US2311969A - Package labeling machine - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 23, 1943.

I J. F. SCHENCK, JR, ETAL PACKAGE LABELING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 27, 1942 2 H m J wm m w 3 SW I ,Mo JR Feb. 23, 1943. J.F.SCHENCK,JR., ETAL 2,311,969

PACKAGE LABELING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 27, 1942 N Jam! F. S CHENCK,5E. Reamer W- Pnr gg o g (Ittomeg3 Feb. 23, 1943.

J. F. SCHENCK; JR, ETAL 2,311,969

PACKAGE LABELING MACHINE Filed April 27, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 n 2% J K53 CT m M. W ET m M ha mwww (lttomeg s Feb. 23, 1943. J SCHENCK, R ETAL 2,311,969

PACKAGE LABELING MACHINE Filed April 2'7, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 JOHN E 5CHEHCK,JE

* Roam N PHTTEKSOH Zhwentors 1943 J. F. SCHENCK, JR, ET AL 2,311,969

PACKAGE LABELING MACHINE Filed April 27, 1942 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 R J S w. wm w c E S J m Wm 0a =E\ n @HA\ 4 5 L, *l I v v w w u. S .i a

/..,////u, NM SAW. Q.

E 52 2: i a E? Feb. 23, 1943.

J. F. SCHENC K, JR, ET AL. PACKAGE LABELING MACHINE e sheets-sheet 6 Filed April 27, @1942 e, a s 1m m GR M Hu a A E TM a 7 w 7 J a Patented Feb. 23, 1943 PACKAGE LABELING iviAomNE John F. Schenck, J12, and Robert W. Patterson, Shelby, N. G.

Application April-27, 1942,- SeriaLNo. 44 ,612

14 Claims.

This invention relates to amachine for applying labels to articles of merchandise andthe like and, more particularly to improvement in the structure shown in Patent No. 1,970,835 of September 25, 1934.

It is an object of this invention to provide a machine for applying labels to packages such as spools, in which an assembly of intermittently rotatable label carrying nozzles are employed, together with means for moving one of said nozzles and its associated label, against the end of the spool while the nozzle assembly is not rotating.

It is another object of this invention to provide a machine having means for successively applying adhesive labels to packages, such as spools of thread, in combination with amechanism for subsequently pressing the appliedlabel more firmly in position, while another label is applied to the next succeeding package or spool.

It is a further object of thisinvention to provide a labeling machine comprising a plurality of nozzles, revoluble intermittently about acommon axis, each of said nozzles being adapted'tosuccessively pass adjacent three elements, namely av label magazine, a spray head, and a package to be labeled. While onenozzle is receivinga label from the magazine, the label on the adjacent nozzle is being rendered adhesive by the spray head, and the adhesive label on a third nozzle is being applied to the package.

Some of the objects of the invention having beenstated other objects will appear as thedescription proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the upper portion of the labeling machine, omitting the package feed and showing other portions in section;

Figure 1A is a vertical sectional view showing the lower portion of the labeling machine, said view showing the lower portion of the machine, the upper half of which is shown in Figure 1;

Figure 2 is a sectional plan View taken along the line 22 in Figure 1A;

Figure 3 is 'a plan view showing certain portions-thereof in section of'the labeling-machine, said view being taken along the line 3-3-in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional plan View taken along the line 44 in Figure 1 illustratinga spring and cam means for moving the nozzles and turrets toward and away from the package to be labeled;

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation taken along the line 5-5 in Figure 3 showing a detail of a brake for thelabel magazine;

i urefi s a vv r ca a v ak n lon Figure is-a e tiona det il pue th packa e chute, andtaken alongthe line 'I-Tin Ei ure Figured is a, sectional viewthroughthe valve which controls the compressed airfiowto the atomizin quipmen FigureQis an enlarged vertical sectionalview taken along the line 99 in Figure 3 illustrating portions of, the label magazines, label nozzles, l b r t-s. and: p ka e hu Figure 10 is a vertical sectional; view taken along theline Ill-[11in Figure 3;;-

F'igure 11i is;an, enlarged;- sectional view similar tothe central portion of Figure lushowing the label presser mechanism in contacting position with the opposedendsof a labeled spool;

Figure 12isa sectional view similar toFigure 11 but showing the action of the mechanism when a label is omitted from one end of the spool;

Figure 13-is a sectional plan view throughthe label turrets; and nozzles, said view being taken along lines 3-43 in Figures 1 and 9;

Figure I4 is a sectionalplanviewtakenalong the line I ll 4 in Figure 9 Figure 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the movement of the nozzles and-associatedspool,

asthe spool is beingmoved from label applying position;

' shaft.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral I0 denotes suitable side frames of conventional make between which a lowed bed plate H and anupper-bedplate I2 are secured.

Packager feed 1 Th upp r ed plate has; ananis ck t I4 secured; thereto by any suitable; means such as a stud bolt l5, and the upper; end of thisbracket has-secured; thereto, asat l 6, a.package or spool chute ll (Figures 3,4,an1d; 6). By observing Figure 7;the det ails of the spool; chute llcan: be more clearly seen. It. is, here seenv that the chute comprises a pair of angle iron members I9, so positioned relative to each other as to form a trough between which suitable packages such as spools 20 are adapted to be positioned. A piece of strap iron, or the like, 2| serves to loosely confine the spools 20 within the chute one above the other. This member 2| may be adjusted so as to vary the effective depth of the chute by means of L-shaped bracket members 22, one leg of each bracket being secured to the strap member 2| as at 2|a, and its other leg being adjustably secured to one of the members I9 by means of a stud bolt 23. Since the bolt 23 penetrates a slot 22a and has its inner end r embedded in one leg of member l9, it is evident that the members 2| and 22 may be adjusted to accommodate spools of different diameters.

