US1433909A - Ajsignoe to coicbestgtion - Google Patents

Description

1. PETERSON.- LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED ran. a. 1921.

Patented 001k 31, 1922.

10 shins-snail n.

J. PETERSON.

LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 8, ram.

1,4=33,909. Patented Oct. 31, 1922.

I0 SHEETS-SHE 2- ATTORNEYS J. PETERSON.

LABELING MACHINE, APPLicmou man rams, 1921.

munmzvs I I J. PVETERSON.

, LABELING MACHINE.

" APPLlCATlON FILED FEB. a, 1921.

1,433,909, Patented OctJ31, 1922.

I0 SHEETS-SHEEI 4- mvbmoa Janaffimz Zier'sarz A BY ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 31, 1922.

m m. m 1 1 1- m1 m E ATTORNEYS J. PETER SON. LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 8,192]- 1,433,909. Patented Oct. 31, 1922.

I0 SHEETS-SHEET 6- 'JNVENTOR jzzafi n Ezersqn ATTORNEYS J. PETERSON.

' LABELING MACHINE.

I APPLICATION FILED FEB. 8 I921- 1,433,909. Patented Oct 31,1922.

l0 SHEETS-SIRE] I.

' INVENTOR J YWW ATTORNEYS J. PETERSON. LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 8,1921. 1,433,909.

Patented Oct. 31, 1922.

I0 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

ATTORNEYS PETERSON.

LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FI LED FEB- 3, 1921- 1,;433,909, Patented 0ct.31,1 922.

l0 SHEETSSHEEI 9.

INVENTOR JZmaiZau 522115021 J-. PETERSON.

LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATION mm H58. 5'. 1921.

Patented Oct. 31,1922

l0 SHEETS-SHEET 1Q.

'IIIlIIIIIIIIIIII/lh zrvrz fan 522/ 02:

' wiw ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 31, 1922.

UNlTED STATES ATlilllll JONATHAN PETERSON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, AEFSIGNOR TO COMBINATION MACHINE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A. CORPORATION OF .DELAVTARE.

LABELING MACHINE.

Application filed February 8, 1921. Serial No. ii-3,379.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I vltXNllll'L-ih PETERSON, a citizen oi? the \lnited States, and resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Labeling h'lacl'1i.1ies, oi Which the following is a speci lication.

The present invention relates to a labeling machine andv more particularly to a machine for applying labels and stamps about the Walls of cartons or containers and has spe cial reference to the provision of aniachine of this type operating' on gangs or rows of containers for quantity production.

The principal objects out my invention in clude, in addition to the provision oi a machineot this type operating upon rows of containers and in which the row forn'iation of the containers is maintained throughall the operntingsteps of the machine for pnrposes o'l? permitting subsequent handling; of the containers in like row formation, the further provision of a coordinated machine in which rows of labels are led in a norel and etlicient 111:111118" for receiving an adheoive coating and for conveyance to a label np ilying stiition; the provision of a labeling machine in which the labels are selected l'rom a supply .ition in a novel and. e'l'licient inanncr and in which such labels are do posited or delivered for receiving an adhesive' coating while minimizing the lialiiilrty ot adhesire attachin to the various parts of the machine; the still further n'ovision of a labeling machine in which rows of containers are handled in a novel manner tor label application and for container convey ance: the provision of a coordinated inachioe ot' relatirelv sin' ple dei'gn consistent with the manifold functions involved which shnil ileed labels, coat them with adliesire 'lccd containers. apply labels to the wallsot the containers and al'l ix stamps over the la-- belied containers and the further provision ol' :1 machine For performing; the above recited functions in a rapid manner l'or {inn rmses otduantity production, many o? the parts of operating cycles on si'zccessijre rows of cmituinr takingplace sinniltnneonsly i'or the ell'ci n of a large capaciry output.

To theurwoniplishinent oi the foregoing); anrl such other objects as may hereinn 7 appear, my intention consists in the ments and the: relntion one to the other as line elfl, Fro ire It, showing among: other on the label teeding m ans and the ad hes e coating means.

13 o a tragmentary to plan VlBW ()1 l 1;;1159 41 snowing the iaoei magazine and parts of the label :l eeding means,

lfiigurc 6 is a rear view of the label feeding means taken on the line 6--6, Figure Figure a tragmentery detail View of the in )el picker showing the manner oi selectlo ot labels from the label magazine.

r 1 31 8 is unothcr :l regmentary detail the label. 5r ng; means showini tinnsi'er mechanism about to re labels troni the pickeiz ure 9 is a detail View of the label snpamine, ire it) zi JlQ'W oi the apparatus tsalzen lines ill--10 Fio'nre 2, Darts being shomn in section thir fire also disclosino label feeding means znrlthc adhesive gun; min means in association. with the label con eyin means,

.gnre ii is an enlarged front clevationcl *icw of a portion of the machine shown in i it, shove the container feedingin particuleig the said View being sub ly the por ion or the machine shown tion lines 12 and 14: of Figure l, 'onal View taken i, such YleW national view ure 1L onal view oi? niv .ne taken on the line 153 X Figure 52 ontainer cor 12 means l L 1 l p "ing niec'lianmni. Y" I v C's l' Qui-e lo l is r13 tenen on s i and showing the r and the container conre airnz' me no. 'r rlg v mechanism used in connection with container conveying,

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view on the line 16-16, Figure 13, showing the stamp afiixing apparatus, and

Figures 1? to 27 are diagrammatic views showing the series of operative steps per formed by my machine on the labels, containers, and stamps in the production of bel ed and stamped containers.

