US2294297A - Machine for applying labels or the like - Google Patents

Description

. I. A. HECKMAN 2,294,297

MACHINE FOR APPLYING LABELS OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 4, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 25, 1942.

Aug. 25, 1942. J HECKMAN 2,294,297

MACHINE FOR APPLYING LABELS OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 4, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 i J. A. HECKMAN MACHINE FOR APPLYING LABELS OR THE LIKE 7 Sheets-Shed: 3

- Filed Feb. 4, 1941 Aug. 25, 1942. A HECKMAN 2,294,297

MACHINE FOR APPLYING LABELS on THE LIKE Filed Feb. 4, 1941 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ill FIIIIIII'IIIIII fl/ 85 1 g! u I Z 25, 1942- J. A. HECKMAN MACHINE FOR APPLYING LABELS OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 4, 1941 7 $heets-Sheet 5 Aug. 1942- J. A. HECKMAN I MACHINE FOR APPLYING LABELS OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 4, 1941' '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Aug. 25, 1942 MACHINE FOR APPLYING LABELS OR THE LIKE John A. Heckman, Chicago, 111., assignor to Miller Wrapping and Sealing Machine Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application February 4, 1941, Serial No. 377,362

9 Claims.

The machine of the present invention, in the form shown, is designed to afiix labels, seals or the like, to packages which are fed forward in processional relation to the label applying mechanism which afiixes the seals singly to each package prior to its delivery.

The main stack or column of labels is fed downwardly through a hopper by gravity or under pressure, and provision'is made for segregating a limited number of labels from the bottom of the stack and carrying them downwardly into position where glue is applied to the lowermost label of the restricted group'inpreparation for the adherence of the label to'the wrapper of the package or other article to which it is desired to aflix the label or seal;

By a proper timing of the glue applying mechanism, the label will be aiiixecl immediately after the glue or other adhesive is applied, and provision is made for the stripping of thelowermost label from the restricted group, so that only a single label will be afiixed during each cycle'of' operations of the machine.

Provision is also made for suspending the main column of labels during each descent of the label affixing mechanism and for" releasing the main stack on the return movement of the affixing mechanism, so that the restricted group of labels carried by the aflixing mechanism willbe.

constantly augmented from above to compensate for the depletion of the number of'labels occasioned by the affixing of the labels singly to the wrappers or packages.

Further objects and details will appear from the description of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of the wrapping machine showing the label applying mechanism of the present invention mounted thereon and conveniently driven from the power train which actuates the wrapping mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showingthe operating parts in a difierent position;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation taken from the position indicated by thedotted line 3-3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 4--4 of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the gluetank and associated parts retracted;

Fig. 5 is a similar view showingthe glue tank in an intermediate position;

Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the glue tank advanced to glue applying position;

advanced to its ultimate position and in preparation for its return;

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail in plan taken on line 8'8 of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the arrest-ing blades thrust inwardly to retain the superposed column of labels;

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the blades distended in position to release the column of labels;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the arm for one of the arresting blades with the associated mechanism;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional detail of the glue tank, glue roller and associated mechanisms taken-on line Hl l of Fig. 4 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 12 is a face view of the gear which actuates the glue roller with the ratchet applied thereto; and

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional detail of the telescoping thrust rod for transmitting power to the label applying mechanism.

For convenience, I have shown the mechanism of the present invention as associated with and mounted upon the frame of a wrapper folding machine 20, which, however, forms no portion of the present invention, and will not be described in detail. The wrapper folding machine performs the function of folding and tucking in the ends of a wrapper by the employment of suitable tucker mechanisms 2|, after which the wrapped package moves forwardly along a runway composed of a series of spaced bars 22, the ends of which are shown in Fig. 3 and which constitute an open floor for the advance of the wrapped packages, which move from left to right as indicated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. The wrapped packages are guided between a fixed side plate 23 and an adjustable gauge plate 24 which is secured to a hanger 25 terminating in a head 26 slidably mounted upon a cross rod 27 and held in adjusted position by a clamping screw 28. This arrangement permits the width of the guide channel to be varied to accommodate packages, boxes or the like, of varying length.

The operating portions of the present mechanism are mounted within a frame 29 comprising spaced side walls '30 and a'lower cross wall3l, giving a trough shaped construction to the frame-as a whole. The frame is mounted for both fore and aft and transverse adjustments to permit the operating mechanisms to be brought into the desired relation to the packages or other articles to Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the glue tank which the labels are to be affixed, so that the labels may be applied in any desired position upon the packages. By the term packages I intend to include articles of any description to which it is desired to affix the labels; and by the term labels I intend to also includeseals, strips, or the like.

