US3616093A

US3616093A - Label applicator mechanism

Info

Publication number: US3616093A
Application number: US854179A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard K Teed
Original assignee: Riegel Textile Corp
Current assignee: MOUNT VERNON MILLS Inc A CORP OF
Priority date: 1969-08-29
Filing date: 1969-08-29
Publication date: 1971-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 1988-10-26

Abstract

A label applicator mechanism, characterized by positioning labels in predetermined positions on spaced-apart successive articles being advanced along a predetermined longitudinal path of travel, comprising a magazine of labels mounted for reciprocating linear movement, a rotating transfer arm having alternatively actuatable suction means on the outer end thereof for transferring the labels from the magazine to the advancing articles, a sensing means for sensing an article and causing the magazine to move toward the transfer arm whereupon the suction means is actuated to receive a label therefrom and initiating rotation of the transfer arm. After the transfer arm has rotated to place the outer end thereof adjacent to the advancing articles, the suction means is deactuated to release the label and rotation of the transfer arm is stopped when the outer end thereof is adjacent to and in alignment with the magazine.

Description

llnitetl Mates tent [72] Inventor [21 Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee [54] lLAlBlElL AlPPlLllCA'llOlR MECHANISM 7 lClaims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[51] lint. Cl B65c 9/14, B65h 3/08 [50] Field oiSearch 156/351,

3,488,241 1/1970 Faltot 156/573 X Primary Examiner--Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-James M. Hanley ArtorneyParrott, Bell, Seltzer, Park & Gibson ABSTRACT: A label applicator mechanism, characterized by positioning labels in predetermined positions on spaced-apart successive articles being advanced along a predetermined longitudinal path of travel, comprising a magazine of labels mounted for reciprocating linear movement, a rotating transfer arm having alternatively actuatable suction means on the outer end thereof for transferring the labels from the magazine to the advancing articles, a sensing means for sensing an article and causing the magazine to move toward the transfer arm whereupon the suction means is actuated to receive a label therefrom and initiating rotation of the transfer arml After the transfer arm has rotated to place the outer end thereof adjacent to the advancing articles, the suction means is deactuated to release the label and rotation of the transfer arm is stopped when the outer end thereof is adjacent to and in alignment with the magazine,

PATENTEU E 25 3,616,093

SHEET 2 0F 4 F 7: 5 INVENTOR:

RICHARD K. TE-E-D ATTORNEYS.

PATENTEUum 2s m:

SHEET b 0F 4 Jodkzou 440 d PUMJM m T m D E E T K D R A H w R ATTORNEYS:

LAllillElL AFFLHCATUM MlEClillAbIllSM This invention relates to a label applicator mechanism and more particularly to a label applicator mechanism for automatically positioning labels in predetermined positions on spaced-apart successive articles being advanced along a predetermined longitudinal path of travel.

conventionally, labels are usually positioned in predetermined positions on successive articles by manually positioning the articles one at a time in predetermined operative relationship with a label applicator mechanism and actuating the label applicator mechanism for positioning the label in the predetermined position. lt is readily apparent that this practice is expensive, time consuming and often times highly inaccurate.

Numerous attempts have heretofore been made to provide a label applicator mechanism for automatically positioning labels in predetermined positions on spaced-apart successive articles being continuously advanced along a predetermined longitudinal path of travel. However, these mechanisms have not been completely successful due to the problems encountered in piclring up labels one at a time and transferring the labels to a predetermined position on each of the successively advancing articles and particularly, where the successive articles are being advanced at relatively high rates of speed.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a label applicator mechanism wherein labels are automatically removed one at a time from a supply thereof and automatically transferred to successive articles being continuously advanced along a predetermined longitudinal path of travel in predetermined time relationship to position the labels in predetermined positions on the successively advancing articles.

By this invention, it has been found that the above object and others that will become apparent from a detailed description of the present invention are accomplished by providing a label applicator mechanism including a supply means containing a plurality of labels therein and being movably mounted above the path of travel of the articles for reciprocating forward and reverse linear movement. The mechanism further ineludes transfer means for receiving labels from said supply means at the end of its forward movement and successively transferring the labels to the advancing articles in a predetermined manner. The transfer means includes an arm having alternatively actuatable suction means on the outer end thereof and being mounted for periodic rotation in a generally vertical plane such that the outer end thereof passes adjacent to and in alignment with the supply means in one portion of the vertical plane of its movement for receiving a label therefrom when the suction means is actuated and is adjacent to the advancing articles at another portion of the vertical plane of its movement for releasing the label onto an advancing article when the suction means is deactuated. The transfer arm is positioned between periods of rotation with the outer end thereof adjacent to and in alignment with the supply means and with the suction means deactuated.

