US2601934A - Label and foil wiping apparatus - Google Patents

Description

July 1, 1952 A. c. TESS LABEL AND FOIL WIPING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 20, 1949 INVENTOR.

ALBERT 6. 7555 BY $7 M i ue I IM y 1952 A. c. TESS 2,601,934

LABEL AND FOIL WIPING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 20, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. A45er C 7955 Arrow/5m y 1952 A. c. TEss 2,601,934

LABEL AND FOIL WIPING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 20, 1949 a Sheets-Sheet 3 I ATM/1M INVEN TOR. ALBERT C. 7555 Arme/v s'w Patented July 1, 1952 Albert C. Tess, Ramsey, N. J assignor to Edward Ermold Company, New York, N. Y., a corpora-V tion of New York Application December 20, 1949, Serial No. 133,968

This'invention relates to label applying machinery and more particularly, to improved meth-- d and mechanism for use in automatic labeling machines for wiping labels into engagement with curved or cylindrical surface articles, such as bottles, jars, cans and the like.

In applying labels ordecorative foils to containers, it is conventional to utilize one or more wiper elements mounted, for example, on reciprocatory carriers which move thewiper elements into engagement with the'unattached label to press. or wipe the label upon a surface of the container. Where the label is to surround a portion of a bottle, usually the neck portion, a pair of laterally, reciprocating wiper elements in the form of freely rotatable, long bristle brushes have beenmade to reciprocate, in sequence past the trailingedge of the moving bottle,.engaging first one free end of. .thelabel and wiping it against thev bottle, and then, .with the second brush, wipingthe other free endin like manner from the opposite side.

Such method of wiping offers the least wiping action at that end of the labelwhere it is most required. Also, the'action of the second wiper, due to the free rotation thereof, issuchthat the label is pressed more than wiped onto the bottle surface; I hus quality of the finishedwork is dependent largely on the pressure exerted by the wiper element on the label and container. With some types of labels, however, and particularly those finished with a heavy varnish coat, flagging or peeling of the label may occur or the label-may be otherwise marred from excessive radial pressure.

In accordance withthe invention, a labelor foil applying mechanism is provided for overcoming the deficiences of the conventional method and more'efiectively; afifixing the protective or ornamental label about the container or other article, L Y a f 'I}his is; accomplished by providing mechanism aifording positiverotary movement to atleast one of the opposed wiper elements, which-move-v ment is supplementalto and concurrent with oscillatory or recimfocatory motion thereof. ,By virtue of the oscillatory; motion or bodily translation in a curvilinear path, the wiper element is forced tofollow a path -partially around the container in such manner that a substantially uniform; pressure is, exertediover a larger portion of the label. In addition, the added and attend:

ingrotary movementenables the attainment of a defin t twini ac the wiper e n The direction of the supplemental rotary move:

'9 Claims. (CL-216+57l ment'imparted by the novel mechanism to one wiperv is opposite tothat which would occurshould the wiper be allowed to freely'rotate about its axis .while in engagement with the label. This action also tends to draw the label taut by wiping while lightly pressing the labelinto contact with the container.

.The invention may be more readily understood. by reference to the following description ofla representative embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a portion of a bottle labeling machine incorporating the improved wiper mechanism as seen in the .direction of movement of the bottles;

Figure 2, is'a view in vertical section taken along the line 2--2 of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of a portion of the labeling machine showing in an inactive position a portion of the mechanism for actuating the wiper elements and with a bottle and its unaflixed label approaching the wipers; Figure 1 shows a portion of the mechanism of Figure 3 with the first wiping element at the completion of its operative engagement with thelabel and the bottle neck; and

Figure 5 shows a portion of the mechanism of Figure 3 with the first wiper returned to its initial position andthe second wiper in action, completing the application of the label to the bottle. 7

' The drawings show a novel. wiper-actuating mechanism formed according to the invention and isolated from a complete labeling machine such as that shown in the U. S. patent of Edward Ermold, No. 1,871,677,120 which reference may be had for a detailed description of a labeling machine to which the present invention may be applied. I