The lower portion of the chute I1 is cut-away as at 25 thereby exposing both ends of the lowermost spool 20. Slightly below these cut-away Label applying mechanism;

other side a description will be made only of the parts on one side of the machine. The identical or opposite hand parts will be given the same reference character, with prime notation added,

wit-hout making a full description of these parts.

The label applying means, in part, comprises a pair of rotating turrets broadly designated by reference characters 31 and 31 (Figures 1, 4, 6,

9, l3 and 15). These turrets have nozzles ABCD and AB'CD' respectively. In the drawings the -nozzles are spaced approximately at 90 apart and are rotatable in a substantially horizontal portions 25, a platform 26 is provided forsup- 1 porting the lowermost spool in proper position.

Also, as an additional means for holding the spool in the proper position onthe platform 26, a bar 21 is provided, said bar having its lower end engaging the periphery of the spool and having its upper end attached to an arm'28 as at 2801. which, in turn, is pivotally secured as at 29 to the spool chute l1. A suitable weight 30 is secured to the extreme upper end of the bar 21 so as'to normally press the entire assembly downwardly.

It will be noted by observing Figure 6 that a third arm 3| is also secured to the strap'member 21 as at 28a and the free end of this arm is adapted to rest on top of an inclined platform 32 during a labeling operation. The free end of arm 3| serves to hold a labeled Yspool in position for label detecting and pressing operations. When, however, the lowermost. spool in chute H is released, the members 21, 28 and 3| are rotated to substantially a dotted line position to thereby release the two spools which are respectively held by arms 21 and 3|. Attention is called to the function of the free end of arm 3|. When this arm is in the bold line position shown in Figure 6 it serves to hold a labeled spool in position-so that an additional pressing operationcan beeffected so as to more firmly press the label in position upon each endof the spool head. Also plane.

The turret 31 is fixedly secured as at .40 upon the upper end of avertically disposed .shaftjM.

As'a means for supporting the shaft 4| a suitable able-grooved guideways 44. .These'guideways 44 are secured to'the upperbed plate I2. Shaft 4| is not only rotatably mounted in the bracket "42,

but the upper "end thereof has a slight lateral movement in the direction of the guideways when labels are being applied. A slot 45' is cut inthe bedplate |2 tofperm'it this lateral movement,

nozzles A and A on the turrets 31 and-3 1 re- Ha label has been omitted, or improperly applied, a feeler mechanism serves to segregate these spools when held by arm 3|. The mechanism employed for applying the labels, pressing the labels, and removing the spool having no label thereon will be later described.

In the operation of the present machine an operator usually stacks the spools 20 within the chute |1 one upon the other. The lowermost spool 20 is disposed between suitable label applying means which intermittently and simultaneously apply a label to each end of the spool. When the label is applied this same label applying means serves to remove the labeled spool from lowermost position and thereby allow the next succeeding spool to fall into labeling posi-';

tion upon platform 26. As the labeled spool is removed, that is moved laterally to theright in Figure 6, the members 21, 28 and 3| are rotated upwardly about'pivot point 29 to'substantially dotted line position to permit the lowermost labeled spool to'roll downwardlyfrom platform 26 to a second platform 35 and then to the next succeeding platform 32 where it willlbe temporarily retained by arm 3|.in the position shown inFigures 3 and 6. I

and a suitable star-shaped cam 41 i's'projvide'd on the upper end of. a rotating shaft 48 to cause'the rotating shaft to move (Figures 4 and 9). The

prongs of cam'41'are adapted to engagealprojection 46 on base "43 of the bracket 42 and thereby cause the shaft 4| and 'theassociated turret 31 to'move toward and away from the adjacent spool head. In the position shown in Figures 3, 4, and 9 the engage both ends of the spool. This 'inward movement is caused bytension springs 49;whlch springs are connected between brackets '50 and 50, secured on the upper ends-of bracketsllan'd 42 byany suitable means such as screws 52. and

52- .Irespectively. .It is evident'that the shape'of the star-shaped cam 41 .will determine ltheitime at which this inward movement of the nozzles ABCD andA'B'CD"takesplaceas well as the time .of withdrawal of these nozzles. "In the present disclosure, .the'nozzles are permitted to suddenly .move inwardly intoengagement with the spool head undertheforce of springs .491bu are gradually withdrawn outwardly.

Attention is also called tothefact that the cam 41 continuously rotates. Thisrotationyis-effected by achain of driven parts hereinafter described.

The lower end of the-shaft has a sprocket 55 fixedly secured thereon (Figure l),'upon which a chain 56 is mounted. This chain 56.;is a lso mounted upon a secondsprocket 51 substantially 'of' the samesize, and which -is fixedly secured upon anothershaft 58 (Figures l 'and 2). I- he upper end of shaft-584s=journaled in a-braoket 60,'said bracket; extending downwardly from the upper bed plate 12,- and =the lower end -of ;t he shaft 58 is rotatably-mounted" in :abracketil.

said bracket 6| extending upwardly.v from the lower bedplate- A beveledgear-.62? is fixedly secured onthelower end of'theshaft 58 (Figures 1A and 2). This gear meshes with another beveledgear 63 substantially'of the-same size, said gear 63 being fixedly'secured upon a main drive shaft 64 which, in turn, is rotatably mounted in bearings 65, 66 and 6-1.

