US3759781A - Label accumulator for addressing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An addressing machine for articles for use with a continuous strip label supply, said addressing machine having a labeling head, transport means for supplying articles to the labeling head for addressing thereof, the labeling head including a label transfer wheel, means for cutting said supply strip into individual labels, means for transporting said labels from the cutting means to the label transfer wheel including an endless conveyor belt; and a label accumulator for receiving labels from said belt, said accumulator being adapted to hold a minimum supply of labels pending use by the transfer wheel to thereby avoid the need to exactly synchronize the operating speeds of the labels transporting means with said transfer wheel as otherwise required to assure timely delivery to and accurate positioning of labels on the transfer wheel prior to transfer to said articles.

Description

Sept. 18, 1973 v. MCGUIRE 3,759,781

LABEL ACCUMULATOR FOR ADDRESSING MACHINE Filed May 15, 1970 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 D Win an? lu uulll llllum lll ll u m llllllllllmlllllll I nu 1/ WW mwllllmmlm F/Gf 1 .JOH N V. M C G IXYQ ATTORNEY J. V. M GUIRE Sept. 18, 1973 LABEL ACCUMULATOR FOR ADDRESSING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 15, 1970 Sept. 18, 1973 J. v MCGUIRE V LABEL ACCUMULATOR FOR ADDRESSING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet .5

Filed May 15, 1970 T T t T J. v. M GUIRE 3,759,781

LABEL ACCUMULATOR FOR ADDRESSTNG MACHINE a. m 6R m I m R. I 2 Lu mm \NM mm q m 5 I. M Q \m 1 p mm mm mm a a 3 m m R E c mm R l, mm E h w w M QM w l 1 F Sept; 18, 1973 Sept. 7 18, 1973 r J. v. M GUIRE LABEL ACCUMULATOR FOR ADDRESSING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 15, 1970 United States Patent US. Cl. 156-521 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An addressing machine for articles for use with a continuous strip label supply, said addressing machine having a labeling head, transport means for supplying articles to the labeling head for addressing thereof, the labeling head including a label transfer wheel, means for cutting said supply strip into individual labels, means for transporting said labels from the cutting means to the label transfer wheel including an endless conveyor belt; and a label accumulator for receiving labels from said belt, said accumulator being adapted to hold a minimum supply of labels pending use by the transfer wheel to thereby avoid the need to exactly synchronize the operating speeds of the label transporting means with said transfer wheel as otherwise required to assure timely delivery to and accurate positioning of labels on the transfer wheel prior to transfer to said articles.

This invention relates to addressing machines, and more particularly to addressing machines incorporating an improved label supply arrangement designed to avoid the need to synchronize the label supply with the label transfer mechanism.

In machines for addressing articles such as envelopes, newspapers and the like, the label supply is conveniently in the form of an endless strip or length of uncut labels, normally four or five abreast. As can be appreciated, the labeling machine in these applications necessarily includes means to separate the supply strip into individual labels for transfer thereof to the articles, and transport means to then carry the labels to the label transfer means. However, operation of the label separating means as well as the label transport means normally must be synchronized exactly with that of the label transfer means to assure not only a constant supply of labels to the transfer means, but also that the labels are supplied to the transfer means in exact correspondence with cyclic operation of the transfer wheel to assure proper positioning of the label information on the articles.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved article addressing machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an addressing machine incorporating improved means for supplying labels to the machine label transfer wheel without requiring that the operating speeds of the label supply means and the label transfer wheel be exactly synchronized.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a label accumulator for temporarily storing a relatively small number of labels pending use by a label transfer machine.

This invention relates to an improved article addressing machine adapted for use with labels supplied in the form of a continuous strip of uncut labels, the combination comprising label transfer means; means for bringing articles to be addressed to the transfer means; and means for supplying labels from the strip to the transfer means ineluding means for separating the strip into individual labels for use by the transfer means; label accumulating means adapted to hold a minimum supply of labels for use by the transfer means and thereby assure an uninterrupted supply of labels to the transfer means without 3,759,781 Patented Sept. 18, 1973 the need to exactly synchronize the operational speed of the label supplying means with that of the transfer means; and means for transporting the labels from the separating means to the accumulating means for use by the transfer means.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the ensuing description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing the addressing machine of the present invention coupled with a discharge conveyor;

