US1345006A - Labeling-machine - Google Patents

Description

L. A. HAWTHORNE.

MBI-:UNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 2 6. 1917.

Patented June 29, 1920.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.v

L. A. HAWTHORNE.

LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 2,6, I9I7.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ORN

L. A. HAWTHORNE.

LABELING MACHINE.

lll

" w/mfss UNITED J STATES PATENT OFFICE. g

LoUIs'A. HAWTHORNE, or?" NEWARK; NEW aEnsExiAssiGNoE To `sTEi'EIJ'UTILITIES INCORPORATED, AOOEPOEATION OE NEW YORK.

LABELINe-MAOHTNE. v

specification Letters ratent. Patented J une 29, 192,0.

1 Application med Juiyae, `1917. serial No. 182,890.

To aZZfwwm t may concern:

Be it known that I, LOUIS A. HAWTHORNE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in theV county of .Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Labeling-Machines, of. which the following is a specification.l

This invention relates to machines for la`v heling bottles or other containers, and has special reference to an automatic type of' machine having improved features to facilitate the speedy and accurate handling of the containers, and the proper. afixing of the labels thereto.

The primaryobject is to provide a novel, simple and reliable machine for atlixing labels to bottles or other containerswherein the label magazine, label-aiixing, and the container handling `instrumentalities v are synchronized in such a manner that the .desired labels maybe readily placed. on the bottles Vor other containers accurately, ex-v` peditiously and without danger of breakage.

A further and morespecilic object of the invention is to. provide novel means for handling the labels. That is' to say,.it is proposedto provide a novel arrangementof special instrumentalities for both supplying the label with adhesive asV it is released from the storage magazine, and then bringing it into position to be affixed to the container, as

well as to coordinate therewith the `handling A ofthe containers ina manner to insure the properresults i l'Vith the above and other objects in View which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same' consistsin the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts hereinaftei` more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A vpreferred andpractical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accom aan in".

drawings, in whicht Figure' 1 is a topplan view of the labels. ing machine. i Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view ofthe le.v

verfor controlling the movement' of the label magazine.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation looking from the receiving end` of the machine.

Fig. is a vertical cross sectional view on.

the line of Fig. 2.

Fig.y 6 is an enlarged detail sectional View of the auxiliary label aflixing device.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view of the'delivery end of the container guideway..

Fig. 8 is axdetail longitudinal section i corresponding parts throughout the severall figures of the drawings.

The present machine primarily and essentially includes in its organization a con tailler-advancing deviceV `designated generally as A, and a labeling unit B whose vari- L ous instrumentalities are synchronized with the said container-advancing device vwhich may be,`,and preferably is the prime mover y forthe entire apparatus. `T hat is tosay, the

present inventionfprovides means for a'df,

vancing a `bottle orpother container to and through a labelingunit that rfundamentally includes a pair of spaced parallel label-carlrying ribbons or belts R-R These rib-v bons or belts automatically ftake ythe labels.

singly from a magazine `M, supply the adhesive thereto, and position the same in the path oftravel of the container for the purpose of afliXing the same thereto.

there is preferably included in the general organization ofthe machine a self-adjusting In this latterfconnection it may also be noted that i auxiliary attlxing device @which assists in the atlxing operation by firmly pressing' the gummed portions of the label to the bottle.`

Referring particularly to the structural features of the machine in which is consolidated. the foregoing features, it will be. observed fiom Fig. 2 that the bottle moving or advancing device preferably includes va bed i l which may consist as shown, of the opposite frame members 2 and 3 which are secured together by the spacing bolts 4,'as will be seen from Figs. 5 and 6, to provide 1 the necessary clearance for the mountingA of sprocket Awheels and the other instrumentalities 'necessary tothe proper operation of the apparatus. The opposite frame members 2 and 3 are preferably formed at .their upper sides with the vertical guide walls 5-5,

