US2245659A - Labeling machine - Google Patents

Description

J1me 17, 1941. Q EVERETT 2,245,659

LABELING MACHINE 1 I Filed April 4, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR N BY 2.3% (MM ATTORNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I A. C. EVERETT LABELING MACHINE Filed April 4, 1940 INVENTOR M; C m

BY ATTORNEY June 17,1941.

June 17, 1941.

/ A. c. EVERETT LABELING MACHINE Filed April 4, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR BAA-.1 clam, m BY MY (Au/m ATTORNEY June 17, 1941. A; c. EVERETT LABELING MACHINE Filed April 4, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR ame. CLMQLL L! ATTORNEY I Patented June 17, 1941 .x 4 & 2,245,659 v Arthur Clarence Everett, Boston, Mass, assignor to Pneumatic Scale Corporation, Limited, Quincy, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application April 4, 1940, Serial No. 327,750

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a labeling machine. One object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved labeling machine adapted to effect the simultaneous application of a plurality of labels to a plurality of containers and a in which provision is made for conveying the containers to be labeled in a novel, economical and efficient manner into operative and accurately registered relation to the label applying mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and superior labeling machine of'the character above specified, in which provision is made for transferring the containers from a supply conveyer to the labeling machine conveyer in definite spaced relation and at higher speeds In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a plan view of a labeling machine embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end view of the machine, partly in cross-section as viewed from the line 3--3 of Fig. 2; Figs. 4 and 5 are front and side elevational views, respectively, of the labeling machine illustrating an intermittent driving mechanism to be referred to; Figs, 6 and 7 are detail views in plan and side elevation respectively of a portion of the intermittent driving mechanism shown in Figs. 4 and 5; Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views in front and side elevation respectively, of a clutch for controlling the operation of-the labeling machine, Fig. 9 being shown in cross-section; Fig. 10 is a detail plan view of a container registering device, to be referred to; Fig. 11 is a front elevation of a portion of a conveyer for supporting the top of the containers to be referred to; Fig. 12 is a detail view in cross-section of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a view in cross=section taken on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 11, and Figs. 14 and 15 are detail perspective views of portions of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11.

Referring now to the drawings, in general, the

present invention is illustrated as embodied in,

a labeling machine of the type adapted for the simultaneous application of a plurality of labels to a plurality of containers and includes an intermittently operated conveyer adapted to convey the containers to and from intermittently operated label applying devices forming a part of the labeling machine.

One feature of the present invention contemplates a novel and'improved container feeding mechanism adapted to transfer the containers from a supply conveyer to the intermittently op- .erated conveyer in definite spaced relation for subsequent operations to be performed and to provide a continuous iiow of containers in such spaced relation onto said intermittently operated conveyer. -In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the spaced containers are transferred onto the intermittently operated conveyer at a reduced rate of speed while the latter is at rest and are kept in motion thereon by the present feeding mechanism until such intermittently operated conveyer is started, and until the latter attains the speed of the containers being delivered by the feeding mechanism, whereupon the intermittently operated conveyer will operate to convey the containers at an increased rate of speed so that at no time during the transferring operation does the container come to rest. In this manner, the sudden shock or jar incident to transferring the containers from a dead stop as heretofore practiced is eliminated and a smooth and uninterrupted flow of the containers is assured. This feature is of particular advantage when embodied in a labeling machine adapted for high speed operation and capable of simultaneous operation upon a plurality of containers, since, the usual method heretofore employed in transferring the containers from a dead stop on the supply conveyer onto the intermittent conveyer during the idle or rest period necessitated a relatively rapid movement for the transfer, and, as a result, containers were frequently jammed or broken, and the operating parts were subjected to undue strain and wear requiring frequent replacement. The present container feeding device is capable of smooth and continuous operation at relatively high speeds, and in practice, speeds up to containers per minute have been attained, without undue strain upon the operating. parts.-