The frame 38 is provided with laterally extending sleeves 32 and 33 which encircle a rock shaft 34 along which the frame may be moved to any desired position for transverse adjustment, and the support for the frame thus afforded is supplemented by a cross rod 35 extendin in parallel relation to the rock shaft 34 and located in advance thereof.

The ends of the rock shaft 34 are journalled through side plates 36 and 31, and the ends of the cross rod 35 are likewise secured within said plates, which are spaced a sufiicient distance from one another to accommodate packages of the largest size.

The side plates 35 and 37 are held in elevated relation above the spaced bars 22 forming the runway by suitable standards which, as shown, on each side include a rear L-shaped standard 38 terminating in a forwardly extending leg 39 and a forward standard 45.

The rear standard is mounted for vertical adjustment within upper and lower clamping plates 4| and 42 which may be loosened to permit adjustment of the standard to the desired elevation. The standard 40 is not vertically adjusted, but the plate 36 (or 31 as the case may be) is adjustably secured thereto by upper and lower clamps 43 and 44, and the standard 45 is adjustable along a horizontal bar 45, and the plate 36 (or 31) is adjustably secured to the horizontal leg 39 by clamps 48 and 41, which method of support, bein duplicated on each side of the machine, permits the plates 36 and 31, with the entire operating assembly, to be vertically and horizontally adjusted to the desired position, it being understood, however, that any other suitable or convenient means for supporting the operating assembly may be employed which permits adjustments of the character described.

Although the clamps which secure the plates 36 and 31 to the standards afford means for a wide range of vertical adjustments, it is desirable to provide in addition for more limited or accurate vertical adjustments, and for this purpose a vertical screw feed shaft 48, operated by a handle 49, is provided, which enables the operator to precisely adjust the label applying mechanism in ratio to the height of the packages being fed through the machine.

The frame 29 is horizontally elongated and supported at its rear end and overhangs the guide floor or runway at its forward end, which serves as a support for a hopper 50 comprising four corner angled guide bars which are properly spaced to engage the labels at the corners only and to afford a receptacle for carrying a relatively high stack of labels. It will be understood, however, that where labels of a shape other than angular are to be stacked the configuration of the hopper will be varied accordingly. The four corner members of the hopper are united by a surrounding belt 52 which is rigidly connected to the frame 29 by brackets 53 which serve to hold the hopper in suspended relation and in advance of the frame.

Immediately below the terminus of the hopper is located a feeding receptacle 54 composed, as shown, of four spaced corner angle bars 55 which are spaced to register with the angled guide bars 5| of the hopper. and constitute in effect a continuation thereof, The lower ends of the hopper guide bars are partially cut away or shouldered at the points 55, so that when the receptacle is elevated, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7, the walls of the receptacle will overlap the ends of the hopper and thus furnish a continuous or uninterrupted channel for the down feeding of the stack of labels.

The angle bars of the receptacle are inturned at the lower ends to afford shelf-like fingers 51 which engage the corners of the lowermost label, so that when the feeding receptacle is elevated as in Fig. 5, the entire stack of labels will be suspended only by the support afforded at the four corners by the inturned fingers 51, leaving the surface of the lowermost label exposed save at the corners. It will be understood, however, that where labels of special configuration are to be fed, the shape of the hopper and feeding receptacle will be modified accordingly to provide limited engagement with certain edge portions of the label sufiicient to support the stack but without underlying the surface of the lowermost label which is to receive the adhesive prior to its application to the surface of the package.

The corner angle bars of the receptacle are embraced by a surrounding belt 58 which is secured by a bracket 59 to a reciprocating bar 60, the edges of which are held within guideways 6| on the inner forward margins of the frame plates 30, which arrangement permits the receptacle to be moved from the upper or label receiving position shown in Fig. 5 to the lowermost or label affixing position shown in Fig. 4.

The means for imparting movements to the receptacle 54 will now be described: The reciprocating bar 60 is actuated by a lever arm 62 bifurcated at its forward end 63, which engages a rocking block 64 carried by the bar 60. The rear end of the lever is fast on a rock shaft 85 which carries an arm 66 mounting a roller 61 in contact with a cam assembly 68 slidably keyed upon the rock shaft 34.

