~e label to tile mold cavity. That transverse component of motion tends to ~scufL~ the label as it is being transferred, thereDy possibly damagillg the label and certainly minimizin~ the a~ility to per-~ectly position the label on the label transfer ~,ead and ~ithin the rnold cavity. A sim~le motion of the tra~nsfer ilead is also dictated in order to permit the retrofitting of a label trans-fer mechallisln to installed molding machines. Therefore, accuracy and speed of label transfer are increased ~lith an in-crease in the siMplicity of label pickup motion and distallce of travel.
~ hen consideriny the further problel~s of retrofitting an in-lnold label application system into an existing, operating molding rnachine, the existing prior art devices become impos-sible to modify. T~e principal reason is that existing molding Inachines have lilnited access space both for insertin~ the label and for installing ti~e label transferring device and the label storage Inealls. ~uite often, tnere is a slnall area into which an extensible label transfer head can be inserted from a distal location. l`he probleln, however~ i~ that tlle in3erted device cannot be supported close to the mold and therefore ~ust be nounted in a cantilever fashion. As is well known, it is very difficult to accurate position a heavy object over an extended ~istance ~ihen tl~at object ~as been mounte~ by a cantilever nountillg .
I~ence, tnere exists a need for further irnprovements in appdratus for trans~errillg labels Erom a label su~ply means tO
gL2~
c~ Inold sucll tn~t the la~el call be accurately, yet rapidly ~tan5~err~ al~(l positione~, sumlnarY of the Invelltion I~ is, tnerefore, a purpose of the present invention to provide a new and imuroved label pickup and transferring ap-paratus which overcornes the ~isadvantages and limitations that have existed in the prior art.
The present invention is especially adapted for use with nol~ing rnachines an~ is particularly usable with blo~1 molding ,lachines. However, it will be understood that the present in-vention Inay also be applicable to other types of molding machines such as vacuull~, deep draw plastic forming rnachines or injection moldiny Inachines.~
More specifically, the present invention is specifically adapte~ to t~eing incorporated into existiny Inoldillg macnines nicll, particularly, have mold nalves that Inove away frorn eaci~
other to dispose of a forrned item and to receive additional mateLial, such as a new parison, after which the Inold halves nove togetiler for the subse~uent nlol~ing operations. lhe present invention utilizes the time and spacing ~len tt~e inol~
halves are separate~ from each other for placellent of lajels into the mold halves. The particular er~bodirnen.s of the in-venti~n depicted in this application relate mor~ principall~ ;o the storage of labels and the pickup of those labels by a transfer tlead in preparation for subse~uent delivery Gt the labels into the Inold halves. ~owever, the same motion of the aL~paratus for pioking up a label is subse4uently utilized by the apparatus for the ~eposition of the label into the rnol~
halves.
~ rhe l30als ~ th~ ptesent invention are acl)ieve(~ rou~JI~ an embo~imellt tner~of which will b~ described in gr~ater (~e~ail below. ~en~rally, however, the elnbodilnellt utilizes the concept of accurately positioning a label on a transfer head and rapidly moving the transfer head between mold halves during the short time ~hat the mold halves are separated to discnarye a molded article, and then rapidly depositing tile labels in the mol~ cavities and withdrawing the head from the Inold so that the molding process can be resumed. This is accomplished by utilizing a label transfer rnechanism that moves essentially directly toward the labels or label application surfaces with a simple movement having an insignificant or no lateral component of motion.
A first embodimellt of the present invention utilizes a pivotably mounted radial arm onto which a label transfer mealls having at least one label transfer head is mourlted. Means are provided for pivotin~ the drm from a first radial position to a second radial position, which positions define a first plane of novemel-t. ~`urther means are provided for reciprocally lloving the tcansfer head in a second plane that is substantially per-pendicular to the first plane.
In a particular embodiment of the present inventioll ~he radial arll is pivotably mounted at one end thereof and the label transfer means is rigidly mounted collinearly ~1ith the arm at tne other end thereof.
In another particular embodiment of the present invention a radial arm is pivotably mounted at a first end thereof and two, op~osed la~el pickup heads oppositely mounted for opposite reciprocal movelnent are mounted at tlle other end of tlle radial arm. A label magazine is located at a first position that is ii7~7 spac~d verticdlly below tile pivot point an(J a mold macllil)e llavinq two spaced apart Inold section.s is mounted at a second yoSitiOII that is space~ l!ori~ontally froln the pivot point.
rhus, the transfer pickup heads enter the space ~et~een the mold sections from therebelow.
Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improve~ la~el transferring apparatus usable for in-mol~ labeling.
It is still another object of the present invcntion to pro-vide a new and improved label transferring apparatus whicn re-cugnizes the overall blow molding cycle an~ utilizes ~ifferent portions of tne cycle to enhance the efficiency of the label transferring apparatus.
It is still another object of the present invention to pro-vide a new and improved mechanism foe direct, rapid movement of the labe1 transfer heads from a first position in wnich a label can be picked up from a label storing rnealls to a second po-sition wilere tlle labels can be applied to the interior of a ~old ~dV i ty, It is still another object of the present invention to provi~e a new and improved mounting and pivoting meal~s for pivoting a laDel transfer head between a laDel storir,~ rnagazine to a central position between t~o spaced a~art mold halves in a simp1e, direct line of motion.
It is still another object of tne present invention to rapidly and reciprocally position and ~ithdraw a label transf~r means to an~ from the space between two spaced apart mold sec-tions ~rom a dieection located arcuately below and to the side of tl~e Inold sec~ions.
~55;~7 ~so i.
rrhe present invention~provides a linear extension motor for rapidly, repedtedly and accurately transporting a label transfer device from a label pickup locatidn to a distal label ~eposition location. More particularly, the present invention pr~vides an accurate means for positioning a label transfer device mounted at one end of a piston rod driven by a linear extension motor. In or~er to achieve the accuracy, the present invention provides a means for reducing the stcoke o the linear ~ctuator or by providing an additional piston rod ex-tending out the opposite end of the actuator cylinder and sup-porting the piston ro~ at tllat point.
Tl~e yoals of tlle pr~sent invention are achieved through em-bodiments thereof which are described in greater detail belo~l.
~enerally "lo-~ev~r, the embodiments utilize the concept of accurately positioning a ldbel transfer head to receive a label stored in a maga~ine and tnen rapidly moving the transfer head bet\~een mold halves of a molding machine during the short time tnat tl~e mold halves are separated to discharcJe a molded article. Tne presellt invention permits the accurate position-ing of tlle transfer head between the mold halves so that the transfer head can accurately posltion tile labels in the mold cavities. Then, the present invention rapidly ~ithdca~s the transfer llead from the mold so tnat the moldillg process can be resulned. ~r~iS is accomplished by either shortening the stroke of tlle linear actuator and/or by yroviding additional support means for the actuator piStOIl rod.
A first emboc~iment of the present invention utilizes a linear actuator com~rising a piston mounted for reciprocal -6~-motion in a cylinder and a pistoll rod ~onllectill(J to ti~e ~istoo an~ exte~ldin~ out both end~ of the cylinder. ~ountirll3 Ineans mount a label transLer ~evice to one end of the piston rod an~
an ali~nrnent rneans is connected to the otner en~ uf the piston ro~ where it extends outside the rear of the cylin~er for main-taining alignment o~ tne ~iston ro~ durillg the movelnent tnereof.
In another embodiment of the present inventioll, a linear actuator for a label transfer device coln~rises a piston recip-rocally mo-unted inside a cylinder and a piston rod connected to the piston and extending out a forwar~ end of the cylinder.
The forward end of an elongated label transfer device is ~ounted with cantilever means to the forwar~ piston end such that tne la~l transfer device extends rearwardly over the cylillder forwar~ end when the piston is~at a rearwdrd portion of the cylinder. In this elnbodiment of the invel-tion, tne dccucacy of the positivning of an extende~ laoel transfer device is increased by shortenin~ the stroke or the piston rod.
~ lence, it is an object of the present invel~tion to pro~vi~e a new and in~proved label transferriny apparatus usable for in-mold labelirlg.
It is still anotller ob-Ject of the present invention to peo-vi~e a new and in,vroved label transferring dpparatus WiliCh rc-cognizes tlle overall blow molding cycle an~ utilizes di~ferent ~vrtions of tt-e cycle to enhance tne efficienc~ of the label transferriny apparatus.
It is still anotner object of the present invention to ~rovide a new aod iln~roved mechanisln ~or direct, rapid movement of a label transfer l~ead froln a eirst position in ~/hictl a lat)el can be ~ic~ed up from a lab~l storing means to a second position where the label can be applied to the interior of a mold oavl~y.
I~ is still ano~l)er o~ject of Lhe l~resellt invention Lo ~)ro-vi~e a new an~ improved mourlting and trAnsportin~ means for mo-unting and transporting a label transfer head bet~een a label storing Inagdzine to an accurate position located between ~wo spaced apart mold halves in a simple, direct line of motion.
It is still another ob]ect of the present invention to pro-vide means for accurately positioning a la~el transler nead attached to a linear actuator when the actuator is in the extended L)osition and the canl-ilever mounting of the transfer head is at a distal, extended position.
These and other objects of the present invention will becolle apparent from the detailed description to follow, taken togetner with the accompanying drawings.
~rief Descrletion of the Drawings li~ere follows a detailed description of ureferred eln-bodilnents of tlle present invention whi~h are to be read in light of the accoml~anying drawings wherein:
~ `igure 1 is a perspective view with parts remove~ for clarity illustrating d label transfer al)paratus that incl~d.
la~el magazine, a pivotably mounted ra~ial arll wllicn, in ~urri, mounts a plurality of label transfer he,~
Figure 2 is a diagramlnatic, cross-sectional ~i./ o1 ,-~ ra_,:
and pinion radial ar~n pivoting means.
Figure 3 is a diagralnlnatic, positional illustration ot tn~
label transfer device, the label storing magazines, and the rnold halves.
Figure 4 is a diagrarnmatic, cross-sectional view of a cam actuated tran~fer head positioning means.
~ igure S is a top plan view of the label rnagazine.
Figure 6 is a diagrammatic positionaL illustration of a second embodiment of a rotary arm label transfer apL~aratus.
~ igure 7 is a diagrarnmatic positional illustration of still another ernbodiment of a rotary arm label trans~er apparatus.
--~c ~
Figure 1 is a perspective view with parts relnoved for clarity illustrating a linear actuator having a label transfer device mounted at the forward end thereof in front of a label magazine and having a means for supporting a portion of the uiston rod that extends outside the rearward portion of the ~ylinder.
~ igure 2 is ~ diagrammataic, end view of the linear actuator of ~igure 1.
