US1425351A - Labeling machine - Google Patents

Description

C. S. WEEKS.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILEILSEPT. 14, 1921.

1,425,351. P tented Aug 8, 1922.

m SHEETS-SHEET 1.

'VENTOR MJ If) A TTO/(NE y C. S. WEEKS.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14, 1921.

Patented Au. 8, 1922.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

C. 8. WEEKS.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14, 192i.

1 A25, 35 1 a Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

I0 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

1%VEN OR A TTOR/VE Y Q. S. WEEKS.

LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION man SEPT. 14, 1921.

l ,%25, 35 1 Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

I0 SHEETSSHEET 4- W,

ATTORNEY C. 8. WEEKS.

LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SE'PT.14, 1921.

Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

10 SHEER-SHEET 5 woo C. 8. WEEKS.

LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I4, 1921.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 6- INVE%OR A TTOR/VEY Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

C. S. WEEKS. LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14, 1921.

Patented Aug. 8, 1922.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

' ATTORNEY,

C. S. WEEKS. LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION HLED SEPT. 14, 1921.

A TTORNE I C. S. WEEKS.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. I4, I921.

10 SHEETS-SHEET 9.

Patented. Aug. 8,1922.

C. 8. WEEKS.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14. 1921.

1,425,35 l I P tented Aug. 8, 1922.

10 $HEETSSHEET10- m I? WTOR m' I I T A 'l'TO/(AE V @FFHQEO CHARLES S. WEEKS, OF SOUTH ORANGE, NEW JERSEY.

LABELING IEACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1922?.

Application filed September 14, 1921. Serial No. 500,564..

T 0 all whom 2'2 may concern.

Be it known that 1, CHARLES S. Wnnns, a citizen of the United States, residing at South Orange, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Labeling Machine, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is a labeling machine operating to affix labels with precision and accuracy to articles which vary in size with; in certain limits and which vary in transverse cross section within wide limits, the labels being so securely afixed that there is no tendency to drop on the articles, nor is there any tendency to tear the labels during the applying or wiping thereof, and a minimum quantity of adhesive being employed for the labels, such adhesive being applied in 'a thin film to the labels and distributed uniformly over the surfaces thereof.

The machine specifically disclosed in this application is designed with particular reference to effect the affixing of two labels to the opposite sides of each article, and to aii'ix such labels to an article in an ac curate position intermediate certain beads adjacent the bottom and the tops of said article; but it is to be understood that the invention, in a broad aspect, is not restricted to the application of two labels to a single article, nor to the application of labels to beaded articles, for the reason that the invention may be used in the atlixing of single labels to articles devoid of beads.

Broadly stated, the invention includes means for feeding articles in a definite path, and with precision, relatively to a labelapplying mechanism and to a label-wiping mechanism, said label-applying mechanism and the label-wiping mechanism being independent of each other and operating at diiierent stations in the machine for the performance automatically of the distinct functions of presenting labels into contact with the articles and subsequently thereto wiping the labels into intimate contact with the surface of the articles, provision being made for spreading a thin film of aste uniformly over the surface of each abel prior to the contact of such label with the article.

The article feeding means of the present machine includes the following elements: a runway extending adjacent the label-applying mechanism and the label-wiping mechanism and upon which runway the articles are adapted to rest and along which runway the articles are adapted to be ad vanced by the intermittent feed movement; a feeding member in the form of a bar ranging lengthwise of the runway and provided with means, such as fingers, positioned for contact with the articles for pushing the latter along the runway for definite distances; means for imparting to the feeding bar a four direction motion whereby the bar is lifted for the fingers to contact with the articles, moved in one direction to advance all-the articles for a definite distance, lowered relatively to the articles for withdrawing the fingers from contact therewith, and then moved in an opposite direction so as to position the fingers below the articles to take fresh hold thereof upon the next lift of the succeeding cycle; carrier means upon which the articles are deposited as b manual operation, and the motion of whic carrier means presents the articles successively into contact with a stopping device;

a pusher element operated by the motion of the feeding finger-carrying bar for displacing articles from the carrier means and pushing said articles upon the runway, and delivery means for transferrin the labeled articles from the delivery end of the machine.

It may be stated that the feeding bar constitutes a desirable element in this machine for moving a number of articles simultaneously alon the runway and with pre cision relative y to the label applying mechanism and to the label-wiping mechanism, but the special utility of the bar operating as described is to leave the articles free from contact with the fingers at the stations where the label is applied and wiped, whereb the fingers are withdrawn from the artic es at the applying and wiping stations so that there is no obstruction to the action of the wipers or the applying mechanism.

The label applying mechanism includes a label box or magazine mounted and operated in a. manner peculiar to my invention for effecting the application of labels directly from the label box to the surfaces of the article or articles, whereby I am enabled to simplify the label-applying means by the omission of any and all forms of transfer devices operating to carry the labels from a magazine and to position the same into contact with the articles. Said label box is provided at its delivery end with retainers usually in the form of lips, and said label box is mounted on a reciprocating member, such as a slide, positioned for movement in a path transversely to the line of feed of the articles upon the runway, it being preferred to detachably position the label box upon the slide and to interlock said box to the slide, whereby the label box may be dismounted at will and with facility and to be replaced with other label boxes in case it is desired to substitute other labels of a different size and character.

