US2878953A - Label applying apparatus - Google Patents

Description

March 24, 1959 N. w. MITCHELL LABEL APPLYING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 4, 1957 INVENTOR. NoszvAL Wam/m MWCHELL Bmm N. W. MITCHELL LABEL APPLYING APPARATUS Y March 24, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 4, 1957 INVFNWR. NORM WILUAM MUCHELL ATTORNEY March 24, 1959 N. w. MITCHELL LABEL APPLYING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 4, 1957 INVENTOR. NoIzvM. WILLIAM MITCHELL A TTORNEY United States Patent O LABEL APPLYING APPARATUS Norval William Mitchell, Sterling, lll., assignor to The Borden Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application January 4, 1957, Serial No. 632,450

1 Claim. (Cl. 21655) This linvention relates to improvements in apparatus for applying labels or the like to containers.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus -that is fully automatic in its operation, once it has been started to operate.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ap'- paratus that will apply a label to the 'top or' bottom of a container.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which iscapable of applying labels having an adhesive thereon "that it rendered tacky by the application of heat from the apparatus just prior to the application of the label to the container. l

With the above and other objects and advantages in View, the invention consists of the novel details of construction, arrangement and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of an apparatus embodying the invention; Y

Fig. 2 is front view of a label applicator;

Fig. 3 is a side view of the applicator of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is top plan view, partly broken away of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detailedsectional view of a timing device for the apparatus;

Fig. 6 is a detailed fragmentary view of the air control mechanism for the apparatus;

Fig. 7 is a detailed fragmentary view of the timing mechanism operated by the containers;

Fig. 8 is an enlargedA detailed fragmentary view of the rotating head for holding the label applicator; and

Fig. 9 is a detailed perspective View of a micros'witch lever of the apparatus.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals, the reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate a label applying apparatus embodying the invention.

The label applying apparatus 10 comprises an endless rotating table or Hight chain 411 which is actuated by sprocket wheels 12 and 13, respectivelyl Thesprocket wheel 13 being rotated by means of `a chain drive 114 that is connected to an electric motor, not shown.

A frame 15 for the apparatus 10 is ypositioned along one longitudinal edge of the flight chain 11 and a main shaft 16 is journalled in bearing blocks 17 and 18 that are secured to the frame 15 in Xed relation thereto. A disc or rotating head 19 is mounted on the shaft 16 and a plurality of L-shaped brackets 20 are mounted on the rotating head 19 in equally spaced relation to each other. The peripheral edge of the rotating'head 19 is provided with a plurality of notches 21 and a notch is in aline ment with each of the brackets 20.

A cam wheel 22 is mounted on the shaft 16 in contact with the rear of the head 19 and bolts 23 passing through the wheel 22 and head 19 secure a circular member 24 to the head 19. A spline 25 retains the wheel 22, head 19 and member 24 in rigid relation to the shaft 16. The shaft 16 extends through the member 24 and a second circular member 25a is mounted on the' shaft 16 in stationary relation thereto. A spring '2 6 mounted on the shaft 16 engages a collar 27 at one end thereof and the opposite end ofthe spring engages the member 25a. The collar 27 is fixed on the shaft 16 so that -the spring 26 urges the member 25a into engagement with the member 24. The members 24 and 25u constitute a timing device as will be later described. member 24 has a plurality of 'sockets 28 therein and.- each socket communicates with an outlet 29 positionedla in the face of the member `24. A ,tubular arm 30 is threadedly connected to'each of the Sockets 28 vin communication therewith. The ar'ms 3Q extend through 'the brackets 20 so that the arms 'are retained in rigid relation to the head 19.

A circular label applicator 31 is mounted on the outer end of each of the arms 30, and passages 32 in each applicator extend through the face thereof and communicate with the arm 30 -connected thereto. The applicators 31 are positioned on the head 19 in alinement with the notches 21 in the peripheral edge of the head 19. A heater 33 is connected to the rear surface of each appli-y cator 31 and posts 34 and 35 are provided for each heater whereby each heater is connected to a source of electrical current by wires 36 andv37, respectively.