~ `iyure ~A is a transverse view similar to Fiyure ~, but showing a modified track structure.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodilnent of tlle present invention, showin~ a linear dctuator and a label ~ransfer device moul-ted to tl~e forward end of tne actuator witn d cantilever Inounting Inelnber.
I~igure 6'is a si~e elevational vie~l or ~igure 3, illus-tratin-3 rnore clearly the guide Inecllanisln for the trallsfer ~3~v i c~ .
~ `igure 7 is a cross-sectiondl view taken along line 7-7 or Figure 6.
~etailed Descri~tion o~ the ~referred Embodiments There follows a detailed description of preferred ~m-bodiments of tl-e present invention ~herein like elellents are re~resented by like nulnerals throughout the several views.
Figure 1 illustrate~ one embo~i~nent of a rotary arln label transfer apparatus 1~ mount~ on a vertical supl~or~ wall 12 which is preferably separate froln, but attached to the ~nachine platten 12a.. Also Inounted on support wall 12 is a t~/o~bottlc molding apparatus 14. Label transfer ~pparatus 10 includes a label trallsfer device 16 rigidly mounted on one end of a pivotably mounted radial arln 1~. Label transfer apparatus 10 furtner includes four lab~l magazines, only two label magazines 1~ and 20 being c3epicted.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, radial arln la is pivotably mounted and pivoted by a rotary actuator 22. ~otary actuator 22 comprises a housing 24 mounted onto a base 26 ~hich in turn is m~unted onto support wall 12. Tne width of base 26 is selected so as to ~ro~erly position radial arl~ 1~ anc3 its plane of swing at the proper transverse distance. Rotary actuator 22 is col~pri~ed of a toothed rack 2~ in Ineshing, driving en-gagemel-t ~ith a pinion 29. Xack 2~ is mounted to housiny ?4 Witll t~o spaced apart Inounting bloc~s 30 which have corres-ponding slide bedrin~3s 31 thdt SupL~ort rac~ 2~. ~inion 2~ is rigiclly mounted to ancd rotatably drives radial arln 1~ oy a shaft ~2. 'rhus, when rack 2~ is longitudinall~ moved, pinion
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
-The present invention relates to apparatus for providing a supply of labels and for transferring those labels to another location. In particular, the present invention realtes to label transfer apparatus for picking up a label from a label supply means such as a magazine and transferring and depositing the label at a distal location, such as in the mold of a molding machine.
The present invention also relates to apparatus for transferring an object, such as a label, from a pickup point at a delivery point. In particular, the present invention relates to a linear actuator for transporting a label transfer device from a label supply means such as a magazine to a distal location, such as the interior of a mold cavity of a molding machine.
The present invention is also an improvement of the invention disclosed in Canadian pa-tent 1, 233,308, by the same inventors, This patent also discusses the problems and disadvantages existing in the prior art label transferring apparatuses. However, those problems and disadvantages will be summarized herein for convenience.
~ kl~o\~t~ ~o aL~I~ly ~ 1 t~ ~ LlL~ C~ r ~
) y l~ l ow Illo .L ~i i ll y l~ y ~ 17~ L y i l3 ~3 t ~ ' L i ll !; i d ~ (' IllO I. d, I'revioU~ arr~l~gelllcnts for sul~L~lyin~3 tllc 1LII)Cl5 intO ~he nI0Id are depicted, for exalnple, in the Dickinson ~.S. Pat~nt l~o.
3,324 "~, the ~orkmall U.S. Patent l~o. 3,292,2~9, the two U.~.
Hellmer U.S. ~atents l~os. 4,355,967 and 4,359,314, and the ~ellmer et al Patent No. 4,397,625. These references are dis-cussed in the aforementioned patent application.
While th~ prior art does recognize the basic concept of supplying labels at one location and transferring those labels into an open mold at another location, the devices of the prior art suffer from certain disadvantages. Gener~lly, the afore-mentioned patents disclose label transferring and applying machines haYing complex structures that are incapable of modi-fication so as to permit their incorporation into conventional, installed mold ~nachinery. ~`urthermore, the prior art devices do not permit very rapid, yet accurate transferring an~ po-sitioniny of tll~ labels.
The successful, rapid and accurate positioning of a label inside the mold or a Inolding machine re~uires tne int~rrelateà, cooperative aspects of several components. Of par~icular iln-portal~ce is a trans~er mechanism tnat is capa~le of positively and accurately relnoving a la~el from a label supply ~neans, re-taininy the label duriny a transfer ope.ratiotl, and accurately, reliably de~ositing the label at the salne location inside the molà. In addition, the transfer apparatus must have a reliable m~ans ior rapidly and accurately Jnoving the transfer heads from a label supply Ineans to the inside of a mold, and then retract to outside of the mold and return to the label supply means to contillue the cycle.
~2~
Tlle pr~blems become even Inore difficult when tile re-irelnen~ is a~e~ tl-at the label deliv~ry a~paratus mu:,~ r~e desiglle~ with flexibility 50 tilat it can be incorporated into a nun~er of different types of previously installed Inoldin-J ap-paratuses. The re(luirelnent for cornponent flexibility also means tl~at the individual compollents rnust work .~eparately and in colnbination in a variety of orientations and in a variety of macllinery environments.
The critical interrelationships between the label pickup means and the label supplying means becomes even more important when higl~ label transfer speed and accurate label positioning are re~uired. Consistent accuracy can be acnieved if tne label transfer mecllanism has a sitnplistic rnotion and it has to travel a minilnal distance. In all of the devices of the afore-mentione~ Dickinson, Borkman, ~ellmer and ~3ellmer et al patents, there is a transverse component of movemellt between tlle transfer head and the label both at the moment of pickup of the label and at the moment of transfer of t~e label to tile mold cavity. That transverse component of motion tends to ~scufL~ the label as it is being transferred, thereDy possibly damagillg the label and certainly minimizin~ the a~ility to per-~ectly position the label on the label transfer ~,ead and ~ithin the rnold cavity. A sim~le motion of the tra~nsfer ilead is also dictated in order to permit the retrofitting of a label trans-fer mechallisln to installed molding machines. Therefore, accuracy and speed of label transfer are increased ~lith an in-crease in the siMplicity of label pickup motion and distallce of travel.
~ hen consideriny the further problel~s of retrofitting an in-lnold label application system into an existing, operating molding rnachine, the existing prior art devices become impos-sible to modify. T~e principal reason is that existing molding Inachines have lilnited access space both for insertin~ the label and for installing ti~e label transferring device and the label storage Inealls. ~uite often, tnere is a slnall area into which an extensible label transfer head can be inserted from a distal location. l`he probleln, however~ i~ that tlle in3erted device cannot be supported close to the mold and therefore ~ust be nounted in a cantilever fashion. As is well known, it is very difficult to accurate position a heavy object over an extended ~istance ~ihen tl~at object ~as been mounte~ by a cantilever nountillg .
I~ence, tnere exists a need for further irnprovements in appdratus for trans~errillg labels Erom a label su~ply means tO
gL2~
c~ Inold sucll tn~t the la~el call be accurately, yet rapidly ~tan5~err~ al~(l positione~, sumlnarY of the Invelltion I~ is, tnerefore, a purpose of the present invention to provide a new and imuroved label pickup and transferring ap-paratus which overcornes the ~isadvantages and limitations that have existed in the prior art.
The present invention is especially adapted for use with nol~ing rnachines an~ is particularly usable with blo~1 molding ,lachines. However, it will be understood that the present in-vention Inay also be applicable to other types of molding machines such as vacuull~, deep draw plastic forming rnachines or injection moldiny Inachines.~
More specifically, the present invention is specifically adapte~ to t~eing incorporated into existiny Inoldillg macnines nicll, particularly, have mold nalves that Inove away frorn eaci~
other to dispose of a forrned item and to receive additional mateLial, such as a new parison, after which the Inold halves nove togetiler for the subse~uent nlol~ing operations. lhe present invention utilizes the time and spacing ~len tt~e inol~
halves are separate~ from each other for placellent of lajels into the mold halves. The particular er~bodirnen.s of the in-venti~n depicted in this application relate mor~ principall~ ;o the storage of labels and the pickup of those labels by a transfer tlead in preparation for subse~uent delivery Gt the labels into the Inold halves. ~owever, the same motion of the aL~paratus for pioking up a label is subse4uently utilized by the apparatus for the ~eposition of the label into the rnol~
halves.
~ rhe l30als ~ th~ ptesent invention are acl)ieve(~ rou~JI~ an embo~imellt tner~of which will b~ described in gr~ater (~e~ail below. ~en~rally, however, the elnbodilnellt utilizes the concept of accurately positioning a label on a transfer head and rapidly moving the transfer head between mold halves during the short time ~hat the mold halves are separated to discnarye a molded article, and then rapidly depositing tile labels in the mol~ cavities and withdrawing the head from the Inold so that the molding process can be resumed. This is accomplished by utilizing a label transfer rnechanism that moves essentially directly toward the labels or label application surfaces with a simple movement having an insignificant or no lateral component of motion.
A first embodimellt of the present invention utilizes a pivotably mounted radial arm onto which a label transfer mealls having at least one label transfer head is mourlted. Means are provided for pivotin~ the drm from a first radial position to a second radial position, which positions define a first plane of novemel-t. ~`urther means are provided for reciprocally lloving the tcansfer head in a second plane that is substantially per-pendicular to the first plane.
In a particular embodiment of the present inventioll ~he radial arll is pivotably mounted at one end thereof and the label transfer means is rigidly mounted collinearly ~1ith the arm at tne other end thereof.
In another particular embodiment of the present invention a radial arm is pivotably mounted at a first end thereof and two, op~osed la~el pickup heads oppositely mounted for opposite reciprocal movelnent are mounted at tlle other end of tlle radial arm. A label magazine is located at a first position that is ii7~7 spac~d verticdlly below tile pivot point an(J a mold macllil)e llavinq two spaced apart Inold section.s is mounted at a second yoSitiOII that is space~ l!ori~ontally froln the pivot point.
rhus, the transfer pickup heads enter the space ~et~een the mold sections from therebelow.
Hence, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improve~ la~el transferring apparatus usable for in-mol~ labeling.
It is still another object of the present invcntion to pro-vide a new and improved label transferring apparatus whicn re-cugnizes the overall blow molding cycle an~ utilizes ~ifferent portions of tne cycle to enhance the efficiency of the label transferring apparatus.
It is still another object of the present invention to pro-vide a new and improved mechanism foe direct, rapid movement of the labe1 transfer heads from a first position in wnich a label can be picked up from a label storing rnealls to a second po-sition wilere tlle labels can be applied to the interior of a ~old ~dV i ty, It is still another object of the present invention to provi~e a new and improved mounting and pivoting meal~s for pivoting a laDel transfer head between a laDel storir,~ rnagazine to a central position between t~o spaced a~art mold halves in a simp1e, direct line of motion.
