Labeling apparatus

• US 4,412,876 A
• Filed: 07/07/1981
• Issued: 11/01/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems Incorporated (Sealed Air)
• Inventors: Lerner, Bernard, Liebhart, Dana J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Simmons, David A.
• Application Number:
  US06/281,281
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 156/86, 156/443, 156/367, 156/350, 156/362-363, 156/566, 156/567, 156/212, 53/291-298, 53/367, 53/585, 198/429, 198/456, 198/689
• US Class Current: 156/64
• CPC Class Codes: B26D 3/16 Cutting rods or tubes transversely cutting tubes longitudinally B26D3/001
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 53/20 of tubes
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/18 using tubular layers or sheathings B29C63/26 and B29C63/38 take precedence; placing tubular labels around rigid containers B65C3/065
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 3/065 by placing tubular labels around the container applying preformed tubular sheathings of plastics in general B29C63/18; applying protective covers to closures B67B5/03
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1028 by bending, drawing or stretch forming sheet to assume shape of configured lamina while in contact therewith
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/12 Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with cutting, punching, piercing, severing or tearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1768 Means simultaneously conveying plural articles from a single source and serially presenting them to an assembly station

Abstract

Apparatus for applying tubular labels to containers comprised of structure defining a labeling station, a container directing unit for directing a succession of containers to the labeling station, a label feeding unit for positioning individual labels at a predetermined position with respect to the labeling station, label applying mechanism including a label engaging device cyclically movable along a path of travel for removing a label from the feeding unit and assembling the label about a container at the labeling station, and a drive unit for imparting harmonic motion to the label engaging device.

Claims

1. A process of labeling containers comprising:

(a) bringing a plurality of containers into abutment in a row along a path;

(b) positioning one of the containers in the row at a labeling station;

(c) establishing a pressure differential on the one container with a stationary support at the labellng station;

(d) applying a label to the one container by sliding a sleeve over the one container;

(e) pushing the row of containers along the path and thereby removing the one container from the station and positioning another container at the station;

(f) applying a sleeve to said another container after it has been positioned at the station and a pressure differential has been applied to it.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the process is performed by a machine and wherein the pushing step expels a container from the machine which expelled container has been labeled.

3. The process of claim 1 further including the step of, as said one bottle is being labeled, placing still another bottle in position to be added to the row.

4. The process of applying labels to bottles with a machine comprising:

(a) successively positioning each of a plurality of bottles at a work station; and

,

(b) with a stationary bottle support applying a sleeve label to each bottle as it is positioned at the work station by;

(i) applying a pressure differential to the positioned bottle to secure and stabilize it at the station;

(ii) spreading the end one of a chain of interconnected label sleeves and concurrently placing it in a clamp station;

(iii) grasping the spread sleeve end with a pair of driven clamps;

(iv) moving the clamps toward the work station to move the end sleeve toward the work station while concurrently spreading the next sleeve in the chain over a mandrel;

(v) sensing the arrival of the next sleeve at the clamp station and thereupon braking the next sleeve of the chain so that the clamp movement causes said end sleeve to separate from the next sleeve;

(vi) continuing the clamp movement toward the work station until the end sleeve has been pulled over the bottle to a desired extent and then releasing the clamp grasp to leave the end sleeve on the positioned bottle in a desired orientation; and

,

(vii) returning the clamps to the clamp station.

5. The process of claim 4 further including the step of stretching the end sleeve as it is lowered.

6. The process of claim 5 wherein the stretching is effected before the label is pulled over the bottle.

7. The process of claim 4 wherein the clamps are moved toward one another during the return step.

8. The process of claim 4 wherein the step of releasing the clamp grasp is effected with a spaced pair of cams.

9. The process of applying labels to bottles with a machine having a through passage comprising:

(a) feeding a plurality of bottles to the machine with a container delivery conveyor;

(b) pushing a first bottle into the passage with a harmonically driven L shaped pusher plate while concurrently using the plate to block the bottle feeding by the delivery conveyor;

(c) returning the pusher plate to its original position and feeding a second bottle into a space between the first bottle and the pusher plate;

(d) pushing the second bottle into the passage and thereby causing the second bottle to push the first further into the passage;

(e) repeating steps (c) and (d) with other bottles while guiding the pushed bottles along a predetermined path through the passage which path includes a work station;

(f) applying a sleeve label to each bottle as it is positioned at the work station by;

