US1023911A - Labeling-machine. - Google Patents

Description

P. 0. WOODLAND. LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5,1909.

1,023,,9 l 1 Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

216292255 55. JJTVE 27 zar.

.QMQWM.

P. 0. WOODLAND. LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 5, 1909.

1,023,91 1 Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

244 1 55555. J22 varzzar F. 0. WOODLAND.

LABELING MACHINE.

.APPLIGATION FILED FEB. 5, 1909.

1,023,91 1 Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

24622 55525. fn'vsrzzar.

F. O. WOODLAND.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.5,1909.

1,023,91 1 Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

FIG- Q- FIG H. 24612 55555. V nvs'rgiqrw MQW M preparatory to its being smoothed down side label in position beneath or against the label; also an actuating mechanism for gluing means into operation, and retracting FRANK O. WOODLAND, 0F WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

LABELING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 23, 1912.

Application filedFebruary 5, 1909. Serial No. 476,199.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK 0.,VOODLAND, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at lVorcester, in the county of \Vorc'ester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Labeling-Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being made therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in that class of labeling machines wherein the labels are taken singly, by means of reciprocating glue-applying pickers, from a, pack, or packs of labels supported upon a label-holder provided with means that engage the edges of the labels and support the pack, while the pickers imprint a surfacing of glue upon thebottom label at or near its ends and adliesivcly withdraw said label from the pack; delivering the same near the bottle or article to which it is to be applied upon the article by suitable wiper mechanism, as'hcretofore practised.

The object of the present invention is to provide means for distributing gum, glue or adhesive substance upon that portion of the label intermediate to the portions with which the pickers contact; so that the entire surface can be glue-coated without interfering with the action of the pickers and gripping devices; also to provide means for temporarily retaining the under label to prevent displacement or wrinkling thereof while the gum or glue is being applied to the interinedial portion of the label, previous to the contact of the pickers with the label. v v

This invention includes the combination, in a labeling machine of the class named, of means for supporting the pack of labels; means for gripping or retaining the outpack; and means for applying gum or glue to the central or intermedialportion of the bringing such under-gripping and centerthe same, alternately with the action of the picker devices which taketlie labels from the pack.

In carrying out this invention in practice there is employed a supplemental glue transferring means, or roller, that is arranged to move into contact with the delivering-roll of the glue-supply reservoir, or other source froin. which gum or glue is taken, and to then traverse across the exposed face of the pack of labels which are supported in suitable manner upon the label holder, which is preferably an overhead bottom-delivery label-holder.

The practical adaptation of this invention to a labeling machine, in one form of -its embodiment, is illustrated in the drawings, wherein Figure 1 represents a side view of a labeling machine including the invention, some portions of the machine being shown in section. Fig. 2 isa similar view, showing parts of the mechanism at other'positions of their action. Fig. 3 represents the arrangement of the glue or gum coating as applied to the label by the means. described. Fig. 4 represents a top plan view of the mechanism. Fig. 5 represents a sectional plan view of the cam-shaft and portions of the mechanism ad acent thereto. Fig. 6 1S separate plan view of the pickers and label-retaining fingers, the latter shown at retracted position. Fig. 7"represents a sectional front view of the pickers, the label- I holder, center gluing means and adjacent devices. Fig. 8 is a section of the glue-applying roll showing a'preferred manner of removably combining it with its axis-stud. Fig. 9 is an end view of'the same. Fig. 10 shows a modification, wherein the pickers serve as a means for temporarily retaining the under label 'while the center-gluing means performs its action; and Fig. 11 is a -top plan view of the same modification.

The labeling machine in which my'invention is in the present instance embodied, comprises, in its general structure, a main frame l'of suitable construction for supporting the operating mechanism; an operating cam-shaft 2, mounted to turn in hearings on said frame, and provided with a series of cams; a drive pulley 1?, and. an automatic clutch mechanism C for connect ing, and releasing the pulley to start and stop the shaft as required. The clutch is in well known manner.

A picker-carrier 4, movable on guides 5, is arranged to, have reciprocating action toward and from the label-holder; said picl'rer-carrier being operated by a lever 6 fulcrumed at 7 and actuated by a cam 8 on the shaft 2. The end of the lever is best connected with the picker-carrier by a yieldable connecting means at 9. The glueapplying pickers 10, of any suitable shape, are secured to the picker-carrier and arranged so that their faces move into contact withthe pack, or packs, of labels L and I for taking labels singly therefrom by adhesion of the glue-coated surfaces thereto. A rest 12, for supporting the bottle or article to be labeled, is attached to a projecting portion of the frame. A wiper-carrier 13 is arranged to move up and down upon a guide 3, and is provided with laterally swinging arms 14 having the wipers 15 mounted thereon in suitable manner for wiping the respective ends of the labels down upon the bottle or article to be labeled. Said wiper-carrier is actuated by a cam 16 upon the shaft 2, and means is provided for imparting the required lateral movement to the Wiper-arms and wipers, said means being in the present instance actuated by the cam 17, lever 18 and connecting rod 19.