Within the label box is a follower protitled with a stem, the latter being retained in an operative relation to the label box by a cramping device so that the mass of labels are held or gripped between the follower and the retainers of the label box tosuch extent that the foremost label of the mass will not be displaced out of position within said label box during the traversing movement of the paste roll for applying the adhesive to the exposed surface of said foremost label. The label box and its contained parts are moved inward toward the runway by the motion of the label-box slide, and during this inward movement of said parts, the pasted label is pressed into contact with the surface of the article so as to be affixed thereto. fit this stage, the motion of the mass of labels with the follower and the stem is arrested by the resistance of the article, but the label box is capable of a continued bodily movement in the inward direction under the action of the actuating means for the label box slide, the effect of which inward movement is to carry the retainers of the label box inwardly beyond the foremost label, thus relieving the labels from the gripping action obtained normally by the co-operation of the retainers and the follower, whereby the foremost label is pressed into intimate contact with the article and it is free to slip out of the label box. Upon the outward movement of the label box, the fore-- most label remains affixed to the article, but the retainers of the label box reengage with the next label in the mass and all the parts recede with the box and the slide so as to be withdrawn away from the ath of the articles. (lo-operating with tile follower rod or stem is a cramping device by which a relative movement is obtained between the follower and the label box so as to mmpensate for the space vacated by the removal of the labels, as well as the looseness occasioned by the application of the label, said cramping device being in the form of a cramp plate hung on the follower rod and co-operating with a cushion spring by suitable means in the path of the free end of said cramp plate, whereby on the outward movement of the slide and the label box said cramp plate contacts with the spring and is shifted to an inclined position and binds on the follower stem, the effect of which is toretard the rod and the follower relatively to the outwardly moving label box and to grip the remaining labels firmly between the retainers and the follower.

It is preferred, for simplicity of construction, to associate a paste roll with the label box for the purpose of applying an adhesive to the exposed face of the foremost label. Said paste roll is mounted for traversing movement across the delivery end of the label box, and it is so guided or directed that said roll will contact with the surface of the label for practically the full width and len th thereof, the roll being, directed in a pat which precludes the application of the adhesive to the edges of the labels confined within said box whereby the adhesive is so applied that the labels will not adhere one to the other.

In my machine for the application of two labels to each article, the label-applying mechanism is of duplex form, i. e. two similar mechanisms positioned in opposing relation and operating synchronously and with equal or substantially equal pressure upon an intermediately positioned article resting primarily upon the runway, whereby the opposing label applying devices coact in supporting the intermediately placed article so far as concerns displacement of such article relatively to the runway. It will be understood, accordingly, that said duplex labelapplying mechanism includes at least two label boxes or magazines carried by slides to gether with complemental parts heretofore mentioned, which label boxes and slides are positioned at the respective sides of the runway and are simultaneously movable toward each other for effecting the application of the labels and are movable simultaneously outward or away from each other in order to withdraw the label boxes from the path of articles at the period of the feed motion given to the articles b the action thereon of the finger-carrying eed bar. Means are provided for imparting reciprocating motion to the label-box slides, which means includes rocker arms connected with the slides indirectly by preferably yieldable means and a power-driven cam, the said actuating means imparting motion simultaneously to the slides and the label boxes so as to move the parts of the duplex mechanism to an equal extent inwardl toward the runway and to press the label; confined in the two label boxes with equal pressure into contact with opposite sides of the article.

The means for wiping the labels is effective subse uently to the application of such labels to t e articles, the wiping operation being performed at a different station in the machine and such wiping operation being conducted while the adhesive is still in a Hill relatively moist condition, it being understood that the article is moved by the feed mechanism from the label applying station to the Wiping station. The wiping means includes, as an essential element, a wiping roll mounted for free rotation on a carrier, and with the roll is associated spring mechanism acting to apply pressure to the roll, whereby the roll is presented for contact with the label so as to be free to turn in sweeping over and in contact with the label and such contact is obtained under the pressure of the spring mechanism in a manner for the roll to wipe the label into contact with the article with an action similar to, or identical with, the squeegee action of rolls on photographic prints, the effect of which is to apply the label smoothly to the surface of the article and to aflix the abel so securely to the article that the label cannot become displaced even though a very thin film of adhesive is used for aflixing the label to the article.

An essentially novel feature of the wiping mechanism is a means for mounting each wiping roll for yieldable movement in a path conforming to the external contour of the article, whereby said wiping mechanism is adapted for operation upon articles which vary in sizes within certain limits as well as upon articles the cross sectional contour of which may and does vary within wide limits. In fact, the wiping mechanism operates with equal facility upon articles which are round, oval, square, or other form in cross section. Furthermore, the wiping roll performs the important function of wiping a label the length of which exceeds the width of the article, so that the roll operates with the desired squeegee action upon the label in a manner to wipe it around the corner or corners of the article as well as across the face thereof, it-being noted that the wiping action of the roll is performed without the possi-* bility of tearing the label, thus effecting economy in the application of labels for the reason that they are not mutilated or torn, are afiixed so securely as to be incapable of detachment, and a minimum of adhesive is used in the aggregate for affixing labels in large numbers.

Each wiping roll is supported by carrying means capable of pantographic action, whereby it is made possible to wipe labels around the corners of articles the walls of which are at an angle and pressure is ap plied equally to all parts of the label including the end portions thereof. Said pantograph means includes a member in which the roll is journaled, which member is pivotally connected to a rocker arm which is made fast with a sleeve, so that the rollcarrying member is capable of partaking of the motion of the'rocker arm and is capable, also, of a pivotal movement independently of the rocker arm. Means are provided for imparting such independent pivotal movement to the roll-carrying member, said movement imparting means being a shafzoprovided with an arm which is linked the roll-carrying member. The shaft and the sleeve are concentric one to the other so as to turn on an axis common to both of said parts (the sleeve and the shaft), and with the sleeve and the shaft are associated camactuated means and spring mechanism acting conjointly in a novel manner to apply pressure to the wiping roll and for imparting movement to said wiping roll so as to traverse the faces ,ofthe article and the corners thereof in order to wipe the label against the surfaces and corners of the article.

