US2643498A

US2643498A - Label affixing machine

Info

Publication number: US2643498A
Application number: US212878A
Authority: US
Inventors: John J Gregory
Original assignee: EASTERN RES LAB Inc
Current assignee: EASTERN RES LAB Inc; EASTERN RESEARCH LABORATORIES Inc
Priority date: 1951-02-27
Filing date: 1951-02-27
Publication date: 1953-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 1970-06-30

Description

June 30, 1953 J. J. GREGORY 2,643,498

LABEL AFFIXING MACHINE Filed Feb. 27, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet l ""Hllu INVENTOR,

ATTORNEYS June 30, 1953 J, J, GREGORY 2,643,498

LABEL' AFFIXING MACHINE Filed Feb. 27, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 y ATTORNEYS June 30, 1953 J. J. GREGORY 2,643,498

LABEL AFFIXING MACHINE Filed Feb. 27, 1951 6 Shsaes-Sheei'l 5 J argo@ INVENTOR l l l BY I l 0 ATTORNEYS June 30, 1953 J. J. GREGORY 2,643,498

LABEL AFFIXING MACHINE Filed Feb. 27, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 aal llff- JIJ grecyoy INVENTOR,

1 l I BY y 1 l a ATTORNEYS June 30, 1953 J. J. GREGORY LABEL AFFIXING MACHINE Filed Feb. 27, 1951 6 Sheetg-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS June 30, 1953 J. J. GREGORY 2,643,498

LABEL AFFIXING MACHINE Filed Feb. 27, 1951 6 Sheets-Shea*l 6 F' TTM III g O 171910. g

/se i /29 /a/ fw* /35 /33 /34 L /24 mrt.: u .2 .2.. /Jg

ZJ iwelgoy INVENTOR,

BY willy-Po.

ATTORNEYS Patented June 30, 1953 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE LABEL AFFIXING MACHINE more, Md.

Application February 27, 1951, Serial No. 212,878

3 Claims. l

This invention relates to a label airixing machine for positioning labels on boxes, wherein labels are folded or looped around the boxes or packages, the ends of the labels being glued together in such a way that while the labels are secured to the boxes, the boxes may be slid through the labels without defacing the boxes or labels, should it be desired to remove the labels from the boxes for marketing the material packaged, under another label.

An important object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character which embodies an endless chain of label supports or carriers including pivoted sections, which are so constructed and arranged that as the labels are moved through the machine on the supports or carriers with the boxes being labeled, the labels will be folded around the boxes, the labels closely iitting the boxes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a label axing machine having means for causing the overlapped ends of the labels to be glued together around the boxes, as the boxes continue to move through the machine, thereby making it unnecessary to provide means for stopping the machine at predetermined intervals, to apply the glue or adhesive material to the labels to secure the ends of the labels together.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing'from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view showing the reverse side of the forward end of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental perspective view illustrating the suction nozzles of the label handling mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a detail view illustrating the valve designed for admitting atmospheric air to the system breaking the vacuum to the nozzles.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged elevational view illustrating the label holder or box.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental elevational view of the machine illustrating the glue heating mechanism of the machine.

Fig. '7 is a fragmental transverse sectional view through the machine.

Fig. 8 is a plan view illustrating one of the label supports or carriers in its open position.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating one of the boxes with a label positioned thereon, one end of the label being folded rearwardly illustrating the glue used in securing the ends of the label together.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional View through a portion of the machine illustrating a modified form of means for applying glue to the ends 0f the labels being positioned.

