US1434748A - Machine for labeling cylindrical packages - Google Patents

Description

y L. PIERCE. MACH INE FOR LABELING CYLINDRICAL PACKAGES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 4. l9l9.

Patqnted Nov. 7, 1922 5 SHEETS-SHEET Q S v m wm ow om mm \nventor. Lucien Pierce by wzwzsw-mm L. PIERCE.

MACHINE FOR LABELING CYLINDRICAL PACKAGES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 4| 19I9.

Patented Nov. 7, 1922.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

\nventor. Lucien P iexrc'e by wwfifiwwvkafm Attys.

L. PIERCE.

MACHINE ron LABELING CYLINDRICAL PACKAGES.

APPLICATWH FILED OCT- 4,1919.

Patented Nov. 7 1922.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

\nventov. Lucien Fierce. Mir 6W ARys.

L. PIERCE. MACHINE FOR LABELING CYLINDRICAL PACKAGES. APPLICATION FILED OCT- 4, I919.

1,434,748. Patented Nov. 7, 1922.

5 SHEETSSHEET 4.

Inventov. Lucien Pierce by fiiwdSM/ZUIW L. PIERCE.

MACHINE FOR LABELING CYLINDRICAL PACKAGES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 4. l9l9..

Patented Nov. 7, 1922.

' 5 SHEETS-SHEE1 5.

IIIIIIIIII/III/IIIIII/I/IIIIIII/Ifi Patented Nov. 7, 1922.

umrEosTArEs PATENT, orricfi LUCIEN PIERCE, OF MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS.

' MACHINE FOR LABELING CYLINDZ'LICAL PAGKAGESQ:

Application filed October 4, 191 9. Serial No. 328,394.

To (ZZZ/1072,07 it may concern Be it known that I, LUCTEN Pianos, a citizen of the United States, residing at Malden, county of Middlesex, State of lllassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Machines for Labeling Cylindrical Packages, of which the following description, in connection with theaccompa-nying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawingrepresenting like parts.

This invention relates to improvements in labeling machines and the object thereof is to provide a machine which will automatically apply a label to a receptacle, such as a can or carton.

In labeling machines heretofore constructed, the label. is usually coated with an adhesive throughout its entire area, and is applied to the receptacle while in. a moistened condition. In thus applying labels they are sometimes stretched or wrinkled and pre sent an undesirable appearance.

One of the objects of the present invention to provide a means for attaching the label to the carton by an adhesive applied along the edge of the carton ends or covers or adjacent the ends of the receptacle. \Vhere cartons are employed which have covers for their. ends, the label when thus applied will serve to secure the covers upon the cartons and also to substantially seal the same hermetically.

While a label thus secured at its edges to the ends or covers of a receptacle maybe sufiicient, it is usually desirable to have the ends of the label also fastened to the carton, and a further object of the invention is to providemeans for securing oneend of the label directly to the carton longitudinally of the latter, and also for causing the other end of the label to overlap the end thus secured, the overlapping end being pasted down. By thus applying a label to a carton only a small portion of its surface is effected by the moisture of the adhesive, and consequently the label when applied retains its original brilliancy, is free from wrinkles, and presents a more. desirable appearance than the labels applied in the usual manner.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic machine comprising a travelling carrier having a series of receptacle holding members which may be operated to grip the receptacle and through a part of the travelling movement to rotate the receptacle, means being provided for applying an adhesive to the noving receptacle, and further means being provided for presenting oneend of the label to the ad hesive thus applied, so that the rotation of the receptacle will cause the label to be wrapped about it.

A further object of the invention is to provide a label holding device which will present one end of the label to the bands of adhesive upon the receptacle and will progressively release the label as it is being wrapped around the receptacle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel feeding mechanism for delivering the receptacles to-the travelling carrier.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for applying circumferential bands of adhesive, to thereceptacle adjacent its ends before it is presented to the travelling carrier.

Another feature of the invention consists in providing a transferrer for positioning the receptacles in the path of the rotatable holders on the travelling carrier, the transferrer preferably having a movement in synchronism with that of the carrier while this receptacle is being gripped by the hold ers on'the latter. Another object of the invention is, to provide a novel means for actuating the holders of the travelling carrier to cause them. to

I automatically grip the receptacle, and after the label has been applied to release the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for supporting the tanks which hold the adhesive in such a manner that they can be readily removed so that they may be transported to a humid room or chamber when not in use in order to prevent a hardening of the adhesive.

Other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings, and will be particularly pointed out in the claims. i

v The drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention which is dapted to apply labels to cylindrical receptacles, such ascartons or cans, but it will be understood that the invention may be adapted to apply labels to receptacles of other forms Within the meanin and scope of the claims herein.

n 1n the drawingsmachine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the opposite side of the machine than that illustrated in Fig. l, the greater portion of the frame being broken away and certain of the parts illustrated in section.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the mechanism for applying bands of adhesive to the end portions of the receptacle, and for transferring the receptacle to the travelling carrier, the receptacle being shown in the position in which it is about to be delivered from the adhesive applying device to the transferrer which positions it in the path of the holders of the travelling carrier.

Fig. 4: is a view of the same mechanism illustrating in full lines one receptacle in the position in which the bands of adhesive are being applied to it, another receptacle in the transferrer, and showing in dotted lines the mechanism in position to transfer the receptacle to the holders of the travelling'carrier. i

Fig. 5 is a detail view, in longitudinal section, of a portion of. the label and paste tank holder.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section view transversely of the label holder on line 6-6 Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view through one side of the label. holder illustrating the supporting instrumentalities or fingers for sustaining a pile oflabels.