The wiping mechanism is of duplex formation, there being wiping units of such duplex mechanism positioned at opposite sides of the runway, and the said wiping units acting upon the separate labels applied to the opposite surfaces of the article as described. The units of the duplex wiping mechanism operate at the same time upon the said article on the respective sides of the latter, and such opposed wiping units act.

with equal force upon and simultaneously against the article so as to support the latter by the action of the wiping unit, i. e. the opposed wiping units preclude displacement of the article relativel to the runway at the period of wiping tli e label into contact with the article.

Each unit of the duplex wiping mechanism embodies a plurality of wiping rolls mounted separately on pantographic carrier means and a pressure member positioned intermediate said wiping rolls, combined with cam-actuated mechanimn and with spring mechanism so organized and related that the cam-mechanism acts to impart movement positively to the carrier means for withdrawing the wiping rolls from the contact with the article, whereas the spring mechanism acts to press the wiping rolls under yielding pressure into contact with the label and the article.

Other functions and advanta es 'of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a top proved machine,

Figure 2 is an elevation, with parts in section, looking at the rear,

Figure 3 is an elevation, partly in section, viewed from the left of Fig. 1.

Figure 4 is a similar view looking from the opposite end,

igure 5 is a vertical transverse section partly in elevation, said section being in the plane indicated by the irregular line 5-5 of Figure 1, and said section being through one unit of the duplex labeling mechanism plan view of the imwhich unit is positioned at one side of the runway, and the remainder of said View (Figure 5) illustrating in a fragmentary way a portion of the machine frame and certain of the operating parts.

Figures 6 and 7 are views showing one label-applying mechanism depicted in Figure 5, with the parts in difi'erent positions,

Figure 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Figure 5,

Figure 9 is a partial top plan view showing one of the label applying mechanisms,

Figure 10 is a front elevation of Figure 9,

Figure 11 is a plan view partly in horizontal section of the actuatmg means for the label wiping mechanism,

Figure 12 is an elevation of one of the label wiping mechanisms with parts in section,

Figure 13 is a side view of the mechanism shown in Figure 12, with parts in section,

Figure 14 is a perspective view of one of the label holding fingers associated with the label wiping means, showing the shoe detached.

Figure 15 is a side view of one of the label wiping rollers, showing the roller and roller support disconnected.

Figures 16, 17 and 18 are top plan views of the label wiping'mechanism with the parts in different positions, said views illustrating the wiping action of the rollers upon a label.

Figure 19 is a top plan view of the mega zine in the position it takes in the act of ap lying the label to the article.-

igure 20 is a longitudinal section through the ma azine, with the parts in the osition of lgure 19.

F1gure 21 is a similar view with the parts in the position they occupy when the magazine is moving away from the article.

Figure 22 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, through the adhesive trough and the adhesive feed roller operating therein. Figure 23 is a detail view illustratin the detachable connection for one end 0 the removable runway to the machine frame.

- wheel 7 rigid with one of: t

pulleys 5. The sprocket chain is driven in In the present embodiment of the invention a suitable framework is provided, comprising a table 1, upon which the label applying mechanism and labed wiping mechanism are mounted, said 'table be ng supported by suitble legs 2. The articles to be labeled (indicated at 3, and in the form of jars in the present instance) are fed to mechanism for intermittently advancin the articles in spaced relation, by. an en .lessbelt' 4, which is sup orted by pulleys 5 at" its ends, said' belt, eing-driven by a sprocket chain 6, which engages a sprocket e supporting a manner to be presently described. The upper run of the belt extends over the top the plates, an

than the diameter of an article, an

wiping mechanisms.

surface of a bracket 9 extending laterally above and beyond the table and one of the pulleys 5 is journaled in bearings at the outer end of the bracket 9. The other pulley is journaled in bearings in a bracket at the opposite side of the table, and the belt 4 moves continuously. Near the center of the table the articles engage a stop 10, the said stop being arranged over the upper run of the belt, and the innermost article, at regular intervals, is moved laterally off the belt 4, and into engagement with a feeding mechanism to be described, which moves the articles along a runway past the label applying and label wiping mechanisms to the point of delivery from the machine.

The runway which extends longitudinally of the table, and at approximately the center thereof, comprises a pair of angle rails .11 supported above the table, and upon which the articles 3 move. Holding plates to grasp t e bead at the lower end of the article. Each plate is shaped to fit over the bead at its upper edge. Theplates 12 are rigidly secured to the adjacent rail 11, while the plates 12 are supported by shouldered and headed studs 14 extending outwardly from the rail into which they are secured, and passing through openings in V coil springs 15 encircle the studs, between the heads and the plates 12, and normally act to press said plates inwardly. The rails 11 are spaced far enou h from' each other, so that the feedin anism for the article may move between the rails.