Fig. 11 is a fragmental perspective View illustrating the construction of the glue pan and absorbent material that distributes the glue.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the machine comprises a frame embodying supporting posts 5 that connect with horizontal side bars 6 arranged in parallel spaced relation with respect to each other, the side bars being connected by transverse bars 'I which bars l also provide supports for certain elements of the machine, to be hereinafter more fully described. Connected with the posts 5, are spaced bars 8 which provide a support for the reduction gear box 9 which provides a support for the motor II) operating the gearing in the gear box 9. The gear box 9 houses the power shaft II which is provided with a sprocket over which the power chain I2 operates, the power chain I2 also operating over the sprocket I3 which is secured to one end of the shaft Ill which operates in the bearings I5 disposed on the bars 8. A second sprocket is secured on the shaft ill and the chain It operates thereover, the chain I6 also operating over the sprocket I'I secured to the shaft I8 that is mounted in the bearings I9. Thus power is taken from the shaft I4 to the shaft I8. This shaft I8 also supports the sprockets 20 over which the chains 2l operate, the chains 2I being arranged in parallel spaced relation with respect to each other, providing supports for the label carriers 22 to be hereinafter more fully described.

These chains 2l also operate over the sprockets 23 which Aare secured to the shaft 24 mounted in bearings 25 that are mounted on the upper surfaces of the side bars 6, as clearly shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings.

At the forward end of the machine, which is the end of the machine where the labels are fed to the label carriers, is a frame including horizontal bars 26 connected by the bar 2l, the bars 25 being secured to the vertical bars 28 that are secured to the supporting posts 5 at the front end of the machine, as clearly shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings. Bars 29 are secured to the bar 2l, the bars 29 being arranged in parallel spaced rela'- 3 tion with respect to each other, and disposed adjacent to the ends of the bar 21.

The bar 21 provides a support for the spaced vertical bearings 30 in which the shaft 3| is mounted, the ends of the shaft 3| extending beyond the bearings 30, where they provide support for the arm 32. This shaft 3l also supports the arms 33` and 34 which is secured thereto, the

arms

33 and 34 being of lengths to extend under the bottom 35 of the label holder 36, elevating the label holder 36, as the

arms

33 and 34 swing upwardly upon rotation of the shaft 3|. Disposed under the label holder 36, is the horizontally disposed shaft 31 on which the gear 38 is secured adjacent to one end thereof, the opposite end of the shaft 31 providing a support for the heartshaped icam 39 which is secured to the shaft to rotate therewith. This cam 39 contacts the roller 4U which extends inwardly from the free end of the arm 32 whereby rotary movement of the cam 39 operates to swing the arm 32 vertically with the result that the shaft 3| is rotated moving the

arms

33 and 34 upwardly, elevating the label holder. and has an open side to facilitate the positioning of the labels in the label holder. Operating within the body portion or label holder 36, is the follower 4| which provides a support for the labels which are placed thereon upon filling the label holder. This follower 4| is connected with the vertical threaded shafts 42 which have heads at their upper ends fitted in sockets so that the follower will be held in a true horizontal position at all times.

The shafts 42 are fitted in bearing plates 43 that are secured to the bottom 35, the shafts 42 having their lower ends tted in recesses formed in the upper surface of the bar 44. Mounted on the threaded portions of the shafts 42, are the pinions 44 that rest on the bearing plates 43. The reference character 45 indicates bearings that are secured to the bottom 35 and disposed within the label holder under the follower 4|, the bearings providing a support for the horizontal shaft 46 that has worm gears 41 at its ends, the

gears 41 meshing with the pinions 44' to rotate the pinions 44 as the shaft 46 is rotated. Secured intermediate the ends of the shaft 46, is the beveled pinion 48 which meshes with the beveled pinion 49 secured on one end of the shaft f 59, the shaft being mounted in the bearing 5| secured to the upper surface of the bottom 35, as shown by Fig. 5. On one end of the shaft 58, is the ratchet wheel 5| that is engaged by the pawl 52 which is normally urged into contact with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 5|, by means of the spring 53. A handle indicated at 54 is provided on the ratchet wheel 5| and affords means whereby the shaft 5D and cooperating elements may be quickly rotated in a reverse direction, to rapidly lower the follower 4|, which is gradually moved upwardly within the label holder, during the operation of the machine, the return movement of the follower 4| to the bottom of the label holder, being necessary when reloading the label holder.