It is still another object of tne present invention to rapidly and reciprocally position and ~ithdraw a label transf~r means to an~ from the space between two spaced apart mold sec-tions ~rom a dieection located arcuately below and to the side of tl~e Inold sec~ions.
~55;~7 ~so i.
rrhe present invention~provides a linear extension motor for rapidly, repedtedly and accurately transporting a label transfer device from a label pickup locatidn to a distal label ~eposition location. More particularly, the present invention pr~vides an accurate means for positioning a label transfer device mounted at one end of a piston rod driven by a linear extension motor. In or~er to achieve the accuracy, the present invention provides a means for reducing the stcoke o the linear ~ctuator or by providing an additional piston rod ex-tending out the opposite end of the actuator cylinder and sup-porting the piston ro~ at tllat point.
Tl~e yoals of tlle pr~sent invention are achieved through em-bodiments thereof which are described in greater detail belo~l.
~enerally "lo-~ev~r, the embodiments utilize the concept of accurately positioning a ldbel transfer head to receive a label stored in a maga~ine and tnen rapidly moving the transfer head bet\~een mold halves of a molding machine during the short time tnat tl~e mold halves are separated to discharcJe a molded article. Tne presellt invention permits the accurate position-ing of tlle transfer head between the mold halves so that the transfer head can accurately posltion tile labels in the mold cavities. Then, the present invention rapidly ~ithdca~s the transfer llead from the mold so tnat the moldillg process can be resulned. ~r~iS is accomplished by either shortening the stroke of tlle linear actuator and/or by yroviding additional support means for the actuator piStOIl rod.
A first emboc~iment of the present invention utilizes a linear actuator com~rising a piston mounted for reciprocal -6~-motion in a cylinder and a pistoll rod ~onllectill(J to ti~e ~istoo an~ exte~ldin~ out both end~ of the cylinder. ~ountirll3 Ineans mount a label transLer ~evice to one end of the piston rod an~
an ali~nrnent rneans is connected to the otner en~ uf the piston ro~ where it extends outside the rear of the cylin~er for main-taining alignment o~ tne ~iston ro~ durillg the movelnent tnereof.
In another embodiment of the present inventioll, a linear actuator for a label transfer device coln~rises a piston recip-rocally mo-unted inside a cylinder and a piston rod connected to the piston and extending out a forwar~ end of the cylinder.
The forward end of an elongated label transfer device is ~ounted with cantilever means to the forwar~ piston end such that tne la~l transfer device extends rearwardly over the cylillder forwar~ end when the piston is~at a rearwdrd portion of the cylinder. In this elnbodiment of the invel-tion, tne dccucacy of the positivning of an extende~ laoel transfer device is increased by shortenin~ the stroke or the piston rod.
~ lence, it is an object of the present invel~tion to pro~vi~e a new and in~proved label transferriny apparatus usable for in-mold labelirlg.
It is still anotller ob-Ject of the present invention to peo-vi~e a new and in,vroved label transferring dpparatus WiliCh rc-cognizes tlle overall blow molding cycle an~ utilizes di~ferent ~vrtions of tt-e cycle to enhance tne efficienc~ of the label transferriny apparatus.
It is still anotner object of the present invention to ~rovide a new aod iln~roved mechanisln ~or direct, rapid movement of a label transfer l~ead froln a eirst position in ~/hictl a lat)el can be ~ic~ed up from a lab~l storing means to a second position where the label can be applied to the interior of a mold oavl~y.
I~ is still ano~l)er o~ject of Lhe l~resellt invention Lo ~)ro-vi~e a new an~ improved mourlting and trAnsportin~ means for mo-unting and transporting a label transfer head bet~een a label storing Inagdzine to an accurate position located between ~wo spaced apart mold halves in a simple, direct line of motion.
It is still another ob]ect of the present invention to pro-vide means for accurately positioning a la~el transler nead attached to a linear actuator when the actuator is in the extended L)osition and the canl-ilever mounting of the transfer head is at a distal, extended position.
These and other objects of the present invention will becolle apparent from the detailed description to follow, taken togetner with the accompanying drawings.
~rief Descrletion of the Drawings li~ere follows a detailed description of ureferred eln-bodilnents of tlle present invention whi~h are to be read in light of the accoml~anying drawings wherein:
~ `igure 1 is a perspective view with parts remove~ for clarity illustrating d label transfer al)paratus that incl~d.
la~el magazine, a pivotably mounted ra~ial arll wllicn, in ~urri, mounts a plurality of label transfer he,~
Figure 2 is a diagramlnatic, cross-sectional ~i./ o1 ,-~ ra_,:
and pinion radial ar~n pivoting means.
Figure 3 is a diagralnlnatic, positional illustration ot tn~
label transfer device, the label storing magazines, and the rnold halves.
Figure 4 is a diagrarnmatic, cross-sectional view of a cam actuated tran~fer head positioning means.
~ igure S is a top plan view of the label rnagazine.
Figure 6 is a diagrammatic positionaL illustration of a second embodiment of a rotary arm label transfer apL~aratus.
~ igure 7 is a diagrarnmatic positional illustration of still another ernbodiment of a rotary arm label trans~er apparatus.
--~c ~
Figure 1 is a perspective view with parts relnoved for clarity illustrating a linear actuator having a label transfer device mounted at the forward end thereof in front of a label magazine and having a means for supporting a portion of the uiston rod that extends outside the rearward portion of the ~ylinder.
~ igure 2 is ~ diagrammataic, end view of the linear actuator of ~igure 1.
~ `iyure ~A is a transverse view similar to Fiyure ~, but showing a modified track structure.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodilnent of tlle present invention, showin~ a linear dctuator and a label ~ransfer device moul-ted to tl~e forward end of tne actuator witn d cantilever Inounting Inelnber.
I~igure 6'is a si~e elevational vie~l or ~igure 3, illus-tratin-3 rnore clearly the guide Inecllanisln for the trallsfer ~3~v i c~ .
~ `igure 7 is a cross-sectiondl view taken along line 7-7 or Figure 6.
~etailed Descri~tion o~ the ~referred Embodiments There follows a detailed description of preferred ~m-bodiments of tl-e present invention ~herein like elellents are re~resented by like nulnerals throughout the several views.
Figure 1 illustrate~ one embo~i~nent of a rotary arln label transfer apparatus 1~ mount~ on a vertical supl~or~ wall 12 which is preferably separate froln, but attached to the ~nachine platten 12a.. Also Inounted on support wall 12 is a t~/o~bottlc molding apparatus 14. Label transfer ~pparatus 10 includes a label trallsfer device 16 rigidly mounted on one end of a pivotably mounted radial arln 1~. Label transfer apparatus 10 furtner includes four lab~l magazines, only two label magazines 1~ and 20 being c3epicted.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, radial arln la is pivotably mounted and pivoted by a rotary actuator 22. ~otary actuator 22 comprises a housing 24 mounted onto a base 26 ~hich in turn is m~unted onto support wall 12. Tne width of base 26 is selected so as to ~ro~erly position radial arl~ 1~ anc3 its plane of swing at the proper transverse distance. Rotary actuator 22 is col~pri~ed of a toothed rack 2~ in Ineshing, driving en-gagemel-t ~ith a pinion 29. Xack 2~ is mounted to housiny ?4 Witll t~o spaced apart Inounting bloc~s 30 which have corres-ponding slide bedrin~3s 31 thdt SupL~ort rac~ 2~. ~inion 2~ is rigiclly mounted to ancd rotatably drives radial arln 1~ oy a shaft ~2. 'rhus, when rack 2~ is longitudinall~ moved, pinion
2~ is rotated th~reby and, in turn, yivots radial arr" 18.
I~ack 2~ is lonqitudinally positioned by t~o luid actuat~c3 ~istons 33a and 33b l~ounted inside corres~onciiny c~linders 3~a and 34b and connected to corresponding ends of rack 2~ ~ith piston rods 35a and 35b. Pressurized fluid or electricity is supplied to the appropriate cylinder ~hile the other cylinder is vented witll fluid conduits 36a and 36b. Preferably, pistons ~3a and 33b ~re driven by presgurized air, ho~ever, they can also be hydraulic pistons operated by hydraulic oil.
An arrow ~7 in Figures 1 and 2 depict the moti~n and di-rection at pinion 29 and l~ence label transfer device lG an~
radial arln 1~ are drivell wl1en rack 2U is n1ove~ in tlle longi-tudinal direction. Arrows ~7 also define a ~irst plane of movement which, in l`ig. 1, is shown parallel to support wall 12. However, as wo~ld be obvious, by using a wedye shaped base 26, the plan~ of lnotion indicated by arrows 37 can be at an an~le with respect to wall 12 thereby providing desiyn flexi-bility. Generally, however an orthogonal system is desired for both simplicity and for pern1itting apparatus 10 to be ret-rofitted for use with installed mo1ding apparatus 14 naving a predetermined orientation.
Label transfer ~evice 16 is comprised of a housing or frame
I~ack 2~ is lonqitudinally positioned by t~o luid actuat~c3 ~istons 33a and 33b l~ounted inside corres~onciiny c~linders 3~a and 34b and connected to corresponding ends of rack 2~ ~ith piston rods 35a and 35b. Pressurized fluid or electricity is supplied to the appropriate cylinder ~hile the other cylinder is vented witll fluid conduits 36a and 36b. Preferably, pistons ~3a and 33b ~re driven by presgurized air, ho~ever, they can also be hydraulic pistons operated by hydraulic oil.
An arrow ~7 in Figures 1 and 2 depict the moti~n and di-rection at pinion 29 and l~ence label transfer device lG an~
radial arln 1~ are drivell wl1en rack 2U is n1ove~ in tlle longi-tudinal direction. Arrows ~7 also define a ~irst plane of movement which, in l`ig. 1, is shown parallel to support wall 12. However, as wo~ld be obvious, by using a wedye shaped base 26, the plan~ of lnotion indicated by arrows 37 can be at an an~le with respect to wall 12 thereby providing desiyn flexi-bility. Generally, however an orthogonal system is desired for both simplicity and for pern1itting apparatus 10 to be ret-rofitted for use with installed mo1ding apparatus 14 naving a predetermined orientation.
Label transfer ~evice 16 is comprised of a housing or frame
3~ onto which t~o pairs of oppositely opposed transfer hea~s 40 and 42 are mounted with rods 44 and 45 respectively (see also Fiy. 4). I~eads 4~ and 42 are movable in Inutually parallel directions that are perpendicular to the direction of Inovement of radial arln 18 which as shown by arrow 96 is in tile trans-verse direction in Fig. 1.
Transfer heads 40 an~ 42 may comprise a rigid plastic pa~
5U having a plurality of orifices 52 aligned in a LO~ and ex~
tending theretllrougll to a plenuln (not shown) located bet~een the bac~ surf~ce of pad 5~ and a backing plate 54. A vacuuln tube 56 is connected to the rear of bac~ing plate 54 and co-nlnunicates through an orifice therein (not si~own) ~ith the aforementioned p1enuln.