Fig. 8 is a similar view illustrating one label supporting instrumentality or finger withdrawn to release the lowermost label of the pile.

' Fig. 9 is a detail plan view of the receptacle holders of the travelling carrier showing a. mechanism for actuating same to grip and release the receptacle.

Fig. 10 is a detail view in vertical section of one of the receptacle holding chucks and parts of the mechanism by which it is actuated.

Fig. 11 is a detail view partly in section illustrating a modified form of the invention in which frictional means are employed to rotate the receptacles when the labels are being applied,

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional viewon lines 1212 Fig. 11, viewed from the left,

Fig. 13 is a detail longitudinal sectional view of the spiders and their telescopically mounted heads showing the main shaft in elevation. y

The labeling machine which comprises my invention may be stated broadly to consist of a traveling carrier which may be of any form, but as illustrated herein. is inthe form of a rotatable spider having a series of receptacle holdersor chucks which are adapted'to be rotated during a portion of the traveling movement of the carrier, means being provided for applying an adhesive to the receptacle either before it is placed in the holder of the traveling carrier, or during the time it is being carried by said carrier, or both. The invention also contemplates presenting the end of a label to the adhesive upon the rotating receptacle so that the rotation of the receptacle will wrap the label around it.

In the preferred embodiment. of the invention shown herein, the label thus presented is the lowermost one of a pile of labels carried in a suitable holder, and the holder is provided with means for successively releasing the supported portions of the label asit is wrapped about the receptacle.

The label holder also is preferably pro vided with an adhesive container upon which the under side of the lowermost label rests so that when the label is wrapped around the receptacle the overlapping portion will be pasted upon the end which is first applied to the receptacle.

The labeling machine illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a frame having skeleton sides 1, comprising horizontal webs 2, in the center portion of which is a journal 3, for a main shaft 4. to which spiders 5, 6 are secured.

These spiders may be secured permanently to the shaft as inditated in Fig. 2 and preferably are adjustably mounted thereon to permit the machine to be adapted for receptacles of different lengths. In the latter case the spiders 5 and 6 desirably are provided with extended hubs 5" and 6 which are telescopically arranged and slidably mounted upon the shaft at. They may be adjustably secured together and to the shaft +l. by suitable set screws as shown in Fig. 13. The shaft a is rotated through agear 7 which is secured to it and meshes with the pinion 8 upon a driving shaft 9, which like the shaft 4. is journalled in suitable bearings carried by the transverse web 2 of the main frame. The driving shaft 9 is provided vith the usual fast and loose driving pulleys.

The arms of the spiders 5 and 6 desirably are bifurcatedat their ends and provided with bosses 5 and 6 which form bearings for the shafts of rotatable receptacle holders. which, as illustrated herein are in the form of cylindrical chucks and means are provided for causing the chucks which are carried by the arms of the spider 5 normally to approach complementary chucks carried by the arms of the spider 6 in such a manner as to hold a receptacle between them while permitting the receptacle to be rotated.

Means are also provided for successively separating the chucks after the labels have been applied to the cartons in order to discharge the receptacles and to permit the introduction of new unlabelled receptacles.

In the preferred mechanism for accomplishing this purpose illustrated in detail in Fig. 9 each of the arms of the spider 5 is provided with a journal in which the stem of a chuck 10 is slidably mounted. A chuck plate 10 preferably is detachably secured to the chuck 10 so that plates of different diameter may be applied to the chucks to correspond to receptacles of different size.

A shaft 11 which is screwed at one end intothe chuck 10 extends axially therefrom and has at its opposite end an enlarged head 11 which serves as an abutment for a. cam 12- which is rotatably mounted upon said shaft. The face of the cam 12 engages a complementary cam face upon the boss 13 which desirably is integralwith and forms a part of the bifurcated end of the spider arm and provides a bearing for the shaft 11. A heli-al compression spring 14 surrounding the shaft 11 and inclosed in recesses in the boss 13 and. in the stem of the chuck 10 tends normally to force the chuck away froin the spider arm so that it will co-operate with its companion chuck, which is carried by an arm of the spider 6, to engage the ends of the'receptacle and rotatively support the same.

The cam 12 is provided with an extension 16 which carries a roller 17 which is adapted to engage a suitable cam track to withdraw the chuck from receptacleengaging position. The extension 16 of the cam 12- desirably is provided with a curved face extending: backwa-rdly from the roller 17 which is adapted to engage the end of the cam track when the roller passes from the cam track and gradually to permit the chuck to be forced by the spring 14 againstthe end of the receptacle during the rotation of the spiders.

A. gear 15 located between the bifurcated portions of the end of the spider arm 5 is feathered to the stem of the chuck and is adapted to be rotated by suitable means such as a toothed rack in a manner which will hereinafter be described.

The stems 18 of chucks 19 are iournalled in the bifurcated ends of spider arms 6 which are companions to the arms of the spider The. chucks 19 like the chuck 10 are 'n'ovided with detachable chuck faces 19" which may be replaced'by other chuck faces to fit different sizes of receptacles.

In View of the mechanism provided for causing the chucks 10 to move toward and from the companion chucks 19 there is no need for the chucks 19 to have endwise moven'ient. so they are merely rotatablyi mounted in the ends of their respective arms and are only rotated when the receptacle is clamped between them and the chuck 10, and the chuck 1O rotated.