FIG. 2 is a side view with parts broken away showing the addressing machine labeling head with the label accumulator of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the labeling head shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view showing the label strip feed and separating mechanism and the label transport means for the labeling head shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing the guillotine knife of the labeling head shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an end view partially in section of the labeling head shown in FIG. 2 illustrating the label strip drive mechanism; and

FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 77 in FIG. 2 showing the porting arrangement of the vacuum admission valve.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown the labeling or addressing machine, designated generally by the numeral 10, of the present invention. As will appear more fully hereafter, addressing machine 10 serves to transfer labels 11, or the information thereon, onto articles 13. Labels 11 are supplied to the labeling head portion 16 of addressing machine 10 in the form of a continuous sheet 20 which usually consists of label rows 64 four or five abreast. As will appear, label sheet 20' is cut into individual labels 11 which are carried by transport belt 35 to accumulator 21 from where the labels are withdrawn by label pickoff wheel 22 and transferred to transfer wheel 17. Wheel 17 then transfers the label itself or the information thereon to articles 13.

As is understood by those skilled in the addresssing or labeling art, labels 11 may be physically transferred to articles 13 as by gluing. Alternately, the label information only may be transferred to the articles. In this latter instance, wax impressions on the label are transferred with the aid of heat and pressure to the articles, the used labels preferably being collected in a suitable storage tray (not shown) for possible reuse as glued labels or simply destroyed. In this latter type of application, transfer shoe 30 of wheel 17 incorporates suitable heating means (not shown) to facilitate transfer of the label information.

Articles 13, which may comprise envelopes, cards, newspapers, and the like, are stored in hopper 12. Article transport 14 carries the articles 13 one at a time past transfer wheel 17 where the articles are labeled. The labeled articles may be then carried to a suitable take away conveyor 18 by transport 14.

Addressing machine 10 has a table-like base 15 on which article hopper 12 and article transport 14 are operatively supported, the feeding surface of transport 14 being substantially level with the surface of base 15. In this arrangement, articles 13 rest partially on the surface of base 15 as they are carried past transfer wheel 17 by transport 14.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, transfer wheel 17 is supported by drive shaft 17. Shaft 17 is rotatably journaled in the frame member 26 of labeling head 16. Frame member 26 is in turn mounted on base 15 adjacent transport 14. Transfer wheel 17 has a curved label transfer shoe 30 mounted on the periphery thereof and extending partially about the circumference of wheel 17. Wheel 17 is supported on frame member 26 opposite a suitable pressure roll (not shown) carried by base and between which articles 13 are carried by transport 14. Suitable adjusting means (not shown) may be provided to enable the spacing between transfer wheel shoe 30 and the surface of the pressure roll to be varied to accommodate different thickness articles and different pressure requirements.

Vacuum holddown ports 31 (shown in FIG. 6) open to the periphery of shoe 30. Ports 31 communicate via suitable control valve means (not shown) with a vacuum source to provide vacuum to the periphery of label transfer shoe 30 for temporarily attaching labels 11 to shoe 30 during the labeling process.

In applications where labels 11 are physically attached to articles 13 as by gluing, vacuum is admitted to transfer shoe 30 as shoe 30 moves from a point opposite pick off wheel 22 to the area opposite article transport 14. In applications where the label information only is transferred, the vacuum control valve means in transfer wheel 17 may be altered to sustain vacuum to shoe 30 until shoe 30 is past the label transfer point. This facilitates removal of the used labels from the transfer area and deposit in a used label storage tray when used.

It is understood that in applications where labels 11 are physically attached to articles 13, a suitable glue dispenser or applicator, such as a dispensing roller (not shown), is provided to coat the underside of the label with adhesive prior to contact of the label with the article being addressed. In this application, the glue dispensing roller is normally disposed above article transport 14 and to the left of transfer wheel 17 as seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

Pick off wheel 22 is mounted on frame member 26 between label accumulator 21 and transfer wheel 17, shaft 22' of wheel 22 being journaled in member 26 by suitable bearing means (not shown). Pick off wheel 22 includes suitable vacuum ports 23 (seen best in FIG. 6) opening to the periphery thereof to enable labels to be withdrawn from accumulator 21 and carried or transferred by wheel 22 to shoe of wheel 17. Ports 23 communicate via suitable control valve means (not shown) with vacuum supply hose 24, the arrangement being such that vacuum is applied to ports 23 during movement of the ported area of wheel 22 from a position substantially opposite discharge opening 25 of label accumulator 21 to a position opposite transfer wheel 17 There, the vacuum supply to ports 23 of pick off wheel 22 is interrupted to release the label therefrom for transfer to transfer wheel shoe 30. It is understood that the vacuum admitted to ports 31 of shoe serve to hold the label on wheel 17 during the transfer process.