It has beell Eound thât transfer heads 40 and 92 are eff~ctive for transferring a label L (shown at attached to transfer heads 92) that has a ienyth yreater than the width of yad 50 so that the edges of label L can curl around l~ad 5U.
_9_ L'reEerdbly, a label L to ~e transferred ~y lleads ~ an(J ~ is relatively thin alld ~lexible, and thus has a veEy light weig~lt .
MacJazines 19 and 2U are depicted in Fig. 1 dS being oriented in a vertical plane. However, ma(3azines 19 an~ 20 can be oriented in any appropriate plane depending upon the space availability aroun~ mol~ing apparatus 14. Furthermore, magazines lY and 20 can be oriented in a rotated, non-ortlloyonal orientation where the label pickup station is desired to be moved or w~lere transfer ~evice 16 is not collinear with radial arm 18 (as depicte~ in Fig. 6).
~lagazines 1~ and 20 can be either independently mounte~ to support wall 12, or as depicted in Fig. 1, can be attache~ to olle another along their interior edges and separately mounted to su~port ~all 12 with mounting plates 56 and 58. Stacks of laDels L are stored in mayazines 1~ and 2U and are fed tnereby with means described in greater detail ileeeinbelow.
~ ne tyye of mounting and moving mealls usuable ~/ith the present invention for transfer heads 40 and 42 is depicted in Figure 4. ~otatably mounted inside frame 38 is an oblong-shapeà or racetrack shape~ cam 60 rigiàly attacned to a snaft ~2. Cam 60 is rotated by any t~pe of mealls, s-~ch as a power servo motor, a rotary electrical motor, a stepping motor or a rotary actuator, any one of ~Jhich can be driven by pneu-matics, hy~raulics, electricity, solid state electronic devices or turbines.
As can be clearly seen in Figure 4, traosfer heads 40 and 42, Inount~d on their respective rods 49 and 45 are rigidly, colinearly mounted inside frame 38. ~roxilnal ends 64 and 65 of rods 44 and 45 engaye cam 60 and ride along the outer surface -10~
7~7 thereof. 'l`hus, peoximal ends ~4 and 6~ serve as c.~m follow~rs. The dista1 ends 66 ~n(l 67 are ri9idly, relnovably mounted onto hea~s ~0 an~ ~, respective1y, witi~ means such as holts (not sho~n). I~igidly mounted to respeotive mid portions of rods 44 a~ld 45 are disks 6~ an~ 6~ an~ mounte~ aroun~ the disk~ 6~ an~ 69 and the mid portions of ro~s 44 and ~5 are res-yective ~ylin~ers 7U and 71. Coil springs 72 and 73, mounted inside cylinders 70 and 71 around rods 44 and 45, respectively, extend ~etween removab1e slide bearing end plugs 74 and 75 and disks 6~ and 6~, respectively. l~nus~ rods 49 and 45 are slidably, resiliently mounte~ insi~e cylinders 70 and 71, res-pectively, in cam following engagement with resyective ends of cam 60.
~ am 60 llas a shape tnat provides two~maximum points or lobes 76 and 77 and two minimuln cam 10DeS 78 and 7~ such tnat as càln 60 is r~tated, rods 4~ and 4~ are alternately at tneir outermost, label pickup position (indicated by solid lines in Fig. ~) and their retracted~ innerlnost position (indicated b~
dasiled lines in Figure ~). As a result or the shape of cam 60 pic~up heads 40 and 42 have a rapid rate o retraction ~ eferring no~J to Figs. 1 and 5, there is sho~/n one ~pe of magazine 1~ ~hich can be used with ttle present invention i~agaziile 1'~ is comprised of a sturdy, rigid metal har fralne 1~0 tllat has an annular generally rectangular shaye. T~e snape ot frame lU0 yrovides for greater flexibilit~ in orientation an~
location. In addition, as shown in Figure 1, the frarne of naga~zine 1~ ~an be ri~idly attaclle~ to the frame of magazine 20.
Mounte~ onto magazine feame 100 is a label feeding means that positively supplies labels L so that tne outermost label is always in approximately tne same position, on tl~e one hand, and ye~ ~h~ 1 is ri~idly held at th~t L)o~itioll wile~
tran~,~er n~al3 ~0 or 42 colncs into colltact th(!rewirth. ~rhe lal)e feeding Ineans is com~rised of two pairs of two spac~d apart bars 106 and 108, each bar 106 an~ 10~ haviny a plurality of ratchet teeth 110 Inounted on the inwardly f~cing surfaces thereof. Bars 106 and 1~ ~re mounted to indivi~ual mounting blocks 11~ which in turn, are remova~ly, rigidly mounted onto fralne 100 witll ~crews 114. Mounting block 112 can be mounted with ally one of a ~lurality of holes 116 provided in frali~e 100 alollg the periphery thereof. In this way, ~ifferent shaped and sized labels can be accommodated with a single size r,lagaZine frame 100. ~he label feeding means further includes a flexible label backing plate or pad ;118 which is preferably made of a rigid plastic material so that labels L will not be cut or ratchet teeth llO worn too (~uickly. ~late 118 is prefera~ly curved and nas is relatively thin at the transverse edges so tnat they can ~e engaged by ratchet teeth llO. ~ars 106 and lOa witn their ratchet teetn 11~ and plate ll8 together com~rise a ratchet mechanis~n for feeding labels to a label suuply location.
~ igidly moullte~ to the end of eaCIl bar 1~6 or 1~ of nnagazine l9 is a retaining finger 120 that has an in~/ardly pro-~ecting tip 12. ~inger 120 is rigidly moullted to the end o~
tne respective ~ar 106 or 1~8 by means such as being welded or attache~ with screws. Tip 122 preferably has an incline~ sur-face with an angle that will retain the outérlnost label, on the one hand, yet will release it to a transfer head, on the other halld. ~lounted to the bottom of frame 100 are a pair of support members 124. ~upport melnbers 124 preferably have a smooth uU~per surfa~e for supporting tne bottoln of labels L
while still ~erlnittilly the labels L to slide therealolly Label b~ckin~ l~late llB is resiliently urged in a for~ard, outward direction by a spriny means which comprises of a pivotally Inounted arm 1~6 having a bend therein and a coil spring (not shown) mounted between the bottoln surface of tne top of frame 1~0 and a point near the bend. Arm 126 is Inounted at its upper end with a pivot pin 132 to a mounting block 134, which in turn, is rigidly mounted with means, such as a.screw 136 to the top of frame 10~. The other end of spring arm 126 is ~nounted to the back of ylate 118 by Ineans which p~rmit low friction linedr MoYelnellt of plate 118 relative to the arcurate ~novement of arm 126.
Re~erring to Fig. 1, Inolding apparatus 14 will be briefly described so as to provide a better understanding of the opera-tion of the present inventioll, although l~olding apyaratus 14 does not forln a part of the present invention and tn~ or,e ~epict~d is exeln~lary only.
l~lolding apparatus 14 comprises two mold halves 15~ and 152. ~ach mold half 1~ or 152 has two mold cavities 154 and 15~. ~n orifice 15~ and 160 connects the corresponding ~nold cavity 154 and 156 witll a supply of pre~surized air which is used during the blow molding operation. I~old halves 150 and 152 are sli~ably l~ounted on support bars lG2 and 164, one end or which can be connected to support wall 12 for supporting molding apparatus 14. Yower means (not shown) are provided for opening and closiny mold halves 150 and 152. In addition, molding apparatus 14 includes nulnerous other pipes, conveying a~paratus to convey parisons to the Inolds and ~nolded obj~cts from th~ mold, and instrumentation (all of ~Jhich has bee omitted for clarity).
~ ith r~terellce now ~o l`ig. 6, a secon~ elllbo~ nt o~ a rot~ry acm l~l)el transfer apparatus 2UO is stlo~/nrin dia(~ralntic for~n. Label transfer apparatus 200 transfers la~els to a rnolding apparatus 214 an~ supplies the labels to an interior mold cavity (not ~hown). Label transLer apparat~s 20U com-~rises a label transfer device 216 rigidly mounted at one end of a radial arm 218. rhe other end of radial arm 21~ is pivotably mounted and is pivotably driven by a shaft 232.
~o~ever, whereas label transfer device 16 is collinearly aligned and Inounte~ one end of radial arm 18, as clearly sho~n in Fig. 3, label transfer device 216 is rigidly mounted at an angle to one end of radial arm 218. In the ernbodiment of Fig.
6, because of limitations ih movement, radial arm 218 can pivot ollly through an angle of 6~ instead of the 90 through which radial arm 18 pivots. rherefore, in order to properly position a label in the mold cavity of a vertically aliyned molding ap-pdratus 214, it is necessary to attach label trarlsfer device 216 at an anyle with respect to radial drm 21~. Tne inside angle of attachlnellt indicated by arrow 221 is tie co~plelnent of the angle of rotatioll througll wllicll radial arm 218 travels Therefore, for a travel of 60 for radial arm 21~, label trans-fer device 216 must be riyidly attaciled so as to form an angle SilOWn by arrow 221 that is 120. As mentioned above, label magazilles 21~ and 220 will also have to be reoriented in or~er to properly presel-t a label to transfer device 216.
In the embo~ilnent in Fig. 6, the pivot point or location of sha~t 232 is at lea~t as high as the mold cavity of mol~ing ap-aratus 214. In the embo~iln~nt oE Fi~. 1, the pivot point of ~adial arm 1~ is horizontally opyosite the deposit L~oint in mold cavity 154 and 156. However, because of the reduced arc of trave1 of ra~ial arln 21~, the pivot ~oint an~ shaft 232 of ra~i~l arm 218 must be located aL~ove the mold cavity of rnol~ing apparatus 214. ~owever, it is noted that 1abel transfer device 216 still enters the space between the spaced apart mold halves ro~ the bottom.
Yet another elnbodiment of the present inve~ntion is depicted in Fig. 7. A label transfer apparatus 300 for depositing a label to a molding apparatus 314 colnprises of a radial arrn 31 pivotable between mol~ g apparatus 314 an~ magazin~s 31~ and 320.
It will be apparent that in any of the embodiments, the al~gle of movement of the arm and the location of the pivot can be varied to accolnodate the di~ferent motions and locations of toe arl,l and magazine to adapt to tne various types of molding machines.
~ nli~e ra~ial arms l~ and 218, radial arln 318 is ~ounted ~t a mid portion tnereof by a shart 332. ~adial arin 31~ is also provided with 30 bend 3~0 just belo~1 the pivot point and a coullterweigllt 3~2 at one end. At the other end of radidl ar~
31~ a la~el transfer device ~16 is mounte~.