Longitudinal movement of the chuck stem 10 is effected through a cam track which is carried by a bracket 21 depending from the frame, which cam track lies in the path of the roller 17, so that as the carrier travels in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. l the cam 12 will be rotated upon its shaft 11 and will draw the shaft ei'idwise against the force of the spring 14 thus separating the chucks 10 and 19 sufficiently to allow the receptacle to be placed between them.

W hen the receptacle has been placed between them by the mechanism which will hereinafter be described the roller rides 0d of the end of the cam track 20, thus permitting the spring; 1% to force the chuck 10 toward the chuck 19 until it engages one end of the receptacle and forces the other end firmly into engagement with the chuck .19. When the roller reaches the cam track the curved face of the extension 16 rides against the roller carried by the end of the cam track and thereby restrains the endwise nuwement of the shaft 11 which is under the influence of the spring 14;, causing the chuck it) gradually to approach and en? the end of the receptacle instead of .sa1a1.)pinc against it as would be the case in the absence of the curved face of the cam extension.

both.

In the meant me. as the receptacle approaches the label it is given an axial rotation so that when the label is engaged by the adhesive upon the receptacle it is automatically wrapped around the receptacle as the latter cz'irried forward during its rotation by the traveling carrier.

is illustrated in Fig. E2 the rotatiye movement imparted to the receptacle by the engagement of the teeth of the gear 15 with a series of pins carried by an arcuate member mounted upon the main frame of the machii'ie; but other means may be employed to accomplish this purpose, such as the frictional mechanism illustrated in Fins. 10 and 11 which will hereinafter be described.

@ne of the pl'lllfflptll features of the invention consis in applying bands of adhesive peripherally around the receptacle near its cuts and in order to accomplish this, I have provided pi .liniinary mechanism which rotates the receptacle and applies the bands of adhesive thereto before the receptacle is delivered to the traveling carrier.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the receptacles, which are cylindrical in form, are placed upon a chute which has at its lower end an escapement adapted to release one receptacle at a time. The escapement which is illustrated in Fig. 2 comprises a bell crank 2%, which is pivotally mounted upon studs 24* carried by brackets upon the sides of the chute and has a finger 25 adapted to engage and hold the receptacle. The bell crank lever 24.- is pivotally connected to the end of a lever 26 which is fulcrumed on a bracket 26* and is actuated in properly timed relation by a cam 27 carried by a shaft 28 which is driven from the main shaft 9 through the medium of a sprocket and sprocket chain.

Beneath the end of the chute 23 a pair of rotatable adhesive applying disks 29 are rotated, said disks being carried by a shaft 2-30 which is journaled in brackets 31 and is rotated by a suitable train of gearing, as is illustrated in Fig. 1.. or in any other suitable manner. The brackets 31 are removably secured to the end of the main frame of bolts 32. An adhesive receptacle is secured to the brackets 31 by fastening devices 34, which may be easily released so that the receptacle can be readily removed and transported to a humid chamber when not in use.

At the lower end of the chute a rotatable member is provided, which is illustrated herein in the form of a cylinder having a segmental recess 36, the recess being shaped to conform to the contour of the receptacle to which the label is to be applied. The rotatahle member is driven through suitable gearing in timed relation with the escapement which releases the lowermost receptacle and permits it to be engaged by the adhesive applying disks. In the operation of the machine the cam 27 aetuates the escapement to release the lowermost receptacle upon the chute which then rolls down in contact with the periphery of the adhesive applying disks 29. The rotatable member 35 being in the path of the receptacle arrests it, and holds the receptacle between its periphery and the periphery of the rotating adhesive applying disks and assists in its rotation until the receptacle has completed at least one full rotation. and bands of adhesive have been applied to it adjacent its ends. The rotation of the member at this point brings the recess 36 into the path of the receptacle so that the latter drops into said recess. and upon further rotation of the member 35. is carried away from the adhesive applying disks and delivered to a trausferrer which in turn delivers the receptacle to the chucks of the traveling carrier.

The transferrer is employed in order to position the receptacles properly in the path of the chucks when the latter is actuated to grip the ends of the receptacle and preferably the transferrer has a movement in syn chronism with the movement of the carrier, thus enabling the carrier to have a continuous movement, instead of an intermittent movement which in other labeling machines has been found necessary to enable the receptacles to be placed in the chucks. The transferrer which is illustrated herein comprises a cradle 37 having a recess 38 to fit the receptacles, said cradle being carried by arms 39 which are pivotally mounted upon the main shaft 4L. The outer end of one of the arms 39 rests upon a cam 40 which is mounted upon. the shaft and is positioned in timed relation with the other portions of the mechanism. The cam 4:0 is so constructed that the cradle. after having received the receptacle, will be raised at the same rate of movement as the moveu'ient of the chucks on the arms of the traveling carrier. This is possible by reason of the fact that the cradle is carried by arms which are pivoted upon the same shaft as that which carries the spider of the traveling carrier. Durinc, the time the cradle is moving in un son ith the spider arms and chucks, the roller .7 of the cam, 12 runs off of the end of the track 520 and permits the chuck 10 to engage one end vof the receptacle and press its opposite end firmly against the complementary chuck 19. When the receptacle has thus been grasped, the cam 40 permts the arm which carries the cradle 55? to drop into position to receive the next succeediiugeceptacle.

