US1168476A - Can-labeling machine. - Google Patents

Description

C. W. BLACKSTONE.

CAN LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24, 1910. RENEWED DEC. 21. I915.

Patented Jan. 18,

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C. W. BLACKSTONE.

CAN LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 24. 2910. RENEWED DEC. 21. 1915.

Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

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CAN LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24, 1910. RENEWED DEC-21.1.1115.

Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4- 5 [@rfzmeMW/Wiw LVLt M cameo I TED STATES ATENT CLARENCE W. BLACKSTONE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIG-NOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, T0 BURT MACHINE COMPANY, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPORA- TION OF DELAWARE.

CAN-LABELING MACHINE.

Application filed May 24, 1910, Serial No. 563,179. Renewed December 21, 1915. Serial No. 68,042.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CLARENCE W. BLACK- STONE citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Labeling Machines, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

The present invention relates to labeling machines of the character adapted to apply, and afiix, to a can, box, or other package, a label, while the can or package is fed from the feed to the delivery end of the machine.

More particularly the invention has to deal with novel pasting instrumentalities, whereby the label, when aflixed to the can or package will be practically devoid of the customary and objectionable wrinkles, and will fit smoothly around the engaged can.

It has been customary in the labeling machine art to apply paste or cement by means of belts, brushes, etc., either directly to the can bodyor the body of the label to be applied to said can body and in either event, when applied, substantially the entire surface of the label would be coated. This manner of application has many advantages but is objectionable to a large extent, primarily because of the wrinkling of the applied label incident to the expansion thereof due to-the dampening or moistening of the entire surface of the label. It has also been suggested to partly overcome this objection by applying the paste to the opposite ends only of the label, but the upper and lower edges of the label would be free, and this has proven objectionable since it leaves the joint between the cap and body of the can unsealed, and the contents of the can are not protected from outside influences.

It may be said to be the primary object of the present invention to overcome the existing objections to coating the entire surface of the label, or substantially the entire surface thereof, and at the same time to form, by the label a practically air tight joint between the cap or top and the body of the can. With this end in view, the invention includes means whereby a label is pasted at that edge or portion thereof which overlies the joint between the cap and body of the can as distinguished from coating the entire surface thereof.

More particularly the invention includes a can feed mechanism, paste applying instrumentalities for placing upon a portion of the can a body of paste extending entirely around the circumference thereof, means for temporarily interrupting the travel of the can along the run way during the pasting operation, and novel releasing mechanlsm for said last mentioned means whereby the can feed will continue and a label will be picked up and applied and aflixed to the can. 7

One of the novel characteristics of the present construction resides in the means for positioning and holding a can in position relative to the paste applying instrumentalities, which, more particularly stated may be said to reside in a stop or pocket arranged in the path of a fed can and adapted to be engaged by the can to firmly support the same 1n operative position and interrupting the travel thereof along the run way, while permitting the can to rotate relative to the paste applying mechanism, all of which will be more particularly referred to hereinafter.

Other improvements and novel details in the construction and arrangement of parts will be brought out in the description fol lowing which, for a clear understanding of the invention should be read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof and which, for the purpose of illustration disclose a convenient and satisfactory embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a front end elevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical section along the line 33 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a detail View enlarged of the front of the machine toward the forward end, disclosing more particularly the can support for holding the can in position to be pasted, together with releasing mechanism for said support. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the latch or look for the can rest. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the can holder.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views 1 is a base support-of any suitable material and construction and having mounted thereon suitable frame work, conveniently metal, and adapted to support the operative parts of the machine. Longitudinally extending supports 2 resting upon bracket arms 3 and 3 of the supporting Patented J an. 18, 1916.

frame. have at or adjacent their respective ends bearing members 4 in which are mounted journals 5 and 5'? for front andrear ulleys 6 and 6 respectively. The said pul eys 6 and 6* are conveniently grooved at their peripheries as clearl indicated in Figs. 2 and 3 and are adapted or the reception of belts 7, which conveniently take the form of a round cross section. The walls of the peripheral grooves of the pulleys 6 and 6" are conveniently oppositely inclined whereby is provided a wedge engagement for the belts, thereby tending to prevent any slipping of the belts relative to the pulleys. The belts 7 may be termed the feeding mechanism for the cans, since the same are adapted to engage the peripheral surface of the cans preferably adjacent opposite ends thereof 'and impart forward turning movement to the cans along a run way positioned beneath the belts, the said run way to be presently described.