Label accumulator 21 is operatively disposed astride the label feed path between label transport belt and pick off wheel 22. Accumulator 21, which is supported on frame member 26 by suitable means (not shown), has a downwardly inclined base 27 with upstanding rear and side walls 28, 29 respectively, walls 28, 29 being substantially perpendicular to base 27 thereof. The lower edge of accumulator rear wall 28 is spaced above base 27 to form label discharge opening 25.

To assure release of labels 11, label stripping finger 34 is provided, end 36 thereof being spaced closely adjacent the periphery of transport belt 35 as belt 35 passes around pulley 38. To guard against withdrawal of more than one label at a time from accumulator 21, the end of base 27 is disposed in closely spaced relationship to the periphery of label pick off wheel 22. Preferably, suitable adjusting means such as screw 37 is provided to enable base 27 to be moved toward or away from pick off wheel 22 as required to assure withdrawal of one label at a time from accumulator 21.

Label transport belt 35 is supported by a pair of pulleys 38, 39 rotatably journaled on frame member 26. Lower pulley 38, which as will appear comprises the drive pulley, is arranged just above base 27 of label accumulator 21. Pulley 39, which comprises an idler pulley, is supported at the remote end 26' of frame member 26 just beyond the effective cutting width of guillotine 40.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2-4 of the drawings, transport belt 35 comprises a flexible belt perforated at spaced points along its length. The upper run of label transport belt 35 rides in recess 43 of elongated vacuum distributing member 44 secured to frame 26 underneath the discharge side of guillotine 40. Vacuum distributing member 44 is sized to extend substantially the full distance between pulleys 38, 39, ends 44 of member 44 being suitably curved to mate with the curved portions of pulleys 38, 39 opposite thereto. The label supporting surface 48 of vacuum distributing member 44 is substantially fiat With belt recess 43 extending centrally along the length thereof, the depth of recess 43 being such that the upper surface of belt 35 is substantially level with or slightly higher than the surface 48 of member 44. As best seen in FIG. 4, a raised outer lip 50 is provided along the outer edge of label supporting surface 48. The inside edge of label supporting surface 48 is defined by the lower cutting edge 66 of guillotine 40 extending therea ong.

Vacuum distributing member 44 has a relatively large vacuum chamber 46 therein communicated through distributor hoses 47 and distributor valve 32 with the vacuum source, represented by supply hose 97. A series of vacuum ports 49 are provided along the length of transport belt recess 43 to supply vacuum from chamber 46 to label transport belt 35 as belt 35 moves along recess 43. As can be understood, this arrangement provides, in cooperation with perforations 42 in belt 35, vacuum along the upper run of belt 35 to tack or attach the labels following operation of guillotine 40 to belt 35 and enable belt 35 to transport the labels laterally toward accumulator 21.

Lower drive pulley 38 has vacuum ports 52 (best seen in FIG. 3) opening to the periphery thereof to provide holddown vacuum for carrying the labels to accumulator 21. Suitable vacuum control means (not shown) serve to control vacuum admission to ports 52 so as to provide vacuum to the periphery of pulley 38 in the area extending from vacuum distributing member 44 to a point adjacent label stripping finger 34. As is understood, the labels are removed from pulley 38 and belt 35 by stripping finger 34, the labels resting on edge in accumulator 21.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of shafts 55, 56 are rotatably journaled on rear supports 62 of labeling head frame member 26. A pair of feed sprockets 58 are secured to lower shaft 55, sprockets being arranged to engage perforations 60 in margins of label form 20. In addition, shaft 55 has mounted at spaced points therealong roller anvils 61, the number and position of anvils 61 corresponding to the points where form 20 is to be slit longitudinally into label rows 64 and margins 65 removed. Upper shaft 56 has mounted thereon opposite each of the roller anvils 61 and in cutting relationship thereto disc-like slitters 63. As can be understood, slitters 63 cooperate with anvils 61 to slit label form 20 in a lengthwise direction to thereby remove margins 65 and separate form 20 into individual rows 64. Label rows 64 are subsequently cut into individual labels 11 by guillotine 40. As will appear, shaft 55 is intermittently rotated to advance label sheet 20 toward guillotine 40, shaft 56 being suitgbly geared to shaft 55 for concurrent rotation there- Wit To support the slitted label form as the form feeds toward guillotine 40, frame member 26 is provided with a relatively smooth lower guiding base 68 which extends to vacuum distributing member 44 and forms the lower guillotine 40.