. and 'the horizontal flange' portions 6;6,

which coperate to provide a guideway floor for the Ycontainer guide or runway Gr formed by the parallel wallsl 5-5, and which, as shown in Fig. 6, terminate short of each other-to provide a central clearance slot 7. l

Directly beneath the flange portions 6-6 the said frame members 2 and 3 arerprovidedv with suitable conveyer guide channels 8--8 which are intended to receive and guide a container advancing conveyer designatedr generally as 9 and consisting of the pivotallyconnected bars or slats v10 having on their under side suitable sprocket engaging socket portions 11. `At regular spaced intervals, this conveyer 9 is provided with Vtheupstanding propeller blades 12 which project through the clearance slot -7 inthe floor of the container guideway for the purpose of engaging and advancing the containers therein in single spaced orderas the conveyer is steadily and continuously driven bythe sprocketr13 journaled as at 14 between .the frame members 2 and 3 at one end of the bed of the apparatus.

Vith further reference to the container `Vguideway or runway G formed by the upstanding walls ;5-5 and lthe horizontal flange portions 6--6, -it willk be observed Vthat the sameis curved at its delivery end D, as shown in Fig. 1, whereby one of the side walls is intersected by the slots 7 so'that the blades 12 may vpass freely on as'fthe con- *veyer9 makes its cycle. vThis formation of thedelivery end Vof the conveyer conveniently provides for deflecting the bottles or other containers, after they have passed through the labeling unit B, out of the line of their normal path of travel through the machine to suitable crating apparatus or the crating position `for the purpose of assembling in shipping crates. And, owing to the novel formation of the conveyer guide chan- Inels 8-*8 which receive the flat slats or bars ofthe labeling unit VB. This framework 15 and-16 which constitute the major portion of the superstructure of the labeling preferably includes the opposite side walls unit, and the depending shaft-carrying elements 17 and 18 which are also spaced apart,

as seen from Figs. 5 and 6 ofthe drawings, to accommodate the sprocket wheel 19 which meshes with the socket elements 11 of the conveyer 9 and is carried on theshaft 2O journaled in the said elements 17 and 18. This sprocket wheel 19 and shaft 20, being `mentalities. l served from the drawings, the shaft 20 has wheels 25-426, itwill be observed from'the with the teeth of the gear4 22, and is also engaged with the continuously moving conveyer l9, constitute the prime actuating means for Yall ofthe label vaffiXing instru- Accordingly, 'as will be obkeyed to one end thereof a driving ,gear 22 which is of mutilated formation, that is, only provided over part of its periphery with gear teeth Vwhile the balance thereof is smooth, whereby the same may have an intermittent Vdriving engagement with a pinion k23 carried by the shaft 24 also journaled inthe shaft carrying elements 17 and 18 and fitted with the wheels 25 and 26 which are arranged `in the. separate ad- 80 hesive supply chambers'27and 28 formed at thelower ends of the said elements 17 and 18. Thus, it will be apparent that these wheels 25 and 26 in addition to performing the function of supplying adhesive to Vthe ribbons R-R, also yconstitute the drivingk means therefor, as will-presently appear.

With further reference to the pinion 23 mounted on the lshaft 24 which drives VVthe Y drawings, particularly Fig. 2, that the same is only provided rthroughout a partof its periphery withenough gear teeth to mesh provided'with a concave `portion -for engaging with a smooth portion of theperiphery of the gear 22. This arrangement, therefore, causes the shaft 24 to be locked atcertain intervals during the operation of the Y apparatus whereby the wheels. 25 and 26 and y100 Y consequently the ribbons R-R4 will be held"V at rest during the intervall when the container is beingadvanced betweenv the ribbons and against `a labelithereon to therebyiix the label in its position on the container. Fur? ther, it may .be noted at Vthis point, that the propelling blades 12 are so spaced on the Y conveyer 9 that the sprocket wheelf19 which drives the shaft 20kwll make lone'complete revolution while the conveyer'is advancing 110 the distance equal to the space between a pair ofblades, and in turn the complete revolution of the shaft 20 Willcause the gear 22 to impart a complete revolution to the shaft 24 through the toothed portions 115 of the gears 22 and 23. Thus, every time the conveyer advances a distance equal to the space between the blades 12 it first causes the ribbons R-R to be coated with adhesive by the wheels 25 and 26 toreceive a label from 12o the magazine M, and then come to rest at a point where the labelwill be positioned di-l rectly across the path ofthe moving container. y Y f A In order to properly distribute the adhesive coating on the wheels 25 and 26, there is provided in each of the adhesive chambers 27-28, Ya suitable wiper member 29 which is mounted on a shaft 30 supported in the walls of the adhesive chamber and provided with the periphery of the yadhesive supplying wheel.