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the container feeding mechanism is operated in timed relation to the intermittent operation of the labeling machineconveyer and the latter is preferably arranged to be moved at a mechanism during the entire cycle of operation of the intermittently operated conveyer, the latter is arranged to move the containers at a faster I 2,245,650 speed equal to a multiple of greater than the,

conveyer is intermittently driven in timed relation to and in cooperation with the-intermitrate of speed during the container moving portion of its cycle of operation. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the intermittently operated conveyer is designed to be moved during one-half cycle of operation and to be idle or at rest during the remaining halfof its cycle of operation, and the spaced con-' tainers are arranged to befed into the machine continuously during the entire cycle of the machine. The spaced containers are arranged to be moved a predetermined distance, for example, ten inches, during each cycle of operation, and while the intermittently operated conveyer travels at a speed such as to move the containers ten inches during One half cycle of operation, the

tently operated conveyer upon which the containers are fed and is provided with a plurality of equally spaced individual presser members arranged in alignment with and adapted to engage with the top of the containers as they are fed into the machine. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, provision is made for simultaneously releasing a plurality, and as herein shown, two presser members into engagement with their respective containers at the time when the speed of the presser conveyer equals the speed of the containers being fed or Justas the continuously operated container feeding apparatus may deliver the containers the same distance, ten inches, at one half the speed of the intermittently operated conveyer. Likewise, while the continuously operated container feeding apparatus moves the containers a distance of, for example, five inches over the top of the intermittently operated conveyer during one half cycle of operation, the latter when it picks up the movement of the containers fed thereon, will move the latter a distance, for example, of ten inches during its half cycle of operation. In the operation of the apparatus, during each cycle of operation, a container, or groupof containers, is fed onto the intermittently operated conveyer by the continuously operated container feeding apparatus and when a new cycle of operation is initiated to start the intermittently operated conveyer in motion, the timing of the mechanism is so coordinated that when the containers arrive at a predetermined position upon the intermittently operated conveyer (while the latter is in motion), corresponding to the instant when the speed of the intermittently operated conveyer equals the speed of the containers being fed, the intermittently operated conveyer will pick up the motion of the containers and will thereafter operate to convey the latter away from the continuously operated feeding apparatus at an increased rate of speed. In practice, and in the preferred embodiment of the invention, two containers are fed onto the intermittently moving conveyer during each cycle of operation of the latter to supply a container to each of two labeling stations. If more than two containers are to be labeled at a time, a corresponding number of containers will be moved onto the intermittent conveyer and the timing of the mechanism and the speeds of the conveyers related accordingly. In this manner the containers, being in motion when they are received upon the labeling machine conveyer, and this motion being merely increased when the latter conveyer starts its intermittent movement, are not subject to the sudden shock which would be experienced incident to transferring the containers from a position of rest.

Another feature of the present invention contemplates the provision of a novel and improved presser conveyer adapted to travel along with and support the tops of the containers during their travel through the machine. The presser intermittently operated conveyer picks up the motion of the containers fed onto the latter, as will be described.

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is embodied in a labeling machine indiv along the conveyer and which is adapted to move 7 the containers onto the intermittent labeling ma? chine conveyer in definite spaced relation for registration with the multiple labeling units of the labeling machine. Provision is also preferably made for separating the containers as they are delivered in contiguous relation bythe supply conveyer It by mechanism including a star wheel 22 which is adapted to release the containers l4 successively in timed relation to the movement of the container engaging arms 20, as will be described.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the containers are delivered to the machine upon an elongated conveyer belt 24, the delivery end only being shown herein. The containers are then transferred diagonally between guides 25, 28 to the relatively short supply conveyer 16 arranged to deliver the containers in timed relation to be reveyed around this curved portion, they will be separated sufliciently to permit one of the teeth 26 to enter, as clearly shown in Fig, 1.

