US3616094A

US3616094A - Label-turning device

Info

Publication number: US3616094A
Application number: US880590A
Authority: US
Inventors: James P Navin; Chester D Matteucci
Original assignee: Sturtevant Industries Inc
Current assignee: Sturtevant Industries Inc
Priority date: 1969-11-28
Filing date: 1969-11-28
Publication date: 1971-10-26
Anticipated expiration: 1988-10-26

Abstract

A label pickup assembly for removing labels from a labelprinting machine and affixing the label on a prewrapped package at a different angular relation to the package than when picked up from the label-printing machine, the assembly including a vacuum pickup tube rotatable through 180* to pick up a label from the printing machine and move the label to a transfer position, a vacuum nozzle rotatably supported on the pickup tube and having a cam follower positioned to engage a downwardly inclined cam on the downward motion of the pickup tube to the transfer position to rotate the label through a predetermined angle and a label pickup pad to remove the label from the vacuum nozzle at the transfer position and affix the label to the prewrapped package.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventors JamesP.Navin Racine; Chester D. Matteucci, Sturtevant, both of Wis. [211 App]. No. 880,590 [22] Filed Nov. 28, 1969 [45] Patented Oct. 26, 1971 [73] Assignee Sturtevant Industries, Inc.

Sturtevant, Wis.

[54] LABEL-TURNING DEVICE 9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 156/571, 156/360, 156/566, 156/572 [51] Int. Cl B65c1/02, B65c 9/14, B65c 9/28 [50] Field of Search 156/360, 566,571,572

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,264,161 8/1966 Stremke 156/360 WU/ nt 74 w lllillll ifl l Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-James M. Hanley Atlorney-James E. Nilles ABSTRACT: A label pickup assembly for removing labels from a label-printing machine and affixing the label on a prewrapped package at a different angular relation to the package than when picked up from the label-printing machine, the assembly including a vacuum pickup tube rotatable through 180 to pick up a label from the printing machine and move the label to a transfer position, a vacuum nozzle rotatably supported on the pickup tube and having a cam follower positioned to engage a downwardly inclined cam on the downward motion of the pickup tube to the transfer position to rotate the label through a predetermined angle and a label pickup pad to remove the label from the vacuum nozzle at the transfer position and affix the label to the prewrapped package.

LABEL-TURNING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Automatic weighing and labeling machines of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,372,079, issued on Mar. 5, 1968 and entitled "Automatic Label Applying Machine" generally include a scale for weighing a prewrapped package, a labelprinting device to record the weight of the package and to print the weight onto a label which is discharged into a chute, a conveyor for moving the prewrapped and weighted package from the scale to a position adjacent the label-printing machine and a label pickup assembly for removing labels from the chute of the label-printing machine and affixing the label to the prewrapped package. The label is generally discharged into the chute in the label-printing machine with the printed subject matter on the label face down and its longitudinal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the package. The label is affixed to the package at an angle which depends on the motion of the label pickup nozzle as shown in the above patent and also U.S. Pat. No. 3,264,161, issued on Aug. 2, I966 and entitled Automatic Labelling Machines." In many instances, it is desirable to rotate the label to a different angle prior to affixing the label to the package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The label pickup assembly disclosed herein is incorporated in a machine as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,372,079 and is an improvement thereof making it possible to affix the label selectively at any one of a number of different positions on the package. The label pickup assembly includes a vacuum tube for removing the label from a label-printing machine and a vacuum pad for transferring the label to a package. A vacuum pickup nozzle is mounted for rotary motion on the label pickup tube and includes a cam follower which is operatively connected to the nozzle and is positioned to engage a downwardly inclined cam surface to rotate the label to the desired angle prior to transfer to the pickup pad. The cam surface can be readily adjusted to rotate the label through any angle and in any direction.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear hereinafter as this disclosure progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a package weighing and labeling machine showing the improved label pickup assembly of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the label pickup assembly;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the label pickup head, but on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the spring for biasing the pickup nozzle to the initial position;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the label pickup head and cam arrangement;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified label pickup assembly;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view, partially in section, of a modified label pickup head;