The continuous ribbons R-i-R previouslyV referred to, are preferably of relatively thin fieXible steel, and are arranged in spaced paired relation in the frameworkv of the labeling unit B to provide for theA passage therebetween'of a bottle or otherV container for the purpose of afXing a label thereto. These ribbons-are each carried by upper and lower sets of paired idler pulleys 33- 33 Vand 34-*34 which are respectively journaled in the upper part of the walls 15 and 16 of the superstructure of the labeling unit and the walls of the shaft carrying elements 17 and 1S.-V And, as previously explained, the ribbons are driven by the adhesive supplying wheels 25 and 26 which have a frictional engagement with the' set of pulleys 34w-34. For the purpose of maintaining these ribbons sufficiently taut and to take up any unnecessaryslack therein the upper sets of idler pulleys. 33-33 are preferably mounted on shafts S-S j ournaled in the adjustable blocksL 35, as shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 5 of the drawings. And, in order to provide a suitable support for the span of the` ribbons between each pair of pulleys 33--33 of the upper sets of idlers, the walls 15 and 16 are provided with the upstanding platen members 36, so that when the magazine M ,isl lowered to place a label on the ribbons, the latter will be firmly supported to insure the accurate placing of the labels thereon.

In connection with the magazine M which holds the labelswhich are supplied to the adhesive coated ribbons R, it will be observed that the same preferably consists of a suitable label containing frame 37 which4 holds the labels in such a manner that the lowest Aone may be easily released, andthe entire frame is adjustably carried by means of suitable nuts 3S on the rods or standards 39 whichiare slidably supported at substantially their intermediate portions in the guides'40 formed in the upperends of the walls 15 and 16, and are also guided at theirv 42 operates continuously and the ribbons lock the 'magazine M in its elevated position,

fto release theV magazine for operation at the Jdesired time,`the armf47 of the., sleeve 43 `has pivotally connected therewith a link provide means for preventing labels from being deposited on the ribbons,`except when bottle is passing through the guideway and about toV enter within the limits of the labeling unit B. Therefore, in order to except whenabottle ispassing through the labeling unit, a suitable restraining ldevice n is provided for the magazine. i The device essentially comprises a sleeve 43 which surrounds oneV of the standards 39 and is'provided in its upper portion with a notch 44V which is adapted to receive a pin 45 carried by the rod 39 when the sleeve is `rotated a sufficient distance to cause the pin to `slide off of the upper edge 43L thereof. That is to say, onel ofthe rods 39 carries a pin 45 which normally rests upon the upper edge of the sleeve 43, whereby the entire magazine will be held in its elevated position, or on the other hand, whenv the sleeve is turned so. that the pin 45 drops into the notch 44, theImagazine will be perf mitted to drop wherebyv the ends of both 49,' the other end of whichy is pivotally Connected with a bell crank lever Qpivoted as guideway to beengaged by the passing conv tainers.

Accordingly, willibe apparent that when a container. is'passing through the guideway 110A G, it will 'strike againstthe arm 52 which,

through the., instrumentalities just described, will turn the sleeve` 43 a sufficient distance to enable the pin 45to drop into the slot 44 and thus lpermit Vthe entire 115 weight `of the magazine to rest upon the working` periphery of the, cams 42. `The peripheriesof-these cams are such that the magazine will be permitted. to drop and deposit a label on the ribbons Rv--Rl therebeneath, and the continuous rotation of the shaft 20`Iwhich carries the cams 42 will after the magazinehas been lowered, cause lthe same to again be elevated and thereby lift thepin 45 out of the notch 44 whereby 125 the spring 46 will turn the sleeve back to its normal position and place the pin'on the upper` edge 43a thereof.

After the label has been deposited Von the ribbons R by the lowering of the magazine,

. ltainer guideway, 'and carry at their lower sol " turn :carried by the vertically disposed tlejeleinents 55v loosely `iournaled as at the continued movement of the said ribbons i vwill carry the label into position to be fixed by the. container, at which time the ribbons will come to rest owing to the smooth 'periphery of the gear wheels 22 and *23 coming into contact. Then, the continuous movementfof the container through the guideway'under the influence of the blade '12 of the conveyer will causethe container to push the flabel from the ribbons so that thev gummed end portions thereof will engage the exterior 'of the container to thereby affix the label/Howeveig as previously indicated,fas the container passes from between the' ril'ibons R-Q-Rlwhich both. sup ply the label 'with adhesive and position thel same for aiiXing, it is engaged by the auXiliarylabel wiper or aflixing device C. This device is in thel nature of a gate, and

preferably` consists of a pair of vertically disposed container engaging rollers 53 carried upon suitable varms '54, which are in pin- 56 in one of the. side walls 5 of the conends suitable crank arms 57 whose free ends are fitted with depending bracket rods 58'whicli are connected by a suitable springt/)9, whereby both ofthe rollers 53 and 54 are yieldably held in the position Vshownin Fig. 1 of the drawings. .Tliiis, when; a container is pushed in the guideway betweenthe ribbons R-R, it will be Veng'faged by the rollers 53 which will firmly.l

wipefover thelabel4 andthereby press it againstv the 'exteriorV of the container to positively insure the afliXing thereof.

However, while .this deviceris desirable sinceit positively and firmly pressestheY label on tothe bottle, itis notA entirely indispensable, especially under certain conditionsof use.- rlvhat is to say, when the rib- 'bons which carry the labels are spaced to permit of the free passage of the bottles therebetween, .or in other words, are spaced farther apart than the diameter of the con- Y tainers as shown inv the present drawings,

the device Cis especially useful, but where the ribbons are arranged relatively close i together, t'. e., less than the diameter of the container as in the caseof applying small labels,y the ribbons themselves will exert suiicient pressure "on the gummed ends vof the labels and cause thesame toadhere to the bottles, since as the latter are forced" between the ribbons they will turnjon their axes, because of their thin and flexible nature to permit the passage of tliebottle, and thus produce the necessary vpressure for ,causingthe label to adhere' to the outer surface of the container. In the latter case,

it will of coursev beclear that the deviceV C may still be utilized, but the aflixing of the label is primarily accomplished by the act hesive-supplying tape.

of pushing the container between the spaced parallel belts or ribbons whichvare coatedY with adhesive and carry the Vnlabels from the magazine into" the position to be engaged by the passing container.

varea at each end for receiving adhesive, it is f v n especially desirable that the center oi' the` label also be supplied VVwith adhesive. `Accordingly. it is proposed to provide a con Under some condi` struction involving Va third ribbon or ad- This Yforni ofthe invention is illustrated in Figs. '8 9 and 10 of the drawings, and involves nodeparture from the essential 'features'of construction `of the machine shown in the rest ofthe drawings. That is to say, in this modificatioii,it is contemplated torprovide ya, tl1ird ribbon H positioned between the two ribbons R-R heretofore described, andY located at the top of the labeling unit.

