US3154434A

US3154434A - Adhesive applicator for labels and the like

Info

Publication number: US3154434A
Application number: US213801A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rosenthal Harry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-07-31
Filing date: 1962-07-31
Publication date: 1964-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 1981-10-27

Description

Oct. 27, 1964 H. ROSENTHAL ADHESIVE APPLICATOR FOR LABELS AND THE LIKE Filed July 51, 1962 "1171. I, II

IN VENTOR HARRY ROSENTHAL United States Patent Ofiice 3,154,434 Patented st. 27, 1964 3,154,434 ADHESIVE APPLIATOR FOR LABELS AND THE LIKE Harry Rosenthal, 3825 Greenwood, Skokie, 111. Filed July 31, 1962, Ser. No. 213,891 3 Claims. (Q1. 118-245) This invention relates to devices for automatically applying adhesives to labels and the like, and more particularly to such a device having improved reliability and operating characteristics.

Various industries, department stores, mail order houses and shipping rooms use large quantities of labels for such purposes as shipping and storage identification. Preglued labels are difficult to use as they often stick together when stored, and labels having protective coverings for the gummed portions are expensive and take time to apply. It therefore becomes desirable to apply the adhesive to the labels just prior to placing the labels on a particular package or goods.

Numerous devices and machines have been proposed for this purpose. Many of these devices utilize an applicator roller which presents the adhesive to the label as it passes over the roller. One diificulty encountered in using such a device is that the label often sticks to the surface of the roller, necessitating the stopping of operation until the label can be removed. Various arrangements have been proposed to remove the labels from the roller but these have not been satisfactory.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved device for automatically applying adhesive to labels and the like, which device will feed the labels to a position easily accessible for use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device having the above described characteristics and which is of simple and inexpensive construction.

A feature of the invention is the provision, in a device for automatically applying adhesive to labels and the like, of an applicator roller having a plurality of circumferential grooves therein and a corresponding plurality of pickoff members extending tangentially therefrom to collectively present a guiding surface.

Another feature of the invention is the provision, in the above described device, of pickoif members having offset portions which engage a cross member, and an end engaging the frame of the device to hold the pickoff members in place against the roller.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same device with the top portion removed and inverted;

FIG. 3 is a section View taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1; and

1G. 4 is a perspective View of the device taken from a vantage point opposite that of FIG. 1, with part broken away.

In accordance with the invention, a device for automatically applying adhesive substance to labels and the like is provided with an applicator roller having a plurality of circumferential grooves formed in the surface thereof. The roller is rotatably mounted and driven by an electric motor to apply adhesive substance to the labels as the roller rotates to pass them over its surface. A plurality of pickolf members are mounted on the frame of the device to have portions riding in the grooves in the applicator roller. These portions extend beneath the surface of the applicator roller by riding in the grooves to thereby avoid the possibility of the labels catching underneath the ends of the pickoff members. Each of the pickoff members has a portion extending tangentially from the applicator roller, and the pickoff members are aligned to collectively present a guiding surface for separating the labels from the roller. The ends of the pickoff members opposite the roller engage the frame of the device and an offset portion on each member adjacent this opposite end engages a cross member mounted on the frame parallel to the applicator roller, thereby wedging the guide members in position.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a device for automatically applying adhesive substance to labels and the like is shown having a frame structure 11 which includes a removable top portion 13. The top portion 13 is provided with a table portion 15 with front and rear portions and on which the operator of the device may slide labels such as 17 into contact with the surface of an applicator roller 19. A guide bar 21 is provided parallel with and adjacent to roller 19 under which the labels are fed to the roller 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 24, the operational portions of the device may be more readily seen. Roller 19 is driven by gear 23, which may be of any suitable material such as brass or Bakelite. Gear 23, when top portion 13 is in position, is driven by gear 25. Gear 25 engages gear 23 and is driven through gear reduction unit 27 by drive motor 29 (FIG. 4). Gear reduction unit 27 and motor 2% are contained in a chamber 31 formed on the inside of the frame, and gears 23 and 25 are contained in a gear box extension 12 of frame structure 11. A notch 24 is formed in frame structure 11 to accommodate the axle of gear 23. Switch 33 is provided to activate the drive motor 29, and a pilot light 35 is also provided to indicate that the motor is on. The motor 29 and unit 27 are mounted on a base plate 311. The invention is equally adaptable to hand operated devices such as by providing roller 19 with a crank.

The inside of frame 11 is formed into a well or reservoir 37 for containing adhesive substance such as water base glue, etc. In the event that glues such as flexible animal glues that require heating are used, appropriate heating apparatus could be installed to heat reservoir 37. As may be seen from FlG. 3, when top portion 13 is positioned on frame structure 11, roller 19 will extend into reservoir 37 to be partially immersed in the adhesive substance filling the reservoir. Roller 19, which may be of any suitable material which will permit glue to distribute evenly on its surface, for example brass or certain plastics, then rotates to pick up the adhesive material on its surface and carry it out above the surface of table 15. A scraper blade 38 is provided with adjusting slots 40 and adjusting screws 42 so that the amount of glue picked up on the surface of roller 19 may be controlled. As labels are inserted between guide bar 21 and the surface of table 15, they are carried over the surface of the rotating roller 19 to thereby have their undersides coated with adhesive substance.