In addition to lower cutting edge 66, guillotine 40 includes an upper knife 69. Knife 69 is carried by part 70 slidably supported for up and down movement in vertical grooves 71 in labeling head frame member 26. Upper knife part 70 is reciprocated by means of an eccentric shaft 74 rotatably journaled in frame extensions 75 and connected to part 70 by links 76. Links 76 are journaled on eccentric shaft 74 by suitable bearing means (not shown) and are secured to part 70 by suitable pin means. As will appear, eccentric shaft 73 is driven in unison with vacuum drive pulley 38 from drive belt 78, shown in FIG. 6.

To prevent premature tacking of the slitted label form to the moving label transport belt 35 as form 20 is advanced underneath guillotine knife 69' and onto belt 35 riding along vacuum distributing member 44, the vacuum supply to distributing member 44 and belt 35 is interrupted by distributor control valve 32. Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 7 of the drawings, control valve 32 includes a rotatable valve spool 93 operated in unison with labeling head 16 from head drive shaft 87 through gear set 94. Valve spool 93 rides in a cylindrical valve body 95 having vacuum admission port 96 therethrough opposite recess 100. Port 96 communicates with vacuum supply hose 97.

Valve spool '93 includes upper and lower recesses 98, 100 respectively in the periphery thereof with interconnecting vertical recess 101 therebetween. Upper recess 98 extends through an arc of substantiall 180 While lower recess 100 extends completely around the circumference of valve spool 93.

A discharge port 102 is provided opposite upper recess 98, port 102 opening into vacuum chamber 103. Distributor hoses 47 are connected to vacuum chamber 103. As can be understood, vacuum from supply hose 97 is continuously admitted to the valve body 95. As spool 93 rotates in operative unison with labeling head 16, upper recess 98 admits vacuum to chamber 103 and hoses 47 once during each revolution of spool 93 for a period equal to the arcuate extent of upper recess 98. It is understood that the arcuate extent of upper recess 98 is chosen to provide vacuum to distributor member 44 and label transport belt 35 for a duration sufiicient to allow belt 35 to transport labels 11 to accumulator 21.

To maintain the slitted label sheet stationary during operation of guillotine 40, collapsible braking members 80 are suspended from the lower surface of knife part 70. Braking members 80, which are slidably received in recesses 81 in part 70, are biased downwardly by springs 82 toward guiding base 68. As can be understood, on movement of part 70 toward base 68, braking members 80 first contact the slitted label sheet 20 to hold sheet 20 stationary during operation of guillotine 40.

To promote cutting of labels 11 by guillotine 40 and stacking of the labels in accumulator 21, the cutting edge 69' of knife 69 may be angled so that knife 69, during the cutting stroke thereof, cuts across the slitted label form in scissors-like fashion. Labels 11, as they are cut off, drop one by one onto label transport belt 35 and are carried thereby to accumulator 21 as will appear. It is understood that the relative operating speeds of transfer wheel 17 and label transport belt 35 and guillotine 40 are chosen to assure a steady supply of cut labels to accumulator 21 for use by transfer wheel 17.

Addressing machine is driven by a suitable motor (not shown), there being suitable power transfer means from the machine motor to article transport 14 and to transfer wheel shaft 17 in labeling head 16. Pick olf wheel shaft 22' is driven in unison with transfer wheel 17 by suitable gear means (not shown). Suitable clutch means (not shown) may be provided to interrupt drive to transfer wheel 17 and pick off wheel 22 in the event of failure or interruption in the supply of articles being labeled.

Head drive shaft 87 extends laterally along labeling head 16 and is suitably journaled in frame member 26 thereof. Both vacuum drive pulley 38 and shaft 87 are driven from pick off wheel shaft 22 through suitable power transfer means such as gears (not shown) at a speed sufficient to assure a continuous supply of cut labels to transfer wheel 17. Shaft 87 drives eccentric shaft 74 by means of drive belt 78.

