US2987591A

US2987591A - Impulse-emitting device for labelapplying machines

Info

Publication number: US2987591A
Application number: US8598A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ortenblad Ture
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-02-15
Filing date: 1960-02-15
Publication date: 1961-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 1978-06-06

Description

Ew r June 6, 1961 T. ORTENBLAD 2,987,591

IMPULSE-EMITTING DEVICE FOR LABEL-APPLYING MACHINES Filed Feb. 15, 1960 IN VEN TOR.

T. O ff/enb 5011/ United States Patent 2,987,591 llVIPULSE-EMI'ITIN G DEVICE FOR LABEL- APPLYING MACHINES Ture Ortenblad, 30 BrodragatamGothenbul-g, Sweden Filed Feb. 15, 1960, Ser. No. 8,598

2 Claims. (Cl. 200--61.41)

This invention relates to label-applying machines where self-adhesive labels are used, which are, spaced from each other, lightly adhered in a row to a conveyer band in order to be successively transmitted from said conveyer band onto objects of different kinds, such as packings, parcels, boxes, tins, bottles and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide for machines of such kind a device which will with full reliability emit an impulse for each passing label for automatic starting and regulating of different devices and apparatus, such as label counting and label printing machines, conveyers for the packings and the like, which are of need for the automatic label applying service.

Another object of the invention is to provide for machines of such kind an impulse-emitting device which will in coaction with the passing labels bring forth a very much larger impulse-emitting movement than a movement based only on the very minor thickness of the label.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide for machines of such kind an impulse-emitting device which will automatically change its working position from a label to the next one during the passing movements of the labels.

With these and other objects in mind the invention consists in an impulse-emitting device in the shape of a feeler disposed in coaction with the labels, which are arranged in a row and spaced from each other on a passing labelcarrying conveyor band, a feeler arm of said feeler being in working position counter-directed the movement direction of the conveyer band and inclined to touch a label by an edge-shaped end, said feeler being arranged and constructed to have a turnable movement and to be raised to increased distance from the label by the feeler arm when this arm, in abutting position against the foremost edge of the label within the corresponding space between the labels, is brought to follow the forward movement of the conveyer band, the elevation of the feeler, essentially enlarged in comparison with the minor thickness of the label, bringing the feeler or a part connected therewith to abutting action against an impulse-transmitting member.

Referring to the accompanying drawing in which the invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of the feeler body in the exemplified embodiment.

FIGURES 2 and 3 are side views of the feeler arrangement in a minor scale and with the feeler in two different positions.

In the feeler arrangement, shown in the drawing, the feeler 1 consists of a hub which is pivotable on an axle pin 2 and provided with three

feeler arms

1a, 1b, 1c, radially directed and symmetrically positioned with an angle of 120 between each other. The feeler arms, provided with end edges, are intended to coact with the selfadhering labels 4a, 4b, 40 which are arranged in a row with spaces 3a, 3b, 30 between them and lightly attached to a conveyer band 5 underlying the feeler and passing the feeler normally in horizontal direction. The axle pin 2 is positioned at the outer end of a carrying arm 7 which is swingably arranged on an axle 6 supported by a stationary foot 10, said carrying arm having free swingable movement to and from the conveyer band. Further the carrying arm is provided with a head 8 preferably positioned above the feeler in such a way that the head will in an elevated position of the feeler abut against a springy electric contact 9 to close one or more electric circuits 11 for the running or stopping of label counting and label printing machines, conveyers for the packings and so forth.