The cam assembly comprises a cam disk 69 fixed with the shaft 34, and adjustable cam wings l0 and II, the spread of which may be regulated by means of a right and left screw 12 rotatably mounted within a lug 13 carried by the disk 69, and threaded within lugs 14 and 15 carried by the respective wings, the arrangement being such that as the adjusting screw is turned, the spread of the wings may be regulated so that the gap between the ends of the wings may be increased or diminished for the purpose of regulating the length of the glue spot or strip applied to the lowermost label, it being understood that the gap affords the low spot on this portion of the cam assembly.

The cam wing 10 has secured thereto a downwardly projecting oscillating arm 16 which is connected by a link 11 with a post 18 upwardly projecting from a slide plate 19 which at its forward end mounts a glue pot which is provided. with a rearwardly extending bifurcated bracket finger 8| which is engaged by a headed pin 82 and a spring pressed button 83 adapted to be forced into compressive relation to the bifurcated finger by the tightening of a thumb nut 84, which arrangement permits the glue pot to be readily adjusted in a fore and aft direction.

The glue pot (see Fig. 11) in the form shown is in the shape of a boxlike receptacle comprising side walls 85, a bottom 86, and end walls 81. The side walls serve to journal a shaft 88. upon which is keyed a grooved or divided glue roller 89, the

lower portion of which dips down into the glue or similar adhesive, or into abody of water or like solvent where moistening only is required as in the case of previously gummed labels.

The end of the shaft 8B has loosely mounted thereon a spur pinion 90 which constantly meshes with an overhead rack 91 secured to the lower edge of one of the frame plates 30, so that as the glue pot is advanced from the retracted position shown in Fig. 4 through the intermediate position shown in Fig. to its outermost position shown in Fig. 7, the pinion will be rotated in a clockwise direction as indicated in said figures, while with the return movement, the pinion will be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction.

It is desirable that the glue roller be rotated only on the advancing movement of the glue pot, and for this purpose a ratchet 92 is keyed upon the shaft 88, with its teeth, as shown in Fig. 12, presented abruptly against the end of a dog 93 carried by the pinion and held in engaging relation by a spring 9-1 provided with a loop 95 pivoted upon a pin 96 projecting inwardly from the face of the pinion andwith the opposite end of the spring oifset and entered through an aperture 91 in the pinion. The offset end of the spring is engaged by a notched adjustable arm 98, frictionally pivoted upon the end of the shaft 88, which permits the spring tension exerted on the dog 93 to be adjusted.

The arrangement is one which serves to impart rotation to the glue roller through the dog and ratchet during the advancing movement of the glue pot, but allows the dog to slip idly over the teeth of the ratchet on the return movement of the glue pot, so that the glue will be applied to the lowermost label only on the forward traverse of the glue pot.

The feeding receptacle 5 3 is designed to accommodate only a limited group oflabels, which are separated or segregated from the lower end of the stack, which group is recurrently replenished during each operation of the machine, so that there will always be a supply of labels within the receptacle, and the mechanism for effecting these operations will now be described.

As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, blades 99 are provided, each mounted upon an arm I00, each of which, at its rear end, is secured to a pintle Ill'I journalled at its upper and lower ends within lugs I92 and H33 outstanding from the adjacent side wall 39 of the frame 29. Each of the pintles is provided with spaced lugs I04 which pivots the end of a spreader bar I05 provided with a downturned shouldered finger I66 which normally engages a stop block IG'I when the companion bars are in retracted position under the tension of a coil spring I08 which connects the two spreader bars and normally holds them drawn inwardly toward one another.

The spreader bars I65 are adapted to be spread outwardly through slots I99 in the walls 30 of the frame, and to engage adjustable stop screws IIU carried by the arms I03, so that when the spreader bars are distended as in Fig. 9, the blades 99 will be moved away from the label hopper to release the stack of labels.

The spreading of the bars IE5 is effected by a thrust bar Iii mounted upon the standard 18 which is carried by the slide plate '59. The forward end N2 of the thrust bar is of wedge shaped formation, and positioned, when advanced, to wedge in between the fingers I05 on the spreader bars I05 so that the advancing movement of the thrust bar will at the proper time spread the blades 99.