The applicator mechanism further includes sensing means operatively connected to the label supply means and the transfer means and which is responsive to each advancing article for initiating the reciprocating movement of the supply means to move said supply means toward said transfer means and for initiating rotation of said label transfer arm. lvleans are operatively connected with the suction means for actuation thereof during forward movement of the supply means and means are operatively connected with the suction means for deactuation thereof when said label transfer arm has reached the portion of its vertical plane of movement adjacent an advancing article. Further means are operatively connected with the transfer means to stop rotation of the label transfer arm when it has reached the portion of its vertical plane of movement adjacent to and in alignment with said supply means.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when talten in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which F 16. i is a schematic perspective view with portions broken away of a label applicator mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FlG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a label attached to one of the successively advancing articles of Figure l;

FlG. 3 is a sectional view in part talten substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure l;

HO. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line dl of Figure 3;

H6. 5 is a sectional view with portions broken away taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure l; and

HG. s is a schematic electrical wiring and pneumatic control diagram of the label applicator mechanism of Figure 1.

Referring more specifically to the drawings wherein like reference characters are used to indicate like parts, there is illustrated in Figure l the label applicator mechanism, generally indicated at 110, of the present invention for positioning labels in predetermined positions on spaced apart successive articles A being advanced along a predetermined, generally horizontal, longitudinal path of travel.

A conveyor means ll which may be of any conventional type, but preferably a plurality of endless belts l2 horizontally disposed and entrained around suitable spaced-apart pulleys or rolls 13, M (Figure ti), one of which is a drive roll (not shown), is supported in any suitablemanner (not shown) in cooperative relationship with the label applicator mechanism ill. The conveyor means llll advances spaced-apart successive articles A along a predetermined, generally horizontal, longitudinal path of travel as indicated. A sewing machine l5 is mounted adjacent the path of travel of at least one of the longitudinal side edges of the successively advancing articles A and includes the usual sewing head lb and needle plate 117 between which the longitudinal side edges of the articles A are passed and overedge stitched and which stitching serves to attach the labels L to each of the successively advancing articles A as illustrated in Figure 2. The sewing machine 15 is operated in the conventional manner by a pulley lb and drive belt l9 which may be driven by any suitable drive means (not shown).

While the present invention will be described in cooperation with the conveyor means ll and sewing machine l5 briefly described above, any similar conveyor means may be employed and the labels L may be attached to each of the successively advancing articles A in accordance with any other conventional technique.

A frame 21 for supporting the various parts of the label applicator mechanism it) is positioned in any suitable manner (not shown) above the path of travel of the successively advancing articles A and includes a vertically extending portion 211a and a horizontally extending portion Zllb.

The label applicator mechanism comprises a label supply means 22 containing a plurality of labels L therein movably mounted on the vertically extending portion Zlla of frame 21 above the path of travel of the advancing articles A for reciprocating forward and reverse linear movement. More particularly, the supply means 22 comprises a vertically extending magazine 23 open at its upper and lower ends. The lower end of the magazine 23 includes means such as resilient detents or bosses 24 (Figure 3) extending inwardly thereof for maintaining a stack of labels L in the magazine 23 and which will allow removal of the labels L one at a time from the lower end in accordance with this invention. The upper end is left open so that additional labels L may be readily placed in the magazine 23 during operation of the mechanism 110 without interference therewith.

The magazine 23 is carried by the vertically extending portion Zlla of frame 21 for reciprocating linear movement toward and away from the path of the predetermined position on the successively advancing articles A to which the label is to be applied. in particular, the magazine 23 is joined to a vertically extending l-beam 25 by screws 26 (Figures 3 and d) which is in turn mounted on the vertically extending portion 2110 of frame Bl in a vertical tracltway 27 formed in and through the vertically extending portion 21a. As best illustrated in Figures 3 and 5, a backup plate 28 having a plurality of vertically aligned bolts 29 is disposed on the opposite side of the vertically extending portion 21a of frame 21 from magazine 23 with the bolts 29 disposed through the trackway 27 and having the terminal ends of the bolts 29 threaded into I-beam 25. Bushings 30 are provided on the portion of the bolts 29 disposed through trackway 27 to facilitate movement therein.