H indicates the box or holder for containing the supply of labels. It preferably consists of an overhead bottom-delivery labelholder provided with guide stakes having under projecting points or means for supporting the pack, or packs, of-labels ready for delivering to the pickers. Said labelholder may be arranged substantially as heretofore employed. It is supported by a forwardly projecting carrier or bI'ELCkBtQO in connection with the top portion of the frame.

G indicates the glue-box oi' reservoir for containing the supply of glue. The term glue, as used in this specification, is intend ed to include glue, gum, paste, or any other vsemi-liquid adhesive substance employed for G, delivering-roller 21 and the operating shaft and cams, shown herein for illustras tion, are arranged substantially the same as described in my previous application upon which Letters Patent Number 998,664, were granted to me July 27 1911, wherein the nature and operation of said parts are more fully explained in detail.

The glue-transferring roller 25, which ,al-.

ternately contacts with the delivering roll 21 and with the faces of the pickers 10 for depositing the required film of glue or adhesive substance thereon, is carried by swinging arms 26 that are fulcrumed upon the frame and actuated by a cam 27 and retract ing spring 28, or any suitablemcans can be employed for moving the roller 25 back and forth across the picker faces.

The swinging grip-device 30, for centrally clamping the presented labels against the surface of the bottle B, preparatory to its being wiped on, is mounted on an axis 29 in rear of the pickers and is actuated by suitable connection'from a cam 31 on shaft 2, to operate as heretofore employed.

An important feature vof my present invention is the intermedial or centci gluing means; comprising, preferably, a roller 32, of a dimension that will approximately correspond with the space between the pickers l0, and is arranged to travel or have movement across the exposed face of the pack, or packs, oflabels. When moving in one direction this transferring or center-gluing roller rolls in contact with the under label; and when moving in the other d1rect10n it is caused to descend sufficiently to avoid contact with thelabel; such action being imparted thereto by a controlling means included in its actuating mechanism. This center-gluing roller is best mounted upon a supplemental carrier operated in connection with the roller 25 that charges glue or gum ontovthe faces of the picker; the latter roller being usually mounted upon backwardly and forwardly swinging arms 26 operated by a cam and suitable connections. While the two rollers 25 and 32 move forward and-backward in unison, a separate actuator or cam is provided for giving such modified movementto the center-gluing roller 32 as may be re quired to enable it to travel in the desired path.v If in any instance preferred, independent actuating means may be employed for' working the center-gluing means. In.

the presentunstance the roller 32 is mounted upona studor axis 33 carried upon av tilting lever 34 that is fulcrumed upon a rearward] y projecting member 35 attached to one of the swinging arms 26 upon which the roller 25 is mounted. The rear end of the lever 34: is

connected, by a rod 36, with means actuated by a cam 37 upon the operating shaft. Said means, in the present instance, consists of a swinging arm 38 fulcrumed at 7 and provided with a roll-stud 39 which runs against the face of the cam; said cam being of suitable shape to control the movement of the center-gluingroller 32, so that it will travel in the path desired as its car'rier moves forward and back.

The glue or adhesive substance, is applied to the back of the label, substantially in the form shown in Fig. 3; the inter-medial or central portion a being coated by the contact therewith of roller 32, and the end por- 'tions 1) by contact of the pickers; thus'atgluing roller 32 passes across the under label between said fingers, and spreads a film of glue upon the central portion of the label. Said fingers and roller are then retracted out of the way to permit the approach of the picker's,without interference, for completing the glue coating upon the label, and taking the label from the pack. 1

The means for operating the retaining fingers can be supported in a manner to move said fingers forward to a position beneath the pack, and then upward against the under label, either by a compound movement, or by traveling in the are of a circle; and the actuating mechanism therefor is best arranged to operate in conjunction with the picker-carrier 4 which moves up and down on the guides 5; or by other approved means.