(i) with a stationary bottle support applying a pressure differential to the positioned bottle to secure and stabilize it at the station;

(ii) spreading the end one of a chain of interconnected label sleeves and concurrently placing it in a clamp station;

(iii) grasping the spread end sleeve with a pair of harmonically driven clamps;

(iv) moving the clamps toward the work station to move the end label toward the work station while concurrently spreading the next sleeve in the chain over a mandrel;

(v) sensing the arrival of the next sleeve at the clamp station and thereupon braking the next sleeve of the chain so that the clamp movement causes said end sleeve to separate from the next sleeve;

(vi) continuing the clamp movement toward the work station until the end sleeve has been pulled over the bottle to a desired extent and then releasing the clamp grasp to leave the end sleeve on the positioned bottle in a desired orientation; and

,

(vii) returning the clamps to the clamp station;

(g) coordinating the repetition of pushing step (d) with the label application of steps (f) such the pushing of the bottles and the attendant movement along the predetermined path occurs when the clamps are at or near the clamp station.

10. The process of claim 9 further including the step of removing labeled bottles from the machine with a container feed conveyor after the labeled bottles are pushed from the machine.

11. A bottle feed mechanism for use in a labeling machine or the like comprising:

(a) a guide defining a path of rectilinear travel;

(b) an L shaped pusher plate journaled on the guide for rectilinear movement from a rest position to a bottle pushed position and return;

(c) a plate drive assembly for causing selective reciprocation of the plate along the guide;

(d) the assembly including a clutch; and

,

(e) a control means for sensing a condition when plate reciprocation is desired and causing the clutch to be actuated in response to such sensed condition.

12. The mechanism of claim 11 wherein the drive assembly drives the plate with a harmonic motion.

13. A bottle labeling machine comprising:

(a) a housing and frame structure defining a through passage having a work station therein;

(b) guide mechanism establishing a path of bottle travel through the passage to and past the work station;

(c) a stationary bottle support along the path of travel and at the work station;

(d) a cyclically moveable bottle pusher for pushing bottles sequentially onto the path and thereby advancing a row of bottles along the path a distance during each cycle equal to a whole integer multiple of a diameter of one of the bottles being pushed;

(e) a vacuum source connected to the bottle support for establishing a pressure differential on a bottle positioned at the work station and on the support; and

,

(f) a labeling assembly supported by the housing and frame structure for applying labels to bottles positioned at the work station.

14. In a label applying machine an improved label applying mechanism comprising:

(a) reciprocatable clamps each including at least two coactable lable gripping jaws and spaced cams positioned to coact with the clamps and effect clamp and clamp jaw movement as the clamps are reciprocated;

(b) said cams and clamps having coacting surfaces effective to effect the following;

(i) to clamp a label positioned at a clamp station when the clamps are at or near an extreme of their movement;

(ii) to move the clamps away from one another and stretch a clamped label as the clamps move toward a label applying work station;

(iii) to open the clamps to release a label when such label has been positioned on an object at the labeling station; and

,

(iv) to move the clamps toward one another to position one jaw of each clamp to pass into and the other jaw of each clamp to be outside of another label as the clamps move toward the clamp station.

15. A bottle labeling machine comprising:

(a) a housing and frame structure defining a through passage having a work station therein;

(b) guide mechanism establishing a path of bottle travel through the passage to and past the work station;

(c) an apertured bottle support along the path of travel and at the work station;

(d) a cyclically moveable bottle pusher for pushing bottles sequentially onto the path and thereby advancing a row of bottles along the path a distance during each cycle equal to a whole integer multiple of a diameter of one of the bottles being pushed;

(e) a vacuum source connected to the bottle support for establishing a pressure differential on a bottle positioned at the work station and on the support; and

,

(f) a labeling assembly supported by the housing frame structure in spaced relationship with the work station and comprising;

(i) a label supply for providing a web of interconnected tubular labels to be fed along a label supply path to a clamp station;

(ii) a mandrel along the label path and including surfaces adapted to open each label as labels are successively moved along the label path;

(iii) a moveable label applying mechanism including spaced moveable clamps and a clamp drive;

(iv) the label applying mechanism including spaced cams positioned to coact with the clamps and effect clamp and clamp jaw movement as the clamps are moved as follows;

(aa) to clamp a label positioned at the clamp station when the clamps are at or near an extreme of their movement;

(bb) to move the clamps away from one another and stretch a clamped label as the clamps move toward the work station;

(cc) to open the clamps to release a label when such label has been positioned on a bottle; and

,

(dd) to move the clamps toward one another to position one jaw of each clamp to pass into and the other jaw of each clamp to be outside of another label as the clamps move toward the clamp station;

(v) a detector for sensing the presence of a second label at the clamp station as an end label of a web is pulled along the label path by the clamps and to emit a signal in response to such sensing; and

,

(vi) brake means connected to the detector for braking a web each time the detector emits a signal in response to such sensing.