The receptacles when thus held in the rotatable chucks upon the travelingcarrier are ready to be presented to the label applying mechanism. It is. however, desirable that the ends of the labels as well as the edges be secured to the receptacle, and in order to accomplish this, an adhesive applying device is located in the path of the receptacle betore'the latter is presented to the label applying mechanism.

The means for applying a longitudinal band of adhesive to the receptacle which is illustrated herein comprises an adhesive applying roller 411 which is mounted upon a shaft carried by journals L2 which are adjustably mounted in obliquely disposed ways in a bracket l3. The bracket -13 is also provided with journals for a roller 4% the lower portion of which is immersed in an adhesive contained in a tank Suitable means are provided for rotating the rollers ll and 43 so that the roller B will be caused to deliver the adhesive to the adhesive applying roller 41 thereby enabling the adhesive to be transferred by the roller ll to the receptacles as they successively engage the periphery of the roller ll.

By adjusting the roller ll toward and from the roller 14.: the thickness of the film of adhesive which is transferred to the receptacles may be varied in accordance with the requirements of the receptacles "being labelled. i

In order to adapt the machine for different sizes of cartons the adhesive applying mechanism is adjustably supported so that it can be moved toward and from the path of the traveling carrier. This is accomplished in the present construction by providing the receptacle 45 witha bracket 46 having an adjusting screw 46* which engages a transverse member of the main frame of the machine. By this means foradjusting the tank the roller a1 which is carried'upon the tank may be positioned accurately in respect to the path of the periphery of the receptacles being labelled and'adjustment made for receptacles of-difl'erent diameters.

It is desirable that the adhesivetank and rollers shall be so supported that they can be conveniently removed from the machine and supported in a moist chamber which will prevent the drying of the adhesive when it is necessary to stop the operation of the machine. In the present constructionthe tank 45 is supported upon arms- L7 which are provided at their upper ends with hooks 48 which engage a transverse bar or shaft 49; By reason of this construction the adhesive tank and rollers can be removed together by merely lifting the tank suflicientlyto detach the hooks 48 from the support '4 It will be obvious that when the receptacle has been clamped between the chucks and carried upwardly by'the' traveling carrier, its surface will come in contact with the periphery of the adhesive roller 41 and a band of adhesive will be smeared -upon the receptacle longitudinally ofits axis." The receptacle therefore then ready for the label to be applied. Upon further move-' ment of the traveling'carrier the gear, 15 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. will engage the pins or teeth upon the arcuate member 22 and cause the rotation of the receptacle holdi-ng chucks, and consequently the receptacle. Shortly after the receptacle thus commences to rotate the end of the label is presented to it and the further rotative and traveling movement of the receptacleserves to wrap the'label around it. A preferred mechanism for thus applying the label comprises a label holder, which as shown herein, is in the form of a rectangular frame having sides 50 and ends 51. The ends 51 preferably are formed of adjustable sections which maybe secured together by bolt and slot connections as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, to permit the use of labels of different widths. The rear end of the label holder is pivotally mounted upon the shaft 52 which is journale'd in suitable bearings in brackets 53, extending upwardly from the frame of the machine. end of the label holder rests uponthe end 54 of a lever which ispivoted upona stud shaft 56 in a link 57 which is adjustably se- The front cured by a bolt and slot connection 58 to a bracket 59 extending upwardly from the frame of the machine.

The bracket 59 also is provided with an extension 60 upon which a shaft 61 is journaled. The shaft'6l has upon it a sprocket wheel 62 which is driven by the main sprocket chain which is driven from the driving shaft 9 of the machine. The shaft 61 has fixed upon it a cam 63 which engages a roller 64 at the opposite end of the lever 55 The cam is so constructedand timed in its rotation as to permit the front endof the label holder to descend and present the front, reverse or lower side of the lowermost label to the adhesive which has previously been applied to the receptacle. The label will thus adhere at its end to the receptacle, and the'further rotation of the receptacle during the traveling movement will cause the label to be wrapped around the receptacle.

In'order that the lowermost label alone may be delivered, a special means has been provided for releasing successive portions of the label as the receptacle is carried along beneath it. The means-for supporting the label comprises a series of instrumentalities such as L-shaped fingers 65 which are supported upon pivots 66 and are provided with lateral extensions 67 which are connected by helical springs 68to a stationary portion of the side members 50 of, the label holder. These fingers'are normally held in horizontal position, as illustrated in Fig. 7 by cams sides of the label holder, and are driven by suitable gears through a sprocket chain whichis actuated by a sprocket on the main shaft. the timing of the rotation of the shaft 70 being of course in synchronism with the rotation of the main shaft and'with that of therotating receptacle holders. The cams 69 for actuating the successive fingers 65am so positioned that when the receptacle ap- 10 proaches the front end of the label and the label holder is depressed to present the lowermost receptacle, the first. finger will be removed and the end of the label will be free to 'engagethe adhesive on the receptacle. As the rotating receptacle travels along, the successive cams 69 release the supporting fingers 65 which are then withdrawn by their springs so that the label will be freed properly. As soon as the portion of the label which being wrapped upon the receptacle has passed beyond a withdrawn finger the finger is returnedby its cam to the horizontal or supporting position. Thus, the lowermost labels in the pile are successively delivered to the receptaclescarried byv the successive spider arms.

constructed the label holder that the lower: most label will rest upon a paste reservo r as shown in Fig. 5. The paste reservoir 'l'l preferably is carried by one or both the side pieces :70 of the label holder, and is provided with a forward bottom extension 72 which forms a ledge upon which the ends of the labels rest. The upper edge of the ledge is provided with grooves or serrations 73 which will permit a sufficient amount of paste to adhere to the label to secure properly the overlapping end of the label in place.