In order to reciprocate the magazine 23 toward and away from the path of the advancing articles A, reciprocating means including a double-acting, fluid operated, piston and cylinder assembly 35 is provided, which includes cylinder 36 mounted on the vertically extending portion 210 of frame 21 adjacent backup plate 28 and is arranged with the free end of a reciprocating piston 37 pivotally connected to backup plate 28 as at 39 for reciprocating vertical and linear movement of backup plate 28 which in turn reciprocates label magazine 23 toward and away from the path of the successively advancing articles A.

Transfer means 40 are provided for receiving labels L from the label magazine 23 at the end of its forward movement toward the path of the advancing articles A and successively transfers the labels L to the advancing articles A in a predetermined manner and includes a tubular transfer arm 41 having alternatively actuatable suction means on the outer end 42 thereof for receiving a label L from the magazine 23 and releasing the label L to deposit it on one of the advancing articles A. In order to alternatively impart suction to the outer end 42 of the transfer arm 41, the outer end 42 communicates through the transfer arm 41,

tube connections

43 and 44, conduit 45 and a solenoid controlled air valve 46 with a suitable air source 47 (Figure 6), the operation of which is more fully described hereinafter.

The transfer arm 41 is mounted for periodic rotation in a generally vertical plane above the path of the predetermined position of the advancing articles on which the labels are to place and about a stationary axis or shaft 50 (Figure 3) such that the outer end thereof passes in alignment with the label magazine 23 in the upper portion of the vertical plane of its movement and adjacent to the advancing articles A at the lower portion of the vertical plane of its movement, the latter position being illustrated by phantom lines in FIGS. 1 and 3. Between periods of rotation, the transfer arm 41 is positioned with the outer end thereof disposed in the upper portion of the plane of its movement in alignment with the label magazine 23 as shown in full lines in FIGS. 1 and 3.

Shaft 50 is horizontally disposed transverse to the path of travel of the successively advancing articles A and extends through the vertically extending portion 21a of support frame 21. A pair of interconnected and superimposed

circular cams

51 and 52 are concentrically mounted on one end of shaft 50 for synchronized rotation therewith by collar 53 and setscrew 54 which communicates through collar 53 with shaft 50 for adjustably attaching the

earns

51 and 52 to the shaft 50. Each of the

earns

51 and 52 has a detent or recess 51a and 52a, respectfully. for reasons to be later described. It will be apparent that the

cams

51 and 52 may be rotated relative to shaft 50 for adjusting the angular positions of the recesses 51a and 520 by loosening setscrew 54 and rotating collar 53 relative to shaft 50 to position the recesses 51a and 52a in the desired position whereupon setscrew 54 is tightened to secure the

superimposed earns

51 and 52 in the desired adjusted position. Furthermore, the

cams

51 and 52 may be adjusted relative to each other by loosening bolts 55 which interconnect

cams

51 and 52 in superimposed relation and rotating cam 52 relative to cam 51 with bolts 55 sliding in trackways 56 to the desired angular position whereupon bolts 55 are tightened to secure the

cams

51 and 52 in rigid superimposed relation to each other for synchronized rotation with shaft 50.

The transfer arm 41 is mounted by tube connection 43 on a support plate 57 which is concentrically mounted on cam 52 for rotation therewith about the stationary axis 50 to cause rotation of the transfer arm 41 in a generally vertical plane about the same axis such that the outer end 42 thereof passes in alignment with the magazine 23 in the upper portion of the vertical plane of its movement and adjacent to the advancing articles A at the lower portion of the vertical plane of its movement. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the support plate 57 is adjustably mounted on cam 52 by bolts 58 which are disposed through arcuates slots 59 in support plate 57 and threaded into cam 52. Thus, by loosening bolts 58 support plate 57 may be rotated relative to cam 52 to adjust the position of the transfer arm 41 relative to

carns

51 and 52.