It might be further stated that the construction of the ratchet wheel 5| and pawl 52 is such that the pawl 52 will remain in contact with the ratchet wheel at all times. Y

Secured to the bottom 35, are the cushionin blocks 55 which are so disposed that when the label holder moves to its lowermost position, these cushioning blocks will strike the bars 29 to cushion the movement of the label holder.

The label holder is box-like in formation ,1

Pivotally secured to the front edge of the bottom 35 of the label holder, are the arms 56, which arms are of lengths to extend to a point above the horizontal plane of the upper edges of the label holder 36, the arms 56 providing guards against which the pack of labels positioned within the label holder and resting on the follower 4|, engages, to hold the labels which are printed on substantially thin sheets of paper, against twisting, during the operation of the machine to throw the labels out of alignment with the packages being supplied with the labels.

The reference character 51 indicates a wide plate which Ahas an upstanding end 58 formed with a substantially wide slot 59 within which the shaft 58 operates, the slot 59 permitting the shaft to move upwardly with the label holder A chain 66 operates over the sprocket 38, the chain 66 also operating over the sprocket 6| secured on the shaft 24, whereby rotary movement of the shaft 24 is imparted to the shaft 31 tc operate the label holder and feeding means for feeding the labels to the upper end of the label holder. Secured to one end of the shaft 31, is the arm 62 to which the chain 63 is connected, at the free end of said arm, the chain 63 moving over the sprocket 64, the chain being connected with the sprocket at 65. The sprocket 54 is secured to one end of a shaft 62 having a sprocket 64 at the opposite end on which a chain 63 is mounted, with one end of the chain extending rearwardly, where it connects with the

carriage

66 and 66 which has rollers 61 moving within the slots 66 of the rectangular frame 69. Mounted on the frame 69 is the grooved pulley l@ over which the coiled spring 1| operates, the coiled spring 1| being connected to one side of the carriage 66 to bias the movement of the carriage 66 in one direction, against the action of the chain 63. One end of the coiled spring 1| connects with the frame 69, at 12.

This carriage 66 provides a support for the suction heads 13 that are mounted on the bar 14 of the carriage, the suction heads being in communication with the suction fan 15 mounted on the shelf 16, through the hoses 84 that connect with the horizontal pipe 18 mounted on the arms 19 that extend upwardly from the carriage.

The horizontal pipe 18 communicates with the chamber 86 which is also supported by the arms 19, through the medium of the horizontal pipe 18. This chamber 86 communicates with the suction fan 15, through the hose 8|, which is shown as having connection with the suction fan housing. Extending upwardly from the carriage 66, is the bracket 82 to which the valve chamber 83 is connected, to which the hose 11 is connected, the hose 11 being also connected with the pipe 18.

Operating within the valve chamber 83, is the valve 85 which is normally held to its seat indicated at 86, by means of the coiled spring 81 that is disposed around the valve stem 88 that operates in one end of the valve chamber, the valve stem 88 having a head 89 on one end thereof. The valve chamber is provided with an opening 90 establishing communication between the interior of the valve chamber 83 and atmosphere, so that when the valve 85 has been moved to its open position as shown by Fig. 4 of the drawings, atmospheric air will enter the valve chamber admitting air to the hoses breaking the suction through the hoses to render the suction heads inactive.

Extending upwardly from one end of the .5 frame t9, is the stop bar 9| that acts as a bumper, against which the head 89 of the valve stem 88 engages when the carriage reaches the limit of its movement in one direction, thereby unseating the valve at one end of the frame, at each completed cycle of operation of the carriage 4(Sli. It will be obvious that when the carriage moves to the opposite end of the frame 69, the coiled spring 3? will return the valve 85 to its closed position, to cause the ysuction through the suction heads 13 to again become effective for the purpose forwhich the suction heads have been designed. As clearly shown by Fig. 1 of the drawings, the suction heads at the limit of one of the strokes of the carriage 6E, overlie the label holder 22 directly thereunder.