Before entering into a detailed description of my invention, I will briefly state that .l have illustrated herein a gang machine capable of simultaneously operating at a plu ality of stations on rows of cartons or containers for affixing labels thereto and preferably about the side walls thereof and for further affixing stamps over the applied labels, The machine illustrated herein is capable of applying labels over a plurality of faces of a container and where a container having cylindrical walls is used, as herein disclosed, the machine is constructed to apply the labels around the cylindrical walls of the container, the ends of the labels being affixed in abutting or overlapping relation, the stamps being preferably applied over the said abutting or overlapping label ends. The machine is intended for operation on gangs or rows of containers and in order to clearly understand the invention I will describe a complete cycle of operation of one of said gangs or rows, although it will. be understood, as will further appear hereinafter, that parts of operating cycles on successive rows of containers take place simultaneously for the purpose of providing a big capacity output machine.

In the preferred form shown herein a series or row of stacks of labels are stored in a magazine at a label supply station, a label feeding means being provided for selecting and segregating a row of labels at a time, one label from each stack, and for transferring such labels to a label conveying means which, in turn, convey the labels to a label applying station. The label feeding means which selects the labels from the supply station and transfers them to the conveyer is of a novel construction and although in the preferred form I have shown such means as adapted to be used on rows of labels, it will be understood that the novel constructional features involved are not limited to such use but may be used with individual label feeding. The label feeding means herein generally designated as B, reference being now had to the diagrannnatic Figures 17 to 2-0 of the drawings, comprises pneumatically controlled elen'ients operating for selecting labels from the label supply station or magazine A, the feeding means comprising a selector or picl'er 2O movable to and from the magazine, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 17, and a pneumatic transfer mechanism 31 cooperating therewith. The said picker is pneumatically controlled for the selecting of a row of labels from the bottom of the series of stacks in the magazine A, Figure 17 of the drawings indicating the movement of the picker towards the magazine for the selection of one of such labels. After a label Z has been selected from the picker, the picker moves downwardly away from the magazine, the transfer mechanism 31 being then moved horizontally into position between the magazine and the picker in overlying relation to the picker, as shown in Figure 18 of the drawings. The picker 30 is then given a supplemental upward movement so that its suction face will be adjacent to the suction face of the pneumatic transfer mechanism, Figure 18 of the drawings showing the arrangement of parts prior to such supplemental movement. When the picker and transfer mechanism are in adj acent overlying relation the pneumatic action of the picker 30 is automatically cut off, suction being automatically supplied to the transfer mechanism 81, this action resulting in the removal. of labels Z from the picker, the labels adhering to the suction face of the transfer device 31, The transfer mechanism and the labels thereon are then moved horizontally in the opposite direction, as shown in Figure 19, and in overlying relation to the label conveying means C. The said conveying means comprises a series of endless belts 32, 32 and 32 being herein shown as three in number, these belts being coated with zones of adhesive 33, 33 and 33 respectively, such adhesive constituting glue, paste or the like, which is applied to the belts while in motion over adhesive applying rollers 34, 34 and 34 of an adhesive applying mech anism D. The endless belts are intermittently moved over tables 35, 35 and 35 these tables being movable vertically, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 19 of the drawings. When the transfer mechanism is positioned in overlying relation to the coated belts and tables and during the period of dwell of the intermittently movable belts, the tables are given a slight upward movement for adjacent positioning with respect to the transfer mechanism 81. The pneumatic action of the transfer device is at such time automatically released, the label or labels Z being thereby deposited on the adhesivcly coated conveyer belts. As will appear more in detail hereinafter, the suction face of the transfer device is so contoured as to prevent the gumming up of the said suction face during the coaction between the transfer mechanism and the coated belts, such suction face moreover being complemental to a contoured suction face of the picker, which facilitates as shown in Figure 21 of the drawings.

11. ,ae'ence segregating ot the label from the magazine, as will appear more in detail hereinafter. Means is also provided operating in the event of improper selection of the label or labels by the picker or in the event of in proper removal of such label or labels by the transfer mechanism or both to prevent.

cooperation of the transfer mechanism and the coated conveyor so as to eliminate the liability of the transfer mechanism coming; in direct contact with the coated belts with consequent guinming up of the former. Figure 20 of the drawings shows the label positioned on the coated conveyer belts, the label as is obvious, receiving, due to such positioning, the adhesive on its under s de. The conveyor belts with. the labels thereon are .then moved to a label applying station E, Figure 20, a movable belt 3 2 being made to disappear at a point in advance of the station E, the remaining belts 82 and 32 spacedly supporting the labels thereon, as indicated in said Figure 20 The said belts 32 and 32" at the label supplying station are movable .over additional tables 36 and 36 these tables being; rulapted to be reeiprocated in a vertical direction, as indicated by the arrows in the said Figure 20. Rows of containers 0 are then fed from a container supply station by means of a'continuously movable endless belt conveying means 37 to the label applying station E, a reciprocating plunger means 38 being supplied for moving a row of these containers upwardly in the space between the space belts 32 and 32 for labe]. application. The containers are thus moved in an upward direction and in contact with substantially the central portion of the labels Z on the convcyers, further upward motion of the containers effecting removal of the labels from the conveyors, At this time the tables 36' and 36 are given their upward motion for the adjacent positioning of these tables with respect to the resilient elements 39 positioned above the label ends, these resilient elements coming into contact with. the label ends for the re- 's"stin;1 of withdrawal of these label. ends from the conveyor belts. At the same time a gripper means 4:0 comes in contact with the top of the container, the gripper means 40 in association with the plunger 38 firmly holding the container in position during label application, the withdrmval resisting means 39 serving the double function of effecting: close application contact of the label on the conta ners and causing the labels to wipe all available glue or adhesive from the label conveyer. During this up ward movement of the containers and the labels, brush elements 41. positioned in the path. of such movement aid 11'1 partially appl ying the labels about the walls oi the lroin the container,

vure 2G carrier or turret, means being provided for locking the containers in position to permit return movement oi the plunger 38 and the simultaneous movement of the tables $.36 and as shown in Figure 22 oi the drawin bels partially applied are then moved in the carrier n the direction indicated. by the arrow in Figure 22, the partially applied labels meeting a rotating brush 42, one end or the label being fixed to the container by this brusl'i, as diagrammatically indicated in Figure The brush L2 is then given a downward movement to prevent the brush coming in contact with the unapplied label end for the prevention of label removal In the further movement of the partially labelled container a brush -13 normally out of the path of such movement is oscillated in a direction ind cated by the arrow in Figure 24:, such oscillation resulting in the application or the ai ing: of the other label end on the cont: ner in ju: iosi'tion to either in abutting; or werlying relation with respect to the first label end. The labelled containers are then carrier by the rotating turret to a. discharge station where the row of labelied cmitainers is moved by a transfer means to a gumniing station F, as shown in Figure :15 of the drawings, this gunk ming means applying adhesive to a portion oi the labelled containers, indicated in the said il -ire. Further movement of the row oi. labelled containers brings such row to a stamp ailixing station G, shown in Fig oi the drawings, where a plurality of stamps are fed from a stamp supply station 41 3 by means of a stamp -feeding means in underlying relation to said'row of labelled containers, movement of the said ii-ceding moans il causing the atlixinp; of the stampsto the gummed labels on the containers. The row of labelled containers is then. fed to other machines for "Further packaging operations, a completed. container showingthe ailixed label and the tell. stamp thereon being shown in perspective in Figure 27 of the drawings. 7

I will now describe in detail the preferred apparatus, carrying out the various operative steps outlined above.

The magazine and ZabeZ feeding means.

The containers with the lathe path ct label movement able in opposed ed upon the supporting base 4:7 oi the apparatus. lhe label. supply station A comprises a magazine lll'x'lng a plura 'ty of spaced walls l? defining plurality oi elongated pockets 4:8, in which are placed a plurality of stacks or piles of labels l lates 49 are attached to the under side of these walls lS, these plates providing lips piouruding in and normally supporting the stacks of labels. The magazine A supported. by n'unnions 50, movable in open end bearings 51 on the framework 52, this construction permit ing the removal oi. a 1112 1 inc and the replacement of a filled magazine therefor. The labels ate led from the bottom oi? the s, it being understood that the supply 11 pockets 48 may be replenished by filling; such new supply from the top of? the 1 The label feedin in ans, as described in the brief outline above, comprises preferably reciprocable pi ker movable to and from the magazine A and a horizontally reciprocable transfer to and from the picher The picker comprises a suction box supported by the plate vertically mov- 7 I, mounted on the supporting plate lo, a cam follower El be ing journalled in the hotter oi the said plate 53 for coaction with a r to be ll( matter described. The pi ker suction box 30 provided with a, furality oilselectinp; elements 55, arr-a1 red in parallel lationship, each selecting; element being pro-- vided with a plurality of opening into the unit 57, termed in th suction box 30. elsh selecting element com i'* a longitudinal portion hav a p al concave suction face, as clearly shown 111 l T of th. drav ngs, the cone vitv of this face i unct-ioning' when the sole 1t a position shown in n 53, the said plate fit.

t ion chamber selectins' C) the bottom labels from tl'ie stack of labels as; to lan i in thereol from under the protruding c plate 41-9 and out of the snipplv g 8. After the selecting ion of the llv lGlS, the

labels lie flat concave suction face of tho selecting elements, resisting; an curling of the labels in other directions. The picker 30 v 'th the labels thereon then moved vertically downward. as 111(ll(' t(l by the arrow in ing suction faces with a contour complemei-ital to the contour of the suction faces of the selecting elements 55, in the present instance such contour being convex in shape. The transfer mechanism 31 is movable in amides 61 termed in the stationary framework of the device, the transfer mechanism being; movable into overlying relationship with r spect to the picker 30 when the picker 3 is in its descending position, as shown tor example, in Figures e and 8 of the draw ings, l Vhen in this position the picker 30 given a supplemental upward movement to permit cooperating contact of the selectin elements 55 and the removal elements 59 the labels therebetiveen for the purpose oi removing the labels from the picker elements and to the transfer mechanism. Flexible pipe elements 62 and 68 are provided and are connected for communication with the suction chambers 57 and 58 respectivel Means are provided for operating the label :leedinp, means in the manner above described, such means comprising a cam 64; mounted on the main driving shaft 65, the said cam being provided with a major cam surface 66 and a supplemental cam surface and the picker mounted thereon towards the ll to? the label selecting operalion, 1 weight of the picker and the plate permitting downward motion of these eleements after label selection. Connected also to the main shaft is a crank arm 68, the said cranlarm being connected by means oil? a link 69 to one arm of a lever 70, pivoted on the frame of the machine, the other arm of the lever 70 being connected as by means oi link 71 to a crank arm 72 for oscillating a shaft '23 connected to said crank arm 72, a pin and slot connection 7d being provided between the crank arm 72 and the link 71 for the purpose of finely adjusting the throw out the oscillating shaft 73 and the parts attached thereto. To the shaft 73, attention being specially called to Figures l and 6 of the drawings, are connected opposed segmental gears 7e meshing with racks 75, arranged in parallel, the said racks being connected to the transfer mechanism 31., the racks having flanges movable in the guides 61 for guiding the horizontal reciprocation oi the transfer mechanism 31. It will be apparent that in the rotation of the main sh ill. (35, the transfer mechanism 31 is horizontally reciprocated by means of the connec ions described, such reciprocation moving the transfer mechanism to and from overlying); position with respect to the picker lVhen the parts are in the position shown in Figures eand 8 of the drawings the supplemental cam surface 67 of the cam. Gel comes into activity for the supplemental upward moveu'ient of the picker 30 to position said picker closely adjacent to the transfer meclmnism for the purpose hereinbeforc referred to in detail.