The periodic rotation is imparted to the transfer arm 41 by shaft 50. Shaft 50 has an electric clutch 61 and an electric brake 62 mounted thereon, both of which are supported by horizontal extending portion 21b of frame 21 through

support members

63 and 64, respectfully. When the clutch 61 is engaged, the brake 62 is disengaged to drivingly connects shaft 50 to drive means 65 which includes a sprocket 66 and a chain drive 67 which may be driven in any suitable manner (not shown). Likewise, when the clutch 61 is disengaged, the brake 62 is engaged and the drive means 65 is disconnected from shaft 50 and the transfer arm 41 remains stationary.

A sensing means is operatively connected to the label magazine 23 and the electric clutch 61 and electric brake 62 and is responsive to each advancing article A for initiating the reciprocating movement of the magazine 23 to move it toward the transfer arm 41 and for initiating rotation of the label transfer arm 41. Preferably, the sensing means comprises a photoelectric cell detecting means 70 mounted through suitable support members above the path of the successively advancing articles A and which includes therein a light source 71 which projects a light beam 710 downwardly for reflection off the articles A back into a photoelectric cell 72 carrier by the detecting means 70. In the present case, the photoelectric cell detecting means 70 is positioned to detect the leading edge of each advancing article A and is disposed in alignment with the sewing machine 15.

When the leading edge of an advancing article A passes thereunder, the photoelectric cell detecting means 70 (FIG. 6) transmits an electrical signal to an electrical control circuit 73, enclosed in housing 74 and mounted on the vertically extending portion 21a of frame 21, which energizes a forward solenoid 75 that opens air valve 76 to have air supplied from air compressor 77 through conduit 78, air valve 76 and conduit 79 to air cylinder 36 which causes piston 37 to move magazine 23 from an inactive position forward toward the transfer arm 41. When the magazine 23 is adjacent the outer end 42 of transfer arm 41 a pair of microswitches 81 and 82 (FIGS. 5 and 6) are actuated by bolts 83 and 84, respectively, which are mounted on bar 85 carried by backup plate 28. The actuation of microswitch 81 energizes reverse solenoid 86 to open air valve 76 to have air supplied from air compressor 77 through conduit 78, air valve 76 and conduit 87 to air cylinder 36 which causes piston 37 to reverse movement of magazine 23 and move it away from transfer arm 41 to the inactive position.

The actuation of microswitch 82 energizes solenoid 88 to open air valve 46 such that air from the air source 47 will travel through conduit 45 into tube connection 43 and out an aperture 43a in the bottom thereof to cause through aspiration a suction at the outer end 42. Thus, the suction is established when the magazine 23 is at the end of its forward movement adjacent the outer end 42 of the transfer arm 41 and causes the transfer arm to receive a label L from the magazine 23. It will be noted that the timed sequence of actuation of

microswitches

81 and 82 may be adjusted within limits by adjusting the relation of the bolts 83 and 84 to the bar 85. Since the transfer arm 41 is stationary during the movement of the magazine 23 toward the transfer arm 41, no problems are encountered in the outer end 42 of the transfer arm 41 receiving a label L from the magazine 23.

As previously indicated the photoelectric cell detecting means 70 also initiates the rotation of transfer arm 41. An adjustable timer relay 90 is electrically connected to the detecting means ill for delaying the rotation of transfer arm ll such that a label L may be first removed from the magazine 23 by the suction at the outer end l2 of transfer arm ll and to time the rotation of the transfer arm ill such that the transfer arm all is at the lower portion of the vertical plane of its movement adjacent the path of the predetermined positions of the successively advancing articles A at the same time as the predetermined position of the article A sensed by the photoelectric cell detecting means 70. In the present instance, the photoelectric cell sensing means 7t senses the leading edge of each advancing article A as the article A passes by the sewing machine l5 and the predetermined position for positioning the label L is at the central portion of the article A adjacent the longitudinal side edge being overedge stitched. Thus, the timer relay till is adjusted in accordance with the speed at which the articles A are advancing, the length of each article A, the speed of rotation of transfer arm ll, etc. such that the rotation of transfer arm dll is initiated to have the outer end ill of the transfer arm ll reach the lower portion of the vertical plane of its movement as the predetermined position on the advancing article A passes thereunder.

The timer relay W is also electrically connected to electric clutch til and electric bralre 62 and in accordance with the time delay set thereon engages clutch 611 and disengaged bralte hit to drivingly connect shaft .J 'tl to drive means 65 to initiate the rotation of transfer arm ll which in the present in stance is rotated in a counterclockwise direction.