Referring to Figure 2, a line of bottles l0, suitably spaced from each other, is passed in the direction of the arrow l3 by conventional and con-' tinuous conveying mechanism (not shown) between a pairof juxtaposed wiper elements II and I2, which may comprise long-bristled brushes, for example. In timed relationship to the movement of the bottles and prior to the actuation of. thewiper elements to engage the bottle neck, a label, sheet or foil or the like, L,- is placed against the bottle by suitable applying means not shown, and clamped .to the bottle by suitable gripper means l4, shown inFigure 3, butnotforming part of the invention. Thelabel L, yvhich is made to partially envelop the bottle neck, is pre-gummed along its two inside vertical edges.

As the bottle with its unafiixed label continues to move in the direction of arrow l3, the flagging end of the label L, engages the first wiper element I I, and is partially wrapped around the bottle by virtue of the linear translation of the bottle by the conveyor. When bottle and label have passed the center of Wiper H, the wiper is actuated to move at right angles to the path of the bottle and across the trailing edge thereof to the approximate position shown in Figure 4, thus completing the wipe of the first free end of the label.

ment (2 which is in its initial (or retracted) posiwrapped around the bottle due to the feeding movement of the conveyor. In timed relation to the movement of the bottle, the wiper element I2 is then actuated bymechanisrn described below and caused to swing about the axis'of pin 22 across the trailing edge of the bottle While in addition being positively rotated about its own axis in a direction opposite that which it would have 'if allowed-to roll freely over the surface of the bottle.

Thus, a positive Wiping action is obtained, and since the brush travels along an arc in the direction. of the movement of the bottle, a substantially uniform pressure is exerted by the wiper on the label throughout its wiping cycle. Also, because. the arcuate movement of the brush causes it to follow the bottlein a limited amount along its line of feeding movement, it is possible to effect wiping of the label beyond the point of tangency of a plane at: right angles to the line of feed of the bottle with the trailing edge thereof. This results in highly eifective application of so-called all-around" labels.

The wiper elements i and I2 are actuated sequentially in timed relation tothe movement of the bottle through the machine by means of cams (not shown) which rock pivotally mounted bellcranlt le'vers l5 and [6 which in turn reciprocate although the actuating mechanism described in the said patent maybe similar to that utilized herein, the timing of the respective movements shouldbemodified according to this disclosure in order .to produce the correct wiping actions. Thecylindrical wiper element H is freely rotatively, mounted on a post 19 depending vertically from theslide bar carrier i1 and is reciprocated therewith laterally of its axis of rotation. Instead of being rotatively mounted on anaxis which is fixed with respect to the slide bar carrier H, as in the case of wiper H and the prior art, the wiper element I2 ismounted upon a vertical post 20 which is suspended from one end of a lever arm 2 l, the other end of which is supported for pivotal movement about a vertical .pin 22 by a stationary, cantilever hanger arm 23. The hanger ,arm 23 is endwise afiixed by suitable means such as a bolt-secured block 24 to a vertical, stationary column 25. Thus, the wiper element-l2 may be swung or revolved about the pin 22:1with the lever arm 2| as a radius. I

, A:roller2fi' mounted on the upper end of the verticallpost 28, which carries the wiper element I2, extends upwardly to be laterally embraced by the arms of a yoke member 26 secured to-the The bottle and label, continuing' their travel through the machine, engage wiper ele underside of the slide bar carrier l8. Thus, as the slide bar carrier [8 is reciprocated, it swings the wiper element 12 about the center 22 through the driving action of the yoke member 26. It should be noted that within the limits of the reciprocation of the slide bar carrier 18 the arcuate displacement of the wiper element I2 is such that the component of movementin the direction of feeding motion of the bottle increases as the wiper engages the trailing edge of the bottie and moves partially about the surface thereof.

The actuation of the respective wiper elements H and I2 is such that they move in opposite directiohs and engage the bottle neck in timed relationship so that the free ends of the labels are successively wiped against the bottle, thereby enabling the wiper elements H and [2 to effect a complete wrap of the label about the neck of the bottle as described.