For the purpose of facilitating the removal of the labels from the picker, a suction releasing device supplied, such rcleasing device comprising a weighted lever 76, pivotally mounted on the picker 30, one arm of the/said lever '76 overlying an air port 77 opening into the suction box 57. One of the segmental gears 74 shown to the right of Figure 6 is provided with an angle iron 78 which, when the parts are in the position shown in. Figure 8 of the drawings, o\ *e rlies a hool; portion 79 of the lever 76. It will be. apparent that in the supple i' ental movement given to the plate 53 and the picker 30 when the parts are posii n d as sho n in Figure 8 o he drawings, the hook portion 79 and the lever 76 will engage the angle iron 78, rocking the lever 76 against the gravitational action of the weight attached thereto, opening the port 77 to atmosphere and permitting release of the suction effective at the ports 56, this action permitting removal of the labels from the picker. it this time also the suction is cut off from the pneumatic picker 30 and suction is applied automatically by means herein after ,to be described, to the transfer mechani s 111 31, this action resulting in the adhesion of thelabels to the transfer mechanism for u sequ nt m l to th con ey ng m anto be described presently.

The label conocying and adhcsioe coating mechanism.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, showing the general arrangement of parts of the apparatus and more particularly to Figures 4, ii and 10 of the drawings, the label conveying means comprise the endless belts 32, 32 and 32, hereinbeforereferred to, the said endless belts moving over the drums or pu lle s 80 and 81 journalled on opposite ends 0. the base plate 47 of the machine and in standards 82 and 83 respectively. mounted on the said base plate 17. The drums are connected for movement in unison by means of a sprocket chain 8 trained over sprockr ets and 86, mounted on shafts 8'7 and 88 IQSIIQ'Ct'lX BlY, shown for example in Fig ure 2 of the drawings, these shafts carrying the drums or pulleys 80 and 81. The endless belts, in. their motion about the drums 80 and 81, have lower and upper flights. the outer surface of these belts be ingadapted to receive an adhesive coatingduring their lower flight position, the upper flights of the conveyer belts being adapted for conveying the labels received from the label feeding means to a label applying station. The central belt 32 in contradistinction to the other belts, which latter are trained over the opposed drums 80 and 81, moves over pulleys 85 and 86 journalled in standards 87, mounted on the base plate -47, as shown for example, in Figures 1 and 10 of the drawings, this arrangement per-- n'iitting the disappearance of the central belt between the label receiving station and the label applying station, the labels being thereafter supported by the spaced conveyi- lig belts 32 and 32 the space betvi'ccn these belts being provided for a purpose to appear hereinafter. In operation it has been found that the labels will adhere to the spaced belts 32 and 32 sulficiently to permit the movement of the middle belt out of contact with the supported labels.

Means is provided for coating the outer surface of the conveyer belts with Zones of adhesive, such means being generally designated as D and shown more particularly in Figures 1, 4: and 10 of the drawings. To this end an adhesive bath 88 is provided, which is supported on the base plate 47 of the machine, a series of stirrers or agitators 89 being provided in the said bath for securing and retaining the proper consistency of the glue or paste contained therein. Spaced rollers 90, 90 and 90 are mounted on a shaft 91 and are movable while immersed in the bath 88. the said rollers moving in synchronism with the gumming rollers 3 1. 3& and 34 hereinbefore referred to,

the said gumming rollers receiving a coating of adhesive from the rollers 90 to 90 The gumming rollers 34;, etc., may be mounted on a shaft 92, journalled in arms 93, pivoted to a stationary part of the frame, adjusting means 9 1, being preferably provided to ad just the degree of contact between the rollers 90, etc. and 34., etc. The conveyer belts 32, 32 and 32 move over and in contact with the gumming rollers 3 1, etc, such movement result 1g in the transferring of adhesive from the gumming rollers to the outer surface of the belts in a manner as will be apparent, a presser roll 95 being pref erably provided, as shown 'iarticularly in Figures 4 and 10 of the drawings, to press the moving belts in secure contact with the gumming rollers 3-1 etc.

Means is provided for operating the ad hesive coating means D, such coating means being actuated by movement of the drum carrying shaft 88. The said shaft provided with a gear 96 meshing with a pinion 97 on the stub shaft 98, the said shaft being provided with Li/sprocket 99.0ver which is trained a sprocket chain 100. the said sprocket chain moving over a second sprocl'ae't 101 fixed on the roller shaft 92. the said roller shaft being also provided with a pinion 102 meshing with a. pinion 1.053 fixed to the roller shaft 91. By this movement of the drum 81 transmits motion to the coating means and more particularly to the for the consequent coating the conveyci belts 32".