A microswitch llfll (FlGS. l and h) is carried by the vertically extending portion 21a of frame 211 and is controlled by cam follower lflE pivotally mounted on switch 101 and is disposed for engagement with circular cam 51. The recess 5la in cam fl is positioned to actuate microswitch llil when transfer arm dll reaches the lower portion of the vertical plane of its movement. The actuation of microswitch lUl energizes solenoid Will and deenergizes solenoid did to close air valve 46 which removes the suction from the outer end 42 of the transfer arm dll. Thus, when the transfer arm All reaches the lower portion of the vertical plane of its movement adjacent the predetermined position of the advancing article A sensed by the photoelectric cell detecting means 70 (FIG. ll), it releases the label L held thereby and deposits the label L in the predetermined position on the article A whereupon the sewing machine l5 stitches the label L in the predetermined position to the advancing article A.

Another microswitch llllfi (FllGS. l and 6) is also carried by the verticallyeirtending portion Illa of support frame 21 and is controlled by cam follower we which is pivotally mounted on switch M5 and is disposed for engagement with circular cam 52. The recess $201 in cam 52 is positioned to actuate microswitch lifld when transfer arm dll reaches the upper portion of the vertical plane of its movement in alignment with the magazine 23%. The actuation of microswitch 105 disengages electric clutch hi and engages electric brake 62 to disconnect shaft fill from the drive means 65 to stop rotation of transfer arm ll. Thus, after the transfer arm ll has rotated a complete revolution the cycle is complete and the label applicator mechanism 110 is ready to position a label in the predetermined position on the next successively advancing article A.

from the foregoing description, the operation of the label applicator mechanism is readily apparent and accordingly only a brief description of the operation will be made. The magazine 1235 is loaded with a stack of labels L with the labels facing downward. The transfer arm all is adjusted to be in alignment with the magazine 23 as shown in Fl(]. 1. Cams El and 52 are adjusted on shaft hi) and relative to each other such that the microswitch lllll will be actuated by the recess 51a in cam 5i when the transfer arm ll is at the lower portion of the vertical plane of its movement and such that the cam follower tee of microswitch llld is resting in recess 52a of cam 52 between periods of rotation (FIG. ll). Depending upon the speed of advance of the successively advancing articles, the

length of the advancing articles, the predetermined position on the advancing articles, the speed of rotation of transfer arm ll and the position of the photoelectric cell detecting means 7'0, the timer relay M is adjusted whereby the electric clutch till will be engaged and the electric brake 62 disengaged in timed relationship to the sensing of an advancing article A for the transfer arm ill to rotate to the lower portion of the vertical plane of its movement as the predetermined position of the advancing article A passes thereunder.

The label applicator mechanism lit, the conveyor means ill and sewing machine 15 are turned on. The articles A advancing on conveyor means ll will be overedged stitched along one longitudinal side edge. As soon as the leading edge of each article A interrupts light beam 7la, the magazine 23 will start its forward movement toward the outer end d2 of the transfer arm dil. At the end of its forward movement to a position adjacent transfer arm d-ll, a pair of microswitches 3t and 32 are actuated, one of which causes the magazine 23 to be returned to its normally inactive position and the other of which causes a suction to be applied to the outer end 42 of the transfer arm dl. Thus, at the end of the forward movement of the magazine 23, a label L is received by the outer end 42 thereof.

In accordance with the setting of timer relay 90, the clutch of is engaged and the brake 62 is disengaged to initiate rotation of transfer arm ill in a counterclockwise direction. When the transfer arm All reaches the lower portion of the vertical plane of its movement, microswitch ltil is actuated by cam 5! to remove the suction from the outer and d2 of transfer arm ill to release the label L therefrom and deposit it on the predetermined position of the article A sensed by the photoelectric cell detecting means 70. Immediately, upon being deposited on the advancing article A, the sewing machine l5 stitches the label L to the article A as shown in FlG. 2. The transfer arm ll continues rotation to complete the revolution whereupon microswitch llll5 is actuated by cam 52 to disengage clutch bl and engage brake 62 to stop rotation of transfer arm 41. The transfer arm 41 is again positioned in alignment with the magazine 23. Thus, the label applicator mechanism 10 is ready to position the next label L in the predetermined position on the next successively advancing articles A.