16. A bottle labeling machine comprising:

(a) a housing and frame structure defining a through passage having a work station therein;

(b) guide mechanism establishing a path of bottle travel through the passage to and past the work station;

(c) an apertured bottle support along the path of travel and at the work station;

(d) a cyclically moveable bottle pusher for pushing bottles sequentially onto the path and thereby advancing a row of bottles along the path a distance during each cycle equal to a whole integer multiple of a diameter of one of the bottles being pushed;

(e) a vacuum source connected to the bottle support for establishing a pressure differential on a bottle positioned at the work station and on the support; and

,

(f) a labeling assembly supported by the housing and frame structure above the work station and comprising;

(i) a label supply for providing a web of interconnected tubular labels to be fed along a label supply path to a clamp station;

(ii) a mandrel along the label path and including surfaces adapted to open each label as labels are successively moved along the label path;

(iii) a vertically moveable label supplying mechanism including spaced pairs of vertically reciprocal clamps and a clamp reciprocating drive;

(iv) the label applying mechanism including spaced pairs of cam sets positoned to coact with the clamps and effect clamp and clamp jaw movement as the clamps are reciprocated as follows;

(aa) to clamp a label positioned at the clamp station when the clamps are at or near the top of their movement;

(bb) to move the clamps away from one another and stretch a clamped label as the clamps move downwardly toward the work station;

(cc) to open the clamps to release a label when such label has been positioned on a bottle; and

,

(dd) to move the clamps toward one another to position one jaw of each clamp to pass into and the other jaw of each clamp to be outside of another label as the clamps move upwardly toward the clamp station;

(v) a detector for sensing the presence of a second label at the clamp station as an end label of a web is pulled downwardly by the clamps and to emit a signal in response to such sensing; and

,

(vi) a pair of web brakes connected to the detector for braking a web each time the detector emits a signal in response to such sensing.

17. A clamp assembly for use in placing label sleeves on bottles comprising:

(a) a body including a base and a moveable jaw guide;

(b) the body also including a fixed jaw;

(c) a moveable jaw mounted on the body for movement along the jaw guide between label clamped and label release positions;

(d) biasing means urging the moveable jaw toward its clamped position and applying label clamping pressure when the moveable jaw is in its clamped position;

(e) a first actuator for moving the moveable jaw against the biasing means to effect label release when a label is positioned on a bottle; and

,

(f) another actuator for holding the moveable jaw in its label release position as the assembly is positioned to clamp a label.

18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the first actuator includes a cam operated lever.

19. A clamp assembly for use in a machine for applying bottle labels comprising:

(a) a support portion including a section guidingly mounted for reciprocation between label supply and label positioned locations;

(b) the support portion also including a clamp support section for supporting the remainder of the assembly;

(c) an elongated clamp base mounted on the arm section and carrying a fixed clamp near one end;

(d) a jaw guide mounted on the base and extending from a location near the fixed jaw toward the other end of the base;

(e) a moveable jaw slideably mounted on the guide for movement between a label clamped and a label release position;

(f) a spring in biasing relationship with the moveable jaw to urge it toward its label clamped position;

(g) a fluid actuator connected to the moveable jaw for positioning the moveable jaw in its label release position prior to the clamping of a label and for allowing the spring to cause the moveable jaw to move into its label clamped position;

(h) a cam lever pivotably mounted in the body near its other end; and

,

(i) a linkage operatively interconnecting the moveable jaw and the cam to lever such that when the cam lever is actuated by a coacting cam the force of the spring is overcome and the moveable jaw is moved to its label release position.