These label holders include main sections 92 to the ends of which are pivotally connected the sections 93, as by means of the pivot plates 94 which are pivotally connected with the hinge plates 95, the sections 93 providing supports for the arms 95 on the outer ends of which `are mounted the rollers Sl, the sections 93 being designed to fold over the main sections 92 in spaced relation therewith, as shown by Fig. 7 of the drawings, to contact the outer surfaces of the labels to hold them in position and apply the labels to the boxes. At the opposite end of the main section 92 of each carrier is a pivoted section 91 that is connected with the pivoted section 98 by hinge plates 99. The pivoted section 98 has an arm |00 on which the roller lill is positioned. Coiled springs m2 have one of their respective ends secured to the bottom of the main sections 92 of the label carrier, the opposite ends of the `springs being connected with the appropriate pivoted sections of the label carrier, to normally urge the pivoted sections to their extended positions as shown by Fig. 8, after a label has -been folded around a box and the labeled box discharged at the end of the machine.

Extending from the pivoted vsection 94 is an arm |03 on which the roller |04 is mounted. The

pivoted section 91 is also provided with an arm |05 on which the roller |96 is mounted.

Extending downwardly from the main section of each label carrier, are arms |06 which have stub shafts |01 extending inwardly therefrom, the stub shafts providing supports for the L wheels |08 that operate within the tracks |09 that are provided by the channel bars Il supported on the brackets secured to the transversely disposed `supporting -bars 1 that are arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other, throughout the length of the machine. Thus it will be seen that due to this construction, the label holders are properly guided throughout the length of the machine to cause the rollers carried by the arms of the pivoted sections of the label holders, to be properly guided to the cam bars, to be hereinafter more fully described.

Extending longitudinally of the frame at opposite sides thereof, are the lower cam bars lll that have their forward ends curved downwardly and outwardly as at I8 over which the rollers of the arms |05 and |03 operate, the cam bars operating to swing the pivoted sections 94 and 91 upwardly in the dotted line positions as shown by Fig. '7 of the drawings. Above the cam bars and extending throughout the major portion of the length of the machine, are spaced cam bars ||9 which have downwardly and outwardly curved ends that are Isodisposed that as the plates 94 and 91 swing upwardly, the arms 9 6 and |00 will be swung upwardly to the positlons shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, owing to the Acontact of the rollers 91 and |0| engaging the downwardly land outwardly curved ends of the cam bars. It will of course 'be understood that wlth the pivotal movement of the plates to the positions as shown in dotted lines in Fig. '7 of the drawings, the movement of the plates is tensioned by the coiled springs |02 with the result that when the rollers 91 and |0|, pass the ends of the cam bars after the label holders have passed through the machine, the springs will cause the pivoted sections to swing outwardly, the label holders assuming the positions as shown by Fig. 8, whereupon a label may be delivered thereto, as the endless chain of label holders moves around the machine with the endless chains which support the label holders.

Mounted at the forward end of the machine at a point in spaced relation from the inner end of the rectangular frame B9, is an electric heating tube |2 I, which is so disposed that the ends of the label to be applied must pass in close proxlmity thereto, with the result that adhesive material which is aiected by heat, will be treated by the heat to cause the ends of the label to adhere and be held together, when the meeting ends of the labels are moved through the machine. Disposed between the upper and lower pa1rs of 4cam bars, are parallel guide bars |22 that cooperate with the cam bars in holding the pivoted sections in their folded positions, as they move through the machine, the rollers carried by the pivoted sections of the label holders moving between the cam bars and the guide bars, as clearly shown by Fig. 6 of the drawings.

The pivoted sections 93 of the label holders or carriers 22, are provided with spring arms |24 that have right angled ends |25 that move over the ends of the sections 93, the spring arms |24 carrying pins |26 that move through openings in the sections 93 to contact the -boxes and force the boxes `with their labels outwardly from the carriers.

ln Fig. l0 or" the drawings I have illustrated a means for applying liquid glue to the edge of a label for use in securing the ends of labels together, this form of glue applying means being provided when it is desired to aix labels to packages, wherein the labels are not supplied with glue as are the labels shown and described previously.

Mounted on the outer surface ofthe flange of the glue pan |31, is a layer of absorbent material indicated at |38, so that glue passing through the openings of the glue pan will be absorbed by the absorbent material |38 to be transferred to one edge of a label which is being affixed by the machine, the label being indicated by the reference character B, and shown more particularly in Fig. 10. The reference character |39 indicates the glue container which is provided with an outlet valve |40 to which the hose |4| is connected, the hose passing through the bracket |42 secured to the post |3|, with the discharge end of the hose |4| being supported directly over the pan |31, to deliver the required amount of glue to the pan to accomplish the purpose of the invention.

In operation, the machine is placed in motion by completing the electric circuit from a source of electricity supply not shown, to the motor I0, which transmits movement to the endless chains 2| operating in parallel spaced relation with respect to each other, which chains support the label holders or carriers 22. It is obvious that as the label carriers 22 move with the lower flights of the chains, they are held in open positions as shown in full lines in Figs. 'I and 8 of the drawings. As these label carriers move upwardly to the upper ights of the chains, the carriage BB on which the suction heads 13 are mounted is moved from the position as shown by Fig. l of the drawings, to a position at the opposite ends of the slots G8, where the suction heads 13 take positions whereupon the labels which are held in pack form in the label holder 36, are arranged so that the upper most label will be picked up by suction through the heads 13 created by the suction fan 15. The carriage 65 now moves forwardly to the limit of its movement, which places the suction heads 13 directly over the label carrier which has moved upwardly with the upper flights of the chains 2|. The suction through the hose 8| is now broken releasing the label which falls onto the carrier 22, An attendant now places a box to be supplied with a label, directly on the label in the carrier 22.

It will of course be understood that when the label has been positioned on the carrier, the label will lie at on the carrier and the box or package is placed directly over the label with its ends disposed adjacent to the ends of the main section 92.

It is obvious that as the chains move the carriers through the machine, the roller |06 moving over the downwardly curved end HB of the cam bar l1, will cause the pivoted plate or section 91 of the carrier to swing upwardly to a vertical position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Upon further movement of the carrier, the roller of the arm lilo, will move over the downwardly curved end |20 of the cam bar IIS, swinging the pivoted plate or section 98 to a horizontal position above the main section 92 of the carrier, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7. It will of course be understood that as the carrier moves further, the roller |04 mounted on the arm |03, moves over the lower cam bar ||1 at the opposite side of the machine, moving the pivoted plate section 94 to a vertical position, against the action of the coiled spring 02 connected therewith. Upon further continued movement of the carrier, the roller 91 of the arm 96 will move over the downwardly and outwardly curved end |20 of the cam bar HS at the opposite side of the machine, and the pivoted section 93 will swing to a horizontal position as shown by Fig. '1 of the drawings, directly above the main section 92 of the carrier, where the label will be folded around the box. Prior to the movement of the section 93 to a horizontal position as shown by Fig. 7, the surface of the label at one end thereof which is supplied with glue, will be moved across the front of the electric heating tube |2|, the heat softening the glue on the label, so that as the section 93 moves to a horizontal position over the main section 92 of the carrier, the end of the label on which glue is supplied, will be moved into contact with the opposite end of the label, securing the ends of the label together around the box.

It might be further stated that as the sections 93 swing downwardly to press the ends of the label together, the right angled ends |25 of the spring arms |24 will engage the box with the result that the pins |25 will be drawn inwardly with their free ends flush with the lower surface of the section 93, with the result that when the carriers, together with their boxes, move out of the machine, the spring arms will move the pins |26 into engagement with the labeled boxes, forcing them from the carriers.

The movements of the chains 2| and carriers 22 are so timed with respect to the movements of the follower 4I, that with each operation of the suction heads to remove a label from the pack, the follower will be elevated slightly to bring another label to a position to be engaged by the suction heads 13 to remove a label and pass the label onto the label carrier.