The conveyor belts are intermittently operated, intermittent motion being supplied to the drum 1'50 and transmitted to the drum finch intermittent motion. may be obtained by means of a *cl'eiiieva gear 104:, the star wheel 105 of which is fixedly mounted on the drum shaft 87, t ie pin wheel 106 of the heneva gear being mounted on a stub 197 iz'iurnalied in a standard. 108, the

"pinion 109 meshing with another bevelled J l! snait For the purpose of providing a smoothly operating machine and to overcome the inertia of starting movement in the Geneva gear, I provide means for continuously supplying moving impulses to the drum shaft 87. To this end 1 supply a pulls 11.5 loosely mounted on the shaft 87. pulley having a friction face and pads 11% contacting a friction dish 115 v to the said shaft 87, a spring; 116 being provided to urge the loosely mounted pulley 112-3 for frictional contact ist the disk 115. Power is supplied to the pulley 113 by means of a belt 117, the belt being given continuous motion. As will be apparent, the frictional coaction of the pulley 113 and the dish 115 continuously tends to rotate the disk and the intermittently movable shaft 87, overcon'iin r any starting inertia thereof after periods dwell in the said intermittent movement, this .ininimising vilnations in the machine.

The conveyer belts are movable over the tables and o of hereinbefore referred to, the said. tables being located at the station where the labels are deposited from the transfer mechanism 31 onto the conveyor belts. These tables are mounted. on plungers 11S resiliently movable in the base 119, s 120 encircling the plungers being provided to permit resilient engagement be tween tables and belts and the transfer nechani-sm 31. The base 119 which supports the tables is mounted on a plate 121, the said plate having flanges 122, movable in guides 123, formed in the supporting brackets 12%;, these brackets being supported in any convenient manner on the supporting plate 46, as more clearly shown in Figures 4 and 10 of the drawings. The supporting plate 121 is forked, as at 125, a cam follower stub shaft being nrorided with a bevelled 126 being journalled in the forks 125, the cam follower cooperating with an operating cam. as will hereinafter appear, to effect rertical reciprocation of the base 119 and tables and belts supported thereon. When the transfer mechanism 31 is in. a position shown diagrammatically in Figure 19 of the drawings the tables are given an upward movement as hereinbefore described to bring the conveyor belts in close proximity to the labels on the transfer mechanism 81 to effect the removal of the labels from the transfer mechanism and the depositing of the same on the 'conveyer belts.

Means is provided for releasing the pneuiatic control in the transfer mechanism 31 to permit the depositing of the labels on the coated conveyor belts, such means preferably comprising elements mounted to move respectively with the transfer mechanism and the tables, such releasing means being effective during the movement of the tables with respect to the transfer mechanism. Such means takes the form, in my present invention, of an arm 127, having a projectinn finger 128, mounted on the table 35 and movable therewith and an arm 129 pivotally mounted on the transfer mechanism 31, the said arm 129 overlying a port 130 communicating with the suction chamber 58 and opei the said suction chamber to atmosphere when the arm 129 is lifted against its own weight. When the transfer 1necha-- nisin is in the position indicated in Figure 19 of the d awings, upward. movement of the tables etc. and the consequent upward movement of the finger 129 causes the raisof the arm 129 unich oi-ei'lies the finger w and the consequent opening of the siiction chamber 58 to atmosphere. this resulting in the release of. the labels on the tranfer mechanism and the ilepositinn; thereof on the conveyer bolts etc. in the return movement of the transfer mechanism, the

1539 moves over the port 130 bv gravity. out 131 being also yjiirfernblv prb d in the path of men i f the said aiin 15.29 to lVOSltl'lwlV retuiu. the said arm into uosition in. overlvinr re ation with the port 130. It will he noted that the release of the pneumatic control transfer mecha- 1 effected by the final positioning of the a respect to the trans rhanism w the elements cflc lease mounted for movement with the transfrr mechanism and the tab e. Simi- .arly it will he noted that the release of the .ontrol of th" picl-Yer merhanism .einbefore described also effected by the final iiositiouing of the picl-zcr mechanism with respect to the transfer inerhanism, the elements effectuating the release beinpg also mounted for n'iovement on the movable picker mechanism and with. the movable transfer mechanism.

' motion of the saizl support who 1 ssoos .he means i ii: reci priiczitin iilic tsihlo support 113 pi-et'ershl rompri a. cam .l'lrl mountcil on slmrit i93 the pain cam being; proi'iiileil with :1. coin surf-n20 lif l, m otcil tor (.UILClllOll with the cum i'ziillowm' l, for moving the table support 119 upiwirrlly, the weight of the parts effecting the (lO'WiUVFtZTl n the no #o cc 1334; llU'iii'QRfJ'llil of contact wit tho cam tolloner 'lz/J. The shoit 33 is lOUTlflftllGfl in the supporting brackets 1.134;. a clutch sleeve 12-hhoing loosely" inenntc l on the suiail shaft 133. the said sleeve heino' provided with a sprocketri iii, Om- Which is trainer: n. sprocket chain ill-T, the m sprocket chain hem; trnincil over it sprocl-Iot u mounted on the main shaft the shalt 1.35 tor sliding: movement thereon is a grooretl wheel 'l39, the