The thrust bar at its rear end is provided with an upturned finger II3 which coacts with a pin M4 on a swinging trip yoke II5 pivoted at Il6 to bring its upper end IIl into coacting relation with an adjustable screw stop I I8 carried by the lever arm 62. The pin IM also stands in the path of the forward upturned wedge shaped end of the thrust bar III, the parts being so related that when the slide plate I9 has reached the most advanced position shown in Fig. 7, the trip yoke II5 will be swung up into position to temporarily arrest the down swinging movement of the lever arm during the time while the gap between the cam wings I0 and II is swinging past the roller 6'! and until the roller has made contact with the cam wing I0, after which the forward end- IE2 of the thrust bar will engage and kick back the trip yoke into the depressed position shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

In order to prevent the lowermost label in the receptacle 5% from being dragged out by the return movement of the glue roller, a stripper bar H9 is provided which is carried at its ends by cross pins I20 (see Fig. 11) held between cone bearings I2I carried by swinging arms I22 pivoted at their lower ends to the walls of the glue pot. The swinging arms are normally held in elevated relation by springs I23 as shown in Fig. 7, but are adapted to be depressed as shown in Fig. 6.

The stripper bar H9 lies within thegroove in the glue roller and normally projects above the periphery of the roller as shown in Fig. 11, but when depressed will lie below the periphery of the roller to permit the glue to be applied to the lowermost label;

The rock shaft 34 is provided with a crank I24 (Fig. 3) which is connected by a link I25 with a crank I26 on a stub shaft I2? provided at its outer end with a crank I28 which connects with a link me, which in turn is pivoted to the upper section I39 of an oscillating drive rod, which upper section is telescoped into a lower section I3! and frictionally held by a spring pressed b-utton I32 (Fig. 13) housed within a tubular casing I33 outstanding from the wall of the section I3I.

The lower end of the oscillating drive rod is pivoted to a swinging arm I34 which is secured to an oscillating lever I35, which constitutes a part of the drive system of the folding machine, and which as shown furnishes a convenient source for the power required for actuating the label applying mechanism.

Operation In operation, with the label receptacle 54 elevated as in Fig. 7, and with the cut off blades 99 spread as in Fig. 9, to afiord an unimpeded channel for the stacking of the labels, the open sided hopper 58 will be charged with a supply of labels to any desired height, and ordinarily the weight of the stack will be sufficient to feed the labels downwardly, although if desired a weight can be placed on the top of the stack. The lower portion of the label stack will extend down into and fill the. receptacle 54, the stack being suspended only by the engagement of the inturned corner fingers 51 of the receptacle beneath the corners of the lowermost label, thus exposing the surface of the lowermost label for the reception of an adhesive, or a solvent in caseswhere pregummedlabels are to be fed.

Withthe parts in the position shown in Figs.

'7 and 9, the glue pot will be thrust forwardly to its extreme position, the stripper bar H9 will be elevated to prevent contact of the lowermost label with the glue roller, and the wedge shaped forward end of the thrust bar HI will occupy a position between the shouldered fingers I06, so that the blades 99 will be forced outwardly. When power is applied, the oscillating thrust rod will impart a rocking movement to the stub rock shaft I21, and through the link and crank connections impart a rocking movement to the shaft 34. This movement will oscillate the cam assembly 69l0-H and swing back the arm 16, thereby retracting the thrust bar Hi to first release the fingers H16, which allows the blades 99 to be drawn inwardly, thus cutting off or segregating the lower group of labels lying within the feeding receptacle 54.

With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 7, it will be noted that the trip yoke H stands elevated end in contact with the stop screw H8 which holds the lever arm 62' elevated, while the cam wings H and Ti) swing past the roller 61, so that the arm 16 which carries the feeding receptacle will not drop during the passage of the gap between the cam wings and until the cam wing has engaged the roller as in Fig. 5. The movement continues until the parts resume the position shown in Fig. 4 at which time the configuration of the cam assembly will permit the lever arm 62 to carry down the feeding receptacle 54 into compressive contact with the package or box to which the label is to be affixed. However, the movements last described are merely preliminary in the starting of the operation, since it requires the forward advance of the glue roller to apply the adhesive. This advancement begins with the parts as in Fig. 4, which illustrates the relation of the parts at the end of the inward reciprocation, after which the forward advance of the glue pot will impart rotation to the glue roller through the engagement of the pinion 90 with the ratchet 92, and at a reverse peripheral speed equal to the advance of the glue pot. However, before the glue pot reaches the label stack, the cam assembly will oscillate in a clockwise direction as in Fig. 5, to elevate the receptacle 54 to its highest position.