I~adial arm 31~ is rotated Dy a linear extellsion actuator 3~4 oriel~ted 20 aDove the ilorizontal as sho~n by arrow 3~6.
~ eturning now to Fig. 1, the operation of label transfer apparatus lO will be described in general terlns. ~ow~ver it is to be ap~reciated that with o~vious differences, the op~ra-tion of label trallsfer apparatuses 200 and 300 will be similar Label transfer device 16 is initially positioned by radial arm 1~ in a first vertical orientation so that transfer heads ~0 and 42 are in transverse ali~nment with mayazines 1~ and ~ aln 6~ i(J. 4) is activate-3 cau;in-3 rods ~4 ~n(~ 45 to b( r~ ly ~xt~l)ded outwar(31y ill the trln~;ve~3c ~3irectinn, whicll i~ ~rpen(3icular to the direction o 1novelnent o~ trans~er device 1~. At the salne time, a vacuum is applied to pickup heads 4~ and 42 as the heads Inove transversely outwar~ly and into engagement with the uppermost label L. As soon as contact is made, further outward movement of heads 40 and 42 is resisted as a result of the ratchet mechanisra of magazines 12 and 14. This provides a fir~n contact between tne outer surface of heads 40 an~ 42 and the outermo~t label L. As cam 60 continues to turn, sprinys 72 and 74 will rapidly return heads ~0 and 42 to their respective withdrawn positions taking with them the corres~ondiny labels now securely attached to the outer surfaces o~ the heads. Air is then emitted tnrougn fluid line 366 to cause piston 366 to move to the right as snown in Fig. 2, thereby similarly causing rack 28 to move to the rign alld to rotate pinion 2~. The rotatioo of pinion 2~ causes radial arm 1~ to be pivoted in the counter-clockwise direction (as shown in Fig. 1) toward a distal location where molding a~-paratus 14 is located. ~hile device 16 is being positionec3 can~ G~ continues to rotate and the UiC~;Up heads 40 and 42 De~in to move in the transverse outwardly directions litn proper tilniny and transverse distances properly selecte~ trans~er a~-vice will ent~r the space Detween mold nalves 15~ and 152 at exactly the correct time as transfer heads 40 and 42 are beiny moved in the outward direction so as to minimize the a~nount of time that device 16 is between the two Inold nalves. When heads 40 and 42 have been ~xtended to their full outwar~3 pOsition, they will be in cvntact with the inner surfaces of the mold halves. At that time, the vacuum being supplied to heads 40 and ~2 is terlnillated and vacuulll iS applie~d to the mold llaLves so a~ ~o retain ti~e labels tllerein. C'aln 6~ conti;nues ~o turn alld witn ~roU~r tilnilly, a~t~r tlle la~l transfer, heacl~ ~ and 42 are again rapidly withdrawn. Silnultaneously, pressurized air is adlnitted to fluid line 36a while fluid line 36b is vented. This causes rack 31 to be driven in tne lefthand ~irection a~d transfer device 16 to be again positioned in front o~ magazines 19 and 2~. The mold halves can then be closed and the molding process begun, It will be understood that these improvements in label applicator heads are applicable to any of the label transfer apparatus described in the ~rior art auparatuses.
~v f.i~
~ rhere follow~Ja,~detailed description of preferred embodi-ments of the present invention wherein like elements are rep-resellted by like nulnerals throughout the several views.
~cefeering to Fiy. 1, one elnbodiment of a linear actuator 10 is sl~own. Actuator 10 extends in the lonyitudinal direction and is l~orizontally mounted by mealls such as a support table 12. .~
cantilev~r Inoullting Ineans cornprising a mountinc3 plate 14 mounts the cearward ~nd or an elonyate label transfer d~vice 16 to the forward en~ o~ a piston rod 1~. Label transfer device 16 is sl~own in Fig. 1 positioned in a label pickup location in front of two norizontally mounted label Inagazines, a forwa~d ~agazine 1~3 alld d rear~drd Inagazine 20. Il: will be aUureciate(3 thdt d seconcl pair of a forward and a rearward label magazine is L~ositioned transversely op~osite magazines lY and 2U at the lab~l L~ickup location or pOsitiOIl~ but !~ve been relnoved ~roln Fig. ~ L'or purL~oses of clarity.
.
Linear act~ator 1~ is colnprised of ~ linear e~tensi~n motor 22 com~)rising the aforelnentioned piston rod 18, a piston 23 rigidly connected to a mid portion of piston rod 18 and an elongate cylinder 24 housing the piston ~3. A pressurized flui~ i-s ad~nitted to either the rearward si~e of piStOII 23 with a hose 25 or to the rorward side of piston 23 with a for~lard hose 26. Preferably, extension motor 22 is ~neumatically oper-ated with pressurized air. However, any pressurized fluid, sucl~ as a hydraulic oil, or an electrically po~ered ball screw can be utilized. In addition, a flui~ delivery lneans selec-tively admits a pressurized fluid to one side of piston 23 while venting the other side thereof for driving piston 23 and the attached ~iston rod 18 in the desired direction. ~hus, for exalnple, if pressurized air is adrnitted through hose 25 through a ~irectiol~al valve (not 9110~rl), hose 26 will be connected to atlnosphere .
~ iston rod 1~ extends coln~letely through cylinder 24 and is sealillgly mounted for longitudinal movelnent at the forward cylinder elld and tlle rearward cylin~r end by correspollding sli~e b~arinys 27 The rearward part Gf piston ro~ l& i~ also denoted the tail ro~ 28. Tail rod 28 is rigi~ly mount~ at its forward end to piston 23 and is rigidly mounted at its rearwGr~
~nd to a trolley 2~ As mentioned above, piston rod 18 is pre-ferably a single, unitary rod extendin~ from trolley 2~ tl-rough cylinder 24 to label transfer device 16 With reference also to Fig. 2, trolley 2~ is comprised of a moul~ g ~late 30 rigidly nloullted to the end of tail rod 2~
with mealls sucll as a nut 31 connected to a threa~ed ~ortion of tail rod 2~ Connected to the lower part of mountin~ ~late 30 is a troll~y housin~ 32. Trolley housillg 32 engages d rail 31 ~557~
iCIl i~ r~yi~ly Inoul~ o ~U~i)or~ r~ u~
bolts, an~ wt~ic~ extends parallcl to and undcr t~il ro~ 2U.
Three sets of rotatably Inounted wheels, a top wl)eel 34 and side wheels 35 an~ 36 engaye correspondiny portions a rail 33.
~rhus, trolley 2~ is both su~ported an~ kept in aliynrnent by rail 3~.
~ igure 2A illustrates a Inodification of the track structure wherein plate 3~ is replaced by a plate 50 which ri~es in a groove 52 formed in table 12. Rollers 53 mounted on shafts 54 formed by plate 50 engage the sides of groove 52 The bottom of plate.S~ is either of a low friction rnaterial or would in-clude a third roller, such as roller 34 of Figure 2; bearing against tl)e bottoln of yroove 52 As sho~n in Fig. 1, label transfer ~~~vice 16 comprises a housing or frame 3~ onto which two pairs of oppositely opposed transfer or heads 10 and 42 are mounted witn rods 44 and 45, respectively (see also Fig. 4). rransfer heads 40 and 42 are n~ovable in mutually pdrallel dlrections that are perpendicular to tne directioll of movelnent of radial arln 18, wllicll, as snown by arrow 4~, is in tne transverse direction in Fic~ 1.
Ilransfer heads 40 and 42 are colnprised of a rigid ~lastic uad SO havillg a plurality of orifices S~ aliyned in a row and extendiny therethrough to a plenuln (not showll) loc~ted between the ~ack surface of pad 50 and a backing plate 54. A vacuunl tube ~6 is connected to the rear of trolley mountiny plate 3U
and a vacuum is a~plied to transfer head orifices ~2 thro~gn a base (not showll) throuyh tubin~ (also not shown) connected to thc forwar~ en~ of piston rod l~ and throu~h the a~orelnentione~
pl enuln .
It has beell foun~ that transf~r heads 40 and 42 are effec-tive for transferring a label L ~sh~wn only as attached to transfer heads ~2) that has a length greater than the width of pad 5U so that the edges of label L car) curl around pad SO.
Preferably, a label L to be transferred by heads ~ and 42 is _ 1 q_ \
~ L2.
re~ iv-~ly t~ al)d flexible, .-n(l thus has a very lir~
w e i g h 1 .
Ma~,lzines 19 ~nd 20 can be either independent~ly inounted on supl~ort table 12, or as shown in Fig. 1, can be attacne~ to one anotller alon-3 their interior edges. Stacks of labels L are store~ in magaæines 19 and 20 and are fed thereby witn means described in greater detail herein~ve.
A second ~mbo~iment of a linear actuator 210 is shown in ~ig. 3 an~ is mounted on a support table 212 Linear actuator 210 includes a cantilever mounting plate 214 for mounting a label trans~er device 216 onto the forward end of a pis~on rod 21~. Linear actuator 21~ also includes a pi~ton 223 connecte~
to a rearward portion of piston rod21~; an~ a cylinder 224 whicn houses piston 223 and part of piston rod 21~. Pressur-ized ~luid is applied into cylinder 224 on either the rear~lard side of pistoll223 with a rear hose 225 or on the forward side of piston 22~ with a forward hose.
La~el transfer device 216 is subs~antially id~ntical to la~el trallsfer device 16 de~icted in Fig. 1. The only substan-tial difference is that the rearward ~nd of transfer device 16 is moul-ted onto moullting plate 14 of linear actuator 10 ~/nereas the forward end of label transfer device 216 is mounted onto an u~per portioll of mounting plal-e 214 ln tills manner, label transfer ~evice ~16 has a cantilever moullting and re~luires less longitudinal space for its positioning. ~ith less longitudinal space re~uired, piston rod 21~ càn be shorter and thus the Inomellt exerted by the wei~nt of transfer device 216 is less wnen ~ ton rod 21~ is fully extended. Conse~uently, by using the cantilever mounting of label transfer device 216, it can be more accurately positiolled.
In ordeL to avoid turning movements of the transfer device 21~ in a vertical plane about a transverse axis passirlg throuflh the lower portion of plate 21q, a guifle means i5 provided, ~ %~
1`his yuide means i5 shown in dashed lines in l~iyure 3 an~ in yreater ~tail in L`igure 6 an~ 7. As shown thercin a pair of brackets 252 and 25~ are riyidly mounted to support table 212.
A pair of guide rods 250 which are fixed to the plate 21~ hy bolts 251 are then slideably mounted in the brackets 252 and 253; passing through suitable beaeings 254. rhe rod 250 is long ellough that when the linear accudtor 21~ rnoves to its forwardmost position (leftmost as shown in the drawings) the right hand end of ro~ 25~ will not have pa~ed through the opening of bracket 253.