The conveyers l6 and 24 are arranged to be driven continuously from the main driving mechanism of the labeling machine, indicated generally at 32, which is arranged to drive a clutch shaft 34 through connections including pulleys 36, 3B, belt 40 and pinion 42 which meshes with a gear 44 fast on the shaft 34. The shaft 34 is connected to a short shaft 46 by a chain 44 running over sprockets 50, 52. The short shaft 46 is provided with a bevel gear 54 which cooperates with a bevel gear 56 fast upon a crossshaft 58. The conveyer belt 24 which runs over a conveyer sprocket 60, at one end, is driven from the cross-shaft 58 by a chain 62 which runs over sprockets 64, 6B, the latter being fast upon the conveyer sprocket shaft 68. The conveyer belt I6, which runs over conveyer sprockets I0, 12 is arranged to be driven from the crossshaft 58 through connections including a sprocket 14 connected by a chain 16 to a sprocket 18 loosely mounted upon a rocker shaft 80. A seeond sprocket 82, formed integrally with the sprocket I6, is connected by a chain 84 to a sprocket 86, the latter being fast upon the conveyer sprocket shaft 88. Thus the supply conveyers I6 and 24 -are continuously driven during the operation of the machine to deliver the containers past the star wheel 22 andinto the path of the container engaging arms 20 of the container feeding mechanism. Provision is made for driving the star wheel 22 continuously and in timed relation to the movement of the container feeding mechanism, as will be described.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the container feeding mechanism I8 comprises a duplicate set ofchains 90, 92, one disposed above the other,-upon which the arms. 20 are mounted, and which are arranged to run over similar sprockets 94, 96 fast upon vertical shafts 98, I respectively. The chains 90, ,82 are arranged to be driven continuously through connections from the clutch shaft 34 including a pinion I02 loosely mounted upon the shaft 34 and adapted to be engaged by the usual clutch mechanism I04 including a shifter I06 fast on the rocker shaft 80'and which is. operable by the handle I08. The pinion I02 cooperates with a gear IIO fastupon the main cam shaft III of the machine which in turn meshes with a gear H5 fast upon an intermediateshaft H2. The intermediate shaft H2 is also provided with a second gear II4 normally in operative engagement with the gear I I5 and which forms part of an automatic clutch throwout mechanism, see Fig. 9, as will be hereinafter more fully described. The second gear II4, as shown herein, meshes with a. gear H6 fast upon a short shaft II8 suitably journaled-in the machine frame. The short shaft H8 is also provided with a'bevel pinion I20 which cooperates with a bevel gear I22 fast upon the lower end of the vertical shaft The star wheel 22 is arranged to be driven continuously and in timed relation to the conveyer chains 90, 92 through connections from the lower end of the vertical shaft 98 and as herein illustrated, see Figs. 1, 2 and 3, these connections include cooperating spur gears I24, I26, sprockets I28, I30 connected by a chain I32 and sprockets I34, I36 connected by a chain I38. The driven sprocket I36 which is loosely. mounted upon the star wheel shaft I40 forms part of sepa disk I46 rotatable with but vertically slidab'le upon the shaft I40. A coil spring I46 normally holds the disk I46 in operative engagement, to

drive the sprocket I36 but'if va jam occurs between the teeth of-the star wheel and a con-.- tainer, the raised portion I45 will slip out of the notch I44 and lower the disk against the resistance of the spring I48. mechanism may be provided for stopping the machine when the disk I46 is thus lowered and In addition, suitable such mechanism may include a switch indicated at I adapted to be operated to break a circuit to the driving motor by the engagement of the underside of thedisk with a roller I62 carried by the switch arm I54.

Provision is made in the preferred embodiment of the invention for registering successive con tainers, being delivered by the supply conveyer I6, between the teeth 26 of the star wheel 22, so that in the event a container arrives at the star wheel out of time with the latter, such container will beheldback nd not permitted to enter until the star wheel has rotated a suflicient distance to allow the container to register between adjacent teeth 26. As herein shown, a roller I60 carried by an arm I62, pivotally mounted upon a stud I64, is arranged to engage one side of the containers as the latter pass by. Normally, while the containers are delivered con.- tinuously and in timed relation, the roller I60 isheld out in the position shown in Fig. 1 to permit successive containers to pass by. However, if the containers are not fed regularly or if there should be a space betweeen successive containers, the roller I60 is arranged to be rocked into the path of the oncoming container and to be locked in this position until the star wheel is in position to receive the container, such locked position being illustrated in Fig. 10. As herein illustrated, the locking device comprises a latch member I 66 which is pivotally mounted upon a stud I68 and which is arranged to engage a latch member I10 carried by the arm I62 when the latter is rocked forwardly in the absence of a container. A spring I12 extended between extensions from the arm I62 and the latch member I66 serves to urge the latter into engagement with the arm I62 and also to urge the arm I62 into the path of the oncoming containers.