Positioned upon the journal 5, but outside of the respective pulleys 6 are relatively fiat circular disk members 8 of a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the pulleys for a purpose about to be described.

A longitudinally extending inclined run way 9 projects beneath and forwardly of the disk members 8, the run way, which may be .termed a delivery run way being spaced from said disks a sufiicient distance to permit a can to roll downwardly along the run way and beneath the disk 8. I

The feed runway is indicated by the numeral' 10 and at the forward end thereof projects downwardly a supporting bracket 11 which latter constitutes a bearing for a tread or trip member 12 having an angled downward extension 13 the tread member or trip being pivotally supported to said bracket by the pintle or journal 14;. The normal position of the trip or tread member 12 places the forward end thereof adjacent to the lower end of the delivery runway 9 with the body of the trip slightly above the lower end of said runway and having its end curved at.15 so vas to be engaged by the can as it leaves the runway 9.

Positioned below the runway 10 at a point adjacent the forward end thereof but spaced rearwardly of the trip member 15 is a paste receptacle 16 of any desired construction,

5 medium of a belt 21 is driven by a pulley 22 mounted on the journal 5 of the pulleys 6. The said from any suita le drive not shown.

The paste applying roller 18 is in the form of a relatively narrow disk and may have the usual yielding surface and is so positioned in the receptacle that the periphery ulley 22 receives its power ing roller is conveniently adjustable upon the shaft 19, the same being held in adjusted positions by a suitable bolt or the like 24. In order that the opposite tracks of the run way 10 may afford a firm support for the can during its feed therealong, the tracks or rails of the run way are somewhat wide as clearly shown in the drawings, and that track adjacent to the paste receptacle is cut away immediately above the paste roller at 25 whereby the periphery of the roller may play through said cut away portion and constitute in effect a portion ofthe run way to contact directly with the joint between the cap and body of the can as clearly illusand upon the-support 17 is a standard 26 having a transversely extending aperture 27 adapted. for the reception of a shaft-28 the opposite ends of which shaft project beyond opposite sides of the standard 26 and loosely fitted thereto forrocking movement are brackets 29, which said brackets are substantially triangular in shape as shown.

Projecting between the brackets transversely of the run wayare rollers or idlers 30 the said rollers being connected at the opposite corners of the brackets 29 and form therebetween a pocket or seat for the reception of acan and properly positioning the same relative-tothe pasting roll 18.

It will'be seen that. normally therollers 30 occupy a position whereby the periphery thereof projects above the upper surface of the run way 10, and that portion of the run way forwardly of the rollers 30 has an inclined upper surface 10*" so as to guide the or supports for the roller 30 are mounted for swinging or rocking movement, a spring, 31 of any desired construction secured at one end to the sliaft 28 at its opposite end to the adjacent bracket 29 tending to impart swinging movement to the bracket, and a stop for limiting said swingingmovement is provided by a projection 32 on the bracket 29 adapted to engage a lug or projection 33 of any desired construction on the run way 10.

Means are provided for locking the bracket members 29 in elevated position, so

as to prevent the can as it moves into con-' tact with the rearmost roller from swinging the same against the action of the spring 31 downwardly, until a strip of paste has been applied to the can about its entire circumference. This means comprises a locking member or latch 34 adapted to engage a lug or projection 35 on one of the bracket members 29, said latch being slidably mounted in a guide way 36 secured to the track of the run way which supports the bottom. or lower end of the can. The latch member 34 has a downward extending ear 37 which constitutes means for limiting the inward movement of the latch by contacting the end of the guide member 36, and also constitutes a bearing for a pintle or lug 38 secured to an elongatedarm 39 extending longitudinally of the machine and having a sliding engagement with a suitable bracket support 40 projecting downwardly from the forward end of the runway.