The adhesive applying device includes a mechanism for removal of the labels from the surface of roller 19. Roller 19 has a plurality of circumferential grooves 39 formed in the surface thereof. A plurality of wire pickoif or guide members 41 are provided to mate respectively with each of grooves 39. As may be seen in FIG. 3, members 41 are curved near one end to ride in grooves 39 and to lie beneath the surface of roller 19 and extend below table 15. No opportunity is therefore afforded for the labels to enter the space between members 41 and roller 19 to clog or jam therebetween. The members 41 extend tangentially from the surface of roller 19 in a common plane to collectively form a guide surface on which the labels ride as the roller 19 turns. To insert the labels, they are pushed forward under guide bar 21 to engage the adhesive carried on the surface of roller 19. They are carried on the rotating surface and coated with the adhesive substance, and then engage members 3 41 to be carried off the surface of roller 19 as shown in FIG. 1.

Members 41 are secured in position by engagement with top portion 13 of frame 11, rod 45 and roller 19. The end of guide members 41 opposite the roller 19 are bent over slightly to engage the corner of top portion 13 of frame 11. Thus, frame 11 and roller 19 exert an upward force on members 41 to support the same. An offset portion 43 is formed in each of members 41 to define a generally V-shaped notch. A rod member 45 is mounted in the top portion 13 of frame structure 11 parallel with roller 19 to engage offset portions 43 of members 41. This provides a downward force to effectively wedge members 41 in position. To further insure stable positioning of members 41, cross member 45 is provided with a plurality of circumferential grooves 47 to mate with members 41 in the same manner as the grooves 39 in roller 19. As shown in FIG. 2, top portion 13 is separable from the rest of frame 11, permitting access to reservoir 37.

It may therefore be seen that the invention provides an improved device for automatically applying adhesive substance to labels and the like, which device includes a guide structure on which the labels ride to facilitate picking up the labels for use. The guide structure will not permit jamming of labels between the applicator roller and the pickolf fixture. The adhesive applying device is low in cost and simple of construction.

I claim:

1. A device for applying adhesive substance to labels including in combination, a frame, a rotatable applicator roller mounted to said frame for applying adhesive substance to the labels, said roller having a plurality of circumferential grooves formed in the surface thereof, a cross member parallel with said roller and having a plurality of circumferential grooves therein correspondingly aligned with said grooves in said roller, a plurality of resilient guide members, each having a first portion mating with a corresponding one of said grooves in said roller to lie beneath the surface of said roller across the upper portion thereof, said guide members having second portions extending tangentially from said roller to collectively present a guiding surface for separating the labels from said roller, each of said guide members further having a third portion on the opposite side of said second portion from said first portion, said third portions being formed to extend beneath said cross member mating with said grooves therein and engaging the upper surface of said frame to resiliently wedge said guide members in place.

2. A device for applying adhesive substance to labels including in combination, a frame having a separable top portion, a rotatable applicator roller mounted to said top portion for applying adhesive substance to the labels,

said roller having a plurality of circumferential grooves formed in the surface thereof, a cross member mounted to said top portion parallel with said roller and having a plurality of circumferential grooves therein correspondingly aligned with said grooves in said roller, a plurality of resilient guide members, each having a first portion mating with a corresponding one of said grooves in said roller to lie beneath the surface of said roller across the upper portion thereof, said guide members having second portions extending tangentially from said roller to collectively present a guiding surface for separating the labels from said roller, each of said guide members further having a third portion on the opposite side of said second portion from said first portion, said third portions being formed to extend beneath said cross member mating with said grooves therein and engaging the upper surface of said top portion to resiliently wedge said guide members in place.

3. A device for applying adhesive substance to labels including in combination, a frame structure having a reservoir for containing the adhesive substance, a motor driven applicator roller mounted on said structure to be partially immersed When said reservoir is filled with the adhesive substance, a table mounted adjacent said roller for the feeding of labels to said roller to contact the surface thereof, an adjustable scraper blade mounted beneath the surface of said table and having an edge adjacent said roller for controlling the amount of adhesive material retained on the surface of said roller, a guide bar parallel to said roller for guiding the labels from said table onto the surfaces of said roller, said roller having a plurality of circumferential grooves formed in the surface thereof, a plurality of resilient wire guide members each having a portion mating with the respective ones of said grooves to lie beneath the upper surface of said roller, each of said guide members having the ends adjacent said roller extending beneath the surface of said table, a mounting bar fixed to said frame and extending parallel with said roller, said mounting bar also having a plurality of grooves therein in corresponding alignment with the grooves in said roller, said guide members each having an offset end portion thereon extending beneath said mounting bar in the corresponding groove therein and contacting the surface of said frame to resiliently wedge in position, said guide members having a portion extending tangentially from said roller to collectively present a guiding surface for separating the label from said roller.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims

2. A DEVICE FOR APPLYING ADHESIVE SUBSTANCE TO LABELS INCLUDING IN COMBINATION, A FRAME HAVING A SEPARABLE TOP PORTION, A ROTATABLE APPLICATOR ROLLER MOUNTED TO SAID TOP PORTION FOR APPLYING ADHESIVE SUBSTANCE TO THE LABELS, SAID ROLLER HAVING A PLURALITY OF CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVES FORMED IN THE SURFACE THEREOF, A CROSS MEMBER MOUNTED TO SAID TOP PORTION PARALLEL WITH SAID ROLLER AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF CIRCUMFERENTIAL GROOVES THEREIN CORRESPONDINGLY ALIGNED WITH SAID GROOVES IN SAID ROLLER, A PLURALITY OF RESILIENT GUIDE MEMBERS, EACH HAVING A FIRST PORTION MATING WITH A CORRESPONDING ONE OF SAID GROOVES IN SAID ROLLER TO LIE BENEATH THE SURFACE OF SAID ROLLER ACROSS THE UPPER PORTION THEREOF, SAID GUIDE MEMBERS HAVING SECOND