It will be understood that the feature shown in Figure 3 of moullting the transfer device over the forward end of the cylin~er can also be applied advantageously to the ernbodirnent of Fiyure 1 to shorten the distance between tne linear actuator lU and t!~ space between the mold halves.
I~eferring now to Fig. 1, the operation of linear actuator 10 will be described in general terrns. However, it is to be a~preciate~ that with o~vious differellces, the operation o linear actuator 21~ will be similar.
Ldbel transfer ~evice 16 is initially positioned ~y linear actuator lU so tnat pickup heads 40 and q2 are in transverse a1ignment with Inagazines l~ and 2~. Cain G0 (ri9. ~) is activated, causing rods 44 and 45 to be resiliently extende~
outwardly in the transverse direction, which is perpendicu1ar to ~irection of movement of piston rod 18 and thus the direc-tion of movemellt of transfer device 16. At the sa~ne time, a vacuum is applie~ through hose 56 to transfer heads 40 and 42 as ti)e hea~s move transversely outwardly and into engagement with the outerlnost label L. As soon as contact is made further outward movement heads 40 and 42 is resist~d as a ~5~
result as the ratctlet mechanisln of maga~ines la an~ ~a.
'l'llis l~rovi~es a ~ir!n c~ntac~ between the outeir sur~acc of heads 40 and 42 and the outermost label L. As caln 60 continues to tuen, springs 72 and 74 will rapidly return heads 40 and 42 to their respective withdrawn positions taking with them the correspondin~3 labels now securely attached to the outer sur-face~ of the heads. Air is tnen emitted through fluid line 25 to cause piston 23 to move to the right as shown in ~ig 1, tnereby similarly causing piston rod 18; trolley 29; and trans-f~r device 16 also to move to the right. Transfer device 16 is thus moved to a distal location where a molding apparatus (not shown) is located. While device 16 is being positioned, cam 60 continues to rotate and the transfer heads 40 and 42 begin to Inove in tl~e transverse outward directiotis. With proper timing and transv~rse distances properly selected, the transfer device may enter the space between the rnold halves of the l~olding ap-paratus at exa~tly the correct tirne as transEer heads 40 an~ 42 are being moved in the outward directioll so as to rninimiz~ tne amoullt of time that device 16 i5 bet~een the t~lo mold halves.
~hell transfer heads 40 and 42 have been extended to their full outward position, they will be in contact with the inner surfaces of the Inold cavities. At that tim~, the vacuum being supplied to lleads ~lO and 42 is terminated and a vacuum is applied t~ the mold halves so as to retain the labels therein.
Cam 6~ continues to turn and with proper timing, after t~e label transfer, transfer heads 40 and 42 are again rapidly withdr~wn. Simultaneously, pre~surized ~ir is admitted to flui~ line 26 wl~ile fluid line 26 is vented Thi causcs piston 23 to be drivell in the lefthand direction and transfer device 16 to be ayain positioned in front of magazines 1~ and 2~ n~ lv~ tl~ t~ o l ~ i l l (J l) r t~e(3ul~ whilc l~e~ labels ~re pickc~ up.
It will be un~ierstood that these im~rovemellts in linear actuators may be applicable to any of the label tran~Eer ap-p~ratus described in the the aEorementioned patent applic3~ion.
The operation of the various embodirnents have either been discussed during the description of the respective embodiments or will be appdrent therefrom.
Althougll the invention nas been described with respect to s~eci~ic embodiments, it will be apparent that tne invention is capable of numerous modifications and variations without de-parting froM the spirit and scope of the invention.
Transfer heads 40 an~ 42 may comprise a rigid plastic pa~
5U having a plurality of orifices 52 aligned in a LO~ and ex~
tending theretllrougll to a plenuln (not shown) located bet~een the bac~ surf~ce of pad 5~ and a backing plate 54. A vacuuln tube 56 is connected to the rear of bac~ing plate 54 and co-nlnunicates through an orifice therein (not si~own) ~ith the aforementioned p1enuln.
It has beell Eound thât transfer heads 40 and 92 are eff~ctive for transferring a label L (shown at attached to transfer heads 92) that has a ienyth yreater than the width of yad 50 so that the edges of label L can curl around l~ad 5U.
_9_ L'reEerdbly, a label L to ~e transferred ~y lleads ~ an(J ~ is relatively thin alld ~lexible, and thus has a veEy light weig~lt .
MacJazines 19 and 2U are depicted in Fig. 1 dS being oriented in a vertical plane. However, ma(3azines 19 an~ 20 can be oriented in any appropriate plane depending upon the space availability aroun~ mol~ing apparatus 14. Furthermore, magazines lY and 20 can be oriented in a rotated, non-ortlloyonal orientation where the label pickup station is desired to be moved or w~lere transfer ~evice 16 is not collinear with radial arm 18 (as depicte~ in Fig. 6).
~lagazines 1~ and 20 can be either independently mounte~ to support wall 12, or as depicted in Fig. 1, can be attache~ to olle another along their interior edges and separately mounted to su~port ~all 12 with mounting plates 56 and 58. Stacks of laDels L are stored in mayazines 1~ and 2U and are fed tnereby with means described in greater detail ileeeinbelow.
~ ne tyye of mounting and moving mealls usuable ~/ith the present invention for transfer heads 40 and 42 is depicted in Figure 4. ~otatably mounted inside frame 38 is an oblong-shapeà or racetrack shape~ cam 60 rigiàly attacned to a snaft ~2. Cam 60 is rotated by any t~pe of mealls, s-~ch as a power servo motor, a rotary electrical motor, a stepping motor or a rotary actuator, any one of ~Jhich can be driven by pneu-matics, hy~raulics, electricity, solid state electronic devices or turbines.
As can be clearly seen in Figure 4, traosfer heads 40 and 42, Inount~d on their respective rods 49 and 45 are rigidly, colinearly mounted inside frame 38. ~roxilnal ends 64 and 65 of rods 44 and 45 engaye cam 60 and ride along the outer surface -10~
7~7 thereof. 'l`hus, peoximal ends ~4 and 6~ serve as c.~m follow~rs. The dista1 ends 66 ~n(l 67 are ri9idly, relnovably mounted onto hea~s ~0 an~ ~, respective1y, witi~ means such as holts (not sho~n). I~igidly mounted to respeotive mid portions of rods 44 a~ld 45 are disks 6~ an~ 6~ an~ mounte~ aroun~ the disk~ 6~ an~ 69 and the mid portions of ro~s 44 and ~5 are res-yective ~ylin~ers 7U and 71. Coil springs 72 and 73, mounted inside cylinders 70 and 71 around rods 44 and 45, respectively, extend ~etween removab1e slide bearing end plugs 74 and 75 and disks 6~ and 6~, respectively. l~nus~ rods 49 and 45 are slidably, resiliently mounte~ insi~e cylinders 70 and 71, res-pectively, in cam following engagement with resyective ends of cam 60.
~ am 60 llas a shape tnat provides two~maximum points or lobes 76 and 77 and two minimuln cam 10DeS 78 and 7~ such tnat as càln 60 is r~tated, rods 4~ and 4~ are alternately at tneir outermost, label pickup position (indicated by solid lines in Fig. ~) and their retracted~ innerlnost position (indicated b~
dasiled lines in Figure ~). As a result or the shape of cam 60 pic~up heads 40 and 42 have a rapid rate o retraction ~ eferring no~J to Figs. 1 and 5, there is sho~/n one ~pe of magazine 1~ ~hich can be used with ttle present invention i~agaziile 1'~ is comprised of a sturdy, rigid metal har fralne 1~0 tllat has an annular generally rectangular shaye. T~e snape ot frame lU0 yrovides for greater flexibilit~ in orientation an~
location. In addition, as shown in Figure 1, the frarne of naga~zine 1~ ~an be ri~idly attaclle~ to the frame of magazine 20.
Mounte~ onto magazine feame 100 is a label feeding means that positively supplies labels L so that tne outermost label is always in approximately tne same position, on tl~e one hand, and ye~ ~h~ 1 is ri~idly held at th~t L)o~itioll wile~
tran~,~er n~al3 ~0 or 42 colncs into colltact th(!rewirth. ~rhe lal)e feeding Ineans is com~rised of two pairs of two spac~d apart bars 106 and 108, each bar 106 an~ 10~ haviny a plurality of ratchet teeth 110 Inounted on the inwardly f~cing surfaces thereof. Bars 106 and 1~ ~re mounted to indivi~ual mounting blocks 11~ which in turn, are remova~ly, rigidly mounted onto fralne 100 witll ~crews 114. Mounting block 112 can be mounted with ally one of a ~lurality of holes 116 provided in frali~e 100 alollg the periphery thereof. In this way, ~ifferent shaped and sized labels can be accommodated with a single size r,lagaZine frame 100. ~he label feeding means further includes a flexible label backing plate or pad ;118 which is preferably made of a rigid plastic material so that labels L will not be cut or ratchet teeth llO worn too (~uickly. ~late 118 is prefera~ly curved and nas is relatively thin at the transverse edges so tnat they can ~e engaged by ratchet teeth llO. ~ars 106 and lOa witn their ratchet teetn 11~ and plate ll8 together com~rise a ratchet mechanis~n for feeding labels to a label suuply location.
~ igidly moullte~ to the end of eaCIl bar 1~6 or 1~ of nnagazine l9 is a retaining finger 120 that has an in~/ardly pro-~ecting tip 12. ~inger 120 is rigidly moullted to the end o~
tne respective ~ar 106 or 1~8 by means such as being welded or attache~ with screws. Tip 122 preferably has an incline~ sur-face with an angle that will retain the outérlnost label, on the one hand, yet will release it to a transfer head, on the other halld. ~lounted to the bottom of frame 100 are a pair of support members 124. ~upport melnbers 124 preferably have a smooth uU~per surfa~e for supporting tne bottoln of labels L
while still ~erlnittilly the labels L to slide therealolly Label b~ckin~ l~late llB is resiliently urged in a for~ard, outward direction by a spriny means which comprises of a pivotally Inounted arm 1~6 having a bend therein and a coil spring (not shown) mounted between the bottoln surface of tne top of frame 1~0 and a point near the bend. Arm 126 is Inounted at its upper end with a pivot pin 132 to a mounting block 134, which in turn, is rigidly mounted with means, such as a.screw 136 to the top of frame 10~. The other end of spring arm 126 is ~nounted to the back of ylate 118 by Ineans which p~rmit low friction linedr MoYelnellt of plate 118 relative to the arcurate ~novement of arm 126.