Adjacent the end of the rod or arm 39 is a nut or collar 41 adjustably mounted in any desired manner and conveniently held in adjusted positions by a suitable bolt 42. Positioned between the nut or sleeve 41 and the support 40 and mounted upon said rod 39 is a suitable spring 43 in the form of a spiral the action of which spring is to impart forward movement to the latch member 34 into contact with the stop 35 of the bracket member 29. From the description of the structure just referred to, it will be seen that the can when positioned in the pocket or recess formed between the rollers 30 will be in contact with the pasting roller '18 and will be held in such contact until the locking member or latch 34 is released in a manner presently to be described, and the movement of the feed belts 7 will continue to impart rotary movement to the cans, the rollers 30 constituting antifriction bearings to permit of said rotary movement while preventing rolling movement of the cans along the runway.

While the pasting, mechanism. is in the form of a roller it is obvious that other paste applying mechanism may be employed, the essential feature being that the can is held in contact with the paste applying mechanism a sufiicient interval to produce a pasted surface of limited width entirely around the can.

The releasin mechanism for the latch 34 includes the trip member 12 previously deconnection 14 and the downward extension 13 will impart through the buffer 44 longitudinal movement of the rod 39 and in turn to the sliding latch 34 with the result that the only retaining means for holding the bracket elevated is the spring member 31 which will be overcome by the weight of the can under the action of the drive belts 7 So soon as the can is released from the pocket formed by the rollers 30 the same will continue in its rolling movement along the runway 10 and will contact with a suitable pastmg roll or the equivalent thereof 45 of any desired cpnstruction and mounted for rotary movement in any desired manner in the paste receptacle 46. The purpose of this pasting roller is to place a daub of paste on the body of the can extending longitudi nally thereof and adapted to engage with the forward end of a label positioned in a label receptacle -47 of any of the desired forms. In the continued movement of the roller along the runway the label is wound around or about the can, and the free or lap end of .the label may receive a coating of paste as is customary in labeling machines of this character.

At the rear end of the machine is a yield able support 48 immediately below the pul leys 6*, the latter exerting pressure on the can, so as to afliX the lap end of the label to thi can in a manner well understood in the ar The operation of the machine may be briefly reviewed as follows: Any of the approved styles of spacing mechanism for the cans may be employed, such for instance as illustrated in the co-pending application of Knapp and Blackstone Serial No. 479,292, the cans being fed from the spacing mechanism along the delivery runway 9 into contact with the pressure rollers or disks 8 and the forward end 15 of the trip member 12. The rotation of the disks 8 imparts forward movement to the cans and at the same time presses the trip member downwardly about its pivotal connection 14, the trip member 15 being held elevated by the rod 39 through the medium of the spring 43, and when so elevated it will be appreciated that the space between the rollers or disks 8 and the trip member 12 is less than the length of the diameter of the cans with the result that the trip will be lowered as stated and the can moved by the disk 8 along and the bracket 29 swung about its pivot against the action of the spring 31 by the the runway 1t) into contact with the feed belts 7 which latter continue the feed movement of the can along the inclined surface 10 of the runway and over theforemost roller 30 when the can will contact with the rearmost roller 30 and rest m a pocket parted to both the seated can and the pasting roll, a thin coating of paste is applied entirely around the can at the..,]unct1on of the flange of the 11d with the body, and

when so coated the pasted can is released by r the next succeeding can engaging the trip member 12 whereby the latch 34 is released foremost can until the stop or rearmost roller 30 assumes a vposition below the runway 10 when the foremost can continues its a rolling movement imparted by the feed belts 7. As soon assaid foremost can passes beyond the stop or rearmost roller 30 sa d roller will be lifted into posltion to contact with or stop a succeeding can, throughtthe medium of the spring 31, and the latch 34 thereupon moved into engagement with the stop 35 by the action of the spring 43 which at the same time moves the trip member 12 into position to be engaged by a succeeding can. The pasted can 1n its contlnued movement'receives a daubof paste whlch engages the foremost end ofa suitably supported label, which label is wound about the can, and the lap ends afiixed in any desired manner. By reason of the fact that the runways j are of a width greater than the depth of the top X of the can, it will be appreciated that the' belts 7 will exert suflicient ressure to the cans as to firmly aflix the labe and cause the same to adhere to said pasted surface of the. can at the junction of the top and body of the can, with the result that a practically air tight joint is formed between said top' and body. 1