provided with clutch teeth recesses-in the sleeve 1355 as soown in dotted lines in Figure 10 of the drawings, a. spring 14!) encircling the slurft 13%; being: provided for movin clutch teeth out of the SlGGJG .135; Msztns is prox ircrl ing this clutch into operation an, the. action oi. spring; 14.0,such men s comprisi a pivoted yolre 11 i]. providi-zrl with pins 1. projecting in the grooved. heel yoke being in'oviglcd with a PHOJL .tion it in which mounted a pin 1 th. to which pin is connected n link M5, connec'teil 1 to itlCVtl' 14.6, fulcrumetl on n, stotionzir a portion of the structure, as shown in Figi l0 ot the drawing As will he olisiious, moving the lever 1.4.6 the clutch elen'ients 139 and 13 will he hroi it into oper en aragemcnt by means o the intcim 1 connections described. lix m s is ulcil for locking; this clutch in o .iivnus?" ment, such means comprising n.- on pivotally mounted on stationuiily mounted arm 148, fixed to any clcsiiwl pal-rt of the machine, as will be apparent trom Figure 0 of the drawings. Tn moving the yoke 5.4; the right for causing: ooerative cngugemcnt o'fthe clutch. faces with the cluoh cleniients. the latchv 147 will gravitatiom I x the pin 144 and Ifiilzlll'ith cleinents in opeiir tire engageincnt.

As heretofore pointed out, the suction faces of the transfer mechanism are made convex for proper cooperation with the con-- cove suction For s oi" the picker mechanism, the convex suction tacos oi the transfer mechanism also functioning for minimizing the liability of adhesive on the ron'veyer belts reaching the suction faces, with. the consequent gumming up thereof. Means is also provided for automatically throwing out of operation the means reciprocatdim-z from the main sha the Went oi failure of the tro .er mechato rcinovc ill quota. or labels from the p cker. lxli villl. he apparent, 1f the trunsi o mechanism fails to ohtmn n, lull row 01* luhcls, the upwz l movement of the tzaililo oport and the tables thereon will rosolt in protlucm; ontzirt engagement iitit'flMJ-"ll tho coated conveyors :nrl the suction times of tron er mechanism, With the Y -i 1 H, Tn

.1) o: no ll-imoi.

throwiny out oi.

' i..onts which 102 in table provided. .iHCli neuns 1' th n relezisn .e position one ride an operator- '0 trznnework oi the arm bell s ol? 1:. link 115i to hell lCF'LTllQ/Cl on an stationary pan oi? the machine, which lever is COIIUGO e l o net-ins oil 2, link 15?: to love)? 154-, il ulcruincd on projection poi" ti l rl l 4 the (lfi-LW- ingg s), one z 1% l A l .k .1 0. he Le igure 0 being: i A oy ii: nted on we rersbiy cenism is Cassi; (lash not EJYQVIClPLl or 159 telescoping i'vitnin the 1.. a spring 161 being pro-- no plume on-lmoitlly, provideo tor limiting the of tho plunger 159. the face being); preferably provided we W12 The tubular mom" ninicstion by n'ieons are 5) with the sucoo I for incchanism 3i. will he ai iparent, it a full row of labels IQQQi.\ O(l in tho transfer mechanism, the suction in the suction box 58 operates to more thr iiluuger iv l i the action.

mach n nlun go positione (l n iovin l labels r 10 Failure of 'i' in igainns'l ei" n'ieclifsi- 1 ring its l'ull ow oi labels, the suction. will he operative at the ports of the i'niss ln ti will fail to more the nun- 159 inu z lli', the SZtlfl plunogcr being then in the posiplon shown in FHZ'HTO 5 th s orowing s, and urged outWc-roly by the spring 161. lVith the parts so related and clurin moven'zcnt oi? the transfer mechanism from the magazine 2%. and towards alinement wlth theconveyer belts, the plunger 159 (511-.

for the releasing of ti and 189, this n turn s and the consequent upw 1C i tables supporting the conveyor be further be apparent that the transier mechanism continues its rec rearwardl towards the magazine it, the ca 1 tare 168 on the plunger 159 and the cam ace the projection 156 slidably cooperatu to per mit the rearward motion. In state oil afiairs the operator ma stop the machine if in the subsequent ops Lion improper selec tion of removal of labels continues. lileans may also be provided tor manually actuating the clutch releasing elements to stop H e operation of the movable table and such means may consist of a handle 165 mounted on. the arm 14:9.

The lieans for pneumatically controlling the operation of the piclrer and the transfer mechanism is shown, for example, in Figures 2 and 6 of the drawings, such means comprising a stationary control drum 167 hung from the plate 46 of the machine on a hanger 168, a pipe'section 169 communicating will the interior of said drum being connected to a suction exhaust (not shown). ltotatably mounted in hangers 176 is a shaft 171 and to this shaft is fixed a frustrated. cone 172, having a segmental orifice 17 cooperating with a port 174, proviced in a drum 175, having a tapered inner surface in close contact with the tapered surface of the cone portion 17 A pipe section 176 communicates with the port 174-, the said pipe section being connected to the flexible pipe sccti on 62, connected to the picker mechanism 30. As will be apparent in the rotation of shaft 171 and the cone 172, when t. e segmental orifice 1'73 moves over the port 174- the suction box of the picker will be open to the exhaust 169 for the pneumatic actuation of the said picker simultaneously and in timed relation with the pneumatic control of the said pic-her. The pneumatic elements generally design nated as 177 and located at the opposite end of the shaft 171, control the pneumatic actuation of the transfer mechanism 81 in prep erly timed synchroni m with the pneumatic control of the picks 80. lillcans for rotating the shaft 171 comprise a sprocket wheel 178 mounted on s id Sl'li'tffi) and connected to a sprocket wheel 179 on the main shaft 65, the sprocket wheels bein connected by means of the sprocket chain 180 {see Figure 6).