20. A clamp assembly for use in a machine for applying bottle labels comprising:

(a) a support portion including a section guidingly mounted for reciprocation between label supply and label positioned locations;

(b) the support portion also including a clamp support arm section for supporting the remainder of the assembly;

(c) an elongated clamp base mounted on the arm section and carrying a fixed clamp near one end;

(d) a pair of guide rods mounted on the base and extending from a location near the fixed jaw toward the other end of the base;

(e) a moveable jaw slideably mounted on the guide rods for movement between a label clamped and a label release position;

(f) a pair of coil springs around the rods and in biasing relationship with the moveable jaw to urge it toward its label clamped position;

(g) an air actuator connected to the moveable jaw for positioning the moveable jaw in its label release position prior to the clamping of a label and for allowing the springs to cause the moveable jaw to move into its label clamped position when the air actuator is vented;

(h) a cam lever pivotably mounted in the base near its other end; and

,

(i) a linkage operatively interconnecting the moveable jaw and the cam lever such that when the cam lever is actuated by a coacting cam the force of the springs is overcome and the moveable jaw is moved to its label release position.

21. The assembly of claim 20 wherein a cam follower roller is rotatably mounted on the cam lever.

22. A product labeling machine comprising:

(a) a housing and frame structure defining a work station;

(b) guide mechanism establishing a path of product travel to and past the work station;

(c) a stationary apertured product support along the path of travel and at the work station;

(d) a cyclically moveable product mover for moving products sequentially onto the path and thereby advancing products along the path a distance during each cycle equal to a whole integer multiple of a diameter of one of the products being moved;

(e) a vacuum source connected to the product support for establishing a pressure differential on a product positioned at the work station; and

(f) a labeling assembly supported by the housing frame structure in spaced relationship with the work station and comprising;

(i) a label supply for providing a web of interconnected tubular labels to be fed along a label supply path to a clamp station;

(ii) a mandrel along the label path and including surfaces adapted to open each label as labels are successively moved along the label path;

(iii) a moveable label applying mechanism including spaced moveable clamps each having a plurality of jaws and a clamp drive; and

,

(iv) the label applying mechanism including cam means positioned to coact with the clamps and effect clamp and clamp jaw movement as the clamps are moved as follows;

(aa) to clamp a label positioned at the clamp station when the clamps are at or near an extreme of their movement;

(bb) to move the clamps away from one another and stretch a clamped label;

(cc) to open the clamps to release a label when such label has been positioned on a bottle; and

,

(dd) to move the clamps to position one jaw of each clamp to pass into and another jaw of each clamp to be outside of another label as the clamps move toward the clamp station;

(v) a detector for sensing the presence of a second label at the clamp station as an end label of a web is pulled along the label path by the clamps and to emit a signal in response to such sensing; and

,

(vi) brake means responsive to the detector for braking a web each time the detector emits a signal in response to such sensing.

23. A clamp assembly for use in a machine for applying labels comprising:

(a) a support portion including a section guidingly mounted for reciprocation between label supply and label positioned locations;

(b) the support portion also including a clamp support arm section for supporting the remainder of the assembly;

(c) an elongated clamp base mounted on the arm section and carrying a first clamp jaw;

(d) guides mounted on the base and extending from a location near the first jaw toward the other end of the base;

(e) a moveable jaw in slideable engagement with the guides for movement between a label clamped and a label release position;

(f) a spring in biasing relationship with the moveable jaw to urge it toward its label clamped position;

(g) an actuator connected to the moveable jaw for positioning the moveable jaw in its label release position prior to the clamping of a label and for allowing the spring to cause the moveable jaw to move into its label clamped position when the actuator is deactuated;

(h) a cam coacter mounted on the base; and

,

(i) a linkage operatively interconnecting the moveable jaw and the cam coacter such that when the cam coacter is actuated by a coacting cam, the force of the spring is overcome and the moveable jaw is moved to its label release position.

24. In an apparatus for assembling tubular labels on containers:

(a) a label system for storing tubular labels;

(b) structure defining a labeling station;

(c) label feeding means for positioning a label adjacent said labeling station;

(d) container directing means for directing each of a succession of containers to the labeling station;

(e) label applying means comprising a label gripper mechanism moveable between said label feeding means and said labeling station, said gripper mechanism effective to grip a label positioned by said label feeding means and move the label to the labeling station;

(f) drive means for said label gripper mechanism comprising a drive motor and a drive transmission connecting said drive motor to said label gripper mechanism, said transmission being constructed to impart harmonic motion to said gripper mechanism so that said gripper mechanism moves harmonically along said path of travel;

(g) cam means coacting with said gripper mechanism during its motion along said path of travel to effect manipulation of said label onto a container;

(h) said label gripper mechanism including first and second relatively moveable label clamping jaws actuatable between an open position and a closed position wherein the jaws grip a label between them, said jaws being biased toward the closed position by springs means; and

,

(i) said cam means including a cam member coactable with said gripper mechanism to effect opening of said jaws against the force of said spring means when said gripper mechanism is at a predetermined position with respect to said labeling station so that a label gripped by said jaws is released.