Referring particularly to FIG. 6, sprocket shaft 55 has an adjustable ratchet type input clutch 88 supported on the outermost end thereof. Clutch 88 is driven in oscillating fashion by eccentric shaft 74 through link '89 which is pinned oif-center to eccentric shaft pulley 90 and to clutch 88. Slitter shaft 56 is geared to rotate in unison with but in a direction opposite to sprocket drive shaft 55.

Clutch 8 8 includes ,a suitable adjustable screw 91 to enable one-way driving arc of clutch 88 to be adjusted. As is apparent, on rotation of eccentric shaft 74 by drive belt 78 to operate guillotine 40, eccentric 89 first turns the input member of clutch 88 in a forward or label sheet feeding direction (the direction shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. 6). Clutch 88 accordingly engages to drive sprocket shaft 55, which in turn drives slitter shaft 56 to advance label sheet 20, the duration of engagement of clutch 88 being adjusted to advance label sheet 20 one label width. The continued rotation of eccentric shaft 74 operates guillotine 40 to cut off the label width advanced thereunder, the cut labels dropping onto transport belt 35. While guillotine 40 is operated, drive link '89 reverses the drive to clutch 88 (the direction shown by the dotted line arrow in FIG. 6) to interrupt power to shafts 55, 56 and advance of label sheet 20.

OPERATION On start up of addressing machine 10, labeling head 16 only may be conveniently operated first to provide a small number of cut labels 11 in accumulator 2-1 for use by transfer wheel 17. During this portion of machine operation, the vacuum supply to pick off wheel 22 may be shut off to permit a working supply of labels to be built up in accumulator 21.

With operation of labeling head 16, clutch 88, which is drivingly connected to head drive shaft 87 via drive belt 78 and link 89, serves to index sprocket drive shaft 55 forward once each revolution of shaft 87 to advance label form 20 one label width. As label form 20 advances, slitters 63 on shaft 56 cut form 20 longitudinally to remove margins 65 and separate form 20 in label rows 64. At the same time, the previously slitted leading end of form 20 advances under guillotine 40 and over belt 35 where the label rows 64 are cut by the guillotine knife 69 into individual labels -11.

It is understood that the vacuum supply to distributing member 44 and label transport belt 35 is interrupted by control valve 32 while the slitted label form 20 is advanced under knife 69 of guillotine 40 and onto belt 35. This prevents premature tacking of the slitted label form rows 64 to belt 35 with consequent misalignment and irregular cutting. As knife 69* of guillotine 40 descends to cut off individual labels 11, control valve 32 reconnects vacuum distributing member 44 with the vacuum supply. The cut labels discharged from guillotine 40, are accord ingly tacked onto label transport belt 35 and are carried thereby to accumulator 21.

It is understood that vacuum from distributing member 44 serves, through the medium of perforations 42 in belt 35, to temporarily tack labels 11 to the portion of belt 35 moving underneath guillotine 44. As the labels on belt 35 reach drive pulley 38, the vacuum supply to ports 49 in pulley 38 retains the labels on periphery of pulley 38 until the labels, near stripping finger 34 at which point the vacuum supply to that portion of pulley 38 is shut olf to permit stripping finger 34 to separate the labels from belt 35 and pulley 38. The labels as they are removed are stacked edge down in accumulator 21, the labels resting against accumulator rear wall 28. As can be understood, labeling head 16 is operated in this fashion until a supply of labels deemed adequate to assure sustained transfer wheel operation has been reached in accumulator 21.

Where knife 69 of guillotine 40 is of the type that cuts the slitted label form straight across, a number of labels, depending on the label form width, are simultaneously deposited onto belt 35 and are stored in accumulator 21 substantially en masse for use by transfer wheel 17. Where knife 69 of guillotine 40 is of the type which cuts progressively in scissors-like fashion, the cut labels are deposited onto belt 35 in succession. In this latter instance, variations in the number of labels held in accumulator 21 are normally smaller since this type of label supply more closely approximates label usage by transfer wheel 17.

Articles 13 to be addressed are placed in hopper 12, it being understood that hopper '12. is adjustable to accommodate various sized articles. Article transport 14 feeds articles 13 singly from hopper 12 to transfer wheel 17 where the articles are addressed, the adderssed articles being discharged by transport 14 onto the take-away conveyor 18.