The label-retaining fingers 40, in-the present instance, are united at their rear ends, and provided with a rearward extension 41 that is pivotally connected to a pair of swinging arms 42; the opposite ends of said arms being pivoted to a suitable-support or bracket 43 fixed on the frame. One of said arms is furnished with an ear or projecting member 44 that is connected by a rod 45 with one arm of an angle lever 46; the other arm-of which is provided with a roll-stud 47 that contacts with an inclineor cam member 49 attached to the picker-carrier 4. Said cam member serves for retracting the fingers 40 out of the path of the pickers (see Figs. 2 and 6) when the picker-carrier is elevated for bringing the glue-charged pickers to the delivery .mouth of the labelholder, and against the pack, or packs, of

labels.

I/Vhen the cam member 49 moves downward away from the roller-stud 47 the fingers 40 are projected forward and pressed upward against the under label of the" pack by the gravity of the actuating parts, or by the aid of a suitably arranged spring 50; thereby securely retaining the under label temporarily in position and preventing any wrinkling or sidewise displacement thereof -while-the center-gluing means or roller 32 travels across the label. I

' Thelabel-retaining fingers .are shown'in Fig. 1 as at forward position and in contact with the label packs, and the center-gluing roller beingshown as at an intermediate position inits action; while in Figs. 2 and 6 the fingers are shown at their retracted position, and the transferring rollers 25 and 32 at their rearmost'position in contact with the glue-delivering roll.

A suitable follower means 51 is combined with the label-holder for affording resistance for the pack in opposition to the pressure of the pickers, and for automatically following the feed of the pack as it decreases.

In some instances it is desirable -to use center-gluing means of various dimensions, to accommodate different sizes of labels; therefore,- to facilitate the interchange of the center-gluing rollers, said rollers are preferably constructed and "mounted as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. In this instance the up to the point where the bearing surface terminates with a narrow lip 55. This con-.

struction permits of the center-gluing roller being readily lifted oif and replaced at will;

but it is normally retained in operativereand shoulder at the ends of the bearing surface. Rollers 32, in avariety of sizes, can

thus be interchangeably used on the axisstud 33, and interchange or removal and replacing of the rollers upon the stud can be instantly effected when desired.

In the operation; when the pickers 10 move away from the label-holder H the cam-member 49 permits the angle-lever 46, by its gravity or by aid of the spring 50, to draw down the projection 44, causing the arms 42 to project the fingers 40 beneath the pack and swing them against the under label. Then by the forward swing of the arms 26 the roller '32 is caused to pass across the exposed portion of the, label between the fingers, applying adhesive to the cent-ral portion or tapered. and rounded at the end, as at 54,

es roller 32 is formed with a comparatively short inner tube 52; the size of the hub belation without other fastening than the lip contact with the label for applying the glue -manner.

in respect to the position of the fingers and or adhesive to the end portions 5 of the label; and as the pickers recede, take said label from the pack for presentation ofthe same adjacent to the bottle in the usual The relative position of the label gluing roll is indicated at 1 on Figs. 6, 7 andv 11.

- As illustrated in Fig. 2, the center-gluing roll 32.is shown at its idle position, with its face in contact with the glue-delivery roller 21 for taking a supply of glue therefrom; but if preferred in any instance said roller 32 may contact with the transferring roller 25 for receiving its charge of glue therefrom, instead of from the delivering-roll direct; since a slight increase in the length of its supporting means would render said rollers 32 and 25 contactible with each other. In some instances the center-gluing means or rollercan be employed in combination with glue-applying pickers without using thelabel-retaining fingers; said center-gluing means being arranged to travel across the under label while the pickers are in contact therewith and applying glue to the end portions, the labels being then retained by the. pickers while the center-gluing means performs its action upon the label. An example ofsuch modification is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, wherein 56 indicates the reciprocating roll-carrier means, 57 an actuator for imparting movement thereto, and 58 means for elevating and depressing the roll-carrier. The parts 56 and 57 may be operated by any approved means from the cam-shaft or other moving parts of the machine. This latter form of embodiment is in its resultant efiect quite similar to that first limited to the special constructions in detail herein shown and described; but

What I claim and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is- 1-. In a bottle-labeling machine, the combination of means for supporting a pack of labels with the bottom face of the pack exbination, of a top-charged open-bottomed label-holder having means for supporting a pack of labels, means for supporting said label-holder in an overhanging position, a pairof vertically reciprocating glue-applying pickers that contact with the respective end portions of the exposed label for gluing and taking said label from the pack, and a supplementary glue-applying means that moves underneath the label-holder across the face of the pack and distributes glue upon the central portion, of the bottom of the pack.

, 3. In a labeling machine, the combination, of a top-charged bottom-delivering labelholder having means for supporting a supply of labels thereon, glue-applying pickers movable to and from said label-holder, and adapted for'printing a film of-glue upon portions of the under'label and adhesively extracting labels, one at a time, from the labelholder, a glue-applying means that acts for spreading glue upon that part ofthe label not included by the pickers, and means for temporarily retaining thelabel from displacement by said glue-applying means.