The latch member I66 is arranged to be withdrawn from engagement with the latch member I10 in timed relation to the movement of the star wheel 22. in order to release a container at the proper time to be received between the teeth 26. As herein shown, the withdrawal of the latch member I66 is accomplished through connections from a cam I14 fast upon the star wheel shaft I 40. The cam I 14 cooperates with a cam roller I16 carried by an arm I18 pivotally mounted at I80. The arm I18 is connected by a link I82 to an arm I84 fast on the lower end of a vertical rocker shaft I86. The upper end of the shaft I86 is provided with a second arm I88 which is connected by a link I80 to one arm I92 of a bell crank pivotally mounted upon the stud I64. The second arm I94 of the bell crank is arranged to engage a roller I96 carried by the latch member I66. It will be observed that the cam I14 is provided with a plurality of raised portions I15, equal in number to the teeth 26 of the star wheel and the relation of the parts is such that the latch member I66 is rocked each time a tooth 26 arrives in position to receive a container. It will be understood that during normal operating conditions, as when the containers are being continuously delivered in timed relation to be received by the star wheel, the arm I62 is held back by the engagement of the roller I60 with the containers so that the latch I66 will not engage the latch member I10 during such time. Although the member I66 is rocked by the cam I14 each time a container is due to arrive, such rocking is effective to release the containers in timed relation only when a container is late in arriving or is received out of time with the rotation of the star wheel. Thus, a container is prevented from being advanced into a position such that a tooth 26 might jam against the side of a container. However, should this condition occur such as in case the timing mechanism is not properly adjusted, the separable driving connections I42, I45, as hereinbefore described, will be disconnected so as to prevent breakage of the containers or undue strain upon the operating parts.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made for releasing the driving mechfor the container feeding device in the event of a jam in the feeding of the containers and for this purpose a clutch throwout mechanism is provided as illustrated in Figs. 2, 8 and 9; As therein shown, the clutch throwout mechanism includes the gear I=I4fhereinbefore referred to, and which is loosely mounted upon a hub 200 extending from the driving gear II fixed upon the intermediate shaft II2. During the normal operation of the machine, the gear H4 is held fast upon the hub 200 through the engagement of a spring actuated lever 202 with a disk 204 secured to the end of the hub 200. The lever 202 is pivotally mounted upon a stud 206 fixed in the gear H4, and is provided with a tooth 206' adapted to normally engage a notch 2I0 cut in the disk 204, under the influence of a sprin 2 I2. Should there be any obstruction in the path of the carrier arms 20 such as to stop the movement thereof, the gear II4 will come to rest and the disk 204, being fast on the hub 200 will continue its rotation and cause the tooth 208 to become disengaged from the notch 2 I0. When this occurs the lever 202 will be rocked upwardly and, provision is made for automatically disengaging the main' driving clutch I04 at this time. As herein shown, the rocker shaft80 upon which the shifter I0-6,is fixed, is provided with an arm 2I4 fast thereon. The arm 2I4 is provided with a roller 2I6 which is arranged to engage a flange 2I8 forming part. of a collar 220 slidingly mounted upon the intermediate shaft 2, The collar 220 is normally urged, by a spring 222, in a direction such as to disengage the clutch mechanism I04, that is, to rock the shifter I06 clockwise viewing Fig. 9. However, during the normal operation of the machine, when the clutch is engaged, the collar 220 is held back against the resistance of the spring 222 by engagement with a raised portion 224 provided on a bifurcated member 226 pivot-ally mounted upon the lever 202. When the lever 202 is rocked, as above described, the member 226 will be raised thereby permitting the collar 220 to slide to the right, see Fig. 9, and cause the clutch I04 to be disengaged. As herein shown, an auxiliary mechanism is provided to assist in pulling the collar 220 back to its normal position when it is desired to again engage the clutch, such mechanism including a roller 228 carried by an arm 230 loosely mounted upon the rocker shaft 80, and a handle 232 fixed in the arm 230 which is arranged normally to rest against a stop member 234, see Fig. 2. Thus, when the clutch is thrown in, should the collar 220 bind upon the shaft I I2, the handle 232 may be raised .to rock the arm 230 and to force the roller 220' in a. direction to slide the collar 220 to the left as viewed in Figs. 2 and 9.

From the description thus far it will be observed that the containers are delivered into the machine in timed relation to be received by successive carrier arms 20 of the continuously I relation to be received by the intermittentlyoperated conveyor l2. It will be observed that the containers are supported upon a bridge plate I95 and between guide rails I81, I09 as they are advanced from the supply conveyer I6 to the intermlttently operated conveyer I2.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the intermittently operated conveyer I2 comprises a chain belt 240 arranged to run over an idler sprocket 242 and a driven sprocket 244, the latter being driven through intermittently operating mechanism of known construction indicated generally at 246, and illustrated in detail in Figs. 6 and 7. The intermittent driving mechanism is arranged to be driven through connections from the main cam shaft III of the machine, and as herein shown, a crank arm 246 fast on the end of the cam shaft, is connected by a link 250 to a seemental gear 252 pivotally mounted on a stud 254.