This operation to feed the pack of labels upwardly within the label holder 36, is accomplished by the operation of the pawl 52 moving the ratchet wheel as the ratchet wheel descends into contact with the pawl, as the label holder is lowered on the machine. The upward movement of the label holder is, as previously indicated, carried out by the movement of the cam 39 moving over the roller 4t. As the cam moves over the roller 40, the arm 32 is swung upwardly, which rocks the shaft 3|, causing the arms 34 to swing upwardly into engagement with the bottom 35 of the label holder, moving the label holder bodily to its uppermost position. The movement of the ratchet wheel 5| takes place as the label holder descends to its normal position as shown by Fig. 5 of the drawings.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. In a machine for aflixing labels having glue on one of the respective ends thereof, comprising a horizontal frame, a pair of spaced parallel carrier chains operating horizontally through the frame, spaced lower cam bars mounted on opposite sides of the frame, disposed in parallel relation with each other longitudinally of the frame, the forward ends of said cam bars being curved downwardly and outwardly providing cam surfaces, cam bars disposed above the lower cam bars extending longitudinally of the frame, the forward ends of the latter cam bars being curved outwardly and downwardly providing cams at the forward ends of the last mentioned cam bars, a plurality of carriers secured on said carrier chains, tracks over which the carriers move, each carrier comprising a main section and end sections pvotally connected to the main section and on which labels and boxes are positioned for applying the labels to the boxes, rollers mounted on the pivoted sections and extending beyond lthe surfaces thereof, said rollers being movable over the cam endsA and cam bars throughout the length of the cam bars successively folding the pivoted sections of the carriers over the main section folding labels held therein over boxes positioned on the labels within the carriers, and means for swinging the pivoted sections of the carriers to their open positions releasing the labelled boxes from the machine at one end of the machine.

2. In a machine for aiiixing labels having glue on one of the respective ends thereof, on boxes, comprising a horizontal frame, a pair of spaced parallel carrier chains operating horizontally through the frame, lower cam bars mounted on opposite sides of the frame, disposed in parallel relation with each other longitudinally of the frame, the forward ends of said cam bars being curved downwardly and outwardly providing cam surfaces, cam bars disposed above the lower cam bars, the latter cam bars extending longitudinally of the frame, the forward ends of the latter cam bars being curved downwardly and outwardly providing cams at the forward ends thereof, a plurality of carriers secured on said carrier chains, tracks over which the carriers move, each carrier comprising a main section and end sections pivotally connected to the main section and on which labels and boxes are positioned for applying the labels to the boxes, rollers connected with each pivoted section, said rollers being movable over the cam ends of said cani bars, the rollers moving longitudinally of the cam bars, successively folding the pivoted sections of the carriers over the main sections folding the labels over the boxes positioned on the labels and carriers, and means for swinging the pivoted sections of the carriers to their open positions releasing the labelled boxes from the machine at one end of the machine.

3. In a machine for aflixing labels having glue on one of the respective ends thereof, on boxes,

comprising' a horizontal frame, a pair of spaced parallel carrier chains operating horizontally through the frame, pairs of upper and lower cam bars supported within the frame above the chains, said cam bars extending throughout the length of the frame, said upper cam bars being of lengths less than the lengths of the lower cam bars, the forward ends of said cam bars being curved downwardly and outwardly providing cams, a plurality of carriers secured on said carrier chains, tracks over which the carriers move, each carrier comprising a main section and end sections pivotally connected to the main section and on which labels and boxes are positioned for applying the labels to the boxes, arms extending laterally from the sections of said carriers, rollers mounted on the ends of the arms, the cams of said cam bars lying in the path of travel of said rollers as the carriers move through the Inachine whereby said pivoted sections of the oarriers are moved vertically, successively folding the pivoted sections of the carriers over the main sections folding the labels positioned thereon over the boxes placed on the labels, and means for swinging the pivoted sections of the carriers to their open positions releasing the labelled boxes from the machine at one end of the machine.

JOHN J. GREGORY.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,018,432 Ackley 1 Oct. 22, 1935 2,137,381 Blackstone Nov. 22, 1938 2,300,185 Von Hofe Oct. 27, 1942 2,437,792 Schneider Mar. 16, 1948 2,521,577 Gannon Sept. 5, 1950