Upon one end of the main drive shaft 64 a large gear 68 is fixedly secured, and this gear meshes with a pinion 69 (see Figure 3). Pinion B9 is. rotatably mounted upon a shaft lllsupportediby a bracket said bracket 1| being securedito the end frame ID by. any suitable means such as bolts or rivets l2. Integral with pinion 69 is a pulley 13 upon, which a suitable belt or other driving means is adapted to be mounted for driving the machine. Since the pulley i3 is constantly rotated it isevident that the cam 4;! will likewise continuously rotate through the described connecting parts, designated by refer ence characters 48, '55, 56, 51, 58, B2, 63, 64, 68 and B9. The rotation of cam 41. will cause the turrets.3'| and 37' together with their associated nozzles to constantly reciprocate toward and away from each other and thereby engage the opposed ends of the lowermost spool head 20.

In the present embodiment of the invention the turrets 31 and 31 together with the associated nozzles are not rotating While the same are moved toward the spool heads. This nonrotating position is maintained until the labels have been applied to the opposed ends of the spool head. When it is desired to remove the spool from position the turrets are again rotated While the spool is clamped between the opposed nozzles to thereby expel the spool from lowermost position within the chute and allow thenextsucceeding spool to fall into its place.

As the nozzles rotate from stationary engaging position with the spool head the cam .41. tends to gradually separate the turrets 37 and 31'. After making substantially a 90 rotation the turrets again cease rotation with their proximate nozzles in separated positions relative to thelowermost spool in the chute. It istherefore seen that it is necessary to provide means for intermittently rotating the turrets 31 and 31 through angles of 90 so that the labels can be applied to the spool head while the turrets are not rotating.

Intermittent rotating means for turrets 37 and 37' Figure 17 shows the timing of the nozzle and turret bodily movement with relation to the rotative movement of the turrets and nozzles.

It is here seen that the nozzles and turrets are stationary about 70% of the first quarter revolution of the main drive shaft 64. In other words, as shown in this diagram the nozzles and turrets are stationary about 35% of the first quarter revolution of shaft 64 and then the turrets and nozzles rotate through an angle of about 90 during the next succeeding 30% of the first quarter revolution of this same shaft 64. During the remaining 35% of the first quarter revolution of shaft 64 the nozzles and associated turrets are stationary During this first quarter revolution of the main drive shaft 64 the turrets and nozzles are also moved bodily toward and away from the spool heads. In this same diagram it is shown the time during which the nozzles are engaging the spool heads. In other ret member wordsthe nozzles. arenotarotating whenthey are bodily moved against the spool heads, and the nozzlesremainin thisengagedpositlon until the urrets haverotateu througha substant al an e- ;to expel the. spool (se Figure 1.

that the lower portion of shaft 4|v has. fixedly se u d herearound a. su table. tar-shaped disk 15, said diskhaving f ur radia ly d sposed. sl ts Hi therein. spaced. substantially 90 apart. Betwe n th adjacent s ots 165 the per phery of disk 15 has concave notches 11 cut therein, there being four of such concave notches. The radius of each of the concave notches is substantially the same as theouter, radiusof asecondidisk 18, which disk is fixedly secured around shaft 58 previously described. This disk 18 also has suitable concave notches f|8 a cut in the periphery thereof substantially at 90f apart. Disk 18 is secured upon the upper portion of a circular plate 19, said plate having extending upwardly therefrom. a plurality of; pins 81! of such diameter as will be capable of entering the slots It as the disks 18 and 15 rotate. The position of each of the pins 83 is substantially centered relative to each of the notches 18a in disk 18. It will be noted that the depth of the notches 18a is sufficient to clear the outermost tips of the starshaped disk 15 during the rotation of the parts. In other words, as the shaft 58 rotates in a counter-clockwise manner in Figure 2 the pins on the far side of main drive shaft 64, will enter, the slots 16 in the .disk'lfi, and uponfurther rotation of the shaft 53 the, rotation of disk 15 and the associated shaft 4| will be produced. After the shaft 4| has been rotated through an angle of approximately the slot 76. will be in a position to release the pin 8i! and thereafter the disk 15 will remainstationary until the next succeeding pin 89 engages the next succeeding slot 1.6 in the disk 15. Then the same one-fourth revolution of shaft 4| will be repeated.

In Figure 1A it is seen that the shafts 4| and 4|" have intermeshing gears 8| and 8| respectively mounted thereon. I'hesegears have substantially thesame, diameter and therefore when one shaft 4| and. its asso'ciatedturret and nozzle mechanism is rotated the other shaft andv its associated turret and nozzle will likewise be rotated an equal amount in the opposite direction.