The segmental gear 2&2 meshes with a bevel pinion 256 loosely mounted upon a vertical shaft 258. A driver arm 260, formed integrally with the pinion 256, carries a spring actuated pawl 252 which is arranged to cooperate with notches 2&4 formedin a disk 2. The disk 266 is mounted fast upon the vertical shaft 258, so that in operation, when the segmental gear 252 is rocked in a clockwise direction viewing Fig, 5, the pawl 252 engages one of the notches 264 and rotates the shaft 258 one-half revolution. As herein shown, provision is made for locking the driven disk 266 in place during the return stroke of the driver arm 260, such as the spring actuated pawl 268 pivotally mounted at 210 adapted to engage one of the notches 212 provided in a second disk 214 formed integrally with the disk 256. The

pawl 266 is adapted to be removed from its notch 212 at the end of the return'stroke of the driver arm 260 by engagement of a roller 216, carried by the latter, with a cam surface 218 formed on an extension from the pawl 268. A third spring actuated pawl 280 is also provided to prevent displacement counterclockwise, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The intermittently rotated vertical shaft 258 is connected by cooperating bevel gears 262, 264 to the conveyer shaft 286 upon which the driven sprocket 244 is fixed.

From the description thus far it will be observed that the containers are delivered continuously in spaced relation upon the intermititently driven conveyer I 2, and as-hereinbefore stated, the driving mechanism is so designed that while the containers are being delivered continuously yet they travel only one-half the speed at which they are taken away by the intermittently operated conveyer. Since the intermittently operated conveyer I2 must start from rest, the latter conveyer will not advance the containers until it attains a speed equal to or greater than the rate of speed at which the containers are being fed whereupon, as the speed of the intermittently operated conveyer I2 is accelerated, the containers will be carried away from the feeding device at an increased rate of speed. Referring now to Fig. 1, the containers marked A, B, arrive in such position shortly after the intermittent conveyer I2 has started and at the instant the latter has attained the speed of the containers being fed and during the half cycle in the operation of the machine while the conveyer is moving, these containers A, B, will be moved a distance, for example, of ten inches, and will come to rest in the position of the containers which may comprise a pair of aligning 'itainer marked E, being advanced by one of the arms 20, will have been moved a distance for example of five inches, into the position formerly occupied by container A. The container F will likewise be adva nced five inches. Now. during the idle half cycle of the machine, that is, while the intermittent conveyer I2 is idle, the continuously moving containers will be advanced another five inches so. that container E will occupy the position formerly occupied by container B, whereupon the intermittently operated conveyer will again pick up the movement of the containers to bring them into position for another cycle of operation. Thus, it will be seen that time in the operation of the machine, to provide in effect an escapement mechanism.

.A-s herein shown, the escapement mechanism includes a set of vertically movable rails 323, 323 carried by a Ushaped bracket 330, a set of stationary rails 332, 334 supported by the frame member 3l8, and a pair of vertically movable rails 338 carried by a U-shaped bracket 338. The vertically movable rails are arranged to be raised and lowered through connections from a cam 340 mounted upon the main cam shaft ll-l which connections include a cooperating cam roller 342 carriedby'a cam lever 344 which is the containers do not come to rest at any time during the feeding operation. As illustrated in Fig. 1, provision may be made for correcting any slight inaccuracies in the spacing of the containera by mechanism indicated generally at 290, pads 292 mounted upon a reciproca'ble slide bar 284. During the operation of the machine, when the containers come to rest at C, D, the pads 292 are 4 moved forward to align the containers between the beveled edges 280 of the pads. The containers are supported in back by yieldingly mounted pads 298 during this operation.