The said mechanism comprises a feed bar 16 which slides at its ends within openings provided in vertically movable slides 17 positioned at the ends of the machine. This bar is rovided at spaced intervals with upstanding fingers 18, each finger being secured to the bar to extend upwardly t erefrom and to engage with an article. Referring to Figures 5, 9 and 10 it will be seen that the fingers are connected to the bar by means of screws 19,.and as shown in Figures .9 and 10, each finger is spaced from an adjacent finger for a distance reater at an equal division of. the distance between the centers of the label applying and the label e articles are moved into the runway by means of a pusher 20. This pusher is attached to a slide 20 mounted for reciprocation in a horizontal path by a guide 21, supported above the table, and is moved by means of an upcomplete reci standing pin 22 on the feed her 16 before mentioned. This pin 22 slidably engages the pusher actuating slide, so that whatever the vertical position of the bar, the pin will be in engagement with the pusher actuating slide 20?. The bar 16 has four movements. With the fingers in e ement with the article, the bar moves to t e, for pushing the" is then moved right of Figures 5 and 9 articles along the runway; downwardly to disengage the fingers; it then moves to the left of Figures 5 and 9, and then moves upwardly to enga e the fingers with the article. Whenever t e bar moves to the right or left of Figure .1, the pusher is moved therewith, and with each rocation of the bar, an article from the belt 4 into position to be engaged by the fingers of the bar. The articles will be advanced along the run way with a step by step motion, and in spaced relation. The bar is moved by mechanism as follows The slides 17, which give vertical movement to the feed bar 16, are mounted to move vertically in guides 23 at the ends of the table, and each slide is provided with a roller 24, moving in contact with a cam 25 on the main cam shaft 26 journaled will be move longitudinally of the frame below the table.

he slides are normally pulled downward by means of coil springs 27*, which are arranged between the slides and a cross bar fixed to the guides.

The main cam shaft 26 is driven from a drive shaft 27, through gearing 2S and 29. The shaft 27 carries a belt wheel 30, by means of which it may be connected to any suitable source of power, and the said wheel 30 is loose on the shaft, being connectable thereto by means of a clutch indicated generally at 31, operated by a lever 32. This lever is pivoted at one end to a bracket 33 on the frame,'and is connected intermediate its ends to the clutch, in a well-known manner. The sprocket chain 6 before mentioned is driven through .a sprocket wheel 34 on the shaft 27. The chain passes over idlers 35 v at the opposite sides of the table and the lower run passes beneath the sprocket wheel 34. The upper run passes beneath the sprocket wheels 7, and thereby operates the adhesive receptacle mechanism to be described.

Reciprocating movement is imparted to the feed bar 16 by the cam 75 on the main cam shaft 26. An elbow lever 155 is journaled under the table, and one arm of the lever is connected by a link 156 with a slide 72 to be hereinafter-described. The other arm is connected by a link 157 with the feed bar, the connection being of an adjustable character, see Figure 10.

A stud 162 is mounted in a slot in a plate 163 fixed to and pendant from the beyond the slot feed bar 16, the stud having a flange which s oulders against the plate 163 above and below the slot, a flattened shank which engages theslot, a threaded portion extending from the flattened shank through and to receive a washer and clamp nut, a stem on the other side of the flange adapted to engage the link 157, and EI'OVldGd with a washer and cotter pin for olding the link on the stem. The plate 163 is provided with adjustable screws 163 entering the slot at either end thereof and the screws have lock nuts to hold them in adjusted position. Should the machine be required to handle two sizes of articles, the feed bar must be adjusted tofeed the article being labeled to central position with respect to the label-applying and labelwiping mechanisms. This adjustment brings the shank of the stud 162 nearer one end of the slot in the plate 163 and the screw at that end is positioned to bear against the shank of the stud and locked there. Then the adjustment may be made for the other article, locating the stud toward the other end of the slot and setting and locking the screw in that end. Thereafter, in setting up the machine for one article or the other,-

it is only necessary to loosen the clamp nut on the stud 162, move the feed bar to position against the screw at the proper end of the slot, and tighten the clamp out.

The label applying mechanism comprises a plurality of means for applyin labels to the opposite faces of the article. ach of the said means consists of a slide 35, mounted to move in a guide bracket 36 above the table, and a magazine 37 of substantially U shape is detachably connected with each slide. The magazine is attached to the slide 35, by a headed stud 38 on the magazine engaging a notch 39 in the inner end of the slide, and by a pin 40, which passes through registering openings in the outer end of the magazine and in the slide.- It is obvious that by lifting the pin 40 and by moving the magazine slightly inward, it may be removed bodily from the slide. The bottom of the magazine extends outwardly further than the slide walls, as clearly shown in Figures 5 and 20. The two opposing magazines are moved toward and from the article on the trackway, by arms 41, adjustably clamped to the upper ends of shafts 42 journaled in the frame at one side of the magazines. Each of the arms 41 is forked at its free end, and the arms of the fork engage opposite faces of a block 43 pivoted to a plate 44 which is yieldingly connected with the slide. Referring to Figure 5, it will be seen that the outer end of the plate 44 has an upturned lug 45, and, further, that the rear end of the slide 35 has a bracket portion 47, through which the plate 44 is movable.- A fixed stud 47*, on the plate 44, is positioned to engage with the inner face of the foot of the bracket 47, this serving to carry the slide 35 outward positively. the plate 44 positively in both directio s, and the plate 44 moves the magazme s 1de 35 outward positively through engagement of the stud 47 moves the slide inwardly toward the article" by pressure of the upturned portion ofijthe outer end of the plate against the spring 46 which abuts upon the slide" bracket=4731 This prevents breakage of the articles from excessive pressure of the bottom of the magazine against the articles in case of wrong adjustment. The shafts- 42 are provided at their lower ends with laterally extending arms 48, which are connected by links 49, with other arms 50 onbvertica journaled in the table and a bracket mounted beneath the table. The shaft 51hasalaterallv extending arm 52 at its lower end,- provided with a roller 53 at its free end,- and the roller engages a circumferentially ex tending cam groove in a cam 54 on the cam shaft 26 before mentioned. The cam so functions that once during each complete rotation'of the shaft 26, the magazines at opposite sides of the runway are moved toward each other, and toward the article on the runway. The magazines are connected with the slides in the manner described, in order to provide for the easy and quick interchange of different sizes; that is, adapted to hold difierent sizes of labels.

