US3301733A

US3301733A - Combination label imprinting and applying apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3301733A
Application number: US283918A
Authority: US
Inventors: John A West; William R Eppes
Original assignee: Idento Equipment Co
Current assignee: Idento Equipment Co
Priority date: 1963-05-28
Filing date: 1963-05-28
Publication date: 1967-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 1984-01-31

Description

Jan. 31, 1967 J. A. WEST ETAL COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 28, 1963 WM: 2 mm.

Jan. 31, 1967 J. A. WEST ETAL 3,301,733

COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed May 28, 1963 I 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOHN A. Wes-r and \MmLlAM E. EPPE-s ATTORNEYS INVENTORSZ Jan. 31, 1967 J. A. WEST ETAL 3,301,733

COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed May 28, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 67 W I g INVENTORSI ,/a JOHN A.WE$T2n Q 87d v. H -H3 WILLIAM REPPES no 9| 20 HQ BY am w$m+m ATTOR NEY$ Jan. 31, 1967 J. A. WEST ETAL COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed May 28, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 31, 1967 3,301,733-

COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS J. A. WEST ETAL Filed May 28, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ifK INVENTORS.

JOHN A. WEsTanCZ ATTORNEYS Jan. 3

J. A. WEST ETAL COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed May 28. 1965 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 307 BRAKEE I W Y' 1 5 5m CLUTCH 504 x07 L\3Z\ K 295 *58 29 294 & HEATER THERMosTAT 290 NVENTORS. 12 J'oHN A. \NIE ST 5W2 WHJJAME. EPPEs Byaawmwhm ATTORNEYS Jan. 31, 1967 J. A. WEST ETAL COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS Filed May 28, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 gem L -S--0 5'7l Ana 3'70 5 3 5 225 Somme f 6\ 222 305 572 v a, 226

.2 i 4 J 2 I86 3055, 5 580 P850. CLUTCH 586) 587 38? BRAKE 390 7- fly-12A United States Patent 3,301,733 COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS John A. West and William R. Eppes, Charlotte, N.C.,

assignors to Idento Equipment Company, a corporation of North Carolina Filed May 28, 1963, Ser. No. 283,918 12 Claims. (Cl. 156-363) This invention relates to a labeling apparatus and more particularly to an improved combination label imprinting and applying apparatus for printing suitable indicia on serially arranged labels relea-sably secured to a carrier web of indeterminate length and for applying the thusly printed labels to packaged articles successively presented to said apparatus.

In the packaging of various types of products, such as food stuffs, etc., it has become increasingly desirable to imprint the desired indicia on the labels immediately prior to application of such labels to the packaged articles. The desirability of such a procedure is apparent since the necessity of having large inventories of preprinted labels for each of the various items being packaged is obviated. Also, a single type of unprinted label may be stocked for use on a variety of dilferent packaged articles. Further, the imprinting of the labels immediately prior to applying the same to the packaged articles reduces the handling of the labels and considerably reduces the cost involved in the labeling of the packaged articles.

This desirable printing of the labels immediately prior to applying the same to packaged articles has become practicable with the advent of labels having pressure sensitive adhesive which releasably secures the labels to a carrier web of indeterminate length in a spaced serial arrangement. While conventional label imprinting and applying apparatuses are available for imprinting the labels immediately prior to applying the labels to ar ticles presented thereto, such conventional apparatuses have several deficiencies, one of which is the poor quality of the printed indicia on at least some of the labels. This poor quality printing is due at least in part to the printing means of such conventional apparatuses, which are operated intermittently, applying too little or too much ink onto certain of the labels. In this regard, conventional apparatuses have no means for controlling the position in which the printing means come to rest upon inactivation of the printing means and therefore the printing means thereof quite frequently come to rest in engagement either with a label therebeneath, or with the inking means for applying ink thereto which results in too much ink being applied to either the label engaged by the printing means while at rest or the next successive label engaged by the printing meansupon reactivation.

Also, the printed indicia on the labels being applied by such conventional apparatuses is frequently smeared.

by either the printing means, applying means or means for guiding the labels between the printing and applying means. In an attempt to overcome the problem of smearing of the printed indicia on the labels by the applying means of such conventional apparatuses, the web of printed labels is guided through avery long, sinuous path of travel between the printing means and applying means to provide sufficient time for such printed indicia to become dried before arriving at the applying means. However, this extremely long and sinuous path results in considerable waste of labels upon each change of labels or incorporates the features of the present invention.

3,301,733 Patented Jan. 31, 1967 out any additional manual handling of the labels, applying such printed labels to articles presented thereto, wherein the printed indicia on the labels is of improved quality and waste of labels is considerably reduced over conventional apparatus.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved combination label imprinting and applying apparatus of the character described wherein the web of printed labels is directed in a substantially direct path from the imprinting means to the applying means and wherein the labels are applied to the articles with substantially no smearing of the printed indicia on the labels.

A still more specific object of the present invention is to provide an improved combination label imprinting and applying apparatus of the character described wherein the printing cylinder of the imprinting means is stopped in the same position each time the imprinting means is inacti vated, which position is such that the printing type is disposed rearwardly of the inking means therefor relative to the direction of rotation of the printing cylinder and between the inking means and any label disposed beneath the printing cylinder so that uneven application of ink onto certain labels and/or smearing of the printed indicia on certain labels by the printing cylinder are obviated.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a combination imprinting and applying apparatus incorporating the features of the present invention with portions broken away;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation of the apparatus looking from the left in FIGURE 1 with portions broken away and shown in section;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged bottom plan sectional view taken substantially along line 33 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially along line 4-4 in FIGURE 3 with certain elements shown in phantom for clarity in viewing the elements positioned therebehind;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 55 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 6--6 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail of a portion of the mechanism shown in the upper medial portion of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 8-8 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 in FIGURE 8 with portions broken away;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 10-10 in FIGURE 1 with portions broken away;

FIGURE 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail taken substantially along line 1111 in FIGURE 10; and

FIGURES l2 and 12A are schematic views of a wiring diagram for the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURE 1, there is shown a combination imprinting and applying apparatus generally indicated at 20 which Apparatus 20 includes conveyor means 21 which may be of any conventional character, but preferably is an endless conveyor belt 22 entrained around suitable pulleys or rolls 23, 24 at its opposite ends, one of which is a drive roll therefor. Conveyor means 21 is supported by any suitable supporting means (not shown) such that the upper and lower runs of conveyor belt 22 follow a generally horizontal path of travel.

SUPPORT MEANS Label imprinting and applying apparatus also includes agenerally vertical support standard 25 (FIGURE 2) which is adapted to rest on any suitable supporting surface (not shown). A collar 26 has a portion 26a surrounding standard 25, which portion is of the splitclamp type and has a bolt 27 therein for releasably clamping collar 26 to the standard 25 to permit vertical adjustment of the same relative to standard 25. Collar 26 also includes a support arm portion 26b formed integral with the split-clamp portion 26a and extending horizontally outwardly therefrom.

An adjusting means 30 for vertical-1y adjusting collar 26 relative to standard 25 includes a first split collar 31 spaced downwardly from collar 26 and a second split collar 32 disposed in contiguous relation to collar 26 and both surrounding standard 25 below collar 26..

Collars

31, 32 have

locking screws

33, 34 mounted therein respectively for clamping and unclamping the collars on support standard 25. Collar 31'has the lower end of a vertically disposed screw 35 (FIGURE 2) journaled for rotation therein and screw 35 has a gear 36 drivingly mounted on the lower end thereof. Gear 36 meshes with a suitable worm gear or the like (not shown) carried bya handle 37 for rotating screw 35. Screw 35 is threadably mounted at its upper end in collar 32 for vertical movement of collar 32 relative to collar 31 when lock bolt 34 is loosened and hence vertical movement of collar 26 relative to standard 25 when lock bolt 27 is loosened.

A platform generally indicated at 40 includes a mounting plate 41 which is mounted on the support arm portion 26b of collar 26 and a pair of spaced generally L-shaped arms 42 (FIGURES 1 and 2) having vertical legs 42a mounted on mounting plate 41 and horizontally disposed legs 4212. A top member 43 is mounted on horizontal legs 42b of arms 42 and has a pair of elongate openings 43a (FIGURE 1), only one of which is shown, extending longitudinally thereof between the arms 42.

LABEL IMPRINTING MECHANISM A label imprinting mechanism generally indicated at .44 (FIGURE .1) is carried by platform 40 and is preferably of the type disclosed and claimed in applicants copending application on Label Imprinting Apparatus, Serial No. 283,919, filed May 28, 1963. Imprinting mechanism 44 includes a base 45 which generally comprises a closed housing including a bottom wall 46 (FIG- URE 2) through which suitable bolts 47 (FIGURE 1) penetrate, which bolts also penetrate through elongate openings 43a in top member 43 for mounting imprinting mechanism 44 on platform 40 for .adjustment'longitudinally thereof and longitudinally of conveyor means 21. Base 45 also includes end walls 50; 51 (FIGURE 1), side walls 52, 53 (FIGURES 1 and 2) and a pair of top members 54, 55. Top member 54 (FIGURE 2) is ata lower elevation than top member 55 and top member 55 includes a vertically disposed portion 55a extending downwardly into engagement with the top member 54.

Imprinting mechanism 44 includes an upper frame portion 56 (FIGURES 1, 2 and 4) comprising two spaced apart side members 57, 60 (FIGURE 2) which are mounted on top member 54 of the base 45. A top member 61 (FIGURE 4) is pivotally mounted at one end on a first bar 62 mounted at its opposite ends on side members 57 and 60 and is releasably held in a first position, wherein the same covers the space between side members 57, 60, by a second bar 63 mounted on side members 57 and 60 adjacent the upper frontcorner thereof.

A down-turned portion 61a at the forward end of top member 61 is adapted to snap over bar 63 to releasably hold top member 61 in the first position. Top member 61 is movable about first bar 62 to a second position to provide access to the space between side members 57, 60 for reasons to become apparent later.

A printing cylinder 64 (FIGURES 2 and 4) having printing type or indicia 64a (FIGURE 4) removably carried by -a segment of the periphery thereof is mounted on a shaft '65 for rotation therewith which is rotatably journaled at its opposite ends on side members 57 and 60. A back-up roll 66 (FIGURES 3 and 4) is mounted on a shaft 67 for rotation therewith in base 45 beneath printing cylinder 64 and has a portion thereof disposed in an opening 70 formed in top member 54 of base 45 for cooperation with the print-ing type 64a on printing cylinder 64 for printing labels presented thereto.

Shaft 67 is journaled at its opposite ends in bearings 71 which are carried by an adjusting mechanism generally indicated at 72 (FIGURE 1) for adjusting the position of back-up roll 66 relative to the axis of printing cylinder 64 for accommodating printing types of varying thickness on printing cylinder 64 and labels of varying thickness therebetween. This adjusting mechanism is specifically described in the above-mentioned copending application and will not be described in more detail herein.

An ink trans-fer roll 73 (FIGURES 2 and 4) is mounted on a shaft 74 for rotation therewith above printing cylinder 64 and is disposed relative to printing cylinder 64 to engage the printing type 64a thereon for applying an even film of ink onto the printing type 64a in timed relation to the rotationthereof. Shaft 74 is rotatably journaled at its opposite ends in suitable bearings (not shown) mounted on side members 57, 60.

An inking roller 75 (FIGURE 4) is mounted on a shaft 76 for rotation therewith and the opposite ends of shaft 76 are disposed in grooves 77, onlyone of which is shown, formed insthe inner surfaces of side members 57' and 60 and disposed at an acute angle to the horizontal plane in which the axis. of transfer roll 73- is disposed so that inking roller 75 is biased downwardly by gravity into frictional engagement with the surface of ink transfer roll 73. Inking roller 75 is preferably of the type described and claimed in applicants copending application entitled Inking Roller For Printing Apparatus or the Like, Serial No. 264,574, filed March 12, 1963. Inking roller 75 is adapted to contain a supply of liquid ink therein for depositing a film of such ink on transfer roll 73 upon rotation thereof for subsequent transfer to the printing type 64a.

An ink spreading roll 80 (FIGURES 2 and 4) is mountedon a shaft 81 for rotation therewith and is disposed above and normally in frictional engagement with ink transfer roll 73. Shaft 81 is mounted at its opposite ends in bearings 82 for rotation with ink transfer roll 73 and for reciprocation longitudinally thereof. Bearings 82 are mounted in suitable elongate openings 83, formed in side members 5-7, 60 (FIGURES 1 and 4), for vertical movement relative to ink transfer roll 73. A pair of cam levers 84 are pivotally mounted on side members 57 and 60 below bearings 82 and are movable about their pivots to move bearings '82 upwardly and thereby move ink spreading roll 80 out of engagement with ink transfer roll 73.

Means generally indicated at 85 (FIGURE 2) is provided for positively reciprocating shaft '81 longitudinally of its axis in bearings 82 to positively reciprocate ink spreading roll 80 relative to ink transfer roll 73. Reciprocating means 85 is driven, in a manner not shown, in such a timed relation to the rotation of ink transfer roll 73 that the reciprocations per minute of ink spreading roll 80 are in a fractional ratio to the revolutions per minute of transfer roll 73 as described in detail in applicants aforementioned copending application for La'bel Imprinting Apparatus.

A pair of upper and lower feed cams S6, 87 (shown in phantom in FIGURE 4), respectively, are mounted on

shafts

90, 91, respectively, (FIGURE 4) for rotation only one of which is shown.

therewith and have portions 86a, 87a of their periphery protruding outward-1y beyond the remaining portions and portion 87a of lower feed cam 87 penetrates through a suitable opening (not shown) formed in top member 54 of base for cooperation with portion 86a of upper feed cam 86 for intermittently feeding a carrier web W having la bels L thereon to printing cylinder 64.

Shafts

90 and 91 are rotatively journaled in side members 57, and base 45, respectively, and shaft extends, through side member 60 and is connected by a flexible coupling 93 (FIGURES 2 and 7) to a stub shaft 94. Flexible coupling 93 (FIGURE 7) includes a pair of bifurcated coupling elements 95, 96 mounted on shaft 90 and stub shaft 94, respectively, with suitable rubber blocks 97 disposed between the legs of the bifurcated coupling elements 96 to cushion the shock upon initial rotation of shaft 90 by shaft 94.

Shaft 94 has a socket element 100 (FIGURE 7) of a ball and socket universal connection 101 mounted thereon which matingly, b-ut loosely, receives a ball element 102 mounted on the outer end of a drive shaft 103 connected by a gear reduction unit 104 to an output shaft 105 of a motor 106. When energized, an electromagnetic clutch mechanism 107 drivingly connects drive shaft 103 to stub shaft 94 and includes a first clutch element 108 mounted on socket element 100 for rotation therewith and a second clutch element 109 mounted on drive shaft 103- for rotation therewith.

Shaft 90 serves as a drive shaft for the other operative mechanisms of imprinting mechanism 44 and is connected to shaft 6 5 of printing cylinder 64 by suitable gears (not shown) and is also connected to shaft 91 of lower feed cam 87 by suitable gears (not shown). Also, shaft 65 of printing cylinder 64 is connected to shaft 67 of back-up roll 66 and shaft 74 of ink transfer roll 73 by suitable gears (not shown). Further, shaft 90 drives reciprocating means 85 for ink spreading roll 80 through suitable gear-- ing (not shown).

Due-to the intermittent operation of label imprinting mechanism 44, means is provided for stopping printing cylinder 64 in a predetermined position each time the operation of label imprinting mechanism 44 is terminated. Such means includes a gear 110 (FIGURES 3 and 4) mounted on shaft 91 for rotation therewith and which mates with a gear 111 mounted on a stub shaft 112. An electromagnetic brake mechanism 113 (FIGURE 3) has a movable element 114 connected to stubshaft 112 for rotation therewith and a stationary element 115 connected to base 45.

A microswitch 116 (FIGURES 3 and 4) is carried by a bracket 117 which in turn is mounted on stationary element 11 5 of electromagnetic brake 113 and includes a plunger 116a (FIGURE 12) controlled by a cam follower 120 pivotally mounted on switch 116 and disposed in engagement with a cam 121 mounted on shaft 91 for rotation therewith. Switch- J16 is electrically connected to electromagnetic brake 113 in a manner to be described for controlling the operation thereof to control rotation of stub shaft 112 and thereby control the rotation of printing cylinder 64 through the drive train therebetween.

An auxiliary feeding or label positioning means 122 (FIGURE 1) is provided rearwardly of the cooperating upper and lower'feed cams 86 and 87 for positioning successive labels in proper position to be fed to printing cylinder 64 by feed cams 86 and 87. Label positioning means 122 includes an elongate bar 123 mounted for horizontal reciprocation at its forward end on shaft 90 and at its rearward end on a shaft 124 journaled for oscillatory movement in bearings 125, mounted on top member 54, Bar 123 has an elongate opening 123a therein and a block 126 is slidably mounted on bar 123 for adjustment longitudinally thereof by a portion penetrating through opening 123a. Block 126 is releasably held in adjusted position by a locking screw 127 and has feed fingers 130 mounted thereon for movement therewith as the bar 123 reciprocates.

An eccentric 131 (FIGURE 1) is mounted on shaft 90 for rotation therewith and is connected to bar 123 by a strap follower 132 for reciprocating bar 123 and feed fingers 130 in timed relation to the rotation of feed cams 86 and 87 to properly position successive labels for feeding to printing cylinder 64.

A pair of arms 133 (FIGURE 1), only one of which is shown, are mounted at their forward ends on bearings 125 and extend rearwardly and upwardly therefrom to free end portions at their other ends. A shaft 134 is journaled at its opposite ends on arms 133 and is adapted to mount a roll R of the carrier web W thereon for unwinding therefrom. Brake means (not shown) is operatively associated with shaft 134 and is controlled by sensing arms 135, only one of which is shown, pivotally mounted on bars 131 and including a roller 136 rotatably mounted thereon and adapted to have the carrier web W pass there around for sensing the tension in the carrier web for controlling the unwinding of the roll R.

Back guides 137 (FIGURES 1 and 4), only one of which is shown, are mounted on top member 54 of base 45 for lateral adjustment relative to each other for guiding the carrier Web W in its movement to printing cylinder 64. Also, anti back-up means (not shown) is preferably provided on shaft 124 and cooperates with top member 54 for preventing the web W from moving rearwardly toward sensing roller 136.

A pair of front guides 138 (FIGURE 2) are provided at the forward end of top member 54 for guiding the carrier web W and labels thereon from printing cylinder 64. Also, a rounded guide portion 139 is mounted on the forward end of top member 54 of base 45 over which the carrier web having the printed labels thereon is adapted to pass.

LABEL APPLYING MECHANISM A label applying mechanism is generally indicated at 140 (FIGURES 1 and 2) and is dependingly carried by platform 40. Label applying mechanism 140 includes a support housing 141 which includes top, bottom, front, rear and side walls 142-147, respectively, with front and rear walls 144, 145 being mounted on arms 42 of platform 40 by bolts 148 (FIGURES 2 and 8) which penetrate through elongate openings 149 (FIGURE 2) formed in the horizontal legs 42b of arms 42 for lateral adjustment of the label applying mechanism 140 relative to conveyor means 21.

Means 150 (FIGURES 1 and 5) for separating printed labels or for removing printed labels from the carrier web, which the same receives from label imprinting mechanism 44, includes a generally vertical bracket plate 151 mounted on side wall 146 of housing 141 adjacent the lower portion thereof by any suitable means (not shown). Label removing means 150 also includes a pair of vertically spaced guide rollers 152, 153 (FIGURE 5) comprising sleeves rotatably mounted on shafts 154, 155 which are mounted on bracket plate 151. Sleeve rollers 152, 153 are loosely mounted on shafts 154, 155, i.e., having internal openings of three-fourths inch which receive shafts 154, 155 which have an outer diameter of one-half inch, for example. Also, sleeve guide rollers 152, 153 have a roughened or sand finish on the outer surface thereof for engagement with the printed labels for preventing smearing of the printed indicia or copy thereon.

An elongate top guide member 156 (FIGURE 5) is mounted on bracket plate 151 below the lower guide roller 153 for receipt of the carrier web having printed labels thereon from guide rollers 152, 153 and is disposed at a downwardly inclined acute angle to the horizontal. Top guide member 156 has a heating element 157 mounted therein for heating its upper guide surface, for softening the pressure sensitive adhesive between the labels and carrier web for facilitating removal of the labels from the web and subsequent application thereof to articles to 17 be labeled. Heating element 157 has a thermostat 158 (schematically shown in FIGURE 12) operatively associated therewith for controlling the operation thereof.

A corner member 160 (FIGURE is also mounted on bracket plate 151 in spaced relation to the lower end of top guide member 156 and has its upper surface in alinement with the upper surface of top guide member 156. Corner member 160 has its upper and lower surfaces disposed at an acute angle to define a sharp corner around which the carrier Web is adapted to be drawn such that the printed labels are peeled therefrom. A bottom guide member 161 is also mounted on bracket plate 151 in rearwardly spaced relation to corner member 160 for guiding the carrier Web from which the labels have been removed away from corner member 160.

A hold-down plate 162 (FIGURE 5) is mounted on bracket plate 151 by a bracket portion 163 rigidly mounted on hold-down plate 162 and extending upwardly therefrom and terminating in a bifurcated end portion which receives a portion of a bracket 164 which is pivotally connected thereto by a pivot pin 165. Bracket 164 is mounted on bracket plate 151 in any suitable manner (not shown). Also, a spring (not shown) is operatively associated with bracket 164 and bracket portion 163 for biasing hold-down plate 162 downwardly toward top guide member 156 and corner member 160.

A rear roller 166 (FIGURE 5 is rotatably mounted on the rear portion of hold-down plate 162 for moving the carrier web having printed labels thereon received from guide rollers 152, 153 onto the heated upper surface of top guide member 156. A front roller 167 is rotatably mounted on the forward portion of hold-down plate 162 in contiguous relation to the upper surface of corner member 160 for holding the carrier web in intimate relation thereto.

Rollers

166 and 167 are also of the sand type having roughened surfaces which engage the carrier web and printed labels thereon to prevent smearing of the printing indicia or copy.

Hold-down plate 162 has a plurality of openings 168 therein for reducing the weight thereof and to permit a beam of light to pass therethrough from a light cell or lamp 170 mounted thereabove by a bracket 171. Bracket 171 is mounted on bracket plate 151 by bolts or screws 172 penetrating through elongate openings 173 in bracket 171 and into bracket plate 151 for adjustment of lamp 170 relative to corner member 160 for accommodating labels of varying dimension longitudinally of the carrier web. The light beam from lamp 170 is adapted to pass through the portion of the carrier web between successive labels, which is transparent, and downwardly between the lower end of top guide member 156 and corner member 160.

A reflector member 174 (FIGURE 5) is mounted on bottom guide member 161 and projects into the path of the light beam from lamp 170 for reflecting the light beam to a light responsive cell 175. Light responsive cell 175 is mounted on bracket plate 151 between top guide member 156 and bottom guide member 161 and is connected in a mannerto be described to 'drive means for a carrier web take-up drive roll 176 and take up reel 177 (FIGURE 1).

Carrier web take-up reel 177 (FIGURE 1) is mounted on a shaft 180 for rotation therewith which is journaled for rotation in a suitable bearing (not shown) mounted on a bracket 181 which in turn is mounted on rear wall 145 of the housing 141. Shaft 180 has a pulley 182 drivingly mounted thereon which supports one end of a drive belt 183. The other end of drive belt 183 is drivingly supported by a pulley 184 (FIGURE 8) mounted on a shaft 185 for rotation therewith. Shaft 185 also mounts carrier web drive roll 176 which is adapted to have the carrier web pass in engagement therewith in its path of travel from the label removing means 150 to takeup reel 17 7.

An electromagnetic clucth 186 has one element 186a thereof drivingly connected to the other end of shaft and another element 186!) thereof connected to a stub shaft (not shown) for rotation therewith. Also, an electromagnetic brake 187 has a movable element 187a thereof mounted on the stub shaft for rotation therewith and a stationary element 1187b thereof mounted on housing 141.

A sprocket 188 is drivingly mounted on the stub shaft and supports one end of a sprocket chain 189, the other end of which is supported by a drive sprocket 190 (FIG- URE 9). Drive sprocket 190 is carried by a shaft 191 of a gear reduction unit 192 which is connected to the output shaft (not shown) of a suitable electric motor 193. Motor 193 is mounted by bolts 194 on a motor support plate 195 which in turn is dependingly mounted on top member 142 of the housing 141. A bracket member 196 is mounted on the motor support plate 195 and on rear wall 145 of housing 141 and a solenoid 197 is dependingly mounted therefrom.

Solenoid 197 includes a plunger 197a which has a link 200 pivotally connected thereto and a spring 201 is connected to link 200 at one end and to an arm 202 at its other end. Arm 202 is connected to a shaft 203 mounted for oscillatory movement on housing 141 and penetrating through side wall 144 above the carrier web drive roll 176. Shaft 203 includes a crank arm portion 203a at its outer end and a tension roller 204 (FIGURES l and 8) is rotatably mounted on crank arm portion 203a. A tension spring 205 (FIGURE 9) is connected at one end to arm 202 and at its other end to bottom wall 143 of housing 141 for biasing arm 202 downwardly and shaft 203 in such an angular direction that tension roller 204 is biased out of contact with drive roll 176.

A label applying means 210 (FIGURE 5) is mounted on the housing 141 above conveyor means 21 immediately forwardly of label removing means 150. Label applying means 210 includes a closed box-like housing 211 comprising top, bottom, front, rear and side walls 212 217 (FIGURES 5 and 6). Bottom wall 213 extends only a portion of the distance between front and

rear walls

214 and 215 such that an opening 220 is defined between the rear edge of bottom wall 213 and rear wall 215.

A plurality of grid bars 221 (FIGURES 5 and 6) are mounted at opposite ends on front and

rear walls

214, 215 below bottom wall 213 and beneath the opening 220. The spaced apart grid bars 221 define a plurality of elongate openings therebetween which communicate with the interior of housing 211. Side wall 217 and the forward portion of wall 146 of the housing 141 have communicating openings (FIGURE 6) formed therein which are connected in any suitable manner to a source of suction 222 (shown schematically in FIGURE 12) such as a suction fan or the like driven by a motor 223 (also shown schematically in FIGURE 12) for drawing a suction on the interior of housing 211 and hence on the elongate openings between grid bars 221.

Therefore, when a label is removed from the carrier web W by movement thereof around corner member 160, the thusly removed label is drawn upwardly into contact with the lower surface of grid bars 221 by the suction being drawn on housing 211. The label is thereby held in position above conveyor means 21 for application to articles A being carried by conveyor means 21 therebeneath.

A plurality of hoses 224 are communicatively connected at one end to a supply hose 225 mounted at one end on rear Wall 217 of housing 211. Supply hose 225 is connected at its other end to a suitable source of air under pressure 226 (shown schematically in FIGURE 12A) through a control valve 227 connected in hose 225 and having a movable valve member 227a (also shown schematically in FIGURE 12A).

The other end of hoses 224 terminate in free end portions immediately above the elongate openings between grid bars 221 and are adapted to supply intermittent blasts or jets of high velocity air to the elongate openings in timed relation to the movement of an article A therebeneath. This blast or jet of air moves the label disposed beneath grid bars 221 downwardly into adhering relation with the article A and has a two-fold purpose,

one of which is to move the label downwardly into adhering relation with the article and the other of which is to complete the drying of the printed indicia on the label if the same has not previously dried.

The actuation of the intermittent air blasts from the hoses 224 is controlled by means for sensing the presence of an article A therebeneath which, in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, is a pair of photoelectric sensing means 230, 231 with means 230 being a light source cell or lamp and means 231 being a light responsive or sensitive cell. Lamp 230 and light responsive cell 231 are mounted on opposite sides of housing 211 by

brackets

232, 233, respectively, in such relative positions that the light beam from lamp 230 will be reflected upwardly to light responsive cell 231 from articles A carried therebetween by conveyor means 21. It can readily be appreciated that any suitable means for sensing the presence of articles A beneath the opening 220 in housing 211 may be provided without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the photoelectric sensing means is shown in the drawings as being stationary, it can readily be appreciated that the same may be adjustable longitudinally of conveyor means 21 if desired as is conventional.

A roll-down roller 234 (FIGURES 1, and 6) is mounted for rotation on a shaft 235 which in turn is mounted on one end of :an arm 236. Arm 236 is pivotally mounted at its other end by a pivot pin 237 on a forwardly projecting bracket 238 mounted on the front wall 214 of housing 211. Roll-down roller 234 is biased downwardly by its own weight into engagement with the articles A being moved therebeneath by conveyor means 21 for assuring adherence of the labels L applied thereto by the air jets from hoses 224.

Since imprinting mechanism 44 operates to print labels tfaster than label applying mechanism 140 applies the printed labels to the articles presented thereto by conveyor means 21, imprinting mechanism 44 is operated intermittently to supply labels to label applying mechanism 140 when the same are needed. To control this operation of the imprinting mechanism, a generally vertical arm 240 (FIGURE 1) is mounted at its upper end on a shaft 241 for oscillatory movement therewith and has a sensing roller 242 (FIGURES 1 and 2) mounted on its lower end and extending outwardly therefrom in a generally horizontal plane between the guide portion 139 on the front'of imprinting mechanism 44 and upper guide roller 152. Sensing roller 242 is adapted to have the web pass in front and :partially t-herearound such that the same engages the carrier web on the opposite side thereof from the printing labels.

Shaift 241 is journaled for oscillatory, movement in a bearing (not shown) carried by a bearing mounting plate 243 mounted on wall 146 of housing 141 in any suitable manner as by bolts 244. Shaft 241 penetrates through bearing plate 243 (FIGURE 10) and a spring 245 (FIG- URE 11) is connected at one end to a collar 246 mounted on shaft 241 for rotation therewith and is connected at its other end to the bearing mounting plate 243 for biasing shaft 241 in a counterclockwise direction, as seen in FIGURE 10, or to bias sensing roller mounting arm 240 to the left as seen in FIGURE 1.

A pair of

cams

250 and 251 are mounted on shaft 241 for rotation therewith and have a pair of microswitches 252 and 253 operatively associated therewith respectively. Microswitches 252, 253 have cam followers 254, 255 associated therewith and which are disposed in engagement with the periphery of

cams

250, 251 for controlling the actuation of switches 252 and 253 in response to rotation of

cams

250, 251. It is noted that microswitch 252 is of the normally closed type and microswitch 253 is of the normally open type for reasons to become apparent.

WIRING DIAGRAM Referring now to FIGURES 12 and 12A wherein the wiring diagram for apparatus 20 is shown, there is provided a male plug member 260 (FIGURE 12) adapted to be inserted in any suitable receptacle connected to a source of alternating current electrical energy (not shown). A power line 261 and a ground line 262 are connected at one end to male plug 260. Power line 261 and ground line 262 have a double pole switch 263 connected therein, the operation of which is controlled by a suitable relay 264 connected thereto. One side of relay 264 is connected to ground line 262 by a line 265 and the other side thereof is connected by a line 270 to one side of a manually operable switch 271 which is preferably of the snap action type and will remain closed when the control button is pressed until the control button is pressed again to move the same to open position. It is noted that the switch 271 is mounted on base 45 of imprinting mechanism 44 for easy accessability. A line 272 connects the other side of switch 271 to power line 261.

A line 230 is connected at one end to power line 261 land is connected at its other end to motor 223 which operates suction source 222. The opposite side of motor 223 is connected to ground line 262 by a line 281. A manually operable switch 282, also of the aforementioned snap action type and also mounted on base housing 45 of imprinting mechanism 44 adjacent switch 271, is connected in series with solenoid 197 which controls the engagement of the tensioning roller 204 with the carrier web drive roller 176 by a line 283 which is connected at one end to ground line 262 and is connected at its other end to one side of solenoid 197 and has switch 282 connected therein. A line 284 connects the other side of solenoid 197 to power line 261 for completing the circuit thereto. Motor 193 for driving takeup reel 177 and carrier web drive roller 176 is connected to power line 261 by a line 284 and to ground line 262 by a line 285. Also, motor 106 for operating imprinting mechanism 44 is connected to power line 261 by a line 286 and to ground line 262 by a line 287.

Heater 157 is connected to power line 261 by a line 290 and to thermostat 158 by a line 291. Thermostat 158 is connected by a line 292 to one side of a manually operable switch 293, also of the snap action type and mounted on the base housing 45. The other side of switch 293 is connected to ground line 262 by a line 294.

A bridge rectifier 300 (FIGURE 12A), is of conventional construction and will therefore not be described in detail, is connected to AC. power line 261 by a line 301 and has the opposite side thereof connected to AC. ground line 262 by a line 302. Bridge rectifier 300 functions to convert the alternating current electrical energy supplied thereto by the power and

ground lines

261 and 262 to direct current electrical energy and the output sides of bridge 300 have a D.C. power line 303 and a D.C. ground line 304 connected thereto, respectively.

The opposite end of the D.C. ground line 304 is connected to one side of electromagnetic clutch 107 for controlling operation of the imprinting mechanism 44. A line 305 connects one side of electromagnetic brake 113 to D.C. ground line 304. The other end of D.C. power line 303 is connected to one side of a double throw switch 306 having contacts 306a and 30612 and which is movable between a first position wherein the contact 3060: thereof is actuated and a second position wherein the contact 306b thereof is actuated.

A line 307 is connected at one end to the contact 306a of double throw switch 306 and at the other end to electromagnetic brake 113 for completing a circuit to brake 113 for energizing the same and a line 310 is connected at one end to contact 30611 of double throwswitch 306 and at its other end to electromagnetic clutch 107. It is noted that switch 306 is normally closed through contact 306a thereby completing the circuit to electromagnetic brake 113 and is moved to the other position by a relay 311 connected thereto.

A circuit for controlling operation of relay 311 includes a line 312 connected at one end to A.C. power line 261 and at its other end to one side of normally closed switch 252 which has the other side thereof connected to one side of normally open switch 253 by a line 313. A line 314 connects the other side of switch 253 to one side of relay 311, the other side of which is connected by a line 315 to A.C. ground line 262.

Relay 311 also controls a normally open second switch 316 which has one side thereof connected by a line 317 to one side of switch 116, the other side of which is connected to A.C. power line 261 by a line 320. The other side of switch 316 is connected by a line 321 to the side of relay 311 to which line 314 is connected. Also, a line 322 connects line 320 between switches 116 and 316 to line 313 between switches 252 and 253 to form a holding circuit to relay 311 through switches 252 and 316 and to connect switch 116 in parallel to switch 252.

The control circuit or circuits for label applying mechanism 140 will now be described. In this regard, the ends of A.C. power line 261 and A.C. ground line 262 opposite from plug 260 are connected to opposite sides of input winding 323a of a transformer 323. A line 324 is connected at one end to one side of output winding 32311 of transformer 323 and has a suitable diode rectifier 325 connected therein. Line 324 is connected at its other end to one side of a normally closed switch 326 which is controlled by a relay 327.

A normally open switch 330 is also controlled by relay 327 and one side thereof is connected to the opposite side of switch 326 by a line 331. A line 332 connects the other side of normally open switch 330 to one side of a relay 333 through a suitable resistor 334 and a line 335 connects the other side of relay 333 to the center of the output winding 32312 of transformer 323.

A first condenser 336 is connected between lines 324 and 335 by a line 337 in parallel relation to the transformer output portion therebetween. A line 340 is connectedbetween lines 324 and 335 and has a suitable resistor 341 connected therein and a potentiometer 342 connected therein in series with resistor 341. A second condenser 343 is connected in parallel to potentiometer 342 by a line 344 which is connected at one end to line 340 between resistor 341 and potentiometer 342 and is connected at its other end to line 335.

The winding of potentiometer 342 is connected to one side of relay 327 by a line 345 and the other side of relay 327 is connected by a line 346 to one side of light responsive cell 231. The opposite side of light responsive cell 231 is connected by a line 347 to a line 350 which is connected at one end to line 335 and at its other end to one side of lamp 230. A line 351 connects the opposite side of lamp 230 to the output winding 3231; of transformer 323 to complete the circuit thereto.

A third condenser 352 controls the actuation of relay 333 and is connected to line 331 between switches 326 and 330 by a line 353 and is connected to line 335 by a line 354. Therefore, when switch 330 is open, a circuit will be complete from transformer 323 through switch 326 to the third condenser 352 and through

lines

354 and 335 back to transformer 323 such that condenser 353 will become charged. When light responsive cell 231 is activated by a beam of light striking the same, relay 327 will be energized and will open switch 326 and close switch 330 thereby changing the polarity of the third condenser 352 which will then discharge to relay 333 energizing the same.

A switch 355 is controlled by relay 333 and has one side thereof connected to D.C. ground line 304 by a line 356 and the other side thereof connected by a line 357 to one side of a relay 360. The opposite side of relay 360 is connected by a line 361 to D.C. power line 303 to complete a circuit thereto when switch 355 is closed due to activation of relay 333. Upon activation, relay 360 closes a pair of normally

open switches

362 and 363 for controlling operation of the valve 227 for discharging a blast of air through hoses 224 to apply a label to an article and to control carrier web take-up reel 177 and drive roller 176. In this regard, one side of switch 362 is connected by a line 364 to D.C. power line 303 and the opposite side thereof is connected by a line 365 to one side of a solenoid 366. Solenoid 366 has a plunger 366a which is connected to movable valve member 227a of control valve 227. The opposite side of solenoid 366 is connected by a line 367 to D.C. ground line 304.

One side of switch 363 is connected by a line 370 to D.C. power line 303 and the other side of switch 363 is connected by a line 371 to one side of a relay 372. The opposite side of relay 372 is connected by a line 373 to one side of a switch 374, the other side of which is connected to D.C. ground line 304 by a line 375.

Relay 372 controls a first switch 380 which has one .side thereof connected by a line 381 to D.C. power line 303 and the other side thereof connected by a line 382 to the side of relay 372 to which line 371 is connected to complete a holding circuit to relay 372 when switch 380 is closed.

Relay 372 also controls a two position or double throw switch 383 which has one side thereof connected to D.C. power line 303 by a line 384. The other side of switch 383 has a pair of contacts 383a and 38312 which define the two positions thereof and contact 383a is connected to one side of electromagnetic clutch 186 by a line 385, the other side of clutch 186 being connected to D.C. ground line 304 by a line 386. The other contact 383b of switch 383 is connected by a line 387 to one side of electromagnetic brake 187, the other side of which is connected by a line 390 to D.C. ground line 304. It is noted that switch 383 is normally closed through the contact 3831: such that the electromagnetic brake 187 is normally energized when relav 372 is deactivated.

The control circuit for switch 374 which controls the activation and deactivation of electromagnetic clutch 186 and electromagnetic brake 18 7 will now be described and is similar to the circuit controlling the actuation of switch 355. This circuit includes a transformer 391 substantially identical to transformer 323 described above and has one side of the input winding 391a thereof connected to A.C. power line 261 by a line 392 and the other side thereof connected to A.C. ground line 262 by a line 393.

Output winding 391b of transformer 391 has a line 394 connected to one side thereof and a suitable diode rectifier 395 is interposed in line 394. The other end of line 394 is connected to one side of a normally open switch 396 which is controlled by a relay 397. Relay 397 also controls a normally closed switch 400 which has one side thereof connected to the opposite side of normally open switch 396 by a line 401 and the other side thereof connected to one side of a relay 402 by a line 403 which has a resistor 404 connected therein. The circuit to relay 402 is completed by a line 405 which connects the opposite side of relay 402 to the output winding 39111 of transformer 391. v

A first condenser 406 is connected between lines 394 and 405 by a line 407. A line 410 is also connected between lines 394 and 405 in parallel to first condenser 406 and has a resistor 411 and a potentiometer 412 connected in series therein. A second condense-r 413 is connected in parallel to potentiometer 412 by a line 414 which is connected at one end to line 410 between resistor 411 and potentiometer 412 and is connected at its other end to line'405.

"other end. The opposite side of light responsive cell 175 is connected by a line 417 to a line 420 which is connected at one end to line 405 and is connected at its other end to one side of lamp 170, the other side of which is connected by a line 421 to the output winding 3911: of transformer 391.

A third condenser 422 is provided for controlling actuation of relay 402 and is connected in the circuit by a line 423 which is connected at one end to line 401 between switches 3'96 and 400 and is connected at its other end to one side of third condenser 422 and by a line 424 which is connected at one end to third condenser 422 and at its other end to line 405.

OPERATION When the apparatus is to be operated to imprint and apply labels, conveying means 21 is activated by a separate control means (not shown) and operates continuously to convey packaged articles A placed thereon therealong. Assuming that the carrier web W is properly threaded into apparatus 20 and a printed label is in position to be moved beneath housing 211, switch 271 is then manually closed to actuate relay 264 to close double pole switch 263. Switches 282 and 29 3 are also closed to actuate solenoid 197 to move tension roller 204 into cooperating relation with carrier web drive roll 176, and to actuate heater 157 to heat the upper surface of top guide member 156.

Motor 106 for imprinter mechanism 44 and motor 193 for label applying mechanism 140 are also rendered operative but since brake 113 is actuated and clutch 107 is deactivated, imprinter mechanism 44 is not operated to print labels. To move a printed label into position beneath housing'211, an article is moved between lamp 230 and light responsive cell 231 to reflect the beam of light from lamp 230". to light responsive cell 231 to energize the same. Upon energization, cell 231 completes the circuit to relay 327 through potentiometer 342 to actuate relay 327 which opens switch 326 and closes switch 330. Condenser 352, which has been charged while switch 326 has been closed and switch 330 has been open, then discharges through relay 333 thereby momentarily actuating relay 333 which closes switch 355. It is noted that condenser 352 will dissipate its accumulated change in a very short time, i.e., one-tenth of a second, for example, and therefore relay 333 will be actuated and switch 355 will be closed for a correspondingly short time Upon closure, switch 355 completes a circuit to relay 360, which then closes switches 362 arid 303. Switch 362 completes a circuit to solenoid 366 which retracts its plunger to move valve member 22711 of valve 227 to the open position to permit a high velocity blast or jet of air to be directed from air source 226 through supply hose 225 to hoses 224. Since there is no label below grid bars 221, the air blast Will not apply a label to the article passed therebeneath to initiate operation of applying mechanism 140, but would force a label downwardly off of grid bars 1 221 if a label werepositioned beneath grid bars 221.

At the same time that switch 362 is closed, switch 363 is also closed which completes a circuit to relay 372 thereby actuating the same which closes switch 380. Since switch 355 is only momentarily closed, relay 360 will be actuated and switches 360 and 362 will be closed for only a correspondingly short time. However, switch 380 completes a holding circuit 'to relay 372 through normally closed switch 374 sothat relay 372 will remain actuated until switch 374 is opened.

Upon actuation of relay 372, switch 383 is movedfro its normally closed position, at contact 383b, wherein electromagnetic brake 187 is energized, to its second position at contact 383a thereby deenergizing brake 187 and energizing electromagnetic clutch 186. Upon energization, clutch 186 completes the drive from motor 193 to shaft "185 which rotates carrier web drive roller 176 and carrier web take-up reel 177 which serve to draw the carrier web downwardly from imprinting mechanism 44 around tension sensing member 242, guide rollers 152 and 153 and corner member 160. A printed label is thereby peeled from the carrier web and is moved into underlying relation to grid bars 221 onto the lower surface of which the label is drawn by the suction being pulled on housing 211 by suction source 222.

It is noted that the carrier web passes around tension sensing member 242 with the side thereof opposite from the printed labels thereon in engagement with member 242 so that the tension sensing member will not smear the printed indicia on the labels. Also, due to the sand or roughened finish on guide rollers 152, 153 and the loose mounting thereof on shafts 154, 155, guide rollers 152, 153 also do not smear the printed indicia on the printed labels even though the carrier web passes therearound with the labels in engagement therewith. Further, the hold-down

rollers

166, 167 also prevent smearing of the printed indicia by the label removing means.

It is noted that the label L 'is disposed beneath lamp 170 in its travel to corner member to thereby break the light beam between lamp 240 and light responsive cell 175. As the carrier web is drawn around corner member 160, this label is moved forwardly and its trailing edge is moved from beneath lamp 170. The beam of light from lamp then passes through the transparent carrier web portion between this label and the next successive label and strikes reflector member 174 which reflects the same to light responsive cell 175 to energize the same.

Upon energization of light responsive cell 175, a circuit is completed to relay 397 to actuate the same which opens normally closed switch 400 and closes normally open switch 396. Switch 396 completes the circuit from transformer 391 to condenser 422 thereby charging condenser 422 so long as switch 396 is closed. The carrier web W of labels continues to move and to :be wound on take-up reel 177 until the leading edge of the next successive label is moved beneath lamp 170 and breaks the light beam between lamp 170 and light responsive cell 175. When this occurs, light responsive cell 175 is deenergized which deactivates relay 397 and opens switch 396 and closes switch 400. Condenser 422 then discharges through relay 402 momentarily, i.e., one-tenth of a second, for example, actuating the same and thereby opening switch 374 for a correspondingly short time. When the accumulated charge of condenser 422 has been dissipated, relay 402 is deactivated, even though switch 400 remains closed, and switch 374 again moves to closed position.

Upon the momentary opening of switch 374, the bolding circuit to relay 372 is broken thereby deactivating the relay andmoving switch 380 to the open position. Therefore, relay 372 will not be reactivated when switch 374 moves to closed position. When relay 372 is deactivated, switch 383 moves from its second position at contact 383a to its first posit-ion at contact 38% thereby .deenergizing' electromagnetic clutch 186 and energizing electromagnetic brake 187. This stops carrier web drive roller 1 76 and take-up reel 177 with a label in position beneath grid bars 221 and the next successive label beneath lamp 170. 1

Upon each successive article A being moved beneath housing 221 by conveyor means 21, the same reflects the thereon is then moved by conveyor means 21 beneath roller 234 which rolls the label into good adhering relation to the article.

As the labels are removed from the carrier web and applied to the articles A, the length of the carrier web between imprinter mechanism 44 and label removing means 150 is shortened. Tension sensing member 242 and arm 240 on which the same is mounted are moved reanwardly, or to the right as seen in FIGURE 1, thereby which movement rotates shaft 24.1 and

cams

250, 251 thereon.

When cam 251 is rotated a predetermined distance in this counterclockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 12, the same closes switch 253 which completes a circuit to relay 311 thereby actuating the same. Upon actuation, relay 311 closes switch 316 which completes a first holding circuit to relay 311 through switch 252, and a second holding circuit through switch 116 which is connected in parallel to switch 252. Therefore, both

switches

116 and 252 must be open before relay 3111 will be deactivated.

Relay 311 also moves switch 3116 from its normally closed position at contact 3060, wherein electromagnetic brake 113 is energized, to its second position at contact 30 6b, thereby deenergizing electromagnetic brake 113 and energizing electromagnetic clutch 1117. Upon energization, clutch 107 completes the drive through stub shaft 94 to shaft 90 which drives feed cams 86, 87, label positioning means 122, printing cylinder 64, back-uproller 66, ink transfer roll 73 and other operative elements of imprinting mechanism 44 to intermittently feed labels to the printing cylinder 64 and to print such intermittently fed labels with the desired indicia.

As imprinting mechanism 44 prints the labels, the length of the carrier web W between imprinting mechanism 44 and label removing means 150 gradually increases since imprinting mechanism 44 prints the labels faster than the same are applied by applying mechanism 140, arm 240 and tension sensing member 242 thereon are moved fonwardly, or to the left :as seen in FIGURE 1, by spring 245. Upon movement of arm 240 in this direction, shaft 241 is rotated in a clockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 12 and cam 2 51 moves away from switch 253 permitting the same to open, but relay 3111 is maintained energized through the aforementioned holding circuit.

When arm 240 has moved to the left a predetermined distance, cam 250 opens switch 252 thereby breaking the first holding circuit to relay 311, but the second holding circuit to relay 311 is still complete through switch 116. Relay 311 is therefore maintained energized until cam 121 opens switch 116 which immediately deenergizes relay 311 which moves switch 3116 from contact 30612 to contact 306a and thereby deenergizes electromagnetic clutch 107 and energizes electromagnetic brake 1113.

It is noted that cam 121 rotates in timed relation to printing cylinder 64 and has the high point of its periphery disposed relative to switch 116 such that switch 116 is opened each time printing cylinder 164 is disposed in such a position that the printing type 64a thereon is disposed between back-uproll 66 .and ink transfer roll 73 on the rearward side of ink transfer roll 73 relative to the direction of travel thereof. The printing cylinder is therefore stopped with printing type 64a in this position to assure that the printing type 64a will'not be in engagement with ink transfer roll 73 or a label between the printing cylinder 64 and the back-up roll 66. Also, stopping of the printing cylinder in this position always assures that the printing type 64a will engage ink transfer roll 73 before the same engages a label upon restarting of imprinting mechanism 44 such that a fresh supply of ink will be transferred thereto before the next successive label is printed upon such restarting.

Imprinting mechanism 44 remains deactivated until the length of the carrier web between imprinting mechanism 44 and label removing means 150 is shortened to such an extent that arm 240 is moved rearwardly, or to the right as seen in FIGURE 1, a sufiicient distance to cause cam 251 to close switch 253 in the manner set forth above and then the label printing cycle will be repeated.

It will therefore be apparent that a novel combination label imprinting and applying apparatus is provided wherein improved printing of the labels is provided wherein the printing cylinder is always stopped in such a position that the printing of the labels is not adversely affected thereby, wherein the printed indicia on the labels is not smeared by the imprinting mechanism and the applying mechanism and wherein waste of labels and carrier web is materially reduced,

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. Combination label imprinting and applying apparatus for printing suitable indicia on serially arranged labels connected into a web of indeterminate length and for separating such labels and applying the same to ar-.

ticles successively and randomly presented thereto, said apparatus comprising (a) label separating means adapted to receive the web of labels and to successively separate the same into unconnected individual labels,

(b) label applying means operatively associated with said label separating means for receiving individual labels therefrom and for applying these labels to articles presented thereto,

(c) feeding means for feeding the web of labels to said label separating means,

(d) article sensing means connected to said label applying means for sensing articles presented to said applying means and for actuating said applying means to apply labels thereto irrespective of the speed of travel or arrangement of the articles being presented for labeling, and said article sensing means also being connected to said feeding means for actuating the same to feed another label to said label separating means upon the application of a label to an article so that another label is delivered to said applying means for application to the next article presented to said applying means,

(e) label sensing means disposed adjacent said label separating means and connected to said feeding means for maintaining said feeding means actuated until another label reaches a position adjacent said separating means and being responsive to the arrival of a label at said position for deactivating said feeding means,

(f) imprinting means positioned adjacent said label separating means for printing suitable indicia on said labels in the web before the web is delivered to said separating means and including a rotatable printing cylinder,

(g) sen-sing means disposed between said imprinting rneans and said separating means for sensing the label requirements of said applying means, and

(h) control means connected to said imprinting means and responsive to said sensing means (g) for actuating the printing means to print labels and for deactuating the printing means when the label "requirements have been filled.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said control means (h) includes means for stopping said printing cylinder in a predetermined positionready to quickly and properly print another label when said applying means requires labels.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 including '(i) rotatable guide means disposed between said imprinting means and said separating means and adapt- 1 7 ed to engage the web of labels on the printed side thereof for guiding the web of labels between said imprinting means and said label separating means, said guide means having a roughened, sand-like surface for guiding the web of labels without smearing the printed indicia on the labels.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said guide means includes at least one guide roller comprising a shaft of predetermined diameter and an elongate hollow sleeve mounted on said shaft for rotation relative thereto, said sleeve having an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of said shaft so that said sleeve is loosely mounted on said shaft for limited lateral movement relative thereto, said sleeve having said roughened, sandlike surface thereon.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said guide means includes a pair of vertically spaced and aligned guide rollers each comprising a shaft of predetermined diameter and an elongate hollow sleeve mounted on said shaft for rotation relative thereto, said sleeve having an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of said shaft so that said sleeves are loosely mounted on said shafts for limited lateral movement relative thereto, said sleeve having roughened, sand-like surfaces thereon.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sensing means (g) for sensing the label requirements of said applying means comprises (1) a member adapted to contact the web of labels between the imprinting means and the label separating means, and normally occupying a first position, but movable to a second position in reponse to a predetermined increase in the tension in the web between said imprinting means and said label separating means, and

(2) switch means connected to said imprinting means and being actuated upon movement of said member to said second position for actuating the imprinting means to print labels.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said sensing mean (g) further includes (3) means biasing said member toward said first position so that said member will return to the first position upon a decrease in the tension in the web of labels to deactuate said switch means and thus said imprinting means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said imprinting means (f) includes drive means for rotating said printing cylinder, and wherein said control means (h) includes electromagnetic clutch and brake means disposed between said drive means and said printing cylinder and responsive to said sensing means (g) for normally maintaining said cylinder in a predetermined position by said electromagnetic clutch means being normally deact-uated and said electromagnetic brake means being normally actuated and responsive to said sensing means (g) being actuated for connecting said drive means to said printing cylinder by deactuation of said brake means and actuation of said clutch means.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said sensing means (g) includes first switch means for actuating and 18 deactuating said control-means and wherein said control means includes (1) second switch means connected to said electromagnetic clutch and brake means for maintaining the clutch means actuated and the brake means deactuated after deactuation of said first switch means, and

(2) cam means rotatable in synchronism with said printing cylinder and operatively associated with said second switch means for deactuating said second switch means when said printing cylinder reaches said predetermined position to deactuate said electromagnetic clutch means and to actuate said electromagnetic brake.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the serially arranged labels are releasably secured on a carrier web of indeterminate length, and wherein said label separating means includes (1) a corner member having upper and lower surfaces disposed at an acute angle and around which the carrier web having printed labels thereon is adapted to be drawn to peel the printed labels from the carrier web,

(2) a guide member disposed adjacent to said corner member for guiding the carrier web to said corner member,

(3) a rotatably mounted first roller disposed in contiguous relation to said guide member and adapted to engage the carrier web and printed labels thereon for guiding the carrier web into engagement with said guide member, and

(4) a rotatably mounted second roller disposed in contiguous relation to the upper surface of said corner member and adapted to engage the carrier web and labels thereon for holding the carrier web in intimate relation with the upper surface of said corner member, said first and second roller having a roughened, sand-like surface thereon for guiding the carrier web without smearing the printed indicia on the labels.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said feeding means comprises carrier web rewind means for drawing the web of labels about said corner member to remove the labels and for rewinding the carrier web upon removal of the labels therefrom.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said article sensing means is adjustable relative to said label applying means for accommodating articles of varying size and for varying the position on the articles at which the labels are applied.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,731,467 10/ 1929 Knowlton l01420 2,687,819 8/1954 Hill et a1. l56384 3,093,528 6/1963 Reich 156-584 3,169,895 2/1965 Sohn 156363 3,193,211 7/1965 Flood 156542 EARL M. BERGERT, Primary Examiner.

I. P. MELOCHE, Assistant Examiner.

Disclaimer 3,301,738.J0hn A. West and William [3. Eppes, Charlotte, NC. COMBINA- TION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS. Patent dated Jan. 31, 1967. Disclaimer filed July 15, 1968, by the assignee, I dento E guipment Company. Hereby enters this disclaimer to

claims

1, 6, 7 and 12 of said patent.

[Ofiicial Gazette August 2'7, 1.968.]

Claims

1. COMBINATION LABEL IMPRINTING AND APPLYING APPARATUS FOR PRINTING SUITABLE INDICIA ON SERIALLY ARRANGED LABELS CONNECTED INTO A WEB OF INDETERMINATE LENGTH AND FOR SEPARATING SUCH LABELS AND APPLYING THE SAME TO ARTICLES SUCCESSIVELY AND RANDOMLY PRESENTED THERETO, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING (A) LABEL SEPARATING MEANS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE WEB OF LABELS AND TO SUCCESSIVELY SEPARATE THE SAME INTO UNCONNECTED INDIVIDUAL LABELS, (B) LABEL APPLYING MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID LABEL SEPARATING MEANS FOR RECEIVING INDIVIDUAL LABELS THEREFROM AND FOR APPLYING THESE LABELS TO ARTICLES PRESENTED THERETO, (C) FEEDING MEANS FOR FEEDING THE WEB OF LABELS TO SAID LABEL SEPARATING MEANS, (D) ARTICLE SENSING MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID LABEL APPLYING MEANS FOR SENSING ARTICLES PRESENTED TO SAID APPLYING MEANS AND FOR ACTUATING SAID APPLYING MEANS TO APPLY LABELS THERETO IRRESPECTIVE OF THE SPEED OF TRAVEL OR ARRANGEMENT OF THE ARTICLES BEING PRESENTED FOR LABELING, AND SAID ARTICLE SENSING MEANS ALSO BEING CONNECTED TO SAID FEEDING MEANS FOR ACTUATING THE SAME TO FEED ANOTHER LABEL TO SAID LABEL SEPARATING MEANS UPON THE APPLICATION OF A LABEL TO AN ARTICLE SO THAT ANOTHER LABEL IS LEVIERED TO SAID APPLYING MEANS FOR APPLICATION TO THE NEXT ARTICLE PRESENTED TO SAID APPLYING MEANS, (E) LABEL SENSING MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT SAID LABEL SEPARATING MEANS AND CONNECTED TO SAID FEEDING MEANS FOR MAINTAINING SAID FEEDING MEANS ACTUATED UNTIL ANOTHER LABEL REACHES A POSITION ADJACENT SAID SEPARATING MEANS AND BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE ARRIVAL OF A LABEL AT SAID POSITION FOR DEACTIVATING SAID FEEDING MEANS, (F) IMPRINTING MEANS POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID LABEL SEPARATING MEANS FOR PRINTING SUITABLE INDICIA ON SAID LABELS IN THE WEB BEFORE THE WEB IS DELIVERED TO SAID SEPARATING MEANS AND INCLUDING A ROTATABLE PRINTING CYLINDER, (G) SENSING MEANS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID IMPRINTING MEANS AND SAID SEPARATING MEANS FOR SENSING THE LABEL REQUIREMENTS OF SAID APPLYING MEANS, AND (H) CONTROL MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID IMPRINTING MEANS AND RESPONSIVE TO SAID SENSING MEANS (G) FOR ACTUATING THE PRINTING MEANS TO PRINT LABELS AND FOR DEACTUATING THE PRINTING MEANS WHEN THE LABEL REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN FILLED.