It will be understood from the foregoing that by the means described above a row of labels is fed to the conveyor belts from the magazine A by the feeding means these conveyor belts being coated by coatmechanism l) to effect application oi advo to the under side oi the labels rece ved l said conveyer belts, the conveyer belts dcivering a row oi? labels to a label ap lying station presently to be described detail.

(Toni wine?" feeding and label application.

The labelled conveyers described above, after receiving toe labels from the label feeding means, transfer these labels to the label applying station E, the endless coneyers when the labels reach the said station HF assuming a stationary period of its intermittent travel. To the said label apply ing station E are fed containers 0 in rows means being provid d for "feeding such con tainers to the label applying station. Such men s in the present form of my invention takes the form of an endless belt feeder 37, referred to above and shown, for example, in Figures 2 and 12 of the drawings, the said belt 87 moving over opposed pulleys 181 and 182, the shaft 188 of the pulley 182 being provided with a gear 184 meshing with a 185 (see Figures 11 and 12 of the drawings), the said gear 185 being fixed to shaft 186, iournalled in the machine, the

said shaft 186 having also mounted thereon a sprocket 187., over which is trained a sprocket chain 188 moving over a sprocket 189 mounted on the main shaft 65, attention being called to Figures 11 and 12 of the drawings. As will be apparent, in the motion oi. shaft 65, continuous motion is applied to the pulley shaft 183 and consequently to the endless belt "feeder 37, this motion of the feeder tending to move the containers into position on the plunger 88 at the label applying station, as will be presently described. Means is also provided for supplying containers in rows to the feeding belt 37, such .1 cans being shown particularly in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings and comprises a rotatable cage 190 rotatable as shown by the arrows in Figure 8 of the drawings. the said cage being mounted in opposed brackets 191 fixed to the frame worl: of the machine, rows of containers placed in series of troughs 192 being inserted in the cage 190. The said cage is then rotated counterclockwise, as viewed in Figure 8, and the now inverted troughs with the containers are moved into position on the moving belt 37. the troughs 192 being then removed, permitting the series of rows of containers 0 to be moved by'the belt 3'? towards the label applying station.

For application of the labels to the containers, the containers as briefly referred to above, are moved into registration contact with the labels on the conveyors, movement of the containers withdrawing the labels from the conveyers, means being provided in the path of such movement for partially and securely applying the labels about the walls of the containers. To this end l: have provided a reciprocable pluiigcr 38, referred to above, the said plunger being properly contoured at its top in coi'iformity with the contour of the containers, the plunger 38 being thus adapted to support row of containers, as clearly shown in Figure 12 of the drawings, the plunger being movable in opposed guides 193 formed. in opposed standards 194, which are mounted on the base plate 4.7 of the machine, the said plunger being provided at opposite sides with racks 195, shown, for example, in Figure 1.2 of the drawings. The said plunger is adapted to reciprocate 111 a vertical direction for receiving a row of coi'itainers and moving such row of containers through the space between the space- l conveyors 32 and 32 and. into registratmn coi'itact with. the labels on the conveyors, the upward movement of plunger and containers thereon moving the labels from off the conveyer, means being provided during this movement for securely applying the major portion of the label about the walls of the container.

The means for recipro -ating plunger 38 may eon'iprise opposed oscillatable segmental. gears 19c, meshing with the racks 1.95, the said gears being mmjinted on shaft 197, to which is affixed a crank arm 198, connected bv means of a link 199 to another crank arm 200, affixed to the shaft 186 referred to above As will be apparent. on rotation of shaft 186 (see Figure for example) shaft 197 will. be oscillated, rocking the segmental gear 196 for the reciprocation of racks 195 and the plunger 38 to which they are attached. For the purpose of preventing the movable plunger 38 from interfering with the positioning of successive rows of containers on the feeder 37, a spring actuated gate 201v is supplied, the said gate being mounted on. rods 202 slidable in brackets 203 fixed to the standards 194, the said rods being provided with abutments 204; fixed thereon, compression springs 205 encircling the rods 202 and seated against the upper abutments 204C and against the brackets 20?). Upon the downward move.- ment of the plunger 38 the bottom wall of plate 200 ofthe plunger engages the top abutinents 204, this engi-igement positively moving the gate 201 dmvnwardly permitting arow of containers to be fed onto the plunger 38, the said row being stopped against further movement by a stationary stop gate 20?. Upon the upward moven'ient of plunger 38 the compressed springs 205 urge the gate upwardly, a stop 208 on the said gate limiting the upward n'iovement ot the said. gate with respect to the containers on the feeding belt 37. I