A label follower 55 is arranged in each magazine, and the follower has connected therewith a stem 56, extending outwardly through the magazine, and throu h a guide bracket 57 extending transverse y of the slide and fixedly connected therewith. The stem also extends through the bracket 47 before mentioned, and is provided with a stop 58 outside of the bracket. This stop is adapted to engage a plate 59 depending from the outer end of the bracket, and through which the stem passes, to limit the inward movement of the follower, so that the follower may not push oil the m azine lips should the supply of labels be ex austed while the machine is running. The follower stem is friotionally held to the bracket portion 47 of the slide, by means of a cap 60 which is arranged across the stem, and is pressed upon the stem by springs 61,

arranged between the cap 60 and the plate- 60", and the pressure 1s adjusted by two screws 62 which pass through the plate 60", through the springs and are threaded into the bracket 47. The labels which are arranged in edgewise position in the magazine, are held at the inner end of the magazine by retainers which, in one constructional form, are attached to the side walls of the magazine at the inner end thereof. The inner edges of the plates 37* The forked arms 41 move.

with the slide bracket 47, and,

shaft 51 61, through the cap 60,

are flush with the inner faces of the side walls of the magazine and the lips 37 extend inwardly beyond such walm, so that only the lips engage the extreme ends of the innnermost label in the magazine. A lurality of magazines are provided, each avin plates provided with one, two or .more ips depending upon the height of the magazine, said :heightfof the magazine always approximatingthe" height of the label.

The "outward; 'mdtioniof'the follower is retarded at each camel reciprocation of magazine slide" "35 byf-a-cramp plate 64.

This cramp plate "is fitted, loosely on, and depends from, the' follower stem 56, between the plate 59 and-the bracket portion'47- of the slide. ,The opening. .thr ough the cramp plate for-the stem 56 is-large" enou h. for. the free passage of the stem, andalig -t coil spring 65 encircles the stem'bctweeii; the cramp plate 64 and thebracket portion 47 of the slide.. The lower end of the. cram plate 64 has a liberal openin through which passes a stop rod'66 .exten in laterally from the frame.- This sto r0 has a stop 67 at its outer end, in the orinnflock nuts, and a heavier coil spring 68 encircles the stop rod between the stop 67- and-the cramp plate 64 before mentidned, said sprin acting as a cushion. between the plate and't e stop. The, s'to length, and the stop an spring are so arrod is'- of such ranged that when the magazine slide 35 is near the end of its outward'movement, the

cramp plate 64 will engage the spring 68 on the stop rod and willcheck the motion of the lower end of the cramp plate, as clearly shown in Fig'lure 6. This will cramp the plate 64 on t e stem 56, and will stop the motion of the follower outward and cause the follower to press thelabels against the lips at the inner end of the magazine. The cushion spring 68 checks the outward motion of the follower, as it is carried with the magazine slide 35 by the friction of the shoe 61, only enough to tighten up the labels against the magazine lips, and not enough to press them past said lips. The friction shoe 61 acts upon the stem of the fo1lower55 to maintain the pressure of said follower against the labels in the magazine during the inward travel of the magazine slide 35, after the cramp plate 64 has moved out of engagement with the cushion spring 63.

Adhesive is applied to the foremost label in the magazine by the action of a paste roll 69, it being understood that the construction of the label applying mechanisms at opposite sides'o'fthe runway is precisely the same. This roller is journaled between a pair of arms 70 which are ivoted to cross-bars 71 on a slide 72, ,whic is mounted to move vertically on a guide 73. As shown in Figures 5 and 10, the ide 73 is a post fixed to and depending rom the table, and the slide 72 is of tubular formation, said slide being composed of complemental parts which are assembled into register and secured firmly together by suitable means, such as screws or bolts. This sectional formation of the slide provides for its ready assemblage with respect to the depending fixed guide post, as will be apparent by an inspection of Figure 10.