The lower ends ofshaft4| and 4 are rotatably mounted in brackets 82 and 82' respectively. Disposed on the projecting portions of these shafts and beneath the bearings are compression springs 83 and 83', said compression springs being confined on this projecting portion; by any suitable means such as collars 8,4 and 84' respectively. The purposeof providing the springs 83 and 83', and collars 84 and 84" isto permit the shafts 4| and 4|, together with their associated turrets, to be pulled upwardly a substantial amount when it is. desired to separate the turrets 31 and 3"! from brackets 50 and 50'. For example it is often desired to inspect certain concealed slots, perforations and the like and also to lubricate the engaging surfaces between tur- 31 and; the stationary bracket member 50 uponwhich the turret member rests. By employing the Present construction this may be e si y done by merely raising the shafts 4| and 4 t while; compressing: springs 8:3; and: 83..

'plate 95. This 'has' afriction the exposed label from amass of labelswhich are disposed within amaga'zine.

"Substantially at the same time a labelois being moved against the 'endof the lowermost spool "20 by a nozzle, a labelmagazine is delivering a label to another nozzle which is disposed substantially.180 from thelabel applyingnozzle.

For example in Figure 17 it is seen thatduring the first one-quarter revolution of drive shaft 64 the label magazine first moves inwardly for a short time interval asindi'cated by the line entitled Label magazine moving inwardly. During this time interval the turret and nozzles are not'rota'ting. Then while theiturret is .still in a non-rotating position the label magazine reaches its innermost position and engages a nozzle, after which. the -magazine immediately moves in the opposite direction for a short time interval as indicated in Figure 17 by the line entitled Label magazinemoving outwardly. This backand forth movement continuesin timed relation to the operation of the machine.

Since-the turret 3I'moves bodilytoward and away from the spool head, and since the label magazine also moves back and forth substantially in alignment withthebodily motion of the turret it is necessary to time these movementsso that the nozzles of the turret clear the end .of the label magazineduring rotation. Withthe above-mentioned remarks in mind a vsuitable sliding plate 85 has been mounted between the grooved guideways 4,4. Extending upwardly from the outer end of this 'plate is an L-shaped-bracket 86 which has pivoted on the upper end thereof as at 81 a tubular magazine 88.

Magazine 88 has the left-hand end thereof open and the right-hand end thereof closed, in Figures 1 and 3, except for a small hole in the right-hand end which slidably receives a rod 89.

Rod89 has anenlarged head90 on'its end which is disposedinsidethe tubular magazine'88. 'Disposed around that portion ofthe rod 89 within the tubular magazine is a weak compression spring ,9I which urges theheadportion 90 inwardly at all times andthereby compresses a mass of labels 92 toward the open end of the magazine.

Asa'm'eans for retarding the inward movement of the rod 89 and the headportion 90 a suitable braking device is employed. Figure 5 shows the braking device which is located on the left-hand end of Figures 1 and 3, but which is identical to the braking mechanism on the'right-hand end. This braking'mechanism comprises a lever 93' which is pivoted intermediate its ends as at 94' to'a plate is secured to the closed end the machine as viewed in of the magazine- 88. One end of the lever 93 band 96 on the upper side thereof whichengages the periphery of the projecting rod 89'.' Asafurther means for holding this friction band in engagement with the rod 89 a suitable'torsion spring 91 is employed. This friction applying'rneans is always engaging rod 89' when-the magazine is in outermost position, that is, whenth'e mass of labels 92' areout o'f-engage- T of the mass to be transferred toithe suction noz- .zle and at the sametime'retain: the remainder the .spool 20, the lever 93"isrotatedby 'raisuitable'stationary cam" 98 towa position'iwhere the braking action will-berelievedtand therefore the force of the compressioncspring '9 I :will be permitted to compress the mass of =lab'els82 inwardly against the adjacent nozzle;

-.'I he;cam'98 is-formedfon the upper endrof a.

:substantially z-shaped member t99i, said mem- :ber ibeing secured :toxone of the grooved-:guideways 44 by any suitable meansrsuch aststudi bolt 'I00. A slot IOI' .is provided in the bar fl9'zto permit adjustment-"of the position (oft cam surface 98'. :An identical braking structure is associated with' magazine '88,and'is indicated'by the same reference characters with the primeinotation "omitted. When the magazine :.has been .moved inwardly :the maximum amount to.:apply the innermost label to the associated suction nozzle, the magazine again meves'outward'ly,cat whichtime the levers 93 and"93"moveoif'rcam surfaces 98 and .98 respectively to instantly .1 applya braking action .t'o'rod's' 89*and 89. .The lbraking .action will .preventthe' springs BII'Tfr'om :pushing the labels 92 out .of the open end of the label magazines whenithe turret nozzles are not in position to receive them; 7

It is important .thato'nly one label at. .a time beremoved fromithe mass. of labels!!! within the: magazine .88. When the. magazine moves inwardly towards one ofthe nozzles to deliver'a .label the entire mass of labels is'pr'esse'd against :.the nozzle. as a result ofv thef'braking .mechani'sm f92 to 91 'inclusive being:released and onaccount of thermovement of the 'magazineiand adjacent .nozzle toward each. other. When the magazine and labels are withdrawn a retarding means supplements the action 'of the 1 braking means previously described to cause only-the exposed'ilabel of the labels in the magazine.