With the desired number of cut labels in accumulator 21 and a supply of articles 13 in hopper 12, pick off wheel 22 is rendered operative by reconnecting the vacuum supply thereto. On advance of articles 13 forward by transport 14 to transfer wheel 17, pick off wheel 22 withdraws labels one by one from accumulator 21 through discharge opening 25 thereof and transfers the labels onto the shoe of transfer wheel 17 rotating in unison therewith. It is understood that transfer wheel '17 and pick off wheel 22 are positioned on their respective shafts 17, 22', such that the label bearing portion of pick off wheel 22 comes opposite transfer wheel shoe 30 once during each revolution thereof. This enables the label to be transferred from wheel v22 onto shoe 30 of transfer wheel 17 in proper position for transfer of the label, or the address information thereon, to the article 13 brought forward by transport 14.

Since the label supply means, that is, strip feed sprockets 58, guillotine 40 and label transport belt are driven in unison with transfer wheel 17 at a speed adequate to provide an uninterrupted supply of cut labels to accumulator 21 and transfer wheel 17, accumulator 21 is resupplied with cut labels as fast as labels are withdrawn by pick off wheel 22. However, the supply of cut labels in accumulator 21 serves as a cushion to accommodate the intermittent output of cut labels by guillotine 40. In this manner, accumulator 21 avoids the need to exactly synchronize the operating speeds of feed sprockets 58, guillotine and label transport belt 35 with transfer wheel 17 to assure not only a continuous label supply to transfer wheel 17 but specific positioning of the label on transfer wheel shoe 30 to provide exact location of the label, or the information therefrom, on the article being labeled.

While the invention has been described with reference to. the structure disclosed, it is not confined to the details set forth; but is intended to cover such modifications, or changes as may come within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an article addressing machine of the type adapted for use with uncut labels supplied as a continuous strip, the combination comprising:

label transfer means;

means for bringing articles to be addressed to said transfer means for addressing thereof;

means for supplying individual labels from said strip of uncut labels to said transfer means including means for separating said strip into individual labels for use by said transfer means;

label accumulating means interposed in the label supply path between said separating means and said transfer means whereby said labels pass from said separating means into said label accumulating means and then to said transfer means, said accumulator means being adapted to hold a minimum supply of said labels for use by said transfer means so as to assure an uninterrupted supply of labels to said transfer means without the need to exactly synchronize the operational speed of said label supplying means With that of said transfer means; and

means for transporting said labels from said separating means to said accumulating means for use by said transfer means.

2. The addressing machine according to claim 1 in which said label transporting means includes an endless belt, the inlet of said accumulating means being operatively arranged adjacent the label discharge end of said belt whereby labels are discharged from said belt into said accumulating means pending use by said transfer means.

3. The addressing machine according to claim 2 in which said accumulating means includes an upwardly inclined base, said belt serving to discharge said labels edge first onto said base, and a generally upstanding rear wall cooperable with said base to support said labels in a substantially upright position;

said accumulating means including a label discharge opening adjacent the juncture of said base with said rear wall to enable labels to be withdrawn from said accumulating means for use by said transfer means.

4. The addressing machine according to claim 3 including vacuum pickofi means operatively disposed between said accumulating means discharge opening and said label transfer means, said pickoff means being adapted to withdraw said labels one by one from said accumulating means and convey said labels to said label transfer means.

5. The addressing machine according to claim 3 in which said accumulating means includes a stripper finger for removing labels from said conveyor belt.

6. In an article labeling head adapted for use with an uncut supply of address bearing labels, the combination of:

a label transfer wheel for transferring individual labels to the articles being labeled;

means for separating said uncut label supply into individual labels for use by said transfer wheel, said separating means including a guillotine knife;

a vacuum conveyor belt for carrying separated labels from said knife toward said transfer wheel;

means drivingly supporting said conveyor belt to provide a belt operating run along the discharge side of said knife so as to receive labels discharged by said knife;

means communicating said belt operating run with a low pressure source whereby to drivingly adhere said labels to said belt;

a label receiving accumulator at the discharge end of said belt operating run for receiving labels carried by said belt, said accumulator being capable of holding a plurality of said labels for use by said transfer wheel whereby to obviate the need to maintain the operational speed of said belt and said transfer wheel in continuous synchronism; and

means to transfer labels from said accumulator means to said transfer wheel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,554,843 1/1971 Kirk et a1. 156-521 2,907,567 10/1959 Schneider et al. 156DIG. 28

2,707,915 5/1955 Nefzger 156DIG. 24

FOREIGN PATENTS 805,074 11/1958 Great Britain 156DIG. 27

BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner J. V. DORAMUS, Assistant Examiner

Images