The pivots are fipiedly attached to the cross bars 71 and engage slots in the lower ends of the arms 70, see Figure 5. The angular attachment of the springs 83 enables themto exert a portion of their pull downwardly, tending to press the upper ends of the slots upon the pivots, but allowing a slight relative movement vertically between the arms 70 and the cross-bars 71. The slide has a roller 74, see Figure 5, which engages a cam 75 before mentioned on the shaft 26. A receptacle 76 for adhesive is detachably connected with the table, below each magazine. Each receptacle is clamped onto the table by a clamp 77, engaging an extension 78 at the outer end thereof, and headed studs which engage slots in an extension at the inner end of the receptacle, and a roller 79 is journaled in the receptacle. The thickness of the layer of adhesive on the roller is gauged by a scraper 80, supported by and in slidable engagement with opposite walls of the receptacle 76, as indicated in Figure 5, wherein the scraper is shown as resting upon one of the two side walls of the receptacle, 76, so as to be slidable thereon, said scraper being adjustable by means of rods 81, which are journaled in a bearing 82 extending transversely of the receptacle, and in the end of the container, and have colars in engagement therewith. The rods have threaded engagement with the scraper, whereby said scraper may be moved toward or from the roller, and it will be noticed that the scraper has extensions at the ends of the roller for scraping the said ends, see dotted lines in Figure 5. The roller 69 is normally pressed toward the roller 79 and toward the face of the labels in the magazine by means of coil springs 83, arranged between the links and the ends of the cross bars 71. When the roller 69 is moved downward to receive a film of adhesive, the extended ends of the roller shaft 84 engage guides 85 which are fixedly mounted on the magazine slide bracket 36 at each side of its inner end, and are so arranged as to permit the adhesive roller 69 to engage the labels only over a distance corresponding to the height of the label. It will be understood that each magazine slide bracket has a guide at each side, said guides having straight edges parallel to the inner face of the label magazine, and supporting the adhesive roller through engagement with the extended ends of the shaft 84 at such time as there are no labels in the magazine. The adjustment is such that when labels are in the magazine, the adhesive roller engages the surface of the foremost label and there is a slight clearance between the extended ends of the roller shaft 84 and the face of the guides 85. An adjustable cam strip 85"- is detachably connected with the upper end of each guide, and the said strips are so positioned that the lower ends will be at the upper edges of the labels. As the ends of the shaft 84 engage the cam strips, the roller will be moved inwardly beyond the plane of the foremost label. The strips are adjustable to permit the use of labels of different height. This arrangement prevents any gumming of the upper edges of the labels. Fixed humps 85 on the face of the guides perform the same function for the lower edges of the labels. The bottom of the magazine is cut away at the center of the inner end thereof, as will be evident from an inspection of Figures 5, 6, 7, 19, 20, and 21, so that the labels may be pressed closely against an article, and the magazine move further inwardly without interferonce from the bottom of the magazine, it being understood that in the present construction the labels are of greater length than the sides of the articles upon which they are placed. Upon the downward movement of the adhesive applying roller 69 below the magazine. the ends of the roll shaft engage inclined guides 86, the action of which is to swing the upper ends of the links outward toward the roller 79. Referringto Figures 5, 6, and 7, it will be seen that the roller 69 is spaced outward from the inner end of the magazine slide bracket 36, so that said adhesive applying roller must move outward to engage the roller 79. The guides 86 impart this movement to the applying roller 69, and they are assisted by the springs 83 before mentioned, which tend to swing the roller 69 outwardly toward the roller 79. The slide 72 before mentioned is normally pulled downward by coil springs 87 arranged between the cross-bars and an equalizer bar 87 mounted on a tie rod connecting the legs of the machine near the floor.

The operation of this portion of the mechanism is as follows, commencing with the parts in the position of Figure 5. The adhesive applying roller 69 first moves downwardly, as indicated in Figures 6 and 7, to the position of Figure 7 and into contact with the roller 79, and the roller 69, through mechanism to be later described, isrotated while in contact with the roller 79. As the roller 69 moves downward below the magazine, the magazine is moved inwardly toward the article 3 to be labeled, it being understood that the magazines of the two label applying mechanisms are operated simultaneously. The innermost label in the gagement of magazine has been gummed on the preceding upward movement of roller 69, and when the gummed label contacts with the article 3, as shown in Figure 7, the adhesive on the label causes the same to adhere to the article. As the magazine nears the end ofits movement away from the article, the follower is retarded slightly, to press the mass of labels against the retaining lips at the inner end of the magazine. The cutaway bottom of the magazine permits the mass of labels to be pressed closely against the article, and the magazine to be moved inwardly to carry the magazine lips beyond contact with the labels, and when the article is beaded at its bottom, as in the present instance, the edge of the bottom of the magazine may be made thin and pass over the top of the head, so that the label to be applied will engage the article above the bead.

The follower as before stated is frictionally held, and when the magazine nears the end of its movement toward the article and a gummed label is applied to the article, the contact of the labels with thearticle will stop the inward motion of the labels and the followers, and the slight further travel of the magazine toward the article will carry the retaining lips beyond the labels. The relative position of the labels is shown in Figure 19, from which it will be noticed that the foremost label at its ends does not contact with the lips, and the lips have moved inwardly slightly past the line of the face of the article against which the libel is pressed. As the magazine moves away from the article, the labels will be loose in the magazine at the end adjacent to the article, as indicated in Figure 21, and there will be no force whatever exerted on the gummed label that would prevent its withdrawal from the magazine through the adhesion of the gummed surface to the article. As the magazine nears the end of its outward movement, away from the article, the cramp plate is operated by the spring 68, which is a relatively strong spring, togrip the follower stem 56, and to retard or arrest the outward motion of the follower. The slight further travel of the magazine outward presses the lips of said magazine toward the mass of labels, and tightens them in the magazine. In effect the mass of labels is loosely supported in the magazine to move longitudinally thereof. so that the inward movement of the mass of labels may be stopped by contact with the article and the labels then be pressed toward the article by means of continued movement of the label magazine, and the outward movement of the mass of labels may be yieldingly stopped by the contact of the cramp plate with the coil spring on the stop rod and the consequent gripping enthe follower stem with said cramp plate, thus transmitting the pressure of the coil spring, through the cramp plate, follower stem and follower, upon the labels, to press them against the magazine lips.