A further movement of the cam assembly will bring the gap between the cam Wings 10 and II into register with the roller 67 which partially lowers the feeding receptacle at the instant while the glue roller is passing beneath the stack, and this movement serves to cause the edge of the receptacle frame to engage and press down the stripper bar H9 and expose the periphery of the glue roller to contact with the lowermost label in the receptacle, thus applying a double glue stripe during the instant while the glue roller is in register with the stack, the length of the stripe being regulated by the gap in the cam.

Near the end of the movement, the cam wing II will encounter the roller 61 and elevate the receptacle to its highest position as in Fig. 7, which allows the stripper bar to rise to the limit of its movement above the periphery of the glue roller but below the final elevation of the receptacle, so that clearance is afforded for the return movement of the stripper bar. This terminal movement will also serve to swing up the latch yoke H5 into engagement with the stop screw H8 to hold the feeding receptacle elevated during the return movement of the glue roller. With the feeding receptacle thus elevated, and with the stripper bar projecting above the glue roller, and with the roller held againstrotation, the return movement of the parts will be effected without permitting further contact between the glue roller and the lowermost label.

As the glue roller returns to its retracted position, the cam will have moved to the position shown in Fig, 4, which lowers the feeding receptacle into compressive sealing relation with the box or package, thus completing the cycle of operations. During the lowering of the receptacle, the arresting blades 99 will be drawn inwardly to suspend the label stack within the hopper during the interval while it is not otherwise supported and until the feeding receptacle has been again lifted to its uppermost position, at which point the arresting blades will be spread to release the labels within the hopper and thus replenish the supply of labels within the feeding receptacle,

It will be understood, however, that the feeding receptacle has a capacity sufiicient to house a considerable group of labels, so that accurate step by step replenishment is not required, provided only sufiicient labels are released from time to time from the stack above to keep constantly on hand a sufficiently deep group of labels within the receptacle to afford the pressure required in affixing the lowermost glued label to the package. It will be understood that in the feeding of labels or the like there is a tendency for the labels to bulge or protrude to a slight extent, which assists in the application of the glue and in the affixing of the lowermost label to the package.

It is desirable to rotate the glue roller only in a single direction in order to insure a more even application of the glue, and for this purpose the rack and pinion and ratchet feed for the glue roller is employed so that the glue roller will not be reversely rotated during the return movement of the parts.

By employing a sectional oscillating drive rod l3ii-|3I with the sections held in frictional engagement only, provision is made forthe automatic adjustment of the effective length of the rod to accommodate adjustments in the vertical and horizontal positioning of the mechanism to accommodate packages of different sizes. Sufficient friction is provided to meet operating requirements, and at the same time slippage may occur in one direction or the other to enable the drive rod to accommodate itself to the range of movements of the mechanisms operated by the drive rod.

Accurate vertical adjustment, to apply the most advantageous degree of pressure required in aflixing the glued labels to the packages, is afforded by the hand operated screw feed 48 which supplements the coarse vertical adjustment obtained by the clamps which secure the frame of the operating assembly to the vertical standards.

In the claims, where the expression label is employed, it is intended to include labels, seals, strips or the like, whether pre-gummed or otherwise; where the term package is employed, it is intended to include any type of article to which labels or the like are to be affixed; and where the term glue roller is employed, it is intended to cover a roller for applying glue or other adhesive, or for applying water or like solvent to a pregummed label or the like, and where terms are employed referring to the vertical relation of the parts, such terms are not intended to limit the claims to the vertical feeding of the labels.

I'claim: 1. In a machine for applying labels, the combination of a hopper for labels, a label feeding receptacle mounted for movements toward and from the discharge end of the hopper and adapted in conjunction therewith to support a column of labels with the lowermost label exposing its surface through the bottom of the feeding receptacle, glue applying devices mounted for advancing and retracting movements with respect to the surface of the exposed label, cut off devices adapted to segregate the end group of labels within the receptacle from the remainder of the column of labels and to support the remainder of the column within the hopper, and actuating devices and connections for holding the receptacle above the line of movement of the glue applying devices and in position to expose the lowermost label to the contact of the glue applying devices, and for meanwhile advancing the glue applying devices across the surface of the exposed label and for thereafter retracting the glue applying devices and lowering the receptacle to apply the glued label to a package and for actuating the cut off devices to support the column within the hopper while the receptacle is in lowered position.