It will be seen from Figure 5 that as the wiper element I 2 engages and rolls on the. label the spreading bristles tend to slide the label L about the bottle neck. This action, unmodified, could cause bunching or other undesirable efiects in the applied label. .Also, if the wiper and bottle are moving in paths which are substantially mutually perpendicular, wiping pressure decreases as the wiper approaches the end of the label and it is impossible to effectively wipe a label beyond the trailing edge of the bottle. 7

To modify these possible undersirable effects a radius arm 2'! is secured to the freely rotatable, upright shaft 20 which carries the wiper element 12. The free end of the radius arm 21 is joined by means of a pivotally connected link 28 toa stationary lug 29 afiixed to the cantilever hanger arm 23, the radius arm 21 and link 28 comprising a constraining linkage. This constraining linkage is so adjusted that as the wiper element is bodily displaced laterally with respect to its axis by the action of the slide bar carrier [8 on pivot arm 2i, it is concurrently rotated about its own axis. The direction of this rotation, as the wiper is moved into-engagement with a bottle, is indi cated by the arrow 30 of Figure "5, and is such thatthe absolutemotion, i. e., relative movement with respect to the bottle surface. of that por tion of the wipe-r which is in engagement with the label is increased. This rotary motionof the wiper tends to drag the bristles over the label, thus providing the positive wiping action described above. 4

- It-will be a parent, therefore, that the-"ton dency of the spreading bristles of the wiper e1ement I2 to push or slide the label in acou'nterclockwise direction will b materially decreased. Furthermore, by appropriate ;-design of the mounting linkage, including the pivot arm 2! and slide bar carrier l8, the portion of the wiper element I2 in engagement with the bottle surface may be made to exert more or less radial'prea sure on the label thus enabling control of--any tendency to mar the label. This controlled, oscillato'ry arciiate movement of-the wiper element I2 is uSefliI Controlling the amount Of pres sure exer-tedo'n the receding bottle and'label, and maintainingthe desiredpressure'until the end of th label has been a'ffi-xe'd to the bottle,; even though the label encompasses'the bottles for somewhat more than 360, -or beyond the trailing edge. Moreover, the amount of positive rota tion of the wiperlZ may be controlled by appropriate design of the constraining linkage including the radius arm 21 and connecting link :28, thereby to govern the degree of frictional wiping 55 energy impartedto .thelabel. to insure its tautness or smoothness.

While a specific embodiment 'jh'a s been described above, the invention is not intended to be limited thereto, but issuse'eptible of numerous changes in form and detail. For example,-both, wiper lements may. be provided with positive driving means for imparting positive rotational movement in various amountsithereto simu'ltane ously with the usual lateral ;displa'cement..;. ;Fur: thermore, -the supportinglinkage;for the; wiper elements may be changed in several respects without departing from the spirit of th invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine for labelling objects, convey-r means for moving said objects through the machine, means for wiping a label upon a surface of the object, including a wiper element, a mounting for said wiper element permitting rotary movement thereof about an axis, a carrier for said mounting providing for movement of the mounting to displace the wiper element laterally of said axis of rotation and in a direction substantially transversely of the direction of conveyor movement, and positive driving means for simultaneously rotating the wiper element about said axis and displacing said mounting and wiper element laterally with respect to said axis, said rotary and lateral movements being in directions supplementing one another to wipe the label upon a surface of the object.

2. In a label-applying machine, in combination, means for conveying objects to be labelled through said machine, means for positioning a label adjacent a surface of the object, a pivot arm disposed laterally of the line of bottle movement, a wiper member rotatably carried by the free end of said pivot arm, and actuating means for oscillating said arm about the pivot and for rotating the wiping member in timed relation to the movement of the object through the machine, thereby to carry said wiper member into engagement with said label to cause the label to be wiped onto a surface of the object by a combination of rotary and translatory movement.

3. In a machine for applying a label to a given surface, a wiper element having a label-engaging portion, means for bodily displacing said wiper element to engage said label to press the latter against the given surface by movement relatively thereto, and positive driving means for rotating said element simultaneously with the displacement thereof, thereby to increase relative movement between the label and the label-engaging portion of the wiper during the wiping operation.

