Patent ID: 6199614
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: B65C,Y10T

Abstract:
A labeling machine for dispensing labels from a continuous web of material traveling along a feed path and applying the labels to a plurality of articles, comprising:a supply means for providing a supply of the continuous web of material having the labels affixed thereto;a dispensing means positioned along said feed path downstream of said supply means for removing a label from the continuous web of material for application to the article;a metering means positioned along said feed path for metering the continuous web of material from said supply means; anda constant tensioning means positioned along said feed path downstream of said metering means for maintaining tension in the continuous web of material immediately downstream of said metering means at a substantially constant predetermined level said constant tensioning means including a lever arm having a first portion pivotable between a first position and a second position, an abutment means mounted on said first portion for abutting the continuous web of material and a biasing means operatively connected to said lever arm for biasing said lever arm toward said second position, said biasing means capable of imparting a total biasing force on said lever arm, said total biasing force decreasing as said lever arm moves from said first position to said second position, said total biasing force including a rotational force causing said lever arm to pivot, said constant tensioning means capable of maintaining said rotational force substantially constant throughout movement of said lever arm from said first position to said second position so as to maintain tension in the continuous web of material at a substantially constant predetermined level.