When the magazine completes its rearward movement, the roller 69 moves upward, and applies the adhesive to the succeeding label in the magazine. 'A shaft 88 is journaled in a suitable bearing 89", forming a part of the bracket 89 which supports the magazine slide bracket and the said shaft is provided at one end with a sprocket wheel 90, which is engaged by the sprocket chain 6 before mentioned. Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the upper run of the sprocket chain 6 passes over the sprocket wheel 90 of one adhesive receptacle, and under the other, so that the shafts 88 at the opposite sides of the opposite directions. Each shaft 88 is pro vided at the end adjacent to the adhesive receptacle with a gear wheel 91. Each roller 69 has a gear wheel 92 at the end adjacent to the wheel 91, and the gear 92 of the roller 69 is adapted to engage with the gear 91 of the shaft 58, when the roller 69 moves into contact with the roller 79. Be ause of the yielding mounting upon crossars 71 of the arms which support the roller 69, the gear wheels 91 and 92 may engage without danger of damage to either. The shaft of the roller 79 has a radial arm 93, provided at its free end'with a laterally extending lug 93 of modified diamond section, the long diameter being radial and the apices of the sides'of the diamond being flattened to engage with pin 94: on gear wheel 91, providing a connection which constrains the roller 79 to rotate with the gear wheel 91. The form of lug described allows the adhesive receptacle to be removed and replaced while the machine is running, without damage to lug or pin.

In order to support the labels in the maghzine intermediate their ends and against t e pressure of the retarded follower, I provide a finger 95 for engaging the labels, when the magazine reaches its extreme outward position and controlled to operative position by the movement of the magazine slide 35. The finger depends from an arm 96, adjustably connected with the upper end of a shaft 97 journaled in a bearing fixed on the guide 36 before mentioned. A dog 98 extends radially from the shaft 97 just above the level of the slide, and the dog is adapted to be engaged by an upstanding lug 99 on the slide. Referring to Figure 9, it will be seen that a portion of the angled foot of the adjacent side of the magazine is cut awa to permit the removal of the magazine rom the magazine slide without interference with the lug 99. A coil spring 100 is connected with the dog and with one of the slide caps runway are rotated in I and normally acts to move the finger 95 out of engaging position, that is to rotate the shaft 97 in the opposite direction to which it is moved by the dog. The roller 69 is annularly rooved at its center, so that its vertical and rotating movements are not interfered with by the finger 95.

After the labels have been applied to the opposite faces of the article, the article is advanced to the label wiping mechanism, which presses the label closely against the article. The label wiping mechanisms, of which there are two, arranged at opposite sides of the runway, and operated simultaneously in the same manner as the label applying mechanisms, operate to wipe the ends of the label away from the center thereof, to cause the same to tightly adhere to the article. Each of these mechanisms comprises a label grip for engaging the center of the. label indicated at 101 in Figures 16 and 18 inclusive, and a pair of rollers for wiping the label onto the article. The label grip 101, to be later described in detail, is supported by a plunger 102, having a stem of smaller diameter and mounted to move in a counterbored member 103 supported by brackets 104 upstanding from the table. A coil compression spring 105 is arranged around the plunger stem and within the counterbore and acts normally to press the plunger toward the article. Beferring to Figure 13, it will be seen that the spring acts between the shoulder formed at the end of the counter-bore and the shoulder on the plunger. The label grips each comprise an engaging member 106 of suitable material, as for instance rubber, held in a block 107. Referring to Figure 14, it will be seen that the block has a dove-tail groove 108'in one ed e, and a groove 109 in the opposite edge. he engaging member 106 has a dove-tail to fit within the groove 108, and the groove 109 is adapted to receive a crosshead 110 on the adjacent end of the plunger 102. Rivets 111 extend transversely of the grooves 109 near the ends thereof, one of said' rivets being adapted to engage a notch 112 in the top other is adapted to engage an inclined slot 113 in the outer edge of the cross-head, near the bottom thereof. It will be obvious that by engaging the lower rivet with the slot 113, the block may be moved downward and inward, until the upper rivet slips into the notch 112. The label grips are moved toward the articles by the springs 105, and they are moved away from the articles by means of a cross-bar 143 on one of the slides 17 before mentioned. The ends of this crossbar engage radial arms 144 on shafts 145 supported by the brackets 104. Each shaft has a radial arm 146 at the opposite end from the arm 144, and the said arm is connected by a link 147, with a clevis 148 of the cross-head, while the threaded on the plunger stem and locked in adjusted position with respect thereto by a nut 149 on the rod. By detaching the link from the clevis, the clevis may be adjusted on the plunger rod, thus determining the position of the holding shoe 106 when withdrawn from the operative position.

It will be evident from the preceding description that when the feed bar 16 is moved upward, the plungers and the label grips will be moved outwardly away from the articles. When the feed bar moves downward, the label grips will be moved inwardly by the springs 105 to contact with the article being labeled. The pressure of the label grips on the article is a yielding pressure, the grips being moved outward positively, but inwardly by the springs.