4. In a labelling machine including work conveying means and means for positioning a label adjacent a surface of the work, a wiper element, means supporting said wiper element for rotation about an axis, a carrier for said supporting means providing for bodily displacement of the wiper element in a direction lateral with respect to the axis of rotation and transversely of the direction of conveying movement, and unitary actuating means for simultaneously rotating the Wiper element about said axis and for displacing the wiper element, thereby to press the label against a surface of the work, with the bodily displacement of the wiper as well as the rotational movement thereof aifording relative movement with respect to the surface of the Work.

5. In a machine for applying a foil to a bottle to surround the neck portion thereof and having means for positioning a foil adjacent the bottle neck; prior to beingwiped uponthe, surface, the.

combination of conveyor meansz for moving said bottlethrouglr the machinaza first wiper element, means for- 1 displacing isaid element. in transla.-.

andpartially wipe ,the-foil upon, the bottle neck, a ,second wiper element having. a foil-engaging portion and an axis of rotation, means Tfor'displacing said -secgrrd wiper element in translation in directions substantially transversely of the direction of conveyor movement and opposing those of said first wiper element and in timed relationship thereto, thereby to engage and wipe the foil upon the bottle neck at a point spaced from said first wiper element, and positive driving means for rotating said second wiper element about said axis in a direction such that the foil-engaging portion thereof. is displaced relatively to the label surface at a rate exceeding that caused by said lateral translation of the second wiper.

6. In a bottle labelling machine, a wiper element for pressing a label into engagement with a bottle surface, said wiper having an axis of rotation, means supporting said wiper and permitting oscillatory movement about an axis spaced from said axis of rotation and rotary movement about said axis of rotation, driving means for oscillating said wiper, a radius arm secured to said wiper, link means joining the free end of said radius arm to a stationary point, said radius arm and link means providing a positive driving connection for rotating said wiper simultaneously with the oscillatory movement thereof.

7. In a bottle labelling machine having bottleconvey ng means and means for positioning a label adjacent a surface of said bottle prior to being afiixed thereto, in combination a first label wiping element and means for bodily displacing the wiping element to engage 'said label in timed relationship to the movement of the bottle through the machine by the conveying means, a lever arm, a second label wiping element supported by said lever arm for rotation about an axis, means pivotally supporting said lever arm at a point spaced from the axis of rotation of said wiping element, a radius arm connected to rotate said second wiping element about said axis, a stationary support, a link connecting the free end of said radius arm to the stationary support, a reciprocatory member, and operative driving connections between said reciprocatory member and said second wiping element, whereby reciprocation of said member causes the second wiping element to partake of concurrent revolutionary and rotary motion in engaging the label.

8. In a bottle labelling machine as set forth in claim 7 wherein the operative driving connections between said reciprocatory member and said second wiping element comprise a shaft portion substantially coaxial with the axis about which said wiping element is rotated, and a yoke member laterally embracing said shaft and secured to said reciprocatory member.

9. A machine for applying a label to the surface of a container including in combination,

means for conveying said container through the 3 machine, a first wiper element having a labelengaging portion, means for bodily displacing said wiper element in a given first direction to engage the label to press a portion of the same against the surface of the container adjacent the trailing edge thereof with respect to the conveyor motion, a second wiper element having a REFERENCES CITED portion: means for bodily The following references are of record in the placing said second wiper element in a direcme of this patent:

tion having a component of motion substantially opposite to said first direction to engage said' 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS label to press the same against the surface of Number Name Date the container adjacent the trailing edge there- 1,294,290 Mac Farland Feb. 11, 1919 of, said wiper elements being displaced in timed I 1,469,599 Johnson et a1 -1 Oct. 2, 1923 relationship. 1,871,677 Ermo1ds11' Aug. 16, 1932 ALBERT C. TESS. 10 2,118,527 Schmutzer et a1. May 24, 1938 2,315,349 Os'lufid Mar. 30, 1943

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