Re~erring to Fig. 1, Inolding apparatus 14 will be briefly described so as to provide a better understanding of the opera-tion of the present inventioll, although l~olding apyaratus 14 does not forln a part of the present invention and tn~ or,e ~epict~d is exeln~lary only.
l~lolding apparatus 14 comprises two mold halves 15~ and 152. ~ach mold half 1~ or 152 has two mold cavities 154 and 15~. ~n orifice 15~ and 160 connects the corresponding ~nold cavity 154 and 156 witll a supply of pre~surized air which is used during the blow molding operation. I~old halves 150 and 152 are sli~ably l~ounted on support bars lG2 and 164, one end or which can be connected to support wall 12 for supporting molding apparatus 14. Yower means (not shown) are provided for opening and closiny mold halves 150 and 152. In addition, molding apparatus 14 includes nulnerous other pipes, conveying a~paratus to convey parisons to the Inolds and ~nolded obj~cts from th~ mold, and instrumentation (all of ~Jhich has bee omitted for clarity).
~ ith r~terellce now ~o l`ig. 6, a secon~ elllbo~ nt o~ a rot~ry acm l~l)el transfer apparatus 2UO is stlo~/nrin dia(~ralntic for~n. Label transfer apparatus 200 transfers la~els to a rnolding apparatus 214 an~ supplies the labels to an interior mold cavity (not ~hown). Label transLer apparat~s 20U com-~rises a label transfer device 216 rigidly mounted at one end of a radial arm 218. rhe other end of radial arm 21~ is pivotably mounted and is pivotably driven by a shaft 232.
~o~ever, whereas label transfer device 16 is collinearly aligned and Inounte~ one end of radial arm 18, as clearly sho~n in Fig. 3, label transfer device 216 is rigidly mounted at an angle to one end of radial arm 218. In the ernbodiment of Fig.
6, because of limitations ih movement, radial arm 218 can pivot ollly through an angle of 6~ instead of the 90 through which radial arm 18 pivots. rherefore, in order to properly position a label in the mold cavity of a vertically aliyned molding ap-pdratus 214, it is necessary to attach label trarlsfer device 216 at an anyle with respect to radial drm 21~. Tne inside angle of attachlnellt indicated by arrow 221 is tie co~plelnent of the angle of rotatioll througll wllicll radial arm 218 travels Therefore, for a travel of 60 for radial arm 21~, label trans-fer device 216 must be riyidly attaciled so as to form an angle SilOWn by arrow 221 that is 120. As mentioned above, label magazilles 21~ and 220 will also have to be reoriented in or~er to properly presel-t a label to transfer device 216.
In the embo~ilnent in Fig. 6, the pivot point or location of sha~t 232 is at lea~t as high as the mold cavity of mol~ing ap-aratus 214. In the embo~iln~nt oE Fi~. 1, the pivot point of ~adial arm 1~ is horizontally opyosite the deposit L~oint in mold cavity 154 and 156. However, because of the reduced arc of trave1 of ra~ial arln 21~, the pivot ~oint an~ shaft 232 of ra~i~l arm 218 must be located aL~ove the mold cavity of rnol~ing apparatus 214. ~owever, it is noted that 1abel transfer device 216 still enters the space between the spaced apart mold halves ro~ the bottom.
Yet another elnbodiment of the present inve~ntion is depicted in Fig. 7. A label transfer apparatus 300 for depositing a label to a molding apparatus 314 colnprises of a radial arrn 31 pivotable between mol~ g apparatus 314 an~ magazin~s 31~ and 320.
It will be apparent that in any of the embodiments, the al~gle of movement of the arm and the location of the pivot can be varied to accolnodate the di~ferent motions and locations of toe arl,l and magazine to adapt to tne various types of molding machines.
~ nli~e ra~ial arms l~ and 218, radial arln 318 is ~ounted ~t a mid portion tnereof by a shart 332. ~adial arin 31~ is also provided with 30 bend 3~0 just belo~1 the pivot point and a coullterweigllt 3~2 at one end. At the other end of radidl ar~
31~ a la~el transfer device ~16 is mounte~.
I~adial arm 31~ is rotated Dy a linear extellsion actuator 3~4 oriel~ted 20 aDove the ilorizontal as sho~n by arrow 3~6.
~ eturning now to Fig. 1, the operation of label transfer apparatus lO will be described in general terlns. ~ow~ver it is to be ap~reciated that with o~vious differences, the op~ra-tion of label trallsfer apparatuses 200 and 300 will be similar Label transfer device 16 is initially positioned by radial arm 1~ in a first vertical orientation so that transfer heads ~0 and 42 are in transverse ali~nment with mayazines 1~ and ~ aln 6~ i(J. 4) is activate-3 cau;in-3 rods ~4 ~n(~ 45 to b( r~ ly ~xt~l)ded outwar(31y ill the trln~;ve~3c ~3irectinn, whicll i~ ~rpen(3icular to the direction o 1novelnent o~ trans~er device 1~. At the salne time, a vacuum is applied to pickup heads 4~ and 42 as the heads Inove transversely outwar~ly and into engagement with the uppermost label L. As soon as contact is made, further outward movement of heads 40 and 42 is resisted as a result of the ratchet mechanisra of magazines 12 and 14. This provides a fir~n contact between tne outer surface of heads 40 an~ 42 and the outermo~t label L. As cam 60 continues to turn, sprinys 72 and 74 will rapidly return heads ~0 and 42 to their respective withdrawn positions taking with them the corres~ondiny labels now securely attached to the outer surfaces o~ the heads. Air is then emitted tnrougn fluid line 366 to cause piston 366 to move to the right as snown in Fig. 2, thereby similarly causing rack 28 to move to the rign alld to rotate pinion 2~. The rotatioo of pinion 2~ causes radial arm 1~ to be pivoted in the counter-clockwise direction (as shown in Fig. 1) toward a distal location where molding a~-paratus 14 is located. ~hile device 16 is being positionec3 can~ G~ continues to rotate and the UiC~;Up heads 40 and 42 De~in to move in the transverse outwardly directions litn proper tilniny and transverse distances properly selecte~ trans~er a~-vice will ent~r the space Detween mold nalves 15~ and 152 at exactly the correct time as transfer heads 40 and 42 are beiny moved in the outward direction so as to minimize the a~nount of time that device 16 is between the two Inold nalves. When heads 40 and 42 have been ~xtended to their full outwar~3 pOsition, they will be in cvntact with the inner surfaces of the mold halves. At that time, the vacuum being supplied to heads 40 and ~2 is terlnillated and vacuulll iS applie~d to the mold llaLves so a~ ~o retain ti~e labels tllerein. C'aln 6~ conti;nues ~o turn alld witn ~roU~r tilnilly, a~t~r tlle la~l transfer, heacl~ ~ and 42 are again rapidly withdrawn. Silnultaneously, pressurized air is adlnitted to fluid line 36a while fluid line 36b is vented. This causes rack 31 to be driven in tne lefthand ~irection a~d transfer device 16 to be again positioned in front o~ magazines 19 and 2~. The mold halves can then be closed and the molding process begun, It will be understood that these improvements in label applicator heads are applicable to any of the label transfer apparatus described in the ~rior art auparatuses.
~v f.i~
~ rhere follow~Ja,~detailed description of preferred embodi-ments of the present invention wherein like elements are rep-resellted by like nulnerals throughout the several views.
~cefeering to Fiy. 1, one elnbodiment of a linear actuator 10 is sl~own. Actuator 10 extends in the lonyitudinal direction and is l~orizontally mounted by mealls such as a support table 12. .~
cantilev~r Inoullting Ineans cornprising a mountinc3 plate 14 mounts the cearward ~nd or an elonyate label transfer d~vice 16 to the forward en~ o~ a piston rod 1~. Label transfer device 16 is sl~own in Fig. 1 positioned in a label pickup location in front of two norizontally mounted label Inagazines, a forwa~d ~agazine 1~3 alld d rear~drd Inagazine 20. Il: will be aUureciate(3 thdt d seconcl pair of a forward and a rearward label magazine is L~ositioned transversely op~osite magazines lY and 2U at the lab~l L~ickup location or pOsitiOIl~ but !~ve been relnoved ~roln Fig. ~ L'or purL~oses of clarity.
.
Linear act~ator 1~ is colnprised of ~ linear e~tensi~n motor 22 com~)rising the aforelnentioned piston rod 18, a piston 23 rigidly connected to a mid portion of piston rod 18 and an elongate cylinder 24 housing the piston ~3. A pressurized flui~ i-s ad~nitted to either the rearward si~e of piStOII 23 with a hose 25 or to the rorward side of piston 23 with a for~lard hose 26. Preferably, extension motor 22 is ~neumatically oper-ated with pressurized air. However, any pressurized fluid, sucl~ as a hydraulic oil, or an electrically po~ered ball screw can be utilized. In addition, a flui~ delivery lneans selec-tively admits a pressurized fluid to one side of piston 23 while venting the other side thereof for driving piston 23 and the attached ~iston rod 18 in the desired direction. ~hus, for exalnple, if pressurized air is adrnitted through hose 25 through a ~irectiol~al valve (not 9110~rl), hose 26 will be connected to atlnosphere .
~ iston rod 1~ extends coln~letely through cylinder 24 and is sealillgly mounted for longitudinal movelnent at the forward cylinder elld and tlle rearward cylin~r end by correspollding sli~e b~arinys 27 The rearward part Gf piston ro~ l& i~ also denoted the tail ro~ 28. Tail rod 28 is rigi~ly mount~ at its forward end to piston 23 and is rigidly mounted at its rearwGr~
~nd to a trolley 2~ As mentioned above, piston rod 18 is pre-ferably a single, unitary rod extendin~ from trolley 2~ tl-rough cylinder 24 to label transfer device 16 With reference also to Fig. 2, trolley 2~ is comprised of a moul~ g ~late 30 rigidly nloullted to the end of tail rod 2~
with mealls sucll as a nut 31 connected to a threa~ed ~ortion of tail rod 2~ Connected to the lower part of mountin~ ~late 30 is a troll~y housin~ 32. Trolley housillg 32 engages d rail 31 ~557~
iCIl i~ r~yi~ly Inoul~ o ~U~i)or~ r~ u~
bolts, an~ wt~ic~ extends parallcl to and undcr t~il ro~ 2U.
Three sets of rotatably Inounted wheels, a top wl)eel 34 and side wheels 35 an~ 36 engaye correspondiny portions a rail 33.
~rhus, trolley 2~ is both su~ported an~ kept in aliynrnent by rail 3~.
~ igure 2A illustrates a Inodification of the track structure wherein plate 3~ is replaced by a plate 50 which ri~es in a groove 52 formed in table 12. Rollers 53 mounted on shafts 54 formed by plate 50 engage the sides of groove 52 The bottom of plate.S~ is either of a low friction rnaterial or would in-clude a third roller, such as roller 34 of Figure 2; bearing against tl)e bottoln of yroove 52 As sho~n in Fig. 1, label transfer ~~~vice 16 comprises a housing or frame 3~ onto which two pairs of oppositely opposed transfer or heads 10 and 42 are mounted witn rods 44 and 45, respectively (see also Fig. 4). rransfer heads 40 and 42 are n~ovable in mutually pdrallel dlrections that are perpendicular to tne directioll of movelnent of radial arln 18, wllicll, as snown by arrow 4~, is in tne transverse direction in Fic~ 1.