Referring now to Figs. 1-1 to 15, inclusive, provision is made in the preferred embodiment of the invention, for applying pressure to the tops of the containers to support the same in their properly spaced relation as they travel through the machine and during the labeling operations. In general, the presser mechanism comprises an intermittently driven chain 300 provided with individual presser pads 302, which are arranged to register with the top of individual containers and to follow along therewith during their intermittent travel through the machine. The chain 300 isarranged to run over sprockets 303,

' 303 and is driven in timed relation to the conveyer i3 through'conneotions from the intermittently driven vertical shaft 238, including bevel gears 303, 308 the latter being fast upon the driven sprocket shaft 3l0, see Fig. 5. As hereinshown, the lower run of the chain is urged downwardly to present the presser pads 302 in yielding engagement with the tops of the containers by an elongated rail 3l2. The rail 3i2 is urged downwardly by springs 3 it which are coiled about studs 3 i3 slidingly retained in an elongated frame member 3i3, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 11.

In accordance with the present invention, provision is made for simultaneously releasing two presser pads 302 upon the two containers brought into alignment therewith by the container enaging arms 20.. As illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, each presser pad connection includes a cross bar 330 which is arranged to run along guide rails 32?, 323,a s the chain starts on its lower run as shown at the extreme left in Fig. 12. The guide rails 322, 323 are designed to raise the individual presser members 302 above the level of the tops of the containers and provision is made for retain ng the pads in their raised position until. at the proper time in the operation of the machine, two pads are released simultaneously to engage with the top of their respective containers brought into alignment therewith.

In order to effect the release of two presser pads simultaneously, a series of rails is provided, arranged at different levels, some of which are adapted to be raised or lowered at the proper their respective containers.

connected by a' link 346 to an arm 343 fast upon a rocker shaft 350. The cam roller 342 is held against its cam 340 by a. spring 352. The rocker shaft 350 is joumaled in'bearing members 354, 353 supported by the frame member 318. The brackets 330, 333 are carried upon the ends of similar levers 358, 360, so that in the operation of the machine the vertically movable rails are raised and lowered simultaneously.

In the operation of the above described escapement mechanism when the presser members 302 come to rest at the end of one cycle of operation, they are suspended above the level of the tops of the containers slightly in advance of the position shown at I, II, in Fig. 1'2, and are held in this position until the containers A, B, being advanced by the arms 20, as hereinbefore described, arrive in alignment therewith, at which time the chain 300 and the oonveyer i2 have started their movement and the containers have been picked up by the conveyer l2 so that the containers and the presser members are traveling at the same speed, whereupon the brackets 330, 338 are lowered through connections from the cam 340 to engage the presser members with The brackets 330, 338 are shown in their lowered position in Figs.

11 and 14 wherein the rails 328 and 338 are I tudinal fixed guide rail 332, the presser pad connection Ibeing shown in such position in dotted, lines in Fig. 14. At this time, a succeeding presser pad connection III will have passed over the upper rail 321i. and onto the stationary rail 332 as indicated in dotted lines in'Fig. 14,-whereupon the cam 340 operates to raise the movable nails so that they will again assume the position shown in Fig. 12. As the cycle of movement continues, presser pad connection III will ride. onto the raised rail 336 and a succeeding presser pad connection IV will ride off the rails322, 324 and onto the raised rail 328 whereupon the conveyers will come to rest, leaving the presser pads suspended in the position previously occupied by I and II, ready to start a succeeding cycle of operation. From the above description it will be observed that during one cycle of movement of the conveyor the pads I and II are moved oil. the lowered rails 328, 336 and a. succeeding set of pads III and IV are moved onto the rails 328, 336 while the latter are in their raised position.

Provision is also made in the preferred embodiment of the invention for releasing the containers from the pressure of the pads 302 when the containers arrive at the aligning station 290 as hereinbefore described. As herein shown, see

6 Figs. 11 and 15, the longitudinal guide rail i provided with two vertically movable sections 364, 366 upon which the presser members rest when they arrive at the aligning station 263.

.The movable sections 364, 366 are supported upon the ends of vertical rods 368, 313 which are slidably mounted in the frame member M8. The

sitions A and B, the presser pads 332 are simultaneously released upon these two containers and continue along with the latter to serve as a support for the top of the containers during the ap-' plication of the labels to the sides of the containers. The completely labeled containers are then discharged from the machine upon any suitable receiving table or conveyer, not shown.

From the above description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be observed that the present transferring device is adapted to-feed the containers continuously to the inter mittently operated labeling mechanism and in accurately spaced relation to the label applying mechanism in a smooth and eflicient manner and at higher speeds than has heretofore been possible, the present transferring device being partheir lowered position by coil springs'382, 384

which bear against collars 386, 388 fast upon the rods 363, 313 respectively. The collars 386, 333 normally bear against a portion of the frame member 318 and may be adjusted on the rod to suspend their individual sections 364, 366 in alignment with the longitudinal guide rail 362. As herein shown, the movable sections are also arranged to receive the longitudinal presser rail 3l2 to hold the latter down in yielding engagement with the top of the lower run of the chain 333 in the operation of the machine.