It will be seen that from the description of the present invention that a label applicator mechanism has been provided for applying labels in predetermined positions on successively advancing spaced-apart articles being advanced along a predetermined, generally horizontal, longitudinal path of travel.

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.

What is claimed is:

l. A label applicator mechanism for positioning labels in predetermined positions on spaced-apart successive articles being advanced along a predetermined, generally horizontal, longitudinal path of travel, said mechanism comprising:

a. supply means containing a plurality of labels therein and being movably mounted above the path of travel of the articles for reciprocating forward and reverse linear movement, said supply means comprising a vertically extending movably mounted magazine containing a plurality of labels therein, reciprocating means operatively connected to said magazine for movement thereof and switch means operatively connected to said reciprocating means and being actuated by forward movement of said magazine for actuation of said reciprocating means in an opposite direction to move said magazine in the reverse direction;

b. transfer means for receiving labels from said supply means at the end of its forward movement and successively transferring the labels to the advancing articles in a predetermined manner, said transfer means including an arm having alternatively actuatable: suction means on the outer end thereof and being mounted for periodic rotation in a generally vertical plane such that the outer end thereof passes adjacent to and in alignment with said magazine of said supply means in one portion of the vertical plane of its movement for receiving a label therefrom when said suction means is actuated and is adjacent to the advancing articles at another portion of the vertical plane of its movement for releasing the label onto an advancing article when said suction means is deactuated, said arm being positioned between periods of rotation with the outer end thereof adjacent to and in alignment with said supply means and with said suction means deactuated;

. sensing means operatively connected to said label supply means and said transfer means and being responsive to each advancing article for initiating operation of said reciprocating means for reciprocating movement of said magazine toward said transfer means and for initiating rotation of said label transfer arm;

d. means operatively connected with said suction means for actuation thereof during forward movement of said supply means;

e. means operatively connected with said suction means for deactuation thereof when said label transfer arm has reached the portion of its vertical plane of movement adjacent an advancing article; and

. means operatively connected with said transfer means to stop rotation of said label transfer arm when it has reached the portion of its vertical plane of movement adjacent to and in alignment with said supply means.

2. The label applicator mechanism, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reciprocating means includes a double-acting, fluid-operated piston and cylinder assembly mounted adjacent said label magazine with said piston operatively connected thereto for movement thereof toward and away from said transfer means.

3. The label applicator mechanism, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said label transfer means includes 1. drive means for causing rotation of said transfer arm, and

2. clutch and brake means operatively connected between said drive means and said transfer arm for maintaining said transfer arm at the portion of its vertical plane of movement in alignment with said label supply means when said clutch means is disengaged and said brake means is engaged, said clutch and brake means being responsive in predetermined timed relationship to said sensing means for disengagement of said brake means and engagement of said clutch means to allow said drive means to cause rotation of said transfer arm,

4. The label applicator mechanism, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means for stopping rotation of said label transfer arm includes 1. switch means operatively connected with said clutch and brake means for disengaging said clutch means and engaging said brake means upon actuation of said switch means, and

2. cam means rotatable in synchronism with said transfer arm and operatively associated with said last named switch means for actuation thereof after rotation of said transfer arm a predetermined distance to again be positioned in alignment with said label supply means.

5. The label applicator mechanism, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensing means comprises photoelectric cell detecting means disposed in the path of travel of the successive articles for sensing the leading edge of each article.

6. A label applicator mechanism for positioning labels in predetermined positions on spaced-apart successive articles being advanced along a predetermined, generally horizontal, longitudinal path of travel, said mechanism comprising:

a. a magazine containing a plurality of labels therein and being movably mounted above the path of travel of the advancing articles;

b. reciprocating means including a double-acting, fluidoperated piston and cylinder assembly mounted adjacent said magazine with the piston operatively connected to said magazine for forward and reverse linear movement thereof;

c. a transfer arm having alternatively actuable suction means on the outer end thereof for receiving labels from said magazine at the end of its forward movement, said transfer arm being rotatably mounted for rotation in a generally verticalplane such that the outer end thereof passes adjacent to and in alignment with said magazine in one portion of the vertical plane of its movement for receiving a label therefrom when said suction means is actuated and is adjacent to the advancing articles at another portion of the vertical plane of its movement for releasing the label onto an advancing article when said suction means is deactuated,

(1. drive means for causing periodic rotation of said transfer arm,

e. clutch and brake means operatively connected between said drive means and said transfer arm, said clutch means being disengaged and said brake means being engaged between periods of rotation for maintaining said transfer arm at the portion of the vertical plane of its movement in alignment with said magazine,

f. sensing means operatively connected to said reciprocating means and said clutch and brake means and being responsive to each advancing article for initiating the reciprocating movement of said magazine to move said magazine toward the outer end of said transfer arm and for engaging said clutch means and disengaging said brake means in predetermined time relationship to said sensing means for initiating rotation of said transfer arm,

g. switch means operatively connected with said suction means and being actuated by movement of said magazine toward said transfer arm to actuate said suction means for removing a label from said magazine,

h. switch means operatively connected to said suction means for deactuating said suction means,

. cam means rotatable in synchronism with said transfer arm and operatively associated with said last-named switch means for actuation thereof after rotation of said transfer arm to the portion of its vertical plane of travel adjacent to the advancing articles to deactuate said suction means to release the label held thereby and deposit the label on the article sensed by said sensing means;

j. switch means operatively connected with said clutch and brake means for disengaging said clutch means and engaging said brake means upon actuation thereof; and

k. cam means rotatably in synchronism with said transfer arm and operatively associated with said last-named switch means for actuation thereof after rotation of said transfer arm a predetermined distance to again be positioned in alignment with said magazine.

7. A label applicator mechanism for positioning labels in predetermined positions on spaced-apart successive articles being advanced along a predetermined, generally horizontal, longitudinal path of travel, said mechanism comprising:

a. supply means containing a plurality of labels therein and being movably mounted above the path of travel of the articles for reciprocating forward and reverse linear movement;

b. transfer means for receiving labels from said supply means at the end of its forward movement and successively transferring the labels to the advancing articles in a predetermined manner, said transfer means including an arm having alternatively actuatable suction means on the outer end thereof and being mounted for periodic rotation in a generally vertical plane such that the outer end thereof passes adjacent to and in alignment with said supply means in one portion of the vertical plane of its movement for receiving a label therefrom when said suction means is actuated and is adjacent to the advancing articles at another portion of the vertical plane of its movement for releasing the label onto an advancing article when said suction means is deactuated, said arm being positioned between periods of rotation with the outer end thereof adjacent to and in alignment with said supply means and with said suction means deactuated;

c. sensing means operatively connected to said label supply means and said transfer means and being responsive to each advancing article for initiating the reciprocating movement of said supply means to move said supply means toward said transfer means and for initiating rotation of said label transfer arm;

d. means operatively connected with said suction means for actuation thereof during forward movement of said supply means, said means comprising switch means operatively connected with said suction means and being actuated by movement of said label supply means toward said transfer arm to actuate said suction means for removing a label from said label supply means;

e. means operatively connected with said suction means for deactuation thereof when said label transfer arm has reached the portion of its vertical plane of movement adjacent an advancing article, said means comprising switch means operatively connected to said suction means for deactuating said suction means, and! cam means rotatable in synchronism with said transfer arm and operatively associated with said last-named switch means for actuation thereof after rotation of said transfer arm to the portion of its vertical plane of travel adjacent to the advancing articles to deactuate said suction means to release the label held thereby and deposit the label on the article sensed by said sensing means; and