This retarding ."means comprises :a'. pair .of -oppositely disposed brushes I02 and I03 (seelFigures 1 and 9), said brushes having one end thereof loosely secured to the outeriperi-phery ofmaga- ,zine 88 asat I04 and 'I0 5respectively. The bristles of brushes I02 and 103 penetrate oppositely disposed slots I06 in the inner'end ,offma'gazi'ne tube 88 and engage the innermost end ofritlie mass of labels; consequently, when the magazine and labels are being withdrawn after having "delivered one of the labels to the suction nozzle the bristles of these .brusheswill preventadditional} labels from moving out the tube.

same time the friction .or braking mechanism .At the previously described will relieve the inward pressure normally exertedlby spring i9I uponftheinass of labels. This braking, mechanism willlbeapplied to rod '89 immediately upon the beginning of the outermost movement of the labelln'iagazine. Resilient bands I'06a .serve to 'pressfthe free ends of brushes I02 and I 03 togetheragain'st :labels 92.

Attention is caneatd the fact that the ma- 'zi ne 88 may be rotated about its hingepointtl. TFfigure 1 shows two positions whichv these maga- ZlnQS may occupy. j'The dottedJline'positions of the magazines 88 and '88 are usually assmned when it is desired to refill the same withjlab'els, and the bold line positions are'occupied "during normal operation. 'Whenin thebold line positionthe'free end of; the label magazine rests 75 upon-asecond-angle bracket llllwhichis sea ar-1,969;

cured to the upper .side of plate 8.5 previously described.

The reciprocatory motion of the magazine 88 is produced byza mechanism which will-now be described. By'observingfFigure 1 :it -will. be seen that the bottom of plate '85 has'a toothed'rack I08 upon the lowerrfacerthereof; said :rack meshing with. a pinion 1 I19 upon shaft; IL'III. Thisshaft is rotatably mountediina downwardly extending bracket III andhas a lever .I'I;2ffiXedly secured thereon. Ailin-k'I I3:has its upper-end' pivotally secured to the free "end of lever II2,"t'he lower end of said link being pivotally secured to a laterallyextendingtarm.'I I4 asiat :I1I5.

Arm I14 is securedit'oitheiupper.en'd 'of:a;rocl III; which, in turn,issli'dably'nrountedforfvertical reciprocatory motion in bearings IiIfI. Thesebearings are supported Jby side frames I 9. Figures 1, 1A, 2'and 6 clearlyshowthestructure of'the rod IIB; It is here seen that the lower end of the rodTI I6 has ahorizontal legjl I8=Which rests upon a substantially square-cam I I9,-said cam I19 being fixedly secured upon the 'main drive shaft-B4 previously described; Asa means for supp'ortingthesfree end of'laterally extending leg '8, a suitable diagonalbr-ace IZIIisprovided. Also-as a means for'preventing rotative movementof leg'II8-about rod II'Bas acenter, an L-shaped bracket m is provided, which brackethasa slot I 23 in'the-upper-en'd thereof for the reception of the end or the leg. This L shaped bracket I22 is supported'by the lower bed plate II. In order'to yiel'dably hold the horizontal leg I'I8'against theperiphery of the square cam II9, a suitable tension spring I24 is provided.

As the 'ma-in' drive shaft rotates the high and low'sides-of cam -'I"I9 'Will cause 'th'erod H6 to rise and fall'four times during each revolution. This motion of the rod I'I6 will serve "to reciprocate label magazine 88 back and forth, that is toward and away from-theturret13'1' four times for each revolution of the main drive shaft, andconsequently, four labels will be successively delivered to-thesuction nozzles A to D inclusiveas the nozzles 'move'to 'receiving positions. It is of course'understood .that each time the-magazine 88 is advanced inwardly that a nozzle-will beina stationaryposition toreceive the 'exposed'label' which is disposed'in the magazine.

Label-vacuum means As heretofore stated a suction or partial. vacuumis employed for holding-the labels: 92 upon the nozzles A to D inclusive while the nozzles:

serving-Figure. 13 'that the bores r I 32Jare'arranged substantially in the arc ofwa circle, using; the

shaft 4| as-a center.

.Since the .lower portion ofturret 3j'I res'ts in face .i to face contact with the upper portion of bracket 59, the openings I32 will be closed .by

groove I34 begins at the label receiving position and'ends at the-label applying: position. Inother words, whenone ofthe nozzles is disposed instationary position and in the position for receiving a label 32-from the mass of labels in'themagazine, one end of the circular groove I34 is-corn-- municating with-a bore I32 and l a compartment I.3I. At-the same time the oppositely disposed nozzle, that is the nozzle located 180fr0m-thelabel .-receiving.nozz1e, is'disposed in a position for applyingalabelto-the spool-head. This oppositely disposed nozzle is communicating with theother end ofthe circular grooveI34. The intermediate' nozzle also has suction applied thereto to holdits respective labelin position. When a nozzle rotates from the 'label applyingposition to label receiving position'the'suction is eliminated because the'groove I34'is not located adjacent this path of I travel.