FIG. 8 is a view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7 showing the vacuum connection to the nozzle;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the nozzle stem of FIGS. 6 through 8, but on an enlarged scale; and

FIG. 10 is a view of the C-shaped member, as shown in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The label pickup assembly 10 of this invention is incorporated in a prewrapped package weighing and labeling machine of the type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,372,079. These machines generally include a scale (not shown) for weighing the package, a label-printing machine 12 mounted on a frame I4 and a conveyor system 16. Packages I8 are carried by the conveyor system 116 to a position opposite the label-printing machine 12 where labels 20 are picked up from a chute 22 on the label-printing machine and affixed to the package 18 by means of the label pickup assembly 10.

In accordance with the invention, the label pickup assembly 10 includes means for removing the labels 20 from the chute 22 and turning the label over, means for rotating the label through a predetermined angle, and means for transferring the labels to the prewrapped packages 18. The labels 20 are picked up or removed from the chute 22 by means of a vacuum tube 24 which is secured to a cylindrical member 25 mounted for rotation on the frame 14. The member 25 is oscillated in the frame to rotate the vacuum tube 24 through l to turn the label over as described in the aforementioned patent. The vacuum tube 24 is rotated between a position where the end of the vacuum tube overhangs the chute 22 to pick up a label to a position where the label 20 is turned over and held for transfer. A vacuum is drawn in the tube to pick up and hold the label until transfer.

The labels 20 are rotated through a predetermined angle by means of a turning or rotating device 26 which is mounted on the end of the vacuum tube 24 and a cam 25 mounted on the frame 14. More particularly, the turning device 26 includes a vacuum head or block 28 having a central opening 30 and a threaded opening 32 communicating with central opening 30. The head 28 is mounted on a threaded section 36 provided on the end of the vacuum tube 24 and is locked on the tube 24 by means of a lock nut 38. A vacuum nozzle 40 is supported for rotary motion in the head 28 by means of a cylindrical member or barrel 42 positioned in the opening 30. The vacuum nozzle 40 includes an axial opening 58 and a threaded section 56.

The barrel 42 is supported for rotary motion in the opening 30 by means of a bushing 44 which is press fitted into the opening 30 and includes a port 34 connecting the opening 30 in the head 28 to the threaded opening 32. The barrel 42 includes a flange 46 and a threaded central opening 50 connected to an annular groove 52 in the outer surface of the bar-- rel by ports 54. An arcuate groove 55 is provided around the lower portion 62 of the barrel. The barrel 42 is inserted into the opening 30 until flange 46 rests on a thrust bearing or washer 48 and is retained in the opening in the head by means of a cap 60 secured to the lower portion 62 by a setscrew 64. A space 66 is provided between the cap 60 and the shank 62.

The rotary motion of the nozzle 40 is limited by means of a stop pin 78 secured to the head 28 and a stop member 70 secured to the cap 60. The nozzle 40, barrel 42 and cap 60 are biased to an initial position with the stop member 70 abutting the stop pin 78 by means of a spring 72 provided within the space 66 in the cap and connected to a fixed pin 74 in the bushing 44 and a pin 76 secured to the cap. The spring 72 is seated in the groove 55 in the lower portion 62 of the barrel 42.

The nozzle 40 is rotated by means of a cam follower 73 secured to the cap 60 by a bolt 74. The cam follower 73 is positioned to engage the cam surface 80 on cam 25 which is inclined downwardly in an arcuate path around the end of the vacuum tube 24. When the vacuum tube 24 is rotated from the pickup position to the transfer position, the cam follower 73 will engage the cam surface 80 forcing the nozzle 40, cap 60 and barrel 42 to rotate as a unit against the bias of the spring 72. On return motion of the vacuum tube 24 to the pickup position, spring 72 will rotate the nozzle until the stop member 70 engages the fixed stop pin 78. The nozzle 40 can be rotated in either direction depending; on the position of the cam 25. In the disclosed embodiment the label is turned through however, the amount of rotation can also be adjusted to any angular relationship.

After the vacuum tube 24 reaches the transfer position and the label has been turned to the desired angle, the label is transferred to the package by means of a pickup pad 90 mounted on a pickup arm 92. The motion of the pickup arm is substantially the same as described in US. Pat. No. 3,372,079.

The vacuum system used to provide a vacuum in the pickup tube, nozzle 40 and pickup pan is essentially the same as described in the US. Pat. No. 3,372,079. The vacuum is drawn in the nozzle 40 through port 34 in bushing 44, ports 54 in barrel 42 and opening 58 in nozzle 40. Seals can be used to seal the vacuum passage, however, the fittings between the barrel and bushing are tight enough to assure an adequate vacuum to hold the labels.

ln FIGS. 6 through a modified turning or rotating device 100 is shown mounted on the end of the vacuum tube 24 and is used to rotate the labels in either direction to any angle prior to transfer to the pickup pad 90. Tile turning device 100 includes ahead or block 102 having a central aperture 104 and a port 106 having a threaded section 108 for mounting the block 102 on the threaded section 36 of the vacuum tube 24. A nozzle 110 is supported for axial and rotary movement in the opening 104 by means of a barrel or stem 112. The nozzle 110 has a central aperture 114, a radial flange 1 16 and a lower threaded section 118. The barrel 112 has a radial flange 120 and a central bore 122 having a threaded portion 124. The barrel 112 is secured to the nozzle 110 by inserting the barrel 112 into the opening 104 and screwing the nozzle 110 into the threaded portion 124 in the bore 122. The flange 116 is biased into engagement with the head 102 by means of a compression spring 126 positioned between the head 102 and the flange 120.

Means are provided for rotating the barrel 112 and nozzle 110 on axial movement of the barrel 112 relative to the head 102. Such means is in the form of a pair of grooves 132 provided in the surface of the barrel 112 and a pair of

cam followers

136 and 138 positioned in apertures 140 and 142 in the block 102. The

grooves

132 and 134 crisscross on one side of the barrel and are downwardly inclined. Each of the grooves extends around approximately 180 of the barrel. The nozzle can therefore be rotated through a full turn, 180 in each direction. Shallow grooves 150 extend axially downward on diametrically opposite sides of the barrel and are narrower than

grooves

132 and 134.

The

cam followers

136 and 138 are moved simultaneously with respect to the barrel by means of a C-shaped member 146 as seen in FIG. 10. Each of the

cam followers

136 and 138 includes a small point 148 which are positioned to engage the axially extending shallow grooves 150 provided on the opposite sides of the barrel 112. The C-shaped member is movable from an intermediate position where both

cam followers

136 and 138 are disengaged from

grooves

132 and 134 to positions where one or the other of the cam followers is positioned to engage one or the other of the

grooves

132 and 134. The

grooves

132 and 134 are deep enough to allow sufiicient clearance for the small points 148. The C-shaped member 146 can be positively located in the intermediate position by means of the spring-loaded balls 152 provided on the

cam followers

136 and 138 which engage detents 152a in head 102.

If the nozzle is to be rotated clockwise, cam follower 136 is pushed into the groove 132 in the stem and cam 138 and the corresponding point 148 will be moved simultaneously out of the path of motion of the barrel. When the barrel is moved axially in the opening 104 in the head 102 the cam follower 136 will bear against the downwardly inclined surface or edge of the groove 132 rotating the barrel clockwise.

If the stem is to be rotated counterclockwise, the C-shaped member is moved in the opposite direction pushing the cam follower 138 into the groove 134 and moving cam follower 136 and the corresponding point 148 out of the path of motion of the barrel 112. When the barrel is moved axially in the opening 104, the cam follower 138 will bear against the groove 134 causing the barrel to rotate counterclockwise.

The nozzle 110 and barrel 112 is retained in the same angular relation to the head 102 when the C-shaped member 146 is in the intermediate position due to the engagement of the small points 148 with the axial grooves 150. MOre particularly and referring to FIG. 8, it should be noted that in the intermediate position, both of the points 148 are aligned with the narrow shallow grooves 150. On axial movement of the barrel 112 into the bore 104, the points 148 will engage the grooves holding the barrel in a fixed relation to the head 102.

Means are provided to maintain vacuum communication between the vacuum tube 24 and the nozzle 110. Such means is in the form of a groove 154 provided in the outer surface of the barrel 112 and a port 156. One portion of the groove 154 is symmetrical with respect to the groove 132 and the other portion is symmetrical with respect to the groove 134. Therefore, on rotation of the barrel 112 in either direction, the vacuum tube 24 will always be in communication with the groove 154. On axial movement of the barrel 112, vacuum communication is maintained by means of a groove 158 provided in the surface of the barrel 1 12. The fit of the barrel 1 12 in the bore 104 is sufficiently snug to maintain the vacuum in the nozzle. Seals can be provided at each end of the bore 104 if the vacuum at the nozzle 110 is not sufficient to hold the label on the nozzle.

The amount of rotary motion provided by the movement of the barrel 112 into the bore 104 is controlled by means of an adjustable stop 160 secured to the frame 14 by a bolt 162 positioned in a slot 164 in the frame 14. The stop 160 is positioned to engage the barrel 112 and is moved up or down on the frame 14 to increase or decrease the amount of relative movement between the barrel 112 and head 102. Normally, the stop 160 will be positioned to produce 90 of rotation.

What is claimed is:

1. A label pickup assembly for removing labels having the glue side up from a label-printing machine and affixing the labels glue side down onto a package in a different angular relation to the package than when picked up from the labelprinting machine, said assembly including,

a label pickup arm for picking the label up from the printing machine and turning the label over for transfer to the package,

said pickup arm being rotated about a horizontal axis,

a pickup nozzle mounted for rotary motion on the outer end of said arm,

means for rotating said nozzle through a predetermined angle during the movement of the label from the printing machine to the point of transfer, said means including a downwardly inclined arcuate cam and a cam follower mounted on said nozzle and positioned to engage said cam, and

means for removing the label from said nozzle at the point of transfer and affixing the label to a prewrapped package.

2. A label pickup assembly for picking up labels from a label printing machine and affixing the labels onto a package in a different angular relation to the package than when picked up from the label-printing machine, said assembly including,

a label pickup arm for picking up and turning the label over for transfer to the package,

a head mounted on said pickup arm and having a central opening,

a barrel mounted for rotary motion in said central opening and having an axial opening,

a nozzle mounted in said axial opening in said barrel,

means for biasing said barrel and nozzle to an initial position for picking up labels,

a cam operatively associated with said barrel to rotate said barrel and nozzle through a predetermined angle as said nozzle is moved to the transfer position, and

3. The label pickup assembly according to claim 2 wherein said cam is provided on said barrel and including a cam follower positioned in said head to engage said cam.

4. The label pickup assembly according to claim 2 wherein said cam comprises two grooves, each extending around l80 of said barrel and including a cam follower positioned in said head to engage each of said grooves.

5. The label pickup assembly according to claim 4 including means for moving said cam followers simultaneously from an intermediate position to positions where one or the other of said cam followers is positioned in one of said grooves.

6. The label pickup assembly according to claim 2 wherein said barrel is moveable axially in said head and including means for adjusting the amount of axial movement of the barrel in said head.