In use two of the feeler arms, for instance 1a, 1b, rest and slide on the underlying label, for instance the label 4a, as shown in FIGURE 2 during a forward moving of the conveyer band, whereon the labels are loosely attached in a row. The feeler and the carrying swingable arm 7 maintain this lower position by their own weight though spring pressure also may be used if desired. When the downwards inclined rear feeler arm 1a reaches the space 3a between the label 40: and the next label 4b, the end edge of the arm enters this space and abuts against the forward edge of the label 4b. The result will be that the feeler arm 1a is withdrawn in the forward direction movement of the label, and the feeler arm will act as a lever which in touch with said label edge swings forward to pass vertical position and take up the forward directed position having earlier been occupied by the feeler arm 1b. During the first portion of the movement the feeler arm 1a raises the swingable arm 7 to close the electric contact 9, and said swingable arm will during the continued movement of the feeler arm lower itself again and break the contact circuit 11. The electric impulse, thus emitted, will act on relays or such like for the purpose mentioned above. As easily understood the elevation of the feeler-carrying swingable arm 7 will be essentially greater than the tiny thickness of the label edge, executing effectively the impulse emittance aimed at. At the end of the movement the feeler arm 10 has been inclined downWards-rearwards and brought to rest on the label 412. Both the

feeler arms

1c and 1a will thereafter slide in stable position along the latter label, until the feeler arm '10 enters the next space 3b between the labels and abuts against the next label edge repeating the turning of the feeler and the raising of the swingable arm 7 as well as sending out a new electric impulse.

Eariler known impulse-emitters at label bands work according to the pickup-principle. On account of the wear in pickup-feelers, transmitting members and microswitches as well as on account of the minor thickness of the label edge (somewhat of an inch) the reliability of the working will suffer and the details will demand perpetual adjustments and survey.

The present arrangement, however, must be regarded as containing self-adjusting feelers, as the edge of the feeler arms will not get blunt but maintain its sharpness by its sliding movement on the label surface.

It is to be understood that the embodiment described and shown is to be regarded as an example. The feeler body may have any desired number of arms and may coact with a guide during its elevation movement instead of being carried by a swingable arm. Instead of the electric contact the impulse from the feeler may be transmitted by mechanical means.

I claim:

1. An impulse-emitting device for a label-applying machine in use for self-adhesive labels, consisting of a feeler body disposed to coact with the labels, which are loosely attached in a row and spaced from each other on a movable label-carrying conveyer band passing the feeler body, a feeler arm stretching out from said feeler body being in working position counter-directed the movement direction of the conveyer band and inclined to touch the labels by an edge-shaped end, said feeler body being arranged and constructed to have a turnable movement and to be raised in coaction with a guiding member to increased distance from the label by the feeler arm, when the latter in abutting position against the foremost edge of the label within a corresponding space between the labels is brought to be 3 withdrawn in the forward movement of the conveyer band and thereby turning and raising the feeler body, the elevation of the feeler body bringing the same to cause an abutting action against an impulse-transmitting member, said feeler arm being one of a number of feeler arms, preferably three such arms, symmetrically disposed around the circumference of a hub-like feeler body and successively brought into action against the labels by the turning of the feeler body.

2. An impulse-emitting device for a label-applying machine in use for self-adhesive labels, consisting of a feeler body disposed to coact with the labels, which are loosely attached in a row and spaced from each other on a movable label-carrying conveyer band passing the feeler body, a feeler arm stretching out from said feeler body being in working position counter-directed the movement direction of the conveyer band and inclined to touch the labels by an edge-shaped end, said feeler body being arranged and constructed to have a turnable movement and to be raised in coaction with a guiding mmber to increased distance from the label by the feeler arm, when the latter in abutting position against the foremost edge of the label within a corresponding space between the labels is brought to be withdrawn in the forward movement of the conveyer band and thereby turning and raising the feeler body, the elevation of the feeler body bringing the same to cause an abutting action against an impulse-transmitting member, said feeler arm being one of a number of feeler arms, preferably three such arms, symmetrically disposed around the circumference of a hub-like feeler body and successively brought into action against the labels by the turning of the feeler body, the guiding member having the shape of a swingably positioned arm stretching out from a stationary post and carrying the feeler body, said feeler body being pivotably mounted on the arm.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS