US2227840A

US2227840A - Label applying machine

Info

Publication number: US2227840A
Application number: US298911A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mcminn Kenneth Fairford
Original assignee: New Jersey Machine Corp
Current assignee: New Jersey Machine Corp
Priority date: 1939-10-11
Filing date: 1939-10-11
Publication date: 1941-01-07
Anticipated expiration: 1958-01-07

Description

Jan. 7, 1941. K. F. McMlNN LABEL APPLYING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 11, 1939 Jan. 7, 1941. WM 2,227,840

LABEL APPLYING MACHINE Filed 06% 11. 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ;i=.' .;,..-7//V//////////l Patented Jan. 7,1941

LABEL APPLYING MACHINE Kenneth {airford mmnmw ul g i, 11 usigner. mccne assignmen cw' ersey (loam-anon, Bcboken, N. 1., a coraeration of New Jersey Application October 11. 1939, Serial nmzsaau scum. ((3416-55) My invention relates generally to label app ying machines, and particularly to label applying :nachines of the automatic or semi-automatic I In the pharmaceutical and other industries, it

\ is necessary to label large numbers of rather small and sometimes fragile containers which may be special shapes, as ior example ampoules,

1 dental cartridges, and the like; and the principal to object of the present invention is to provide an improved label applying machinev for this purother objects and the various novel features and advantages of the machine of my invention will be made apparent by reference to ill, the accompanying and the iollo'wing description oi one preferred embodiment the: of

In the drawings: Figural is a side elevational view, partially in go section, ci a label applying machine in accordonce with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a iragmentary perspective view illustrating diagrammatically the manner in vwhich labels are applied to dental cartridges es by the machine illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side eievational view, partially in section, of the machine of' figure 1;

Figure t is an enlarged perspective viewof a portion of the guide and container moving means so'iorming a part of the machine illustrated in Figures 1 and 3;

m: dis a sectional view taken on the general line E of Figure 4; v Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the gento oral line t-t of Figure 7;

1- a: 1 '7 is a sectional view taken on the general line i-l of Figure l' 'igure t is a sectional view taken eral line M of Figure 5; and

Figure 9 is a iragmentary sectional view taken on the general line l-J of Figure 8. This view illustrates the operation of the mechanism which is utilised ior pressing the labels in place on th containers to which they are applied.

The label applying machine illustrated in the drawings includes a box-like frame ll, preferably oi cast or fabricated metal construction. which serves as the main support for the various structural elements of the machine: the erect so details oi the frame it are not of particular importance so far as the present invention is concerned. A main drive shaft II, which is normally rotated at uniform speed, is supported on the frame ii in a horizontal position by means on the genas oil suitable bearings. not-shown. frliis' sha'it 83' supports and rotates a cam it which serves as the principal operating member for the container feeding portion of the apparatus.

The label applying mechanism proper is sup? ported upon the main frame H adjacent the upper end thereof. This mechanism includesa combined container guide and feeding means I! which is afilxed to the main frame II by means of a suitable angle iron bracket is, and a label conveying mechanism II which is operable to convey labels-to the containers which are moved into position by the container guide and feeding means l1. Since the apparatus illustrated in the drawings was designed particularly for use inapplying labels to dental cartridges, which articles, as illustrated in Figure 2, comprise a hollow,.cylindrical glass tube 23 about 3 inches long and of an inch outside diameter for containing a liquid medicament and two stoppers 25 for closing the ends of the tube, the guide and feeding means II and the label conveying and applying mechanism 24 have been designed particularly for use in conjunction with elongated cylindrical containers. It will be understood,

however, that by suitable changes in the form.

and proportions of the various elements, the machine may be adapted for the applying of labels to containers of other types and shapes.

The particular details of the label conveying mechanism 2! which operates to convey labels into proximity with the cartridge containers located on the container guide and feeding means i! are not important features of the present invention. and various known types of label conveying apparatus may be used. Vacuum type mechanisms are, however, particularly satisfactory for this purpose and their use is recommended. .lhis apparatus as' will hereinafter appear is arranged to apply labels to two cartridges simultaneously, and includes (see Figure 3) two magazines 2 arranged side by side for holding two stacks of the labels 21 which are to be applied to the cartridges, a hollow label carrier member 2! having two spaced label supporting heads II, and suitable operating means.

During each label applying operation of the machine the label carrier member 29 is moved so as to bring the two label supporting heads 3! into proximity with the two stacks of the labels 2'! containedin the label magazines 2!, this position being indicated by the'dotted outline oi the member II appearing at the right hand side of Figure 3. While in this position suction is applied to each of the heads 31 through a pipe SI, and this motion causes the uppermost label from chine, and if desired, labels can be applied simuleach stack to move toward, and to adhere to, the lower face of the adjacent label supporting head 3| Thereupon the operating means for the label carrier member 29 moves that member from the position indicated by the dotted outline at the right hand side of Figure 3 to the position indicated by the full lines at the left hand side of that figure. During this movement the two labels 21' which are held against the heads 3|, are carried over a glue applying roller 34 which is continuously rotated at proper speed in contact with a second roller 35 which dips into a reservoir 31 containing liquid glue 39 of suitable character. By this operation glue is applied to each set of labels as those labels are moved from the label magazines 26 into the label applying position overlying the guide and feeding means H. i v

The combination guide and feeding means I! which operates in conjunction with the label conveying mechanism 2| is illustrated particularly in Figures 4 through 8, and includes .a flat base or frame M which is supported in a horizontal position upon the bracket l9. The upper surface of the guide frame 4| is provided with two V-shaped grooves or guide slots43, along which the cartridge containers are moved during the operation of the machine. As pointed out previously, the machine illustrated in the drawings is arranged to apply labels simultaneously to two cartridges, and accordingly is provided with two of the guide slots 63. It will be understood, however, that the number of guide slots is dependent solely upon the rate at which theunmarked containers can be fed to the mataneou'sly to as many containers as may be desired.

The feeding mechanism for moving the cartridges along the guide slots 43 includes a pair of pusher members 45 which are connected together for simultaneous movement by means of a cross head 41. The cross head 41, in turn, is connected to a cylindrical operating member 49 which moves within a cylindrical guide passageway 5| formed in the frame 4!. To prevent binding of the member 49 during its movement within the guide passageway 5|, a guide rod 53 of relatively small diameter is connected to the member 49 and is arranged to move within a second cylindricalguide passageway 55formed adjacent to the inner end of the frame 4|, as illustrated particularly in Figure 6.

The interconnected pusher members 45, the

cross head 41, and the cross head operating member 49 are moved backward and forward during the operation of the machine by means of a link 51 and a bell crank 59 which is supported upon the frame II by a suitable bearing 6!, as illustrated particularly in Figures 1 and 2. One end of the link 51 is bifurcated (see Figure '7) and is pivotally connected to a downwardly extending projection 63 formed integrally'with the cross head operating member 49, and the other end of the link 51 is pivotally connected to the upper end of thebell crank 59. The lower end of the bell crank 59 is provided with a cam follower 55 which rides over the operating cam l5 for the feeding mechanism.

To prevent jamming of the machine during its operation and possible injury to the-cartridges or other containers being labeled, forward movement of the interconnected pusher and

cross head members

45 and 41 is accomplished by means of springs such as are illustrated at 51 in Figure 1 which serve tohold the cam follower 55 in con- .tact with the surfaceof the cam l5. This arrangement permits convenient adjustment and control of the amount of forward movement through the use of an adjustable stop, such as is 5 illustrated at 69, or the like, and also provides a positive return for the pusher members and cross head.

During the operation of the machine, two unlabeled cartridges, a supply of which may conveniently be contained in a container ll supported upon the supporting bracket is for the guide and feeding means H, are placed in the guide slots 43 at a time when the pusher members 45 are in a fully retracted position (see Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6) As the drive shaft i3 rotates the cam I5 to bring the sector A (Figure 1) into engagement with the cam follower 65, the interconnected pusher members and

cross head

45 and 47 are moved to the right as illustrated in Figure 3, thereby moving the two cartridges which have previously been located in the guide slots 43 from the feeding position of Figures 1,4, and 5 to the labeling position of Figure 3, in position the labels are applied.

In order to hold the cartridges stationary during the label applying operation, the apparatus includes a pair of rubber surfaced rollers 13 which are vertically adiustably supported upon a suitable horizontal shaft 15 which extends crosswise of the frame it for the guide and feeding means H. Rather close adjustment of the pressure exerted by the rollers 13 is necessary in order to secure good operation of the machine, and for this reason the bearing supports for the roller supporting shaft l5 comprise a pair of bell crank levers ll which are hingedly connected at one end to the frame 4! by suitable bolts '19 so as to permit the roller and shaft assemblage to be swung toward or away from the frame 55. 40

of the interconnected cross head and pusher 45 members, those members are returned to the retracted position of Figures 1, 4, and 5, the return movement being effected by the sector B of the cam Hi. The cross head and

pusher members

51 and 55 are then held in this retracted position for a sufficient period of time to permit the operator to place two additional cartridges in the guide slots 53, this stationary period being accomplished by the arcuate section 0 or the cam l5.

During the forward or feeding movement of the cross head 41 and the pusher members 55, the label applying mechanism is operated to remove a label from each of the stacks contained in. the magazines 2B. and to convey these labels over the glue applying roller 34, so that at about the time the retraction of the cross head and pusher members begins, the label carrying member 29 is in the position illustrated by the full lines in Figure 3. Thereupon, the label carrier member is moved vertically downward so as to bring each of the labels 2! carried on the heads 3! in contact with one of the cartridges as illustrated in Figure 8.

