GB1009735A - Improvements in or relating to grip-finger assemblies for labeling machines - Google Patents

Abstract

1,009,735. Labelling machine. GEORGE F. MEYER MANUFACTURING CO. May 17, 1963 [Feb. 12, 1963], No. 19709/63. Heading B8F. A grip-finger assembly for use in a labelling machine of the kind which comprises means for supporting an article in position to receive a gum-coated label and means for removing a label from a magazine and for applying gum to one face of the label is characterized in that the grip-finger assembly applies the label to the article while concomitantly subjecting the label to oppositely acting forces tending to stretch the label transversely. The grip-finger assembly comprises three levers 23, 29, 60, two of which 23, 29 are pivotally secured to a pivotally mounted base 20, the third of which 60 is secured to the base 20. The lever 29 carries body and neck label applying pads P 1 , P 2 each holding a label by means of suction applied through apertures X. The upper pad P 2 is mounted in a frame Z2 pivotally secured to the lever 29 and attached to the lever 23 by pivotally connected link 40 such that the frame Z2 can be tilted as the lever 23 approaches the lever 29. The lever 60 carries at its upper extremity a U-shaped frame D carrying auxiliary pressure pads Px, Py each containing apertures connected to a suction source. In operation a picker of the separable-blade type is coated with gum and, in turn, coats a label and carries it to a transfer pad P 1 , P 2 mounted on the grip-finger assembly, which is maintained with the surfaces of the pads P 1 , P 2 in the same plane. The base 20 on which the levers 23, 29, 60 are mounted is rocked so that the body label is applied to the article. As the base is rotated further the lever 29 causes the upper pad P 2 to be tilted parallel to the neck of the article and to apply the central portion of the neck labe (Fig. 6). As the lever 60 approaches the bottle the auxiliary pressure pads Px, Py on the frame D grip the label by means of the suction applied and as the arms of the frame D are forced apart as they pass round the article neck the label is tensioned laterally. When the label is applied around half the neck periphery the suction is changed to pressure and the gripfinger assembly is withdrawn. Conventional wiper devices are used to wrap the label fully around the article. The invention is described as applying a specific label (Fig. 21, not shown) to the neck of a champagne bottle carried on a conveyer. A similar grip finger assembly may be mounted opposite the first to provide a support for the article as the labels are applied.