Communicating with one end'of groove I34j-is a pipe I31, said pipe passing downwardly through bedplate I-2 to a vacuum tank 'I-38 (Figures 1,:6, 9, 13 and 14). Leading from thevacuum tank is another pipe I39 whichextends horizontally and then downwardly to thesuctionend of*a suitableair pump I49. This pumpiszpositioned on'the lower-bed plate II "andxhasaishaft I4I extending therefrom which is connected to. a motorshaft, I42 of'motorl'43, said :motor "also being supported by thelower bedJplate II. Pump I49 operates'continuously to provide: a continuous suctionwhich results in a :partial vacuum .in

the. nozzles A'to iD-inclusive; It isalso noted that reach nozzle is open during itsnttravel .from label:applyingposition-to'label receiving position but once thenozzle is' not incommunication with groove 134 not suction will be present, but this nozzle: is usually. not .in: communication With the circular groove I34. Even'though one-or more of the nozzles shouldbe'open and'in communi-' cation with thegroove I34, the amount of'suctionproduced by the pumpis-suflicient to still create an inward flow of air through the additional nozzles tohold labels thereon.

commonly used onspool heads for advertising.

and identification purposes. This label 92 has one face "thereof coated with a suitablev adhesive I49, said adhesive usuallybeing dry so as to makeit possible to place the-labels side by side-in a'stack' without 'one label'adhering to the other. When using labels having a dried adhesivethereon it-is necessary 'to provide means for rendering this adhesive elfective before the label is-applied to the spool head. In the present disclosure a suitable atomizing spray has been employed whereby'water or other suitable liquid is applied to :the dried adhesive I49, after the label has been positioned upon one of thenozzles and beforethe nozzle has reached label applying-aposition. It is also necessary that the labels be placed in the magazine-88iin-such-a manner that when 'a label is withdrawn and positioned upon a nozzle the exposedsurface of each 5 withdrawn label will have the dried adhesive I49 thereon.

tain' water or other suitable liquid for m'ois't'e'n ing purposes. Extending downwardly from the top of the receptacle IIJis a tube I51, the upper end of saidtube being disposed substantially at the same elevation as the'center of nozzles A to D-inclusive. The end of "an air pipe I52 is disposed in close proximity to the upper end of the pipe I5fI, said pipe I52-being also 'substantially'in alignmentwith the planeof rotation ofthe nozzles; I

' When'a blast'of compressed'air is'emitted from the pipe I52 it blows over the-upper end of pipe 'I 5I and: thereby draws the liquid upwardly through tlie pipe and atom-izes-the same; This atomizedliquid is directedjont o the label 9 is disposed upon the adjacent nozzle;- As the label -travels from the label"receivin 2,;. esition to the l'ab'el applying position it passes'through this spray -and' the adhesive I4$l thereon is *thereby moistened. When the labelandnozzle reach a position opposite the-spray on: the travel from label receiving to label applyin'gposition, it is stopped fo'ra' short time interval to permit the adhesive'to be properly exposed i A suitable funnel-shaped' member l54 is pr'ovided for converging the "atomized" spray after it leaves theiup'per' en'd of'p'ipe I5I. Thisrfunn'elshaped member directs the spray upon the label carried by the' nozzle;

Air is supplied' to'the pipe I52 byan'y suitable meanssuchas 'pipe' I55; fitting" I56} hose I51, va1ve I58,"hos'e I59, reservoir ISOand Pipe IGI, said pipe I 6I "beingc'onnected t'o -th'e' outle't side of air pump l462 The airiwhichis expelled from this pump is forced into reservoir. I BOjupithrOugh the'pipe. I 59, valve I58; hose. I 51, 'flttin'g'fl 56, hose I55 and-into pipe I52 (Figuresil, 1A, .2;-..an'd 6) It is only necessary that the :atomizing. equipment operate. while *thelabeliis in position for receiving" the 1 spray; consequently; means :have' been i provided for cutting; the? compressedtair on and oil b'yzthe-manipula'tion of the valve'l 58 (Fig-v ures 1, 6 and-8). The "valvehas'aplug'l62rotatably mounted therein, said plugjhaving a" trans verse bore-I 63 through-which the air passes; The plug; I 62 extends-to the exterior of the valve I58 and has a lever I 65 extending therefrom; the free end of said lever havinga link I66j-"pivotally securedthereto,- which 'link' is-pivotallyzsecuredas at I61 to arm-- H4 previously-described. Each time the rod II6' moves up and down the valve I58 is cut on and off to"intermittently permit air,

to escape from 'pi'pe I52=andthereby direct an atomized spray: onto the label 92 upon the. adj acent nozzle.

Presser mechanism for the applied labels After the labels have been applied to the'opposed ends of the spools, the spools are'released from-the nozzles andallowed'to -roll first upon inclined platform 35 and'then to inclined platform 32. Occasionally, the nozzles do not properly apply-the-labels' to the spool heads. In-order'to' in-the position shown in: Figures- 3 and 6. As,

heretofore stated the is: held in this posttionfor the subsequent pressingroperlation :by the 1 free-end of bar 3 I which -bar"-forms-a-+pa-rt or the I f '75 spoolescapement' mechanism.

This" pressing- In ordertopermit the free'end of the bell crank:

to impart straight line reciprocatory motion? to the tubular member 'I1I without binding anyxof the parts, slot I11 isprovided' in-the' upper end of the bell. crank for the reception of the bolt I16. The bell crank I15 is pivotally. mounted as! at I18 to a'do'wnw'ardly extending'bracket I19, which bracketis: supported by the bedplate I2. In.

vertical leg of bellcrank I15 a slot I is cut in'the'bed plate I2. y 1

- The horizontal leg of bell crank I15 hasits free end pivotally secured to the upper end'of a vertically disposedlink I8I, and thelower end 'of this link is pivotally-secizred tothe arm -I I4'as at- I82. -As"the-square cam H9 and main driveshaft64 rotate, the rod IIS and associated arm- I I4' will reciprocate, up and down, in the-manner: heretofore-described. This reciprocationwill impart horizontal reciprocation'to thetubular mem ber HI and to the'presser'head I10'to' thereby cause the labelupon-the spool head tobeagain pressed more firmlyin position; The timeofengagement :01 the spool head'by the member I10 is substantially the same as the time ofengagement by the turret nozzles of the'spool heads; however, there is a slight variation in the timeof engagement and the time of release, as will beseen by observing-the timing diagram in Fig'-.

ure l'l.