7. The combination of a label-printing machine, a conveyor for intermittently moving prewrapped packages to a predetermined position with respect to the printing machine,

and a label pickup assembly for picking up labels from said printing machine and afi'rxing the labels at a predetermined angle to the package, said assembly including,

a vacuum actuated pickup tube movable from a pickup position to a transfer position,

a label-rotating device supported in said pickup tube and including a barrel,

means for rotating said barrel on movement of said pickup tube from said pickup position to said transfer position, said rotating means including a pair of crisscrossed grooves on said barrel and a pair of axially movable cam followers mounted in said head for movement into engagement with said groove, and

for intermittently moving prewrapped packages with respect 5 to the printing machine,

and a label pickup assembly for picking up labels from said printing machine and affixing the labels at a predeter' mined angle to the package, said assembly including,

a head mounted on said pickup tube and having a central aperture in communication with said vacuum tube,

a barrel mounted for rotary motion in the central aperture of said head and having an axial opening in communication with said vacuum tube,

a vacuum nozzle mounted in said axial opening,

a fixed cam having a downwardly inclined cam surface and a cam follower positioned to engage said cam surface to rotate said barrel and nozzle on movement of said pickup tube to the transfer position and a label pickup pad to transfer labels from said nozzle at the transfer position to the package.

9. The combination according to claim 8 including a spring connected to said barrel to bias said barrel :and nozzle to an initial pickup position.

Claims

2. A label pickup assembly for picking up labels from a label printing machine and affixing the labels onto a package in a different angular relation to the package than when picked up from the label-printing machine, said assembly including, a label pickup arm for picking up and turning the label over for transfer to the package, a head mounted on said pickup arm and having a central opening, a barrel mounted for rotary motion in said central opening and having an axial opening, a nozzle mounted in said axial opening in said barrel, means for biasing said barrel and nozzle to an initial position for picking up labels, a cam operatively associated with said barrel to rotate said barrel and nozzle through a predetermined angle as said nozzle is moved to the transfer position, and means for removing the label from said nozzle at the point of transfer and affixing the label to a prewrapped package.
3. The label pickup assembly according to claim 2 wherein said cam is provided on said barrel and including a cam follower positioned in said head to engage said cam.
4. The label pickup assembly according to claim 2 wherein said cam comprises two grooves, each extending around 180* of said barrel and including a cam follower positioned in said head to engage each of said grooves.
5. The label pickup assembly according to claim 4 including means for moving said cam followers simultaneously from an intermediate position to positions where one or the other of said cam followers is positioned in one of said grooves.
6. The label pickup assembly according to claim 2 wherein said barrel is moveable axially in said head and including means for adjusting the amount of axial movement of the barrel in said head.
7. The combination of a label-printing machine, a conveyor for intermittently moving prewrapped packages to a predetermined position with respect to the printing machine, and a label pickup assembly for picking up labels from said printing machine and affixing the labels at a predetermined angle to the package, said assembly including, a vacuum actuated pickup tube movable from a pickup position to a transfer position, a label-rotating device supported in said pickup tube and including a barrel, means for rotating said barrel on movement of said pickup tube from said pickup position to said transfer position, said rotating means including a pair of crisscrossed grooves on said barrel and a pair of axially movable cam followers mounted in said head for movement into engagement with said groove, and a label pickup pad to transfer labels from said rotating device at the transfer position to the package.
8. The combination of a label printing machine, a conveyor for intermittently moving prewrapped packages with respect to the printing machine, and a label pickup assembly for picking up labels from said printing machine and affixing the labels at a predetermined angle to the package, said assembly including, a vacuum actuated pickup tube movable from a pickup position to a transfer position, a head mounted on said pickup tube and having a central aperture in communication with said vacuum tube, a barrel mounted for rotary motion in the central aperture of said head and having an axial opening in communication with said vacuum tube, a vacuum nozzle mounted in said axial opening, a fixed cam having a downwardly inclined cam surface and a cam follower positioned to engage said cam surface to rotate said barrel and nozzle on movement of said pickup tube to the transfer position and a label pickup pad to transfer labels from said nozzle at the transfer position to the package.
9. The combination according to claim 8 including a spring connected to said barrel to bias said barrel and nozzle to an initial pickup position.