4. In labeling machine, in combination with means for affixing labels to bottles or the like, and a stationary bottom-delivering label-holder having stakes adapted for supporting a. pack of labels at the edges, and for thedelivery of the under label at a determined position; of a roller for gluing the under label on the pack, and a backwardly and forwardly moving carrier mechanism for advancing and retracting said gluing roller into and from alinement with the pack of labels, and means for varying the height at which said roller travels during its forward and backward movement.

a 5. In a labeling machine, the combination with the projecting work-supporting rest, vertically moving picker-carrier and pickers, centering clamp and laterally swinging downwardly acting wipers for aflixing labels to bottles or the like, and a top-charged bottom-delivering label-holder comprising several packs upon the label-holder, and means for raising and lowering said roller into and from contact with the labels.

6. In a labeling machine, the combination, of a bottom-delivery label-holder, reciprocating glue-applying pickers that apply glue to the end portions of the under label upon said" label-holder, a supplementary glue-applying means for primarily glue-coating the central portion of said label, a retractable grippinggdevice that temporarily retains the label while said sup -vancing and retracting said gripping means into and from alinement with the pack of labels;

8. In a'labeling machine, a label-gluing means including a pair of glue-applying pickers that move approximately perpen dicular to the plane of the labels, and a glue-applying roller that travels along the plane of the label, approximately transverse to the direction of the picker movement.

9.'In a labeling machine, the combination, of a bottom-delivering label-holder having guides for supporting a pack of labels thereon, a follower that resists upward movements of the pack; a grippingmeans that moves to and from thebottom of the pack and exerts upward pressure against the under label, and a glue-applying device that moves across the under side of the label-holder, and means for elevating and depressing said glue-applying device to pass in contact with the label, and re-pass out of contact with the label, or vice versa.

10. 'In a labeling machine, the combination with a work-supporting rest, means for aflixing a label to a bottle or the like, meansfor supporting a ,pack of labels with the bottom label exposed for delivery, and glueapplying pickers for adhesively extracting labels singly from the bottom of the pack; of an independently acting glue-applying means comprising a glue distributing device or roll that traverses across an intermediate portion of the exposed label and deposits glue thereon while said label is in the pack, a backwardly and forwardly swinging carrier, a yieldable supporter mounted on said carrier and having said glue-'distributlng device or roll supported thereon, means for actuating the swinging carrier, and supplementary means" for controlling the action of said supporter to regulate the approach, traverse movement and retreat of said glue-distributing device in relation to the plane of the label.

11. In a labeling machine, the combination, with means for affixing a label to a bottle or the like, means for supporting a pack of labels, with its outer label exposed for delivery, and means for adhesively extracting a label singly from the pack; of an independently acting glue-applying means that passes across an intermediate portion of. the-exposed label and deposits glue thereon, while said label is assembled with the pack, and means for temporal ily preserving the plane of the exposed label while said glue-applying means passes in contact therewith.

12. The combination, with a label-holder having means for supporting a pack of labels thereon, and glue-applying pickers having movement perpendicular to the plane of the labels, and that act in conjunction with the label-holder for adhesively taking labels, one-at a time, therefrom; of a supplementalglue-applying device consisting of a glue-carrying roller, the length of which approximately corresponds to the space between said pickers, and means for passing said glue-applying roller in longitudinal relation to the glue-applying picker plates, into contact with the central area of the'label, without touching the extreme edges thereof, and before said label is taken from the label-holder by said pickers.

13. The combination, of a bottom-delivering label-holder, a gluing roller that travels across the central portion of the under label on said label-holder, a carrier for said roller, means for operating said carrier, glue-applying pickers that act to take labels, one at a time, from said label-holder, a carrier for said pickers, a label-retaining device that acts against the under label, and means for operating said label-retaining device controlled by movement of the picker-carrier.

14:. In a labeling machine, the combination of a top-charged bottom-delivering label-holder, comprising means for supporting a plurality of packs of labels thereon, l label-gluing device that traverses in contact with the surface of the label underneath said label-holder, and returns to position out of alinement with the path "of the label; a labelretaining means that simultaneously engages the under label in each of the several packs, and mechanisms for actuating said label-gluing device and' said label-retaining means "to bring them into acting engagement with the labels upon said labelholder.

