GB2196327A - Labelling apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for feeding labels L for application to the ends of boxes or parcels P of cigarette packets includes a suction transfer device 18 for withdrawing each successive label perpendicularly from a stack S and then transferring the label to an application wheel 14 e.g. such that its leading end is fed into the nip between wheel 14 end roller 32. The transfer is achieved by pivoting of the device 18 e.g. by engagement with a fixed stop 30. The arrangement permits a simple timed feed of labels to the applicator wheel 14. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Labelling apparatus This invention relates to apparatus for applying labels to articles such as boxes or parcels of cigarette packets. More specifically the invention relates to a device for feeding labels for application to such articles.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for feeding labels for application to articles, comprising a continuously rotatable applicator wheel, means for supporting a stack of labels spaced from the wheel, transfer means for withdrawing each successive foremost label substantially perpendicularly from the stack and for transferring the label to the wheel, and pivoting means for pivoting the transfer means during transfer of the label so that the label is moved in the direction of rotation of the wheel.

The transfer means preferably comprises one or more suction cups engageable with the foremost label; and the pivoting means may comprise an abutment against which one side of the transfer means is contactable.

A nip roller may be engageable with the wheel to nip the label against the wheel as the label is moved by the pivoting means. The wheel is preferably provided with means for applying suction to its periphery to hold the label against it.

A gumming device may be associated with the wheel; and the wheel may also serve to directly apply the label to an article.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for applying labels to articles in which there are two such feeding devices oppositely handed and between which an article is moved to apply a label to each end of the article.

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a front view in outline of label applying apparatus including two label feeding devices; Figure 2 is a view of the left-hand device of Fig. 1 drawn to a larger scale; Figure 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and showing in more detail part of the label feeding device in a different operative position; and Figure 4 is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 3.

Referring first to Fig. 1 the label applying apparatus shows a parcel or box P of cigarette packets at a lower level and about to be raised by a vertically movable plunger 10 to an upper level, shown chain dotted. Typically the parcel consists of a group of ten packets of cigarettes lying side by side and enclosed in a parcel wrapper. The ends of the parcel P, to the left and right as viewed in Fig. 1, are folded and require end labels to be affixed to them.

Positioned at each side of parcel P is a label applying device. Since the two devices are similar, though oppositely handed, only the one to the left will be described.

Referring now also to Figs. 2 to 4, a stack S of end labels L for applying to the ends of successive parcels P is held by corner guides 12 and supported by ledges 13. The labels L, which are shown with their longer dimensions parallel to the sheet of the drawing, may typically be about 80mm long and 40mm wide.

Spaced from the bottom of the stack S is an applicator wheel 14 which is continuously driven counterclockwise. The periphery of the wheel 14 has a number of suction ports 16 formed along that portion where a label is to be held. Only one port is shown-see Fig. 3.

Between the stack S and the wheel 14 there is arranged a movable label withdrawal member 18 which carries a pair of suction cups 20 (Fig. 3) adapted to hold a label L.

The member 18 is supported by a platform 22 to which it is pivotably connected by a normally upright arm 24 secured to the member 18. The member 18 is biassed by a spring (not shown) so that it normally adopts a horizontal position parallel to the platform 22.

The platform 22 itself is secured to a pair of slides 26 which are movable in vertical guides (not shown). Vertical movement of the platform 22, and hence of the withdrawal member 18, is provided via a connecting link 28 whose lower end is rotatably mounted on a crank pin 27 eccentrically secured to a gear drive 29 of the wheel 14, and whose upper end is pivotal about the centre of the platform 22.

Fixedly secured to a frame structure (not shown) of the apparatus is an abutment or stop 30 having a rounded upper surface. The stop 30 is positioned under the withdrawal member 18 so that when the member 18 is moving towards the lower end of its'travel its underside engages the stop, causing it to pivot about the bottom end of the arm 24.

To the left of the withdrawal member 18, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3, is a nip roller 32 which is mounted on means (not shown) to enable it to move radially towards and away from the position shown of engagement with periphery of the wheel 14.

Concentric with the roller 32 is a cam follower 34 which engages with a cam 36 integral with the applicator wheel 14 (see Fig. 4) Referring now particularly to Fig. 2, to the left of the wheel 14 is a gum application device including a roller 40 engageable with the wheel 14 and a gum nozzle 42. The gum wheel 40 is mounted on a vertical lever 44 and is movable to and away from the wheel 14 by an actuator 46. The gum nozzle 42 is also mounted on a vertical arm 48 which is shorter than the arm 44. A link 50 connects the arms 44 and 48 is such a manner that when the gum wheel 40 is retracted from the wheel 14 the arm 48 moves through a larger angle than the arm 44 so that the nozzle 42 moves out-of engagement with the wheel 40.

The operation of the entire apparatus will now be described.

Commencing with the member 18 in the uppermost position shown in Fig. 2, suction is applied to the cups 20 to withdraw a label from the bottom of the stack S and away from the supporting ledges 13. Rotation of the wheel 14 causes the connecting link 28 to start lowering the platform 22, and as the member 18 reaches the stop 30 it begins to pivot until at the lowermost position of the link 28 the member 18 is at its maximum tilted position as shown in Fig. 3.

The cam follower 34 has in the meantime moved down into the fall position of the cam 36 so as to bring the nip- roller 32 into engagement with the wheel 14. The resultant pivoting motion of the member 18 just described thus causes the leading end of the label L to be moved towards the left into the nip between the roller 32 and the wheel 14.

Suction is now released from the cups 20 and is applied to the suction ports 16, so that as the label L is released from the cups 20 it is securely engaged against the ports 16 of the wheel 14, with the assistance of the nip roller 32.

The label L then passes under the gum wheel 40, to which a suitable pattern of adhesive has -been applied by the nozzle 42.

As each label L passes just beyond its lowermost position on each of the devices shown in Fig. 1, a parcel P is raised by the plunger 10 at a speed corresponding to the peripheral speed of each wheel 14. The spacing between the wheels 14 corresponds to the length of the parcel P, so that a label L is applied to each end of the parcel. When the parcel P has reached its upper level, shown chain dotted, each label L has been fully applied, and a conveyor (not shown) removes the parcel, allowing the plunger 10 to descend for the next parcel.

Claims (3)

1. A device for feeding labels for application to articles, comprising a continuously rotatable applicator wheel, means for supporting a stack of labels spaced from the wheel, transfer means for withdrawing each successive foremost label substantially perpendicularly from the stack and for transferring the label to the wheel, and pivoting means for pivoting the transfer means during transfer of the label so that the label is moved in the direction of rotation of the wheel.

2. Apparatus for applying labels to articles, including two devices as claimed in claim 1, said devices being oppositely handed and between which an article is moved to apply a label to each end of the article.

3. Apparatus substantially as herein described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.