2. In a machine for applying labels, the combination of a hopper for labels, a label feeding receptacle mounted for movements toward and from the discharge end of the hopper and adapted in conjunction therewith to support a column of labels with the lowermost label exposing its surface through the bottom of the feeding receptacle, glue applying devices mounted for advancing and retracting movements with respect to the surface of the exposed label, cut off devices adapted to segregate the end group of labels within the receptacle from the remainder of the column of labels and to support the remainder of the column within the hopper, and actuating devices and connections for elevating the receptacle into register with the lower end of the hopper and meanwhile withdrawing the cut off dvices to replenish the group of labels in the receptacle, and for thereafter advancing the glue applying devices and partially lowering the receptacle into position to expose the lowermost label to the contact of the glue applying devices, and for thereafter retracting the glue applying devices and lowering the receptacle to apply the glued label to a package and for meanwhile restoring the cut off devices to support the column in the hopper while the receptacle is lowered.

3. In a machine for applying labels, the combination of a hopper for labels, a label feeding receptacle mounted for movements toward and from the discharge end of the hopper and adapted in conjunction therewith to support a column of labels with the lowermost label exposing its surface through the bottom of the feeding receptacle, glue applying devices mounted for advancing and retracting movements with respect to the surface of the exposed label, cut off devices adapted to segregate the end group of labels within the receptacle from the remainder of the column of labels and to support the remainder of the column within the hopper, and actuating devices and connections for elevating the receptacle into register with the lower end of the hopper and meanwhile withdrawing the cut off devices to replenish the group of labels in the applying devices and partially lowering the receptacle into position to expose the lowermost label to the contact of the glue applying devices, and for thereafter temporarily elevating the receptacle and meanwhile retracting the glue applying devices, and thereafter fully lowering the receptacle to apply the glued label to a package and for meanwhile restoring the cut off devices to support the column in the hopper while the receptacle is lowered.

- 4. In a machine for applying labels, the combination of a hopper for labels, a label feeding receptacle mounted for movements toward and from the discharge end of the hopper and adapted in conjunction therewith tosupport a column of labels with the lowermost label exposing its surface through the bottom of the feeding receptacle, a glue pot having a glue roller therein and mounted for advancing and retracting movements with respect to the surface of theexposed label, means for imparting rotation to the .glue roller while advancing across the exposed .surface of the label and for stopping said rotation during the retracting movements of the glue pot, cut off means adapted to segregate the end group of labels within the receptacle from the remainder of the column of labels and to support the remainder of the column within the hopper, and actuating devices and connections for holding the receptacle above the lineof movement of the glue pot and roller and in position to expose the lowermost label to the contact of the roller and for meanwhile advancing the glue pot and roller to bring the roller into contact with the surface of the exposed label, and for thereafter retracting the glue pot and roller and lowering the receptacle to apply the glued label to a package and for actuating the cut off devices to support the column within the hopper while the receptacle is in lowered position.

5. In a machine for applying labels, the combination of a hopper for labels, a label feeding receptacle mounted for movements toward and from the discharge end of the hopper and adapted in conjunction therewith to support a column of labels with the lowermost label exposing its surface through the bottom of the feeding receptacle, a glue pot having a glue roller therein and mounted for advancing and retracting movements with respect to the surface of the exposed label, means for imparting rotation to the glue roller while advancing across the exposed surface of the label and for stopping said rotation during the retracting movements of the glue pot, out off means adapted to segregate the end group of labels within the receptacle from the remainder of the column of labels and to support the remainder of the column within the hopper, and actuating devices and connections for elevating the receptacle into register with the lower end of the hopper and meanwhile withdrawing the cut off means to replenish the group of labels within the receptacle, and for thereafter advancing the glue pot and roller and partially lowering the receptacle into position to expose the lowermost label to the contact of the roller, and for thereafter retracting the glue pot and roller and lowering the receptacle to apply the glued label to a package and for meanwhile restoring the cut off devices to support the column in the hopper while the receptacle is lowered.