For the purpose of securely applying the body of the labels about the walls of the container 1 prefi-urably provide means for gripping the containers during their upward movement and means for resisting label withdrawal activity, such latter means being adapted to resiliently engage the label ends during withdrawal. of the labels from the conveyors by the containers. To this end I provide gravitationally actuated gripper means 40, mounted on the container carrier to be referred to hereinafter, the said gripper being situated inj opposed. relation to the plunger 38, the cooperation of these elements securely holding a row of containers during the upward movement thereof to effect eliicient label application thereto. To resist withdrawal of the labels I provide resilient means for holding the label ends during the withdrawal of the labels, this resulting in securely wrapping the body of the label about the walls of the container for eflicient ailixing of the label to the container, such means comprising resilient elements 39referred to above in connection with Figures 20, 21 and 22 and shown in Figure 12 of the drawings, the said. resilient elements or fingers being normally out of contact with the label conveyers and the labels thereon to permit free dom of movement of the labels on the said. convevers. During the label withdrawal activity the resilient elements 39 are adapted to come in contact with the ends of the labels for the purpose of securely holding these labels andv resisting withdrawal activity. To this end I provide the tables 36 and 36* briefly referred to above in connection with Figure 20 of the drawings, the conveyers 32 etc., being movable over these tables at the label applying station. These tables 36 and 36 are pivoted at one end thereof to the frame of the machine, as at.2l0 for example Figures 1 and 10 of the drawings), the other end of the tables being supported by spring pressed plungers 211 which are, in turn, supported on abase plate 212 formed preferably in tegrally with a post 21.3 (see Figures 11 and 12), which may be adjustably mounted as by sleeve 214 to an arm 215 pivoted to a lever 216, fulcrumed as at 211- on a bracket 218, mounted on the base plate 4:7 of the machine, the said lever 216 being also connected to an oscillating lever 219 having a yoke 220 provided with an elongated rece s, the minor diameter of which littingly encircles the main shaft 65, reference being had to Figure 12 of the drawings. The shaft (35 is in'ovided at this point with a cam 22]., the said cam having a raised cam surface 222 adapted for engagement with a l 'l. O

roller 223 mounted on the yoke 220. As will be apparent, in the rotation of the main shaft 65, the cam surface 222 of the cam 221 will engage the roller 223 for the upward reciprocation of the plate 212 and for the upward movement of the tables 36 and 36 mounted thereon. It will be further apparent that the downward movement of the tables is provided by the weightof the parts when the low point of cam 221 is opposite the roller 223, The tables are given this upward motion during label withdrawal activity, the upward motion of the tables resulting in cooperative contact of the resilient elements 39 with the label ends tor withdrawal resisting activity.

Means is provided during movement of the containers and labels through the space between the spaced conveyels for brushing the labels on the containers to assist application of the labels to the containers, such means comprising brush elements 224, preferably mounted above the resilient elements 39, these brushes functioning to apply the labels about the walls of the containers except for the ends of the labels, which remain hanging on the container, such ends being at the bottom of the container, viewed in the position shown in Figures 12 and 22 ot the drawings.

Container counc l tug and stamp fi Zr i ny.

The rows of containers are movable by the plunger into a container conveyer or a carrier in the form of a turret 225, now to be described. The turret comprises preferably two opposed disks 226 and 227 mounted on a shaft 228, journalled in upstanding brackets 229 and 230, each of the disks 226 and 227 being provided with a series of circumterentially spaced heads 231 and 232, the containers being adapted, as will appear presently, to be held in position on the turret for movement therewith by the said heads 231 and 232. The shaft 228 is also provided with an enlarged portion 233 having a plurality of radial bores which receive the plurality of stems 23 1, spaced circumi'erentiall}, about the shaft, these stems supporting the gripper means 4:0 referrcd to above. The plunger 38 is adapted to move a row of containers and the labels thereon into the turret 225 and between a set of opposed heads 231 and Means is provided for removing the pressure of the gripper 40 so as to relieve downward strain on the containers prior to the downward movement of plunger 38 to permit the containers to be retained between the heads and 232 securely in row formation, such means consisting preferably of a tubular post 235 shown in Figure 12, in which is movable a rod 236 having a stop 23?, the said rod being connected to a lever 238, fulcl'unied on a post 239, the said post heing movable on a bracket arm 2&0 connected as at 2 11 to move with the plunger 38. The post 239 is provided with an angle iron stop 2&2, a spring 243 being provided, one end of which is seated on a flange forming part of the rod 236. The lever 238 is provided with a finger 239 for engaging a projection 2A0 mounted on the gripper 40. As will be apparent when the plunger 38 reaches its uppermost position, rod 236,

which is movable therewith by virtue of its being mounted on the post 239, is stopped. by the engagement of the stop 2? with the top wall of the tube this causing the upward movement of linger 239, actuating the projection 2-10 and moving the gripper 40 out of contact with the containers and against gravitation.

The heads 231 and 232 are then adapted for relative cooperation to engage the opposite walls of the end containers to securely hold a row of: containers between the said heads. To this end the series oi": heads 231 are made axially movable in the disk 226, means being provided For locking these heads in container engagingposition ai'ter container movement into the turret and means being further provided at a discharge station for unlocking the said heads to permit removal of a row of containers from the turret for further operation. These movable heads are shown in detail, for example, in Figure 11 oi the drawings, and comprise a plunger rod 2 11, to which is attached the head 231, the said rod being provided with a flange portion 24-2, against which seated a compression spring 242 the other end of the said spring being seated against the outer wall of the disk the rod 2&1 and the spring-2413 being housed in a tube 24st, mounted on the said. disk 226. The parts so proportioned that in normal position the spring will move the rod 2 :1. and the head attached thereto to the left, as viewed in Figure 11., permitting su'l ficient clearance between the opposed heads 231 and 232, this in turn permitting proper feeding of a row oi? containers into the turret. At the proper time the plunger 2&1 is moved inwardly against spring tension, a locking detent 245 mounted on the tube 24% being provided for engaging the flange 2 12 to retain the said plunger in the conracted position, as shown in Figure 11, the pressure or the head 231 on the containers and the resisting pressure of head. holding a row of containers securely in )osition on the turret.

Means is provided, properly timed. with the operation of the other parts of the ap paratus, to move the said plunger 2 H inl'o container engaging position, such means comprising. in the present form oi? the invention, a pneumatically controlled dash pot 2H3 having a spring retracted piston 2-H

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