In order to provide for the adjustment of the label holder to accommodate labels of different widths the extension 7 2 may be so constructed as to extend laterally beneath one of the sides 50 of the label holder and provided with a thin cover which will close the serrations 7 3 which are not engaged by the end of the lowermost label in the pile.

While the labels may be wrapped around the receptacles or cartons in the manner above described without further mechanism, it is desirable to provide means for press'ng the labels firmly down upon the receptacle as they are being wrapped around it. To accomplish this purpose each pair of spider arms carries arms 74 supporting at their outer ends a roller 7 adapted to engage the periphery of the receptacle carried between the chucks 10 and 19. The arms 7 4 preferably are formed integral with a hollow hub or sleeve 74 which is pivotally mounted upon studs 74 whichv project towardeach other from the arms of the spider. These studs are of sufficient length to permit the spiders to'be separated when cans of different length are being operated upon without detaching the hub 74 which carries the arms 7 4 and the smoothing roller 7 One of the arms 74 of each pair is'in the form of a lever which is connected at its inner end to a link 76 which has a bayonet slot- 77, which receives -a guiding stud 78 projecting from the spider arm. The link 76-also has a lateral extension or tail 79 which is adapted to be engaged by a cam track 80 carried by the frame of the machine. In the normal operation of the machine, the arms'swing away from the receptacle holding'chucks and are held in such a position by the stud entering the laterally extended portion of the bayonet slot. \Vhen. however, the rotat ng receptacle holding members have reached the point at which the end of the label has been presented and applied. the canrtrack 80 engages the .tail 79 of the link 76 and causes it to oscillate sufficiently to press the roller 75 firmly into engagement with the end of the label which is being applied to the rotating receptacle. Upon further movement of the carrier a roller 81 which is carried by a stud Which forms the pivot between the arms 74 and the link 7 6 engages a track 82 which is pivotally mounted upon a stud 82 projecting from the frame of the machine. The weight of the track is sufficient to hold the roller 75 not firmly but yieldably in engagement with the label and is of such length as to retain the roller in label engaging position end of the track 82 the spring 85 causes the track 84 to throw the roller outwardly thereby actuating the lever 74 to remove the roller 75 from engagement with the receptacle and causing the link 7 6 to slide upon the pin 78 until said pin enters the lateral recess of the bayonet slot and thereby retains the arm 74: in inoperative position until the tail 79 of the link 76 is again engaged by the cam 80.

After the label has thus been applied means are provided for releasing the receptacle. A preferred means shown in the drawing comprises a track 86 secured to the web 2 of the main frame and carrying a stud 87 which lies in the path of the extension 16 of the cam 12 upon the chuck shaft so that as the arms of the traveling carrier move downwardly the engagement of said extension with the stud will rotate the cam in the reverse direction, thereby removing the chuck 10 from engagement withthe receptacle and permitting the same to drop upon a suitable chute 88.

Any suitable means may be provided for driving the various mechanisms above described. In order howeven'to maintain the parts in proper synchronism I have found it convenient to drive practically all of the mechanisms from a single sprocket chain 89 which passes over a sprocket gear 90 upon the driving shaft, thence over a sprocket wheel 91 on the shaft 61 which carries the cam for actuating the label holder, thence over the sprocketwheel 92 upon the shaft 49 which also carries'a sprocket driving a chain 93 for rotating the adhesive applying roller 41, thence over a sprocket 94 which actuates the adhesive applying disks and also the transferrer, thus it will be seen that all the essential parts of the mechanism are maintained in properly timed relation.

Instead of employing positively engaging means for rotating the receptacle car- 1 ass /es rying chucks, frictionallyengaging members may be used anda convenient and desirable mechanism of this character is illustrated in l? 10 in Which the arms of the spider 5 are shown as carrying chucks 10 such as above described and the chuck shafts are rotated by disks 100 which frictionally a track 101 supported from a segment 102 by brackets 103 having stop screws 10 l-to limit the outward movement of thetracl: 101; Thetracl: 101 is pressed against the peripheries of the disks 100 by springs 105 Which are inclosed in sleeves 106 carried by brackets 10? extending upwardly from the s gment 102. The loWer end of the springs 105 is seated upon the outer edge of the traclblOl and may be compressed to any desired extent by an adjusting screw 108 carried by the sleeves 100. While but two brackets carrying compression springs are illustrated, any desired number may be used as will be readily understood. 1 p

In the operation of the machine a number of receptacles, or cartons are placed in the chute 23. Upon starting the machine the escapen'ient is actuated to release the lowermost receptacle in the chute so that it rolls down over the adhesive applying rollers 29 until it engages the cylindrical periphery oi the rotatable member 35 which arrests it and in co-opcration with the rotatinp; disks 29 revolves the receptacle thus enabling the disks to appl" bands of ad hcsive circumferentially adjacent the ends of the receptacle. The receptacle then drops into the recess 36 of the rotatable member and isdelivered by it to the cradle 37 of the ti'anslerrer. As the receptacle holding members upon the traveling carrier approach the receptacle held in the cradle, the cam a0 raises the cradle supporting); arms so that the cradle moves in unison with the movement of the receptacle llOlCllllf members or chucks.