As will be observed from liig. 8, this ribbon RVis mounted to run on the'p'ulleys '33a which are mountedV on the saine shafts S-1S as the paired sets of idlers 83-33, 4whereby the saine movement of the ribbons R-KR will be thereby imparted to the centerfribbon lt. kThe outer surface of this ribbon R is supplied .with adhesive'through;the provision-of an auxiliary adhesive-holding chamber() whichfis mounted between the' weils 15 and 16 fand Vhas journaledjtherein an adhesive supplying roller "51 whosev periphery is engagedby `the free endrof wiper spring GQ-fasteneilr as Vat 63 to theV outer surface of the adhesive lioldingchamber as will be clear from Fig; 8. rfhus, this arrangement provides for supplying 'aid- Vhesive to the center ofthelabel without interferring in any way with'the passage of the bottles or other container between. the ribbons RfR. Y v 'i Y Referring now to the manner of operation of the apparatus, it will be seen that since the conveyer 9 .is driven continuously by the sprocket wheel 13, the bottles or other containers will'be impelled in the guideway Cf by 'means of the blades 12 at regular spaced intervals, to andy through the labeling unit B.V The continuous operation of the conveyer alsocauses a continuous operation of the sprocket 19 and the shaft 20, and consequently, the continuous rotation of the gear 22 which has an intermittent engage'-1 ment with the pinion 2? mounted` on the shaft 24.` that carries'the wheels which move the ribbons B R- and also supply the` same with adhesive. rI'hus, the continuous move-. ment of the conveyer causes the intermittent movement of the ribbons lt-R whereby the same will cometo" rest in a position to' hold ready to be sentto the crating machinery orthe label in the path of the 'movingfcontainei. Y i n `When a container ,is impelled ,along the giiideway Git first strilresthe arm 52'of the bell cranlr() which operates the sleevezl of theV restraining device foi'r the magazinez M, thus causing the pin '45 on one'of the lrods 39 of the magazine to drop into the notch 14 v lwhereby the` ends-of the rods'89 will be permitted to engage with the zenith of the working peripheriesy of the rotating cams Ll2. In the meantime, the continuous move.- ment of the conveyer will V'causethe advance of the ribbons R-Rto carry the adhesive thereon to '1 a position'- beneath the f label magazine where the same willjbe loweredand aV llabel Vdeposited on the` ribbons or wiped thereby from the magazine. Then,

the continued movement ofthe conveyer will cause the zenith of the cams l2 to engage y the ends of the rods39 and cause themagaj push the label from the'bel'ts, and then engage the rollers 53 of the auxiliary aflixing device C- Which, as previously explained,

assist in aiiiXing the label by pressing the ends thereof into engagement with ythe eX- terior of the container.

the delivery end D of the guideway G and'is the like, while at the same time, the blade 12 which has been vpushing the -container throuo'h the Ouideway G passes on through b b the clearance wall 7.

lVithout further description, it is thought that the many. features andadvantages of the present invention will be readilyapparent, and it will, of course, be understood that various changes in the form', proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to withoutdeparting ,from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

VI claim: 1 Y

1. A labeling machine including' a frame,

a labeling Vunit consisting of spaced continnousv imperforate flexible label carrying ribbons, means for applying adhesive to the As the container is advanced by the conveyer, throughthe .device C, it strikes against thecurv'ed Wall of outerl surfaces of said ribbons, a label holding magazine, rods having an adjustable engagement atl their upper ends withsaidlabel holding magazine, guides carried by said frame for causing' the. lmagazine carrying rods to move vertically, means for-shifting said rods to bringthe magazine in position r to deliver a label tothe im'perforate ribbons,