Ilransfer heads 40 and 42 are colnprised of a rigid ~lastic uad SO havillg a plurality of orifices S~ aliyned in a row and extendiny therethrough to a plenuln (not showll) loc~ted between the ~ack surface of pad 50 and a backing plate 54. A vacuunl tube ~6 is connected to the rear of trolley mountiny plate 3U
and a vacuum is a~plied to transfer head orifices ~2 thro~gn a base (not showll) throuyh tubin~ (also not shown) connected to thc forwar~ en~ of piston rod l~ and throu~h the a~orelnentione~
pl enuln .
It has beell foun~ that transf~r heads 40 and 42 are effec-tive for transferring a label L ~sh~wn only as attached to transfer heads ~2) that has a length greater than the width of pad 5U so that the edges of label L car) curl around pad SO.
Preferably, a label L to be transferred by heads ~ and 42 is _ 1 q_ \
~ L2.
re~ iv-~ly t~ al)d flexible, .-n(l thus has a very lir~
w e i g h 1 .
Ma~,lzines 19 ~nd 20 can be either independent~ly inounted on supl~ort table 12, or as shown in Fig. 1, can be attacne~ to one anotller alon-3 their interior edges. Stacks of labels L are store~ in magaæines 19 and 20 and are fed thereby witn means described in greater detail herein~ve.
A second ~mbo~iment of a linear actuator 210 is shown in ~ig. 3 an~ is mounted on a support table 212 Linear actuator 210 includes a cantilever mounting plate 214 for mounting a label trans~er device 216 onto the forward end of a pis~on rod 21~. Linear actuator 21~ also includes a pi~ton 223 connecte~
to a rearward portion of piston rod21~; an~ a cylinder 224 whicn houses piston 223 and part of piston rod 21~. Pressur-ized ~luid is applied into cylinder 224 on either the rear~lard side of pistoll223 with a rear hose 225 or on the forward side of piston 22~ with a forward hose.
La~el transfer device 216 is subs~antially id~ntical to la~el trallsfer device 16 de~icted in Fig. 1. The only substan-tial difference is that the rearward ~nd of transfer device 16 is moul-ted onto moullting plate 14 of linear actuator 10 ~/nereas the forward end of label transfer device 216 is mounted onto an u~per portioll of mounting plal-e 214 ln tills manner, label transfer ~evice ~16 has a cantilever moullting and re~luires less longitudinal space for its positioning. ~ith less longitudinal space re~uired, piston rod 21~ càn be shorter and thus the Inomellt exerted by the wei~nt of transfer device 216 is less wnen ~ ton rod 21~ is fully extended. Conse~uently, by using the cantilever mounting of label transfer device 216, it can be more accurately positiolled.
In ordeL to avoid turning movements of the transfer device 21~ in a vertical plane about a transverse axis passirlg throuflh the lower portion of plate 21q, a guifle means i5 provided, ~ %~
1`his yuide means i5 shown in dashed lines in l~iyure 3 an~ in yreater ~tail in L`igure 6 an~ 7. As shown thercin a pair of brackets 252 and 25~ are riyidly mounted to support table 212.
A pair of guide rods 250 which are fixed to the plate 21~ hy bolts 251 are then slideably mounted in the brackets 252 and 253; passing through suitable beaeings 254. rhe rod 250 is long ellough that when the linear accudtor 21~ rnoves to its forwardmost position (leftmost as shown in the drawings) the right hand end of ro~ 25~ will not have pa~ed through the opening of bracket 253.
It will be understood that the feature shown in Figure 3 of moullting the transfer device over the forward end of the cylin~er can also be applied advantageously to the ernbodirnent of Fiyure 1 to shorten the distance between tne linear actuator lU and t!~ space between the mold halves.
I~eferring now to Fig. 1, the operation of linear actuator 10 will be described in general terrns. However, it is to be a~preciate~ that with o~vious differellces, the operation o linear actuator 21~ will be similar.
Ldbel transfer ~evice 16 is initially positioned ~y linear actuator lU so tnat pickup heads 40 and q2 are in transverse a1ignment with Inagazines l~ and 2~. Cain G0 (ri9. ~) is activated, causing rods 44 and 45 to be resiliently extende~
outwardly in the transverse direction, which is perpendicu1ar to ~irection of movement of piston rod 18 and thus the direc-tion of movemellt of transfer device 16. At the sa~ne time, a vacuum is applie~ through hose 56 to transfer heads 40 and 42 as ti)e hea~s move transversely outwardly and into engagement with the outerlnost label L. As soon as contact is made further outward movement heads 40 and 42 is resist~d as a ~5~
result as the ratctlet mechanisln of maga~ines la an~ ~a.
'l'llis l~rovi~es a ~ir!n c~ntac~ between the outeir sur~acc of heads 40 and 42 and the outermost label L. As caln 60 continues to tuen, springs 72 and 74 will rapidly return heads 40 and 42 to their respective withdrawn positions taking with them the correspondin~3 labels now securely attached to the outer sur-face~ of the heads. Air is tnen emitted through fluid line 25 to cause piston 23 to move to the right as shown in ~ig 1, tnereby similarly causing piston rod 18; trolley 29; and trans-f~r device 16 also to move to the right. Transfer device 16 is thus moved to a distal location where a molding apparatus (not shown) is located. While device 16 is being positioned, cam 60 continues to rotate and the transfer heads 40 and 42 begin to Inove in tl~e transverse outward directiotis. With proper timing and transv~rse distances properly selected, the transfer device may enter the space between the rnold halves of the l~olding ap-paratus at exa~tly the correct tirne as transEer heads 40 an~ 42 are being moved in the outward directioll so as to rninimiz~ tne amoullt of time that device 16 i5 bet~een the t~lo mold halves.
~hell transfer heads 40 and 42 have been extended to their full outward position, they will be in contact with the inner surfaces of the Inold cavities. At that tim~, the vacuum being supplied to lleads ~lO and 42 is terminated and a vacuum is applied t~ the mold halves so as to retain the labels therein.
Cam 6~ continues to turn and with proper timing, after t~e label transfer, transfer heads 40 and 42 are again rapidly withdr~wn. Simultaneously, pre~surized ~ir is admitted to flui~ line 26 wl~ile fluid line 26 is vented Thi causcs piston 23 to be drivell in the lefthand direction and transfer device 16 to be ayain positioned in front of magazines 1~ and 2~ n~ lv~ tl~ t~ o l ~ i l l (J l) r t~e(3ul~ whilc l~e~ labels ~re pickc~ up.
It will be un~ierstood that these im~rovemellts in linear actuators may be applicable to any of the label tran~Eer ap-p~ratus described in the the aEorementioned patent applic3~ion.
The operation of the various embodirnents have either been discussed during the description of the respective embodiments or will be appdrent therefrom.
Althougll the invention nas been described with respect to s~eci~ic embodiments, it will be apparent that tne invention is capable of numerous modifications and variations without de-parting froM the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (14)
1. A rotary arm label transfer apparatus for placing a label into a mold cavity of a molding machine, and comprising:
- a pivotably mounted radial arm;
- means for pivoting said arm from a first radial position to a second radial position, said pivotal positions of said arm defining a first plane;
- a label transfer means for picking up a label at said first position, for retaining said label during transport to said second position, and for depositing said label into the mold cavity located at said second position, said label transfer means comprising:
- at least one label transfer head mounted for reciprocal movement in a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to said first plane, and - means for reciprocally moving said transfer head in said second plane; and - means for mounting said label transfer means on said arm.
- a pivotably mounted radial arm;
- means for pivoting said arm from a first radial position to a second radial position, said pivotal positions of said arm defining a first plane;
- a label transfer means for picking up a label at said first position, for retaining said label during transport to said second position, and for depositing said label into the mold cavity located at said second position, said label transfer means comprising:
- at least one label transfer head mounted for reciprocal movement in a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to said first plane, and - means for reciprocally moving said transfer head in said second plane; and - means for mounting said label transfer means on said arm.
2. A label transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting means mounts said label transfer means a-t a first end of said arm.
3. A label. transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said arm is pivotably mounted at a first end thereof.
4. A label transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said label transfer means is rigidly mounted substantially colinearly with said arm.
5. A label transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said label transfer means is rigidly mounted at an angle to said arm.
6. A label transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pickup head is moved rectilinearly.
7. A label transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said label transfer means further comprises a second label transfer head mounted for rectilinear, reciprocal movement opposite to said one label transfer head.
8. A label transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pivoting means comprises a fluid actuated extensible member.
9. A label transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said pivoting means further includes a rack and pinion, said rack being reciprocally driven by said extensible member and said pinion being rigidly connected to said arm.
10. A label transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further including a label magazine located at said first position for supplying an outermost label of a stored stack of labels for pickup by said head.
11. A label transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and further including pivotal mounting means for mounting said arm such that said arm is substantially vertical when at said first position and is substantially horizontal when at said second position.
12. A label transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pivot point of said arm is horizontally spaced from the mold cavity and is at substantially the same height therewith.
13. A label transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the molding machine includes two mold halves movable together and movable to a spaced apart position, and wherein said apparatus is for applying a label in each mold half cavity when the mold halves are spaced apart.
14. A label transfer apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said arm is pivoted to enter the space between the mold halves from below the mold halves.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000567575A CA1255707A (en) | 1984-03-23 | 1988-05-24 | Linear actuator and rotary arm label transfer apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US59488584A | 1984-03-23 | 1984-03-23 | |
| US59488384A | 1984-03-23 | 1984-03-23 | |
| US594,885 | 1984-03-23 | ||
| US594,883 | 1984-03-23 | ||
| CA000477418A CA1255706A (en) | 1984-03-23 | 1985-03-25 | Linear actuator and rotary arm label transfer apparatus |
| CA000567575A CA1255707A (en) | 1984-03-23 | 1988-05-24 | Linear actuator and rotary arm label transfer apparatus |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000477418A Division CA1255706A (en) | 1984-03-23 | 1985-03-25 | Linear actuator and rotary arm label transfer apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1255707A true CA1255707A (en) | 1989-06-13 |
Family
ID=27167504
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000567575A Expired CA1255707A (en) | 1984-03-23 | 1988-05-24 | Linear actuator and rotary arm label transfer apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1255707A (en) |
-
1988
- 1988-05-24 CA CA000567575A patent/CA1255707A/en not_active Expired
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