Prior to and during the time the cradle is thus moving and before it has reached transferring position the roller 17 in the eX- tension otthecam 12 has enraged the cam track 20 and actuated the cam to Withdraw the chuck 10 away from its companion chucl: 19 so that the 18C(3] )l1210l02t1'1 enter between them then as the cradle moves in unison with the chuck the roller 17 on the extension of the cam rides from the end of the traclr 20 and permits the spring 14 to force the chuck 10 against one end of the receptacle, hus forcing the other end against the chuck 19 and clamping the receptacle between saidchucks. The cam 40 then permitsthe cradle to drop backinto inoperative position.

As the traveling carrier with the receptacle grasped between the chucks advances the receptacle is brought into engagement With the adhesive applying roller 4C1 which deposits a band or strip of adhesive longitudinally of the body of the receptacle. Upon further progressive movement of the carrier the gears 15 engage the pins upon the rack 22 (or the friction disks 100 engage the friction track 1010f the arcuate member 102) thereby causing the chucks to rotate the receptacle.

During this rotation the labels are pre sented to the receptacles by the depression of the label holder so that the front end of the lowermost label engages the adhesive which has been applied to the receptacle and the rotation of the receptacle during its advancing movement Wraps the label about the receptacle.

The label is smoothly rolled down upon the receptacle by the action of the roller 75 and when the operation is completed the receptacle is finally released from the chucks and falls upon the dischar e chute 88.

It will be understood thatthe embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is illustrative and not restrictive and that various chan es may be made in construction and arrangement of parts Within the meaninc and scope of the following claims.

U ingthus described my invention What i claim as new and desire to secure by Let-- .ers Patent is- 1. A machine 1"" r applying labels to recept 3 comprising means for applying circumferential bands of adhesive around the receptacle closely adjacent its. ends. a travelling carrier havinc rotatable means operable to engage the ends of the adhesive-banded receptacle. and means for progressively applving a label from one of its ends to the ot er to said receptacle during its travelling and rotating movement. and means for progressi ely pressing the label firmly in cont a with said receptacle during its application thereto.

A. labeling machine for applying labels to cylindrical receptacles comprising means for applying circumferential bands of adhesive around the receptacle adjacent its ends, a travelling carrier having rotatable operable to engage the ends of the e-bandedreceptacle. means for applyina; a strip of adhesive lengthwise of the re-v ceptacle between said bands of adhesive, means for presenting one end portion of a label to the strip of adhesive. and means for progressively pressing: the label against the receptacle whereby it Will be smoothly attached and secured at its end and edges to the receptacle.

3, A labe ing; machine for applying labels to cylindrical receptacles comprising means for applying circumferential hands of adhesive around the receptacle adjacent its ends, a travelling receptacle-holding means, means for transferring the adhesive-banded receptacle thereto, means for applying a strip of adhesive lengthwise of the receptacle between said bands of adhesive, means for presenting one end portion of a label to the strip of adhesive, and means for applying a strip of adhesive to the other end of the label, means for irogressively pressing the label against the receptacle from the end which is presented to the strip of adhesive on the receptacle to the other end whereby the label will be smoothly stretched and secured at both its ends and both its edges to the receptacle. 7

4. A machine for implying labels to receptacles comprising a travelling carrier having a series of receptacle holding means, means for applying adhesive to said receptacle during its travelling movement, means for rotating the receptacle during the travelling movement of said carrier, a label holder carrying a pile of labels, means for reciprocating said label holder tocause the same to present one end of an exposed label of the pile to the adhesive coated surface of the travelling rotating receptacle, and means carried by said travelling carrier operating to progressively press the label in contact with said receptacle, whereby said label will be wrapped'about the receptacle during its further travellingrotating movement.

A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising a travelling carrier having a series of receptacle holding means, means for applying adhesive to said receptacle during its travelling movement, means for rotating the receptacle during the travelling movement of said carrier, a label holder carrying a pile of labels, means for reciproeating said label holder to cause the same to present one end of an exposed label of the pile to the adhesive coated surface of the travelling rotating receptacle, and means for applying a narrow band of adhesive to the opposite end portion of said label whereby said label will be wrapped about the receptacle during its further travelling rotating movement and the overlapping ends of the label secured together and to the receptacle.

6, A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising a travelling carrier having a series of receptacle holding means, means for applying adhesive to said receptacle during its travelling movement, means for rotating the same during the travelling movement of said carrier, a label holder hav ing a series of supporting members carrying a pile of superposed labels located above the path of said travelling receptacles, means for reciprocating said label holder to cause the same to present one end of the lowermost label to the adhesive coated surface of the travelling rotating receptacle, and means for. actuating said supporting members to release said lowermost label whereby said label will be wrapped about the receptacle and secured thereto during its further rotating travelling movement.

7. A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising a travelling carrier having a series of pairs of rotatable chucks, means for presenting receptacles to said chucks, means for actuating said chucks to cause them to engage opposite ends of said receptacles, means for rotating said chucks after having engaged said receptacles, means for applying an adhesive successively to the bodies of said receptacles during their travelling movement, means for presenting labels successively to the adhesive-coated surfaces of said receptacles during their travelling rotating movement and means for releasing the lowermost label whereby the labels will be wrapped around and secured to them and means for releasing the labeled receptacles from said chucks.