and `means forv'advancing a container bey tween the' ribbonsl and against a1 label carried thereby. r i i' i i 2. A labeling machine 'including `a pai'rof` n spacedV endless label carrying belts arranged at eachside'of a container guide-way,means arranged Vbeneath the `container guide-way for supplying adhesive to said`ibelts,'and an Vauxiliary adhesive supplying` device varranged between said `spaced ,belts and above the containerf'guide-way and outof the path of the containers. u A A labelingv machine including a frame having a container giiide-wa.y,"upp'er and lower setsof pulleys supported in saidfframe at each side ofthe guide-way, `continuous label carrying belts mounted on said pulleys, means for supplying adhesive to the'belts as they pass over the lower sets of, pulleys,l a. label magazine positioned above. theupper sets oflwpulleys, and anauxiliary adhesive i supplying device arranged v between labelcarrying .v magazine andV also between the said belts. f f 14. `Aflabeling machine' including acontainer guide-way, means "for propellingfthe containers in 'said guideway,1meansfor positioning adhesively'coated labels across said guideway,` a magazine for supplying labels to said. means, meansfor causing said magazine to Vmove toward and from said label l aiixingmeans,saidmeans comprising a pair Y of duplicate cams actuated by the movement of the 'means for propelling the Vcontainers in theV guideway, and a restraining device for maintaining said -magazine in its elevatedp'osition.` V l u 5. A labeling machine including a convtainer guideway, means for propelling vthe containers `in said guidewaymeans-for positioning adhesively coated labels across said guideway, a magazine for supplying labels to said means, means for causing said magazine to move toward and fromsaid label ailixing means, and4 a restraining de'- vice` for maintaining 'said magazine in its elevated position, said restraining device thenpper 'sets of pulleys and beneath. said consisting of a laterally projecting pin cari v.

ried by the frame ofthe magazine, a spring tensioned notched "sleeve, a link connected.

kwith said sleeve, and a trip-armconnected with-said link and having a portion thereof disposed inthe path of containers passing through the `guideway 6. A labeling machine including a pair of adhesive supplying and label carrying ribl Vadhesive supplyingand label'car'r'ying rib-v l5 loperation of the label magazine.-

bons mounted in spaced relation, paired setsv v between the ribbons to cause the intermittent movementfof the ribbons, and cams associated with said lgearing yfor causing the 7. Alabeling'maehine including la. pair of bons mounted in spaced relation,'paired sets of pulleys for carrying said ribbons, means for supplying adhesive to the outer faces oi"V said ribbons, alabelmagazinefor supplying labels to said ribbons, a guideway formed between said ribbons, a container propellingr device working in said guideway, means for continuously driving said device, combined adhesive supplying and ribbon driving wheels v engaging with saidribbons, gearing ineluding mutilated lgears between said container propelling devicepand said wheels, vand cain means operatedl synchronously with the mutilated gearing for causing the operation of the magazine. e Y

8. A labeling machine including a pair of endless adhesive supplying and label carry- A Y ing ribbons mounted in Vspaced relation, means for'impelling a container Vbetween said ribbons, means driven by said means for impelling the containers for actuating the ribbons, a Vmagazine for supplying labels to the ribbons, said magazine comprising a label carrying frame', standards carrying the in'rame, and a restraining device having means for operatively engaging one of said standardsand adapted to be operated by passing containers for controlling the movementr of.

the magazine.

9. Av labeling machine including a Vpair of endless adhesive supplying'and label carryA-A ing ribbons mounted in spaced relation,

means for impelling a container between said' ribbons, gearing driven by said` means for impelling the containers for actuatingithe ribbons and having cams associatedtlierecarrying iframe, standards carrying the frame at one end and having their opposite y ends engaging said cams, fand arQntainer controlled restraining device engaging one of said standards. f A

10. A labeling machine including fanpair of spaced adhesiveV supplying and labelingV positioning ribbons, means for supplying labels to said elements, a guidewayV having y a slot arranged between said elements, con'- Iveyei' traveling beneath vsaid .guideway and having container propelling blades'projecting through saidV slot, and means actuated by the conveyer forcontrollingthe movement of themagazine and ribbons;

with, amagazine for supplying labels to the 1 ribbons, said magazine comprising 'a `label' In testimony' whereof I hereunto atlixiny i signature in the presencefof two Wltnesses- Y liioU'is A'. HAWTHORNE.

llVitnesses: l l i' I DUNGANMCINTYRE, Jr., ERNEST 1W. Tarrina

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