The rollers 114 are supported by levers 112, in a manner to be presently described, an forked arms 116. Each lever is supported bet-ween the arms of one fork and the upper and lower arms of the other fork engage a shaft 117, and a sleeve.118 respectively, the sleeve being {iournaled in a bearin 119 rising upward from the frame, whi e the shaft is journaled in the sleeve. The'arm of 116 engaging the sleeve 118 is adjustably secured thereto by means of a clamp screw 120, the arm being slotted, and an arm 121 is secured to the shaft 117 between the arms of the fork 116, by a similar clamp screw 122 and slot. Referring to Figure 12, it will be noticed that the upper end of the shaft 117, and the upper end of the sleeve 118, are annularly enlarged, and an annular shoulder is formed between the enlargements and the bodies of the shaft and sleeve. These shoulders engage washers 165 and 166, which are supported at the top of the bearing 119, and at the top of the sleeve respectively. This mechanism permits the fork arm and the arm 121 to be released for adjustment, Without displacement of the sleeve and shaft. A link 123 connects the outer end of the arm 121'with that end of the lever 115 remote from the roller 114. With this arrangement, it will be evident that when the shaft and the sleeve are moved relatively to each other, a pantographic movement will be given to the roller 114. Since there are two rollers 114 pertaining to each label affixing mechanism, and that there are two of such label affixing mechanisms, there will be four shafts 117, and four sleeves 118. The four shafts 117 are simultaneousl operated by a cam 127 see Figure 11, whi e the four sleeves 118 are simultaneously operated by a cam 126. The four shafts 117 are operatively connected one to the other and are actuated by a cam 127, whereas the four sleeves 118 are operatively connected one to the other and are actuated by a cam 126, said cams 126, 127, being positioned one below the levers are supported by doublethe other and being mounted on a single cam shaft 137. The operative connections between the four shafts are as follows reference being had to Figs. 11 and 12. One shaft 117 is provided with an arm 124 provided at the free end with a roller 124 which rides upon the lower cam 127; from the same shaft extends another arm 125 to which is pivoted a link 125 to which is connected a spring 131; the other end of link 125 is pivoted to one end of a bell crank 126 secured fast to another of the four shafts 117 from this bell crank 126 extends a link 126 pivoted to a radial arm 127 made fast with another of the four shafts 117; from the radial arm 127 extends a link 127 pivoted to the end of a radial arm 128 on the remaining one of the four shafts 117. The operative connections for the four sleeves are as follows :-On one of the sleeves 118 is made fast a three arm lever 129, one of the arms of which carries a roller 129 adapted to ride against the up per cam 126, another arm of said three armed lever is connected to a spring 131,

and to the third arm is pivoted a link 132;.

said link is connected to a radial arm 133 on another of the sleeves 118; from this arm 133 extends a link 134 connected to a bell crank 135 fastened to another of the vertical sleeves 118, and from said bell crank extends a link 136 attached to the end of a radial arm 136 on the other of the four vertical sleeves 118.

The vertical shaft 137 is journaled in bearings 137 of the frame. and they are driven from the main cam shaft 26 through mitre gearing 130", the cams 126, 127, being positioned below the runway and directly above cam shaft 26.

Referring to Figure 11, it will be seen that the inward throw of the cam 126 which operates the sleeves is slightly in advance of the inward throw of the cam 127, so that the sleeves are first oscillated to cause the rollers 114 to move toward the article 3 to be labeled, and to engage the label on each side of the label grips 106. The shafts are then partially rotated, to swing the levers 115 in the forks of the arms 116, and the rollers move outward with a wiping movement, pressing the label closely against the surface of the article. It will be understood that the pressure of the rollers is caused by the springs 131 and 131, the cam 127 (lower cam) moving the rollers away from the holdin shoes while the spring 131 presses the r0 lers toward the front of the article until the rollers are part way around the corner of the article, then the spring 131 pressmg the rollers against the sides of the article while the cam 126 (upper cam) swin s the arms 116 to carry the rollers inwardly by the sides of the article.

The operation of this part of the mechanism 1s as follows: When the arti1$ are in the position of Figure 16, with the labels adhering to the opposite walls of the article. the label grips are first moved to engage the labels intermediate their ends. and at points directly opposite. Then the rollers 114 are moved into engagement with the labels at each side of the label grips, as shown in Fig. 17. The levers are then operated to wipe the rollers outward away from the label grips, and the label is pressed closely against the surface of the article. Where such article has rounded corners, as in the present instance, the rollers will sweep around the corners to the sides of the article. When the rollers have passed over the lateral edges of the labels, the cam 127 swings the rollers slightly away from the article, and the cam 126 returns the rollers to their starting position, the label grip being withdrawn at the same time. The return movements of the rollers and label grip are positive. After the labels have been wiped, the articles are advanced with a step by step movement toward a delivery conveyor, comprising a belt 140, supported by suitable pulleys 141 at its ends. At the end of the runway, the upper run of this conveyor passes over a plate indicated at 166. see Figure 1, and as the articles are labeled, they are advanced, eventually passing onto the upper run of the delivery conveyor, by means of which they are removed to a suit able distance for further handling.

The rollers 114 are detachably connected with the levers 115, in a somewhat similar manner to the connection of the label grips.

Referring to Figure 15, it will be seen that the lever has a cross-head 150, which has the notch 151, and the inclined slot 152, for receiving the rivets 153 of the roller block 154. The cross-head 150 has a vertical groove in its outer edge, and the roller block 154 is received in this groove, the arrangement being the reverse of Figure 14. The purpose of this arrangement is to make the rollers interchangeable and the label grips interchangeable, so that different heights of label grips and different lengths of rollers may be'used, depending upon the size of the article and the height of the label. Vl'here the ends of the article are beaded. as in the present instance, it will be obvious that since the label is afiixed between the heads, the label grips and the wiping rollers must be of a size to enter between the beads. When beaded articles of a different size are labeled, the wiping rollers and the label grips will be of a size to correspond.

In operation, the articles to be labeled are fed against the sto 10, and they are moved successively by t e pusher plate on to the runway, along which said articles are fed by the motion of the feed bar with a step by step movement to the label applying mechanism, and then to the label wiping

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