8. A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising means for applying circumferential bands of adhesive to said receptacle, a travelling carrier having a series of receptacle holding means, means for successively actuating said receptacle holding means to grip a: receptacle, means for rotating the receptacle holding means, means for presenting the receptacle to the receptacle holding means including a transferrer adapted to receive said receptacle from said adhesive applying means, means for moving said transferrer in synchronism with said receptacle holding means during the time the latter is actuated to grip the receptacle and means for applying the labels to the rotating receptacle.

9. A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising a traveling carrier having a series of receptacle holding means, means for successively actuating said receptacle holding means to grip a receptacle, means for rotating the receptacle holding means, means for presenting the receptacle to said receptacle holding means, including a pivotally supported cradle adapted to receive said receptacle and means for moving said cradle in synchronism with said receptacle holding means during the time the latter is actuated to grip the receptacle, and means for applying the labels to the rotating receptacles.

10. A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising a traveling carrier having a series of rotatable receptacle holding means, means for successively feeding re ceptacles to said holding means including an escapement operating to deliver the receptacles one at a time, and means intermediate of said escapement and said receptacle holding means for applying adhesive to said receptacles.

11. A machine for applying labels to re- 1 ,asapas (-eptacles comprisi a traveling carrier having series or roe. a le receptacle holding means, means for successively feeding receptacles to said holding niieans including an escapement operating to deliver the receptacles one at a time and means intermediate of said escapement and said receptacle holding means for rotating said receptacle and applying circiilmierential bands of adhesive thereto.

12. machine tor applying labels to receptacles comprising a traveling carrier having a series f rotatable receptacle holding means, means for successively feeding receptacles to said holding means including an cscapement operating to deliver the receptacles one at a time and means intermediate of said escapement and said receptacle holding means for rotating said receptacle and applying circumferential bands of adhesive thereto, including a rotatable adhesive ap plying member havingits periphery par tially immersed in the adhesive and a co operating traveling member engaging the periphery of the receptacle.

1.3. A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising traveling carrier hav ing a series ofreceptacle holding means, means for successively actuating said holding means to grip a receptacle, a transterrer for positioning the receptacles in the path of said holding means, a rotatable adhesive applying means, and a traveling member cooperating therewith to apply a peripheral band of adhesive to said receptacle, and having means for delivering the receptacle to said transt'errer.

14. Amachine for applying labels to receptacles comprising a traveling carrier havmg a series of receptacle holding means, means for successively actuating said holding means to grip a receptacle, a transferrer for positioning the receptacles in the path oi said holding means, a rotatable adhesive applying means, a cylindrical rotatable member located adjacent to said adhesive applying means and cooperating therewith to rotate the receptacle, said cylindrical member havinga recess to receive the re ceptacle and operatingto deliver the recep tacle to the transferrer. r

15, A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising a traveling carrier having a series of receptacle holding means, means for successively actuating said holding means to grip a receptacle, a transferrer for positioning the receptacles in the path of said holdingineans, a rotatable adhesive applying means comprising a pair of rota table disks having their peripheries partially submerged in an adhesive andpositioned to apply bands of adhesive to the receptacle adjacent its ends, a cooperating rotatable cylinder having a recess, operable first to rotate the receptacle while the adhesive is being applied and thereafter to deliver the receptacle to the transferrcr.

16. machine "for applying labels to cylindrical receptacles comprising a feeding chute,

ends of the receptacles, and means for ap-' plying labels to the adhesive ceptacles.

17. A machine for applying labels to cylindrical receptacles comprising a feeding bearing rechute adapted to receive a series of recep tacles, an escapement acting intermittently to release the lowermost receptacle in said chute, rotatable means for applying bands of adhesive adjacent the ends of'said receptacles, a cooperating rotatable cylindrical member having a recess in its periphery operating in conjunction with said adhesive applying means to rotate the re ceptacle while the adhesive is being applied and thereafter to deliver the receptacle, a transterrer to receive said receptacle, a

travelling carrier having a series of rotat-able receptacle holdingmeans operating successively to grip the ends of the receptacles, means for applying a strip of adhesive longitudinally of each receptacle While in said carrier, means for presenting the end portion of a label to said longitudinal strlp of adhesive, and means Ior pressing the label firmly and smoothly in contact with the periphery of said receptacle. r

18. A machine for applying labels to cylindrical receptacles comprising a feeding chute adapted to receive a series ofreceptacles, an escapement acting intermittently to release the lowermost receptacle in said chute, rotatable means for applying bands of adhesive adjacent the ends of said receptacles, a cooperating rotatable 'cylindrical member having a recess in its periphery operating in conjunction with said adhesive; applying means to rotate the receptacle while said adhesive is be ng applied and thereafter to deliver the receptacle, a transferrer to receive said receptacle, a traveling carrier having a series of rotatable receptacle holding means operating successively to grip the ends ofthe receptacles,

means for applying a strip of adhesive longitudinally of each receptacle 'while in said carrier, means for presenting the end portion of a label to said longitudinal strip of adhesive, smoothing rollers mounted upon said traveling carrier and means for cansing said rollers to press the labels firmly upon the peripheries of said receptacles.

19. A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising a traveling carrie r having a series of rotatable receptacle holding mes is, and means for applying an adhesive to said traveling receptacles including a roller partially immersed in adhesive and yieldably supported to engage successive receptacles, means for rotating said receptacles and means for presenting labels successively to the receptacles.