This movement is also illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 2 wherein the two positions of the labels 2'! are indicated by: dotted lines. The

suction is then removed from the heads 3| and which 25 yoke 85 is operated, by means which is not shown,

to move the pads- 83 downwardly from the position of Figure 3 to the position of Figure 9, following each operation of the label carrier member 29, whereby the two glued labels 21 which have been previously positioned upon the cartridge tubes 23, as illustrated in Figure 8, are pressed into engagement with the underlying cartridge tubes 23. The yoke 85 and the two presser pads 83 carried thereon are then raised to the normal position of. those members which is illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. By the time the label pressing means has been raised to the position of Figure 3, the cam I! will have been rotated almost to the beginning oi sector A, and the machine will be ready to repeat the sequence of operations previously described.

The forward movement of the two cartridges which were placed in the guide slots 43 during the label applying operation just described serves to push forward the two cartridges to which the labels have been applied and these cartridges drop into a suitable guide as illustrated at 81 in Figures 1 and 3, from which they may be carried away by a. conveyor belt or the like. Once initiated, the operation of the machine takes place practically automatically, it being necessary merely for theoperator to position two of i the guide slots 43 by the operator automatically effects the removal from the mechanism of thelabeled cartridges. Jamming oi. the machine or breakage of containers is positively prevented and in actual operation the machine has proven most satisfactory. ,In fact it has been found I possible for a single operator to label upwards of 20.000 cartridges a day by use of the machine.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided an improved automatic labeling machine for applying labels to small or irregularly shaped containers, the particular machine illustrated in the drawings and described herein being especially suited for applying labels to elongated cylindrical containers such as dental cartridges or the like. The apparatus of my invention utilizes a minimum of structural elements, and at the same time it is positive and dependable in operation and is substantially foolproof. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various machines may be developed embodying the principles of my invention. Accordingly, it is my desire that the accompanying claims shall be accorded the broadest reasonable construction consistent with the language appearing therein and the prior art.

I claim the following as my invention:

1. In a label applying machine oi the class described, a guide for directing the movement of the articles which are to be labeled, an intermittently operated, reciprocating pusher member for moving the articles to be labeled along said guide, in sequence-from an initial feeding position to a labeling position, means for holding each article which is moved to said labeling position so as to permit a label to be applied thereto.

means for holding a supply of labels, label conveying means operable following the movement of each article to be labeled to said labeling position to remove a label from said supply, apply glue to one surface of said label, and place said glued label on the article held in said labeling position, andpresser means operable following each operation of said label conveying means to press said glued label into engagement with the article then in said labeling position.

2. In a label applying machine of the class described, a guide for directing the movement of the articles which are to be labeled, an intermittently operated, reciprocating pusher member for moving the articles to be labeled along said guide, in sequence, from an initial position adjacent one end of said guide to a labeling position adjacent ply, apply glue to one surface of said label, and

place said glued label on the article held in said labeling position, and presser means operable following each operation of said label conveying means to press said glued label into engagement with the article then in said labeling position,

that the forward movement of each unlabeled article from said initial position to said labeling position causes the previously labeled article to be pushed out of the machine.

3. In a label applying machine of the class described, a guide means which is provided with a guideway for directing the movement oi. the articles which are to be labeled, a pusher member arranged to be moved intermittently between a retracted position and an advanced position, said pusher member being operable to move the articles to be labeled along said guideway, in sequence, and each movement of said pusher mem ber from said retracted position to said advanced position causing one of the articles to be labeled to be moved from an initial position adjacent one endof said guideway to a labeling position, means resiliently biasing said pusher member toward said advanced position, means for intermittently returning said pusher member from said advanced position to said retracted position, means for holding each article which is moved to said labeling position so as to permit a label to be applied thereto, and means including a label conveying member and label presser member for applying a glued label to each article while it is held in said labeling position.

4. In a label applying machine of the class de-l scribed, a guide means which is provided with a guideway for directing the movement of the articles which are to be labeled, a pusher member arranged to be moved intermittently between a retracted position and an advanced position, said pusher member being operable to move the articles to be labeled along said guideway, in sequence, and each movement of said pusher member from said retracted position to said advanced ward said advanced position, means including acam and a linkage intermediate said cam and said said guide and pusher member being so arranged pusher member for intermittently returning said pusher member trom said advanced position to said retracted position, means including an adjustably supported roller for holding each article which is moved to said labeling position so as to permit a label to be attached thereto, and means including a label conveying memberand a label presser member for applying a glued label to each article while it is held in said labeling position,

said guide means and said pusher member being soarranged that the movement of each unlabeled article from said initial position to said labeling podtion causes the previously labeled article to be pushed out of the machine. 7

5. ma label applying machine of the class described, in combination, a guideway for directing I then in said labeling position.

- KENNETH the movement of the articles which are to be labeled, reciprocatory means for moving said articles along said guideway irom an initial feeding position to a labeling position, means for holding each article which is moved to said labeling position on said guideway so as .to permt a label to be applied thereto, means for holding a supply of labels, label conveying means operable to remove a label from said label supply, ,apply glue to one surface of said label; and place' said glued label on the article held in said labeling position, and presser means operable following each operation of said label conveying means to press said glued label into engagement with the article FAIRFORD MCMINN.