In order to permit the longitudinal presser rail 3l2 to be raised with presser members 332 at a point adjacent to the vertically movable sections 333, 338, extra long yieldingly mounted rods 333, 332 are pro'videdat this section of the conveyer. As herein shown, each rod is slidingly mounted in the frame member 3l8 and is yieldingly urged into engagement with the rail M2 by a coil spring 334, which bears against a collar 336 fast upon each rod. The collar 336 normally rest against a portion of the frame member 3| 8. In operation, the end of each rod bears against the top of the rail 3l2 so that when the chain 333 is raised by the vertically movable, sections-333, 338, the rods 333, 332 will slide upwardly in the frame member 3| 8 against the resistance of the springs 334. The rail 3l2 may and preferably will be made of a thin spring steel material, sufficiently flexible so that it will readily bend from the raised position to the lowered position, as described.

Briefly, the operation of the machine is as follows: The containers l4, entering the machine upon the conveyer l6 are separated by the star wheel 22 in spaced relation, to be received by the arms 23 of the continuously moving carrier chain IS. The continuously moving conveyer l3 isarranged to move the containers in definite spaced relation for subsequent labeling operations and at arate of speed equal to one-half the speed of the conveyer l2 and the speeds of travel 1 of the conveyers are so coordinated that two containers A and B, in Fig. 1, arrive in such position just as the conveyer l2 starts to pick up the movement, whereupon the containers are conveyed at an increased rate of speed. The succeeding containers, E andF, being moved continuously during both the moving period and rest period in the preceding cycle of operation of the conveyer l2, are likewise picked up by thelatter conveyer when they arriv at the position indicated at A and B. Thus the container are in motion continuously during the feeding operation, merely being advanced at an increased rate when they arrive at positions A and B on the conveyer l2. When the container arrive at poticularly adapted for feeding a plurality of containers simultaneously in such spaced relation.

While the preferred embodiment of the inven-' tion has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims; I

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a labeling machine of the type adapted for the simultaneous application of a plurality of labels to a plurality of containers at a plurality of labeling stations, in combination, conveying mechanism for conveying a plurality of containers into accurately registered position with relation to said labeling station including a continuously driven supply conveyer adapted to sup port and convey a line of the containers, an intermittently driven conveyer for supporting and delivering containers transferred thereon from said supply conveyer into operative position with respect to said labeling stations, and a continuously operating indexing device having container engaging arms. arranged in predetermined spaced relation and movable over said intermittently op- I erated conveyer, whereby to engage and move containers along said intermittent conveyer in the intervals between successive movements of the conveyer whereby to space said containers upon said intermittent conveyer a predetermined distance from one another, said intermittently movable conveyer being arranged to be moved at a speed a multiple of the speed of movement of,

said container engaging members whereby to pick up the movement of the containers while the latter are being moved by said container engaging members to thereby transfer a plurality of said containers to said labeling stations in accurately positioned relation.

2. In a label applying machine of the type wherein a plurality of labels are simultaneously applied to a plurality of containers at a plurality of labeling stations, in combination, conveying means-for conveying the containers through the machine comprising a chain movable over the top of the containers, a conveyor upon which the containers are supported, means for pressing said chain against the top of the containers including a plurality of yieldingly mounted presser members disposed at spaced intervals along the length of the chain, and means for controlling the operation of a plurality of the presser members corresponding to the number of containers being simultaneously labeled to permit a plurality of the containers to pass .beneath the same prior to the movement of said plurality of presser members into operative position.

v 3, In alabeling machine having, in combina acontinuously operating indexing device having container engaging arms arranged to extend in predetermined spaced relation over said intermittently operated conveyer, said container engaging arms being arranged to engage successive containers being delivered by said supply conveyor and to move them onto said intermittently operated conveyer, said intermittently operated conveyer being arranged to pick up the movement of. successive containers while the latter are being moved by said container engaging. arms.