25. In an apparatus for assembling tubular labels on containers:

(a) a label system for storing tubular labels;

(b) structure defining a labeling station;

(c) label feeding means for positioning a label adjacent said labeling station;

(d) container directing means for directing each of a succession of containers to the labeling station;

(e) label applying means comprising a label gripper mechanism moveable between said label feeding means and said labeling station, said gripper mechanism effective to grip a label positioned by said label feeding means and move the label to the labeling station;

(f) drive means for said label gripper mechanism comprising a drive motor and a drive transmission connecting said drive motor to said label gripper mechanism, said transmission being constructed to impart harmonic motion to said gripper mechanism so that said gripper mechanism moves harmonically along said path of travel;

(g) cam means coacting with said gripper mechanism during its motion along said path of travel to effect manipulation of said label onto a container;

(h) an electrical signal generator driven from said drive means in timed relation to motion of said gripper mechanism to produce electrical signals corresponding to gripper mechanism positions along said path of travel; and

(i) signal responsive means for effecting operation of said container directing means when said gripper mechanism is at a predetermined location along said path of travel.

26. Apparatus for applying tubular labels to containers comprising:

(a) structure defining a labeling station;

(b) container directing means for directing a succession of containers to the labeling station;

(c) label feeding means for positioning individual labels at a predetermined position with respect to said labeling station;

(d) label applying means including a label engaging mechanism cyclically moveable along a path of travel for removing a label from said feeding means and assembling the label about a container at a labeling station;

(e) drive means for imparting harmonic motion to said label engaging mechanism;

(f) a second drive transmission between said drive means and said container directing means for operating said container directing means from said drive means in timed relation to motion of said label engaging mechanism;

(g) said second drive transmission including a clutch engageable to effect operation of said container advancing means during a portion of each cycle of operation of said label engaging mechanism; and

,

(h) controller means for governing operation of said clutch, said controller means including electrical signal producing means coacting with said drive means to produce an electrical signal when said label engaging mechanism is at a predetermined position on said path of travel and said controller means being adapted to effect engagement of said clutch in response to said signal.

27. A process of labeling containers comprising:

(a) bringing a plurality of products into abutment in a row along a path;

(b) positioning one of the products at a labeling station;

(c) establishing a pressure differential on the one product with a stationary product support at the labeling station;

(d) applying a label to the one product by sliding a sleeve over the one product;

(e) removing the one product from the station and positioning another product at the station; and

,

(f) applying a sleeve to said another product after it has been positioned at the station and a pressure differential has been applied to it.

28. In an apparatus for applying tubular labels to containers, label applying means for removing successive labels from a label supply and assembling each label on a respective container, said label applying means comprising:

(a) first and second relatively movable label gripper jaws having a closed position for gripping a label therebetween and an open position for releasing the label;

(b) gripper jaw actuator means comprising;

(i) spring means for urging said jaws to the closed position;

(ii) a member movable to open said jaws against the force of said spring means;

(c) gripper jaws supporting means for moving said gripper jaws cyclically along a predetermined path of travel;

(d) cam means coacting with said movable member to open said jaws and release said label when the label is assembled to a container, said gripper jaw actuator means further including a fluid operated actuator effective to maintain said jaws open against the force of said spring means as said jaws move from the labeling station to the label supply; and

(e) said fluid operated actuator being rendered ineffective to oppose the force of said spring means when said jaws are positioned to grip a label from the label supply.

29. A process of labeling containers comprising:

(a) bringing a plurality of products into abutment in a row along a path;

(b) moving the row of products along the path;

(c) positioning the one product at a labeling station by establishing a pressure differential on the one product when at the one station;

(d) applying a label to the one product by sliding a sleeve over the one product;

(e) removing the one product from the station and positioning another product at the station; and

,

(f) applying a sleeve to said another product after it has been positioned at the station and a pressure differential has been applied to it.