Claims

2. The label applicator mechanism, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reciprocating means includes a double-acting, fluid-operated piston and cylinder assembly mounted adjacent said label magazine with said piston operatively connected thereto for movement thereof toward and away from said transfer means.
2. cam means rotatable in synchronism with said transfer arm and operatively associated with said last named switch means for actuation thereof after rotation of said transfer arm a predetermined distance to again be positioned in alignment with said label supply means.
2. clutch and brake means operatively connected between said drive means and said transfer arm for maintaining said transfer arm at the portion of its vertical plane of movement in alignment with said label supply means when said clutch means is disengaged and said brake means is engaged, said clutch and brake means being responsive in predetermined timed relationship to said sensing means for disengagement of said brake means and engagement of said clutch means to allow said drive means to cause rotation of said transfer arm.
3. The label applicator mechanism, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said label transfer means includes
4. The label applicator mechanism, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means for stopping rotation of said label transfer arm includes
5. The label applicator mechanism, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sensing means comprises photoelectric cell detecting means disposed in the path of travel of the successive articles for sensing the leading edge of each article.
6. A label applicator mechanism for positioning labels in predetermined positions on spaced-apart successive articles being advanced along a predetermined, generally horizontal, longitudinal path of travel, said mechanism comprising: a. a magazine containing a plurality of labels therein and being movably mounted above the path of travel of the advancing articles; b. reciprocating means including a double-acting, fluid-operated piston and cylinder assembly mounted adjacent said magazine with the piston operatively connected to said magazine for forward and reverse linear movement thereof; c. a transfer arm having alternatively actuable suction means on the outer end thereof for receiving labels from said magazine at the end of its forward movement, said transfer arm being rotatably mounted for rotation in a generally vertical plane such that the outer end thereof passes adjacent to and in alignment with said magazine in one portion of the vertical plane of its movement for receiving a label therefrom when said suction means is actuated and is adjacent to the advancing articles at another portion of the vertical plane of its movement for releasing the label onto an advancing article when said suction means is deactuated, d. drive means for causing periodic rotation of said transfer arm, e. clutch and brake means operatively connected between said drive means and said transfer arm, said clutch means being disengaged and said brake means being engaged between periods of rotation for maintaining said transfer arm at the portion of the vertical plane of its movement in alignment with said magazine, f. sensing means operatively connected to said reciprocating means and said clutch and brake means and being responsive to each advancing article for initiating the reciprocating movement of said magazine to move said magazine toward the outer end of said transfer arm and for engaging said clutch means and disengaging said brake means in predetermined time relationship to said sensing means for initiating rotation of said transfer arm, g. switch means operatively connected with said suction means and being actuated by movement of said magazine toward said transfer arm to actuate said suction means for removing a label from said magazine, h. switch means operatively connected to said suction means for deactuating said suction means, i. cam means rotatable in synchronism with said transfer arm and operatively associated with said last-named switch means for actuation thereof after rotation of said transfer arm to the portion of its vertical plane of travel adjacent to the advancing articles to deactuate said suction means to release the label held thereby and deposit the label on the article sensed by said sensing means; j. switch means operatively connected with said clutch and brake means for disengaging said clutch means and engaging said brake means upon actuation thereof; and k. cam means rotatably in synchronism with said transfer arm and operatively associated with said last-named switch means for actuation thereof after rotation of said transfer arm a predetermined distance to again be positioned in alignment with said magazine.
7. A label applicator mechanism for positioning labels in predetermined positions on spaced-apart successive articles being advanced along a predetermined, generally horizontal, longitudinal path of travel, said mechanism comprising: a. supply means containing a plurality of labels therein and being movably mounted above the path of travel of the articles for reciprocating forward and reverse linear movement; b. transfer means for receiving labels from said supply means at the end of its forward movement and successively transferring the labels to the advancing articles in a predetermined manner, said transfer means including an arm having alternatively actuatable suction means on the outer end thereof and being mounted for periodic rotation in a generally vertical plane such that the outer end thereof passes adjacent to and in alignment with said supply means in one portion of the vertical plane of its movement for receiving a label therefrom when said suction means is actuated and is adjacent to the advancing articles at another portion of the vertical plane of its movement for releasing the label onto an advancing article when said suction means is deactuated, said arm being positioned between periods of rotation with the outer end thereof adjacent to and in alignment with said supply means and with said suction means deactuated; c. sensing means operatively connected to said label supply means and said transfer means and being responsive to each advancing article for initiating the reciprocating movement of said supply means to move said supply means toward said transfer means and for initiating rotation of said label transfer arm; d. means operatively connected with said suction means for actuation thereof during forward movement of said supply means, said means comprising switch means operatively connected with said suction means and being actuated by movement of said label supply means toward said transfer arm to actuate said suction means for removing a label from said label supply means; e. means operatively connected with said suction means for deactuation thereof when said label transfer arm has reached the portion of its vertical plane of movement adjacent an advancing article, said means comprising switch means operatively connected to said suction meanS for deactuating said suction means, and cam means rotatable in synchronism with said transfer arm and operatively associated with said last-named switch means for actuation thereof after rotation of said transfer arm to the portion of its vertical plane of travel adjacent to the advancing articles to deactuate said suction means to release the label held thereby and deposit the label on the article sensed by said sensing means; and f. means operatively connected with said transfer means to stop rotation of said label transfer arm when it has reached the portion of its vertical plane of movement adjacent to and in alignment with said supply means.