15. The combination, of a bottom-deliverh ing label-holder, a vertically moving pickercarrier, horizontal-faced pickers thereon, a glue-reserv0ir and glue-delivering roll, a

--transfer-roller for conveying glue therefrom to the face of the pickers, swinging arms carrying said transfer-roller, a supplementary carrier pivotally mounted in connection with one of said arms, a central label-gluing roller supported on said sup plementary carrier to act against the underlabel 11 on said label-holder, a controlling connection attached to said supplementary carrier, and means for actuating said connection for controlling the position of said carrier and gluing roller in relation to the surface of the label.

16. The combination with devices for placing and afiixing labels upon articles, of a top-charged bottom-delivering labelholder, a pair of retaining fingers that move into conjunction with the under label upon said label-holder, a pair of swinging arms supporting said fingers, a glue-applying roller that travels across the label between said fingers, means for moving said roller back and forth, means for controlling the elevation of said roller in its path, and means for supplying glue to the face of the roller.

17. The combination, of means for supporting a pack of labels for delivery, pickers that take labels singly from said pack, means for moving said pickers to and from the pack, a glue-supply means, a glue-applying device that receives glue from said supply and travels across the label pack to deposit a film of glue upon the exposed label, a pair of labelretaining members adapted for clamping said label adjacent to the path of said glue-applying device, means for supporting said retaining members, an actuatlng means whereby said label-retaining members are advanced into contact with the label, and retracted out of the path of the pickers as the latter approach the pack, and means for operating the said glue-applying device synchronous with the clamping of the label.

- 18. In a labeling machine, the combination, of a bottom-delivering label-holder, means for supporting the label-holder in an overhanging position, a vertically r'eciprocating picker-carrier, .pickers mounted on said carrier that coact withsaid labelholder for taking labels therefrom, apair of label-retaining fingers, a. pair of swinging arms pivotally connected at one end to a support and carrying at their other end said label-retaining fingers suspended to swing into and from contact with the under label upon said label-holder, a pivotally support-l ed angle-lever provided wlth a contact member or roll-stud, a rod connecting one arm of said angle-lever with an ear upon one of said swinging arms, and a cam-piece at tached to the picker-carrier and en agcable with the contact member of sai anglelever. W

19. In a machine for affixing labels upon bottles or the like, the combination, .of a top-charged bottom-delivering label-holder, means for primarily glue-coating the central. portion of the under-label thereon, devices for retaining said label while receiving the glue-coating, means for advancing the retaining-devices and pressing the same yieldingly against the under-label, means for positively retract-ing said retaining devices, reciprocating pickers that subsequently glue-coat the end portions of said label, take it from the label-holder and transfer it to a position for afiixment to the bottle, a grip-device for pressing the central glued portion of the label against the bottle, and laterally and vertically moving wipers ,that wipe down the end portions of the label. v

20. In a machine for affixing labels to bottles or the like, the combination, of a' stationary rest, a top-charged bottom-delivery label-holder, a support therefor having e11- gaging devices whereon the label-holder is sustained in an overhanging position above said rest, vertically moving horizontal-faced glue-applying pickers that act.in conjunction with said label-holder for taking labels singly therefrom, means for spreading glue upon the faces of said pickers, a supplementary glue-applying roller that acts to apply glue to the central portion of the label, means for effecting and controlling the movement of said glue-applying roller, means for temporarily sustaining said label while receivlng its central coat of glue, mechanism for advancing and retract-ing the sustaining devices, a grip-device that presses the central glued portion of the label u on the bottle or article, and vertically and aterally moving wipers for wiping the res ective ends-0f the label down upon the bott e.

21. In a labeling machine, the combination with means for affixing labels to bottles 'or the like} of an overhanging bottom-delivering label-holder, glue-applying pickers that take labels singly therefrom, a glue-box and glue-delivering roll, a roller that transfers glue therefrom to the face of the pickers, swinging arms carrying said transferring roller, a tilting carrier-lever fulcrumed on a projecting member fixed to one of said arms, a supplementary label-gluing roller, its axis mounted on said carrier-lever, said transferring roller and gluing-roller adapted to move into conjunction with the gluedelivering roll, an operating shaft, a cam thereon that actuates said swinging arms, a

cam for controlling said tilting carrier-lever, connections that transmit motion from said cam t0 the carrier-lever, and a retractable means that moves under the label-holder for retaining the label While said gluingroller is in contact therewith.

22. The combination, with the labelholder, label affixing means, a center-gluing roller, and the carrier supporting said center gluing roller; of a roll-supporting axis-- stud having a recessed bearing surface upon 1 which the hub of the roller runs a lip and shoulder at the respective ends of said bear ing surface, and having the under side of 7 said stud beveled off at its outer end,,= for the purpose set forth.

Witness my hand this 2nd day of Febru- 15 A. G. DAVIS.

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