4. In a labeling machinehaving,incombination,

an intermittently operated. conveyer upon which .the containers are supported and advanced to and from the labeling stations, and container feeding mechanism for supplying containers to said intermittently operated conveyer in predetermined spaced relation for registration with said labeling stations, including a supply conveyer,

for the simultaneous application of a plurality of labelsto a plurality of containers at a plurality of labeling stations, conveying mechanism for conveying a plurality of containers into accurately registered position with relation to said labeling stations including an intermittently operated conveyer for supporting and delivering containers transferred thereon into operative position with respect to said labeling stations and a continuously operated conveyer adapted to deliver. containers to said intermittently operated conveyer in predetermined spaced relation and in timed relation to the intermittent movement of said latter conveyer. 8. In a labeling machine of the character described, having a plurality of spaced stations for performing successive labeling operations, conveying mechanism for conveying. a plurality of containers into accurately registered position a continuously operating indexing device having container engaging arms arranged in predetermined spaced relation, said container engaging armsbeing arranged to engage successive containers being delivered by said supply conveyor and to move them onto said intermittently operated conveyer, means for separating and releasing successive containers on the Supply conveyer in timed relation to the movement of said container engaging arms, said intermittently operated conveyer being arranged to pick up the movement of successive containers while the latter are being moved by said container engaging arms:

5. In a labeling machine of the character described having a plurality of spaced stations for performing successive labelingoperations, conveying mechanism for conveying a plurality of containers into accurately registered position with relation to said labeling stations, including an intermittently operated conveyer for supporting and delivering containers transferred thereon into operative position with respect to said labeling stations and a continuously operated conveyer adapted to deliver containers to said intermittently operated conveyer in predetermined spaced relation and in timed relation to the intermittent movement of said latter conveyer.

6. In a labeling machine of the character described, having a plurality of spaced stations for performing successive labeling operations, conveying mechanism for conveying aplurality of containers into accurately registered position with relation to said labeling stations including an intermittently operated conveyer for supporting and delivering containers transferred thereon into operative position with respect to said labeling stations and a continuously operated conveyer having container engaging arms arranged in predetermined spaced relation and movable over said intermittently operated conveyer and adapted to engage and move containers along said latter conveyer a predetermined distance from one another, said intermittently operated conveyer being arranged to pick up the movement of the containers in such spacedrelation during the moving period in the cycle of operation of said intermittently operated conveyer.

'7, In a labeling machine of the type adapted with relation to said labeling stations including an intermittently operated conveyer for supporting and delivering containers transferred thereoninto operative position with respect to said labeling stations and a continuously operated conveyer having container engaging arms arranged in predetermined spaced relation and movable over said intermittently operated conveyer and adapted to engage and move containers along said latter'conveyer a predetermined distance from one another, said intermittently operated conveyer being arranged t pick up the movement of the containers in such spaced relation during the moving period in the cycle of operation of said intermittently operated conveyer, and means for releasing successive containers from a line thereof in timed relation to the movement of said container engaging arms.

9.- In a labeling machine of the type adapted for the simultaneous application of a plurality of labels to a plurality of containers at a plurality of labeling stations, conveying mechanism for conveying a plurality of containers into accurately registered position with relation to said labeling stations including an intermittently operated conveyer for supporting and delivering containers transferred thereon into operative position with respect to said labeling stations and a continuously operated conveyer adapted to deliver containers to said intermittently operated conveyer in predetermined spaced relation and in timed relation to the intermittent movement of said latter conveyer whereby said intermit tently operated conveyer may pick up the movement of the containers and convey them to said labeling stations in accurately spaced relation.

10. In a labeling machine of the type adapted for the simultaneous application of a plurality of labels to a plurality of containers at a plurality of labeling stations, conveying mechanism for conveying a plurality of containers into accurately registered position with relation to said labeling stations including an intermittently operated conveyer for supporting and delivering containers transferred thereon into operative position with respect to said labeling stations and a continuously operated conveyer adapted to deliver containers to said intermittently operated conveyer in predetermined spaced relation and in timed relation to the intermittent movement of said latter conveyer, and means for supporting the top of said containers during their travel toand from said labeling stations comprising an intermittently operated chain, a plurality of presser members disposed at spaced intervals along the length of the ehain adapted to engage and move along with the top of the containers, means for retaining a plurality of the praser members in a raised positionabove the top of the containers wl iile the latter are being fed into position, and means for simultaneously 5 intermittently operated conveyer.

ARTHUR CLARENCE

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