The member 25a is provided with a pair of sockets 38. and 39, respectively, which will selectively communicate with the outlet 29 in the member 24 as it rotates.

Air and suction pipes 40 and 41, respectively, are connected to the sockets 38 and 39, respectively, in the mem? ber 25a.

The cam wheel 22 is engaged by a roller 40a which is rotatably mounted on a control arm 41a that is pivotally mounted at 42 to a slide 43. The slide 43 being positioned in a trackway 44 that is mounted on an inclined portion 45 of a vertical standard 46 of the apparatus 10. A pair of circular clamps 47 and 48, respectively, mount a label holder 49 on the slide 43 and a spring 50, connected to the outer end of the slide 43 and to the por, tion 45 of the standard 46, urges the slide 43 toward the head 19. A roller 51 is mounted on the slide 43 at thel inner end thereof and the roller 51 is adapted to engage the peripheral edge of the head 19 by reason of the ac-` tion of the spring 50. An adjusting screw 52 mounted on the slide 43 engages the clamp 47 on the holder 49. to altervthe inclination of the holder 49 in relation to the slide 43.

A holding bracket 53 is provided with a pair of arcuate slots 54 to receive bolts 55 whereby the member 25a is fixed thereto and the bracket 53 is connected to the frame 15 of the apparatus. A clutch control 56 is also mounted on the bracket 53.

The clutch control 56 is connected to a switch control 57 that is mounted on the frame 15. A bell crank arm 58 is connected at 59 to the control 57 and at 60 to a projection 61 on an arm 62 that is pivoted at 63V to the frame 15. The 'arm 62.has a projection 64 on the free end thereof that overlies the Hight chain 1,1. An adjustment screw 65 `is mounted in an L-shaped bracke'tl 66 secured to the frame 15' and the screw 65 engages the" projection 61 on the arm 62 for the adjustment thereof. The control 57 is connected by a lead 67 to a microswitch 68 that is adapted to be engaged by a plurality of adjustable operating screws 69 that are mounted on the head 19 intermediate of the notches 21.

The clutch control 56 operates an electric clutch 70 that is mounted on the shaft 16 and an electric brake 71 that is also mounted on the Shaft 16.

A three bladed wheel 72 is mounted on a vertical shaft 73 that extends outwardly of a gear box 74. A second shaft 75 extends outwardly of the gear box 74 and has a sprocket 750 on the outer end thereof. The sprocket 750 has a chain drive connection 76 with a sprocket 77 on an auxiliary shaft 78 that is journalled in bearing blocks 79 and 80 that are connected to the frame 15 of the apparatus 10.

` A'second sprocket 81 on the shaft 78 has a chain drive connection 82 with a sprocket 83 on the shaft 16.

An air operated cylinder 84 is positioned below the ight chain 11v and a piston stem 85 extending upwardly from the cylinder 84 has a pressure lever 86 pivoted thereto at 88. The lever 86 is pivoted at 88 to a support 89-for the flight chain 11. Spaced from the first support 89 is a second support 90 and the two supports are spaced so that the lever 86 may raise the ight chain 11 when air is fed to the cylinder 84 through the air hose 91.

Mounted on the shaft 78 is a pair of spaced cam wheels 92 and 93, respectively.` Each of the cam wheels engage a roller 94 that is rotatably mounted on a valve actuating lever 95 that is pivoted at 96 on the bottom of a valve housing 97. The lever 95 engages the button 98 to actuate an air valve in the housing 97. An air hose 99 connects the valve housing 97 to an air compressor, not shown, and the air hose 41 is also connected to the valve housing 97. There are two valve housings 97 and each is connected to the frame.15 by a hanger 100, Fig. 6.

The apparatus is designed especially for full automatic operation for labeling plastic containers.