Suitableguide pulleys 49 mounted in bearings in bracket members 50 secured to the longitudinally extending supports 2 may be provided for engaging the belts 7 intermediate-their ends and holding the same in a position whereby they Wlll at all times en-' gage the periphery of the cans and exert pressure thereto during the rolling action of the latter, with the resultthat the label will be firmly affixed at the joint between the top and body of the can. 0

A suitably supported belt tightener 51 of anydesired construction may also beprovided for taking up any play In the endless belt or drive connection 21.

What I claim is:

1. In a'labeling machine, the combination of a guide or runway for a can or the llke,

means for feeding a can along the same,

stantially no obstructlon thereabove a apted to produce a pasted surface of limited width entirely around the'can' at the junction of the flan e of the lid with the body, and

means a jacent the runway for interrupting the feed of the can along said runwaywghile acted upon by said instrumentalit'ies.

2. .In a labeling machine, the combination of a rotary paste disk of a width less than that ofa can to be labeled,-an antifriction support for a can or the like adjacent the feed, and means whereby the can is rotated to complete a revolution on said support whilein contact with said paste feed.

3. In a labeling machine, the combination of pasting and labeling instrumentalities, means for feeding a can or the like relative to said instrumentalities, opposed rollers separated from one another and extending transversely of the runway for supporting and interrupting the feeding movement of the can when adjacent said pasting instrumentalities, said feeding means causing the can to rotate in contact with the paste applying instrumentalities.

4. In a labeling machine, the combination of apaste carrier, feeding mechanism for a can or the like, a support for a carer the like mounted'adjacent to the. paste carrier, said support being independent of the paste carrier and including antifriction bearings permitting the can to rotate over the paste carrier,

5-.- In a labeling machine, a runway, a support intermediate the ends of the runway for a can or the like, comprising oppositely disposed rollers extending transversely across the runway. and adjacent thereto adapted to form therebetween a seat or pocket for a can or the like, a rocking support for said rollers and means for applying paste to thecan while postioned in said seat.

'6. In a, labeling machine, a runway for a can or the like,.a can feed, a support intermediate the ends of the runway for a can comprising oppositely disposed antifriction devices adapted to form therebetween a seat or pocket for a can or the like, a common supporting means for said rollers, said means being movable to release the can, and means for applying paste to the can while positioned-in said seat. 4

7. In a labeling machine, a runway, .a can feed, a support for a can or the like comprising elongated oppositely disposed members extending transversely of the runway and spaced from one, another whereby to.

8. In a labeling machine, the combination of a run way for a can or the like having disposed transversely thereof separated elongated members forming therebetween a pocket intermediate the ends of the runway adapted to receive a can. and interruptits feed along its runway, a rotatable disk for applying paste to the can adjacent the head only thereof while positioned in said pocket, labeling instrumentalities, and means for feeding the can from the pocket to said labeling instrumentalities.

9. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway for a can or the like having transversely extending separated rollers forming a receiving pocket intermediate its ends, said pockets having anti-friction rollers adapted to engage a can and interrupt its feed alon its runway, means for applying paste to t he can while positioned in said pocket, labeling instrumentalities, means for releasing the can from said pocket, said means including a rocking support for said rollers, and means for feeding the can from the pocket to said labeling instrumentalities.

10. In a labeling machine, the combination of a feeding mechanism for a can or the like, pasting and labeling appliances over which the cans are adapted to pass, means adjacent the pasting appliances for constituting a receiving pocket and for interrupting the feed of the can at this point, said means being movable into and out of the path of the can, and means for rotating the can while in said pocket in contact with the pasting appliances.

l1.- In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling and pasting appliances, means for feeding a can along the runway, and a stop arranged in the path of the can to interrupt the feed thereof adjacent the pasting appliances, said feeding means being adapted to rotate the can in contact with the pasting mechanism for a complete revolution.

12. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling and pasting appliances, means for feeding a can along the runway, and a stop arranged in the path of the can to interrupt the feed thereof adjacent the pasting appliances, said stop being movable into and out of the path of the can, and said movement being controlled by a succeeding can.

13. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling and pasting appliances, means for feeding a can along the runway, and a stop arranged in the path of the can to interrupt the feed thereof adjacent the pasting appliances, said stopbeing movable into and out of the path of the can and constituting a rest or support permitting the can to rotate into contact with the pasting appliances, said feeding means constituting means for. rotating the canin said pocket in contact with'the pasting appliances.

14. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling and pasting appliances, means for feeding a can or the like along the runway, a stop adjacent the pasting appliances normally in the path of the can, and constituting a rest or support for. holding a can from movement along the runway while in contact with the-pasting appliances, and means for releasing said stop.

15. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling and pasting a p pliances, means for feeding a can or the like along the runway, a stop adjacent the pasting appliances normally in the path of the can, and means whereby said stop is moved out of the path of the can by a succeeding can.

16. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling and pasting appliances, means for feeding a can or the like along the runway, a stop adjacent the pasting appliances normally in the path of the can, and means for moving said stop out of the path of the can including a trip arranged along the runway and adapted to be actuated by a succeeding can.

17. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling and pasting appliances, means for feeding a can along the runway and a releasable stop arranged in the path of the can adjacent the pasting appliances, and spring means -for normally holding the stop, substantially as and for the purpose described.

18. In a labeling machine, the combination of a runway, labeling and pasting appliances, means for feeding a can along the runway, a spring pressed stop arranged in the path of the can adjacent the pasting appliances, and means for releasing said stop, substantially as and for the purpose described.

19. In a labeling machine, the combina. tion of a runway, labeling and pasting appliances, means for feeding a can along the runway, a spring pressed stop arranged in the path of the can adjacent the pasting appliances, and means for releasing said stop, said means being actuated by a succeeding can, substantially as and for the purpose described 20. In a labeling machine, the combination of labeling and pasting mechanisms, a runway for guiding a can or the like to said mechanisms, means for feeding the can along said runway, a stop arranged in the path of the can adjacent said pasting mechanism for interrupting said feed, and means actuated by a succeeding can for releasing said stop.

21. In a labeling machine, the combination of labeling and pasting mechanisms, a

runway for guiding a can or the like to saidmechanisms, means for feeding the can along said runwa a stop arranged in the path o f-the can or interrupting said feed at a point adjacent the pasting mechanism, means actuated by-a succeeding can for releasing said stop whereby the feed of the can may be continued, and spring means for holding the last mentioned means and the stop in operative positions.

tion of labeling and pasting mechanisms, a runway for guiding a can or the like to said mechanisms, means for feeding the can along said runway, a stop arranged in the path of the can for interrupting said feed at a point adjacent the pasting mechanism, means actuated by a'succeeding can for releasing said stop'whereby the feed of the can may be continued, and a single sprin means for holding said last mentione means andthe stop in operative positions.

I tion of pasting and labeling instrumentali- 23. In a labeling machine, the combinaties, a runway for a can or the like, a stop arranged in the path of the can, adjacent ,4

said pasting instrumentalities, and a trip succeeding can passes, one of said members being ieldable.- I

24. n a labeling machine, the combination of pasting and labeling instrumentalities, a-rudway for a can or the'like, a stop 22. In a labeling machlne, the combmaarranged in the path of the can adjacent said pasting instrumentalities, and trip mechanism for said step including a yieldable member and a relatively fixed rotary member, said members adapted to be engaged by a succeeding can as it passes .be-'

tween members. g

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

OE W. BLAOKSTONE;

Witnesses: n

D. OTTER, L. E. ROBERTS.

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