'6. In .a machine for applying labels, the combination of a hopper for labels, a label feeding receptacle mounted for movements toward and receptacle, and for thereafter advancing the glue from the discharge end of the hopper and adapted in conjunction therewith to support a column of labels with the lowermost label exposing its surface through the bottom of the feeding receptacle, a glue pot having a glue roller therein and mounted for advancing and retracting movements with respect to the surface of the exposed label, means for imparting rotation to the glue roller while advancing across the exposed surface of the label and for stopping said rotation during the retracting movements of the glue pot, cut off means adapted to segregate the end group of labels within the receptacle from the remainder of the column of labels and to support the remainder of the column within the hopper,

and actuating devices and connections for elevating the receptacle into register with the lower end of the hopper and meanwhile withdrawing the cut off means to replenish the group of labels within the receptacle, and for thereafter advancing the glue pot and roller and partially lowering the receptacle into position to expose the lowermost label to the contact of the roller, and for thereafter temporarily elevating the receptacle and meanwhile retracting the glue pot and roller and thereafter fully lowering the receptacle to apply the glued label to a package and for meanwhile restoring the cut off devices to support the column in the receptacle while the receptacle is lowered.

'7. In a machine for applying labels, the combination of a hopper for labels, a label feeding receptacle provided in its bottom with inturned projections adapted to afford limited engagement with marginal portions of the lowermost label and to expose the major surface of the lowermost label, the feeding receptacle being mounted formovements toward and from the discharge end of the hopper and adapted in conjunction therewith to support a column of labels, cutoff devices and means for retracting the cut off devices to release labels from the ,hopper for replenishing the group within the receptacle when the same is in register with the discharge end of th e hopper and for restoring the cut off devices to label supportingposition when the receptacle is moved away from the discharge end of the hopper, glue applying devices and a slide plate carryingthe same and mounted for advancing and retracting movements with respect to the'surface of the exposed label, the slide plate being provided with a member adapti ed to engage and operate the means for actuating the cut off devices, means for raising and lowering the receptacle, and cam devices and connections for timing the movements of the receptacle, the slide plate and the cut off devices, 'to hold the cut off devices retracted while the receptacle is in elevated position and move the receptacle to partially lowered position during the advance movement of the slide plate with the glue applying devices and to fully elevated mounted for movements toward and from the discharge end of the hopper and adapted in conjunction therewith to support a column of labels, cut off devices and means for retracting the out 01f devices to release labels from the hopper for replenishing the group within the receptacle when the same is in register with the discharge end of the hopper and for restoring the cut off devices to label supporting position when the receptacle is moved away from the discharge end of the hopper, glue applying devices and a slide plate carrying the same and mounted for advancing and retracting movements with respect to the surface of the exposed label, the slide plate being provided with a member adapted to engage and operate the means for actuating the cut off devices, and the glue applying devices including a roller and means for rotating the same only on the advance movement of the slide plate, means for raising and lowering the receptacle, and cam devices and connections for timing the movements of the receptacle, the slide plate and the cut off devices to hold the cut off devices retracted while the receptacle is in elevated position and move the receptacle to partially lowered position during the advance movement of the slide plate with the glue applying devices and to fully elevated relation during the initial return movement of the glue applying devices and to lowered label applying position after the return traverse of theglue applying devices.

9. In a machine for applying labels, the combination of a hopper for labels, a label feeding receptacle provided in its bottom with inturned projections adapted to afford limited engagement with marginal portions of the lowermost label and to expose the major surface of the lowermost label, the feeding receptacle being mounted for movements toward and from the discharge end of the hopper and adapted in conjunction therewith to support a column of labels, cut off devices and means for retracting the cut off devices to release labels from the hopper for replenishing the group within the receptacle when the same is in register with the discharge end of the hopper and for restoring the cut off devices to label supporting position when the receptacle is moved away from the discharge end of the hopper, glue applying devices and a slide plate carrying the same and mounted for advancing and retracting movements with respect to the surface of the exposed label, the slide plate being provided with a member adapted to engage and operate the means for actuating the out 01f devices, and the glue applying devices including a roller and means for rotating the same only on the advance movement of the slide plate, said means comprising a fixed rack and a pinion in constant engagement therewith, and a dog and ratchet assembly for imparting rotation in one direction from the pinion to the roller, means for raising and lowering the receptacle, and cam 1 devices and connections for timing the movements of the receptacle, the slide plate and the cut off devices, to hold the cut off devices retracted while the receptacle is in elevated position and move the receptacle to partiallylow- 'ered position during the advance movement of the slide plate with theglue applyingdevices and to fully elevated relation during the initial return movement of the glue applying devices and to lowered label applying position after the return traverse of the glue applying devices.

JOHN A, HECKMAN,

Images