Unlabeled spoolcap'turing mechanism I If for any reason. a labelbecomes detached from the spool. heads it is'necessary to perform the labeling, operation again. Heretofore it has been necessary for an. operator to inspect eachendof each labeled spool to ascertainwhether or not the label wasproperly applied- The present device-has meansiwhereby the absence of a; label upon a spool head will cause the spool. to. be rejected andctransferred by Way of another route to a segregated position. It is seen by observing Figures 11 and 12 that each of the spools 20 has a longitudinal bore 20a therethrough. Each end' of 1 this bore 20a is covered by a label 92 When the spool is properly labeled. If a label is'omitted from one end of the'spool' the hole is, ofcourse, left open.

As a detecting means for ascertaining whether or not a label'ha's been omitted from the endof the spool head, a suitable conical plunger I is provided, said plunger I85 being slidably' mounted in the inner end of tubular member 1 HI. A hole I86 is provided in the presser head I10,'said hole being of sufficient diameter to permit the conicalplunger to pass therethrough without friction. This plunger 185 has a rod I88:

integral therewith, said rod having a weak com pression spring I89-therearound'which normally" tends. to force the plunger I85 outwardly through"- This compression spring has the" the bore I86. right-hand end thereof in Figure 10 abuttin'g' a transverse wall f I90 within" the tubular member order to providethe necesSarycIearancefortha Extending downwardly from :the righteh'and end of rod I88 is an arm iIBI, said am being slidably mounted in the slot I 92 'cut inithe tube.

III. A cord I93 has one en'd'thereof' fastened to'the'lowermost end of arm I9I, said cordpassing around a, pulley I94 which,'in-turn, i's rotat ably supported by the outermost end'of tubular member I! I. This cordhas its other end' secured to'bracket H3 and at IE5.

The purpose of the cord H23 and :pulley IE5 is to normally hold the conicalplunger I85in 'retracted position when the tubular members, I'II isin an outermost position. When the'tubular member HI and I'll are moved inwardly to spool engaging position, such'as'shown in Fi ure 11, the pulleys I'94-and- I94 will also be moved inwardly thereby permitting the plungers I85 and 185 to move against'the label 'onthe-spool head under the force of the weak'compression springs I89. If a label is notpresent, such as shown-in Figure 12, the. plunger i85-will be moved inwardly into the bore 22a. Then when'the. tu-

bular member I'H moves outwardly again, the

plunger will pull the spool off the :platform-32. Upon further outward movement of thetubular member the cord I93 will serve to retract the plunger within the tubular member and thereby release the spool and permit it tofalldownwarde 1y. -A suitable opening I 91 is provided in the, bed plate I'2 through which the rejected-spools are .permitted'to if all after having been 1 released by'the' retracting plunger I85 In the drawings and specification, the-re has been set forth a preferred embodiment of-the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used-in agenericanddescriptivefor-intermittently rotating said rotary members and nozzles, a label magazine for each rotary member andadapted'to hold aplurality of labels, one side of each label having dried adhesive thereon, means for simultaneously transferring a label from each magazine to one nozzle of each rotary member during'the time'intervalbetween saidintermittent rotations, spray heads fordirecting moisture upon the adhesive fa'ceof said transferred labels during a succeeding time interval between said intermittent rotations; means for feeding an article between-the two-proximate nozzles of said separated rotary members, and means -for simultaneously moving the separated rotary members together with theiproximate nozzles,land sprayed labels, toward-the opposite sides of said article during another succeeding time interval between said intermittent rotaticns to thereby apply labels to the article.

2. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising two separated rotary members having a plurality of spaced fixed suction nozzles, means for intermittently rotating said rotary members and nozzles, a label magazine for each rotary member and adapted to hold a plurality of labels, one side of each label having dried adhesive thereon, means for simultaneously transferring a label from each magazine to one nozzle of each rotary member during the time interval between said intermittent rotations, spray heads for directing moisture upon the adhesive face of said transferred labels during a succeeding time interval between said intermittent rotations, :a valve for controlling the spray heads, means for closing said valve: when the rotary 'member's an'dfnozzles are rotating and for opening the valve when the rotary: members and nozzles are stationary, means for feeding: an article between the two proximate nozzlesof said separated'rot'ary members, and'means. for simultaneously moving'the separatedwotary members together'with the proximate nozzles and sprayed labels, toward the opposite sides 'of saidarticle during another: succeeding time interval between said intermittent rotations to thereby apply labels to the article.

3. Apparatus for applying labels 'to articles comprisingv'a rotary member having a plurality of spa'ced fixed nozzles, suction means for said nozzles, means for intermittently rotating said rotary'member, a, magazine for holding aplurality .of labels, each of said labels having a dried adhesive face: remotely disposed from said rotary member, means .for trans'ferring a, label from said m'agazineto oneof said nozzles during a time intervalb'etween said intermittent rotatio'ris, means for spraying moisture on the exposed adhesive face of said transferred label duringa succeeding time interval between said intermittent rotations, and means for moving the rotarymember towards the. article to apply the sprayed label onto the article during an-. othersuc'ceeding tim'e interval between said intermittent rotations.

4. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising two separated rotary members, each rotary memberhaving a. plurality of spaced fixed nozzles, suction means for'said nozzles, means for intermittently rotating said rotary members and nozzles, a label magazine for each rotary member and adapted to hold'a plurality of labels, one side of each label having dried adhesive thereon, means for simultaneously transferring a label from each magazine to'one of the nozzles of the associated'rotary member-duringthe time interval between said intermittent rotations,

means for simultaneously spraying the exposed adhesive faces of said transferred labels during a'succeeding time intervalbetween said intermittent rotations, means for feeding an article between said separated-rotary members, means for simultaneously moving the separated rotary members togetherwith the proximate'nozzles and sprayed labels towardtheoppositesidesof said article'durin'g another succeeding time interval between said intermittent rotations to thereby apply labels to the article.

5. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising two spaced'turret-s, each turret having a nozzle, suction means for releasably holding' anadhesive label upon the respective nozzles, means for feeding an article between said turrets. means for rotating said turrets step by step to position the nozzles and associated labels adjacent'oppositesides-of-said article-means for simultaneouslymovin-gsai'd turrets together with the-nozzles and labels toward said article during the time interval between said step by step rotations to thereby apply the labels to the articles.

6. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising two relatively movable spaced turrets, each turret having a nozzle, suction means for releasably holding an adhesive label upon the respective nozzles, means for feeding an article between said turrets, means for rotating said turrets step by step to position the nozzles and associated labels adjacent opposite sides of said ings whereby the nozzles will be simultaneously moved toward and away from opposite sides of said article during the time interval between said intermittent rotations to thereby apply labels-to the article.

'7. Apparatus for applying labels to, articles comprisingja-rotary member having a pluralityrof spaced fixed nozzles, suction means for said nozzles, means for intermittently rotating said'rotary member, a magazine for holding a' stack of labels, eachxof said'labels having a dried adhesive face remotely disposed from said rotary member, means for moving said magazine and said stack toward said nozzle during the time interval between said intermittent rotations to cause the exposed label on one end of the stack to be transferred to one of the nozzles, a spring-pressed plunger" engaging the other end of said stack of labels, and cam operated means for arresting the pressure of said plunger upon the'stack of labels duringjanother succeeding time intervalibetween said' intermittent rotations to thereby apply labels-tothe article.

10. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising two spaced turrets, each turret hav-- simultaneously moving saidturrets together with when the magazine moves away from the nozzle I and forreleasing said plunger against the'stack of labels when the magazine is moving toward the nozzle.

8. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising a rotary member having a plurality of spaced fixednozzles, suction means-for'said noz+ zles', means for intermittentlyrotating said rotary member, a magazine for holding a plurality of labels, each of said labels having a dried adhesive face remotely disposed fromsaid rotary member, means for transferring a label from said magazine to one of said nozzles during a time interval between said. intermittent rotations, means for spraying moisture on the exposed adhesive face of said transferred label during a succeeding time interval between said intermittent rotations, and 1 means for moving the rotary member together with the sprayed label towards the article to apply the sprayed labels to the article during another succeeding time interval between said intermittent rotations to thereby apply the label to thearticle.

9. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising two separated rotary members, each rotary member having a plurality of spaced fixed nozzles, suction means forsaid nozzles, means for intermittently rotating said rotary members and nozzles, a label magazine for each rotary member and adapted to hold a plurality of labels, one side of each label having dried adhesive thereon, means for simultaneously transferring a label from each magazine to one of the nozz1es of the associated-rotary member during the time interval between said intermittent rotations, means for simultaneously spraying theexposed adhesive faces of saidtransferred labels during a succeeding time interval between said intermittent rotations, means for feeding an articlebetween said separated'rotary members, and means for simultaneously moving the separated'rotary-memb'ers together with the proximate nozzles and sprayed labels toward the opposite sides of said' article the. nozzles and labels toward said article'during' the time interval between said step by step rota;- tions to thereby'apply the labels to the article;

11. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising a rotary member having a nozzle, suc-" tion means for releasably holding an adhesive label upon said nozzle, means for intermittently rotating said member to position the nozzle and associated label adjacent said article, and means for bodily moving the rotary member together with the nozzle and labels, towardthe article to thereby apply the label to the article during'the time interval between said intermittent rotations' 12. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising a rotary member, fixed suction means for releasably holding a label upon said member, means for intermittently rotating said member and suction means, means for rendering said label adhesive during a time interval between said intermittent rotations, and means for bodily moving the rotary member together with said suction means and label toward said article during a succeeding time interval between said intermittent rotations to thereby apply the label to the article.

13. Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising two spaced turrets, each turret having a nozzle, suction means for releasably holdingan adhesive label upon the respective nozzles, means for'feeding'an article between said turrets, means for rotating said turrets step by step to positionthe nozzles and associated labels ad jacent opposite sides of said article, means for simultaneously moving said turrets together with said nozzles and labels toward said article during the time interval between said step by step rotations to thereby apply the labels to the article.

14..Apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising a rotary member, fixed suction means for releasably holding a label upon said member,

means for intermittently rotating said member and'suction means, means for rendering said label adhesive during a timeinterval between said intemittent' rotations; means for bodily mov-

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