The containers c travel on the ight chain 11 until they engage the arm 62 which operates the switch 68 whichin turn energizes the control S7. The control 57 actuates the,l control 56 which operates the clutch 70 to rotate the shaft 16 and head 19. The head 19 rotates until one of the label applicators 31 receives a label from the holder 49 by suction. A micro switch 101 mounted on the frame engages the contact drum 102 on the shaft 16 and the switch 101 stops the head 19 by means of the brake' 71 after a label has been applied to a container and retains the head 19 stationary until the next container c engages the arm 62 to start the application of another label.

If there is a constant run of containers, the apparatus will continue to operate as each container engages the arm 62. Asthe head rotates the roller 51 will engage a notch 21 and the roller 40a will engage a cam on the cam wheel 22. This will cause the label holder 49 to move toward the applicator 31 so that a label will become attached to the applicator 31, as the roller 40a becomes disengaged from the cam on the cam Wheel 22, the label holder 49 will return to its normal position. As the applicator 31 comes in contact with the label the cam wheels 92 and 93 are actuated to move the lever 9S to actuate the valve so that suction is created in the applicator 31. When the applicator 31 comes in contact with a container c the cam wheels 92 and 93 are actuated to blow the label onto the container.

At this time the lever 86 is raised so that the flight chain 11 is raised to push the container up against the applicator 31. The head 19 makes 1,6 of a revolution every time a container engages the arm 62, the sequence of operation previously described occurs. The brake 71, however, will stop the head 19 from rotating when the last container has received a label. However, when more containers are fed to the apparatus, the brake 71 will release and the apparatus will operate.

The arm 62 is adjustable for different size containers. The adjusting screws 69, that engage the switch 68, are adjustable in agreement with the adjustment of the arm 62.

The containers engage the wheel 72 so that the cam wheel 22 is synchronized with the application of a label to a container. A second contact drum 103 is energized by a micro switch 104 that controls the energizing of the heaters 33 on the applicator 31 so that the adhesive on the labels is heated before it is applied to the container. A thermostat may be mounted on the front of the head 19 across the wires 36 and 37 to control the heaters 33 and the thermostat operates a relay that is also mounted on the front of the head 19.

It will be seen from the description of the invention that an automatic efficient apparatus for applying labels to containers has been provided. The speed of the apparatus may be controlled so that the rate of application of the labels may be slow or rapid and the apparatus will continue to operate as long as the containers are fed thereto.

It is also to be understood that changes in the minor details of construction, arrangement and combination of parts may be resorted to provide they fall4 within the` spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

Ahlabel applying apparatus for containers comprisingv in combination a flight chain, a frame mounted adjacent said chain, means for moving said flight chain with the containers thereon, a shaft mounted in said frame, a rotatable disc mounted on said shaft in a vertical plane above said flightchain, driving means for said disc, a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially extending applicators carried by said disc, an electric heater mounted in each applicator, said driving means for said disc including a clutch, a brake mounted on said shaft, a projection carried by said frame in the path of travel of saidr containerson said chain, switch means operable by said projection to provide timed control of said brake and clutch whereby to rotate one of said applicators to a position above a container, a label holder mounted adjacent theperiphery of said disc, timed means for moving said holder toward and away from said applicator, timed valve means for simultaneously applying suction to said applicator whereby to receive and hold a label thereon when said container is adjacent thereto, timed valve means for applying pressure to said applicator whereby to force said label into contact with a container, and electrical switch means associated with said shaft for timed operation of said heaters.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,214,096 Weiss Sept. l0, 1940 2,296,201 Carter Sept. l5, 1942 2,391,694 Everett Dec. 25, 1945 2,525,741 Von Hofe et al Oct. l0, 1950 2,543,220 Ardell Feb. 27, 1951 2,565,975 Lissimore Aug. 28, 1951 2,688,632 Zimpel Feb, 9, 1954

Images