20. A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising a traveling carrier having a series of rotatablereceptacle.holding means, and means for applying an adhesive to said traveling receptacles including a roller partially immersed in adhesive and means pivotally supporting said. roller positioned to cause said roller to engage successive receptacles, means for rotating said receptacles after the adhesive has been applied and means for presenting labels to the receptacles whereby the labels will be wrapped about the rotating receptacles.

21. A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising atraveling carrier having'a series of rotatable receptacle holding means, means for applying an adhesive to said traveling receptacles including an adhesive tank, a roller partially immersed in the adhesive in said tank, means for pivotally supporting said tank to cause said roller tolie in the path of the traveling receptacles, said pivotal supporting means being detachable to permit said tank to be removed from the machine in order that it may be placed in a humid chamber to prevent drying ofthe adhesive when not in use.

22. A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising a main shaft and means for rotating the same,v a pair of spiders mounted on. said main shaft and spaced. apart, pairs-of complementary chucks havingshafts journalled insaid spiders adapts ed-to engage theends of a receptacle, means for rotating said chuckshaftsduring a pop tion of their traveling movement, means for.

applying adhesive totheperiphery of the receptacles, and means mounted upon said spiders operating 5 while the labels are being wrapped around the receptacles to press the labels firmly; and smoothly in contact with the peripheries of said receptacles.

23;. A. machine for .applying labels .to .re

ptacles mpr sing a main haf d. means forrotating the same, a v pa1r of spiders mounted-on fife-id- 1 1E4 1}; ha t; and paced apart pairs of complementary chucks hav- 1 yrs i748.

ing shafts journalled in said spiders, adapted to engage the ends of a receptacle, means for rotating said receptacles axially during a portion of their traveling moven1ent,means for applying adhesive to the periphery of the receptacles, smoothing rollers carried by arms pivotally mounted on said spiders and means for oscillating said pivoted arms to cause the rollers to engage the labs s and press them firmly against the peripheries of the receptacle as they are being wrapped around said receptacles.

24;. A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising a traveling carrier having p airs of complementary rotatable holders adapted to engage receptacles means to rotate said holders and means to apply labels to said traveling rotating holders. smoothing rollers carried by arms pivotally mounted uponsaid tr: reling carrier. means normall holdin said rollers out of contact with.

.wrapped aroundsaid receptacles.

A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising a traveling carrier ha: mg pairs of complementary rotatable holders adapted to engage receptacles, means to rotate said holders and. meansto apply labels to said traveling rotating receptacles, smoothing rollers carried byarms pivotally mounted upon saidtraveling carrier, links connected to said arms having-bayonet slots, means on said carrier engaging-said bayonet slots and acting normally to hold said rol lers outof contactwith the receptacles and means for engaging and actuating said links to cause said. arms to pressthe smoothing rollers against the labes while they archeing wrapped around the receptacles.

26. A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising a traveling carrier a pair of complementary chucks provided with faces adapted to-engage the ends of a receptacle, and having shafts journalled in said traveling carrier, one of said chuck shafts being movable "longitudinally, a spring acting to hold the movable chuck normal yin receptacleengagi igposition, and. means. including. a cam mounted on .said. travelling arrier sundae-operating stationary means fonactuating-said cam to Withdraw the mov-- ablepchuck from. engaging position to di scharge the labeled? can.

21." A,m.achine. for applying labelsito receptacles comprising 1 a traveling carrier,

tioned above .said travelingi carrier and. avmg a; 3 1682 suppor ingnnstruinentahties engaging the lowermost label';'means for sue cess vely removing said supporting instrumentalities as the rotating traveling receptacles pass beneath the same.

28. A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising traveling carriers having a series of rotatable receptacle holding means and means for holding or rotating the same, a holder for a pile of labels having a series of pivotally mounted fingers engaging the lowermost label, means for actuating said label holder to present the front end of the lowermost label to the rotating traveling receptacle, spring actuated means tending to remove said fingers from supporting position and a cam shaft having cams normally acting to hold said fingers in supporting position but operating during the rotation of the cam shaft to release successively said fingers whereby the label will be progressively released from its front end toward the rear and wrapped upon. the rotating receptacle.

29. A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising a label holder having an adhesive receptacle provided with an extension adaptcd to support one end of a pile of labels with the adhesive in said extension in contact with the underside of the lowermost label and means for presenting and transferring successively the lowermost label to a traveling rotating receptacle.

30. A machine for applying labels to receptacles comprising a label holder having an adhesive receptacle provided with an extension adapted to support one end of a pile of labels with the adhesive in said extension in contact with the underside of the lowermost label and means for presenting and transferring successively the lowermost label to a traveling rotating receptacle, and means for adjusting thewidth of said. label holder.

31. A machine for applying 1: bels comprising a traveling carrier consisting of a shaft having a pair of spiders carrying cooperating rotatable receptacle engaging chucks, means for adjusting said spiders toward and from each other to accomodate receptacles of different lengths and means for presenting and applying labels to the receptacles held in said chucks.

32. A machine for applying labels con1- prising a traveling carrier consisting of a shaft having a pair of spiders provided with telescoping hubs adjustably mounted thereon said spiders having arms provided with rotatable receptacle engaging chucks, and means for presenting and applying labels to receptacles supported by said chucks.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

LUCIEN PIERCE.

Images