Literature applying mechanism

A system for the dispensing of literature to objects, such as containers carried by a conveyor, includes a tape for the application of adhesive to literature, and a device for the separation of the literature from the tape to permit the securing of the literature, adhesively, to the containers. A drive mechanism is provided for advancing the tape through successive increments of distance, each incremental distance being equal to the size of one piece of literature. A hopper dispenses the literature to the tape, one piece at a time. Application of the pieces of literature to the objects is accomplished by a roller or brush. The literature separation device includes a bar having an edge about which the tape is bent to free the literature from the tape as the tape advances around the edge. The adhesive is retained by the literature during the separation from the tape so as to permit the adhesive attachment of the pieces of literature to the containers. The pieces of literature may be lifted from the hopper by passing an adhesive coating of the tape past an exit port of the hopper, or by use of a suction cup carried by a swing-arm assembly wherein both the movement thereof and vacuum of the suction cup are synchronized with movement of the tape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to packaging equipment, and, more particularly, to a 
mechanism for applying labels to containers such as bottles and boxes. 
Packaging equipment is commonly in use for the filling of containers, the 
closure of the containers, and the labeling of containers. Examples of 
containers in frequent use are the bottles and boxes found on the shelves 
in the marketplace utilized in the packaging of food and other items 
utilized both in the home and in industry. Such packages are provided with 
labels to identify the contents of the package, as well as to provide 
instructions in the use of the material contained within the package. 
A problem arises in that there are occasions wherein there is insufficient 
room on a package label to provide all of the necesary data and 
instructions on the use of the material contained within the package. For 
example, in the distribution of medicinal products, literature in the 
nature of a multi-folded paper is attached desirably to the package, such 
multi-folded paper having adequate space to fully describe the material 
being packaged. However, the securing of literature, such as the foregoing 
multi-folded paper or a brochure of bound sheets of paper, is not applied 
readily by the type of mechanism utilized for applying a simple label. The 
bulkiness of the literature, and its tendency to open, necessitates the 
use of specially constructed equipment which can handle the folded or 
bound literature. Thus, the foregoing problem is manifested by an 
inadequacy of labeling equipment to affix folded and bound literature to a 
container, particularly a bottle used for the storage of medicine or food. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The foregoing problem is overcome and other advantages are provided by a 
literature-applying mechanism which is constructed in accordance with the 
invention to provide a tape having an adhesive thereon for the 
transporting of the literature from a hopper to the site of application of 
the literature to the container. In a first embodiment of the invention, 
the hopper includes a gate for metering out the literature, one piece at a 
time; and photoelectric sensors detect the presence of the literature and 
the presence of the container to insure that the arrival of the literature 
is sychronized with the arrival of the container at the site wherein the 
literature is secured to the container. In a second embodiment of the 
invention, packets of literature are extracted from a hopper by means of a 
suction cup carried on a rotatable arm from the hopper to the tape; and a 
vacuum switch detects the presence of the literature. 
At the site of application of the literature to the container, the tape is 
driven in a sharp bend around the edge of a peel plate which dislodges the 
literature from the tape; the adhesive has a greater affinity for the 
literature than the tape, and hence is separated from the carrying tape 
and stays with the literature so as to permit the literature to be urged 
against the side of the container by a pressure roll or brush.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
With reference to the drawing, FIG. 1 depicts a first embodiment of the 
invention. There is shown a system 20 comprising a conveyor 22 which 
carries objects such as bottles 24 past a mechanism 26. In accordance with 
the invention, the mechanism 26 applies literature 28 to the sides of the 
bottles 24. By way of example in implementing the invention, a screw 30, 
shown in phantom, may be incorporated in the system 20 for guiding the 
bottles 24. The screw 30 has threads 32 which are spaced apart by a 
distance equal to a diagonal of a bottle 24 so as to more accurately 
position the bottles 24 as they sequentially pass by the mechanism 26 
along the conveyor 22. The system is an "on-demand" system; thus a 
delivery system other than the feedscrew may be incorporated with the 
invention. It is understood that the bottles 24 are shown by way of 
example, and that other products of round and rectangular shape may be 
carried by the conveyor 22 for receiving literature 28. 
The mechanism 26 employs a roll of adhesive transfer tape 101, and a hopper 
102 which holds the literature. A pickup bar 103 guides the tape 101 past 
an opening of the hopper 102 to permit the adhesive layer on the tape 101 
to engage with a piece of literature 28 in the hopper 102. The tape 101 
then passes by a pair of rolls 104, 104' which force the literature 28 
against the tape 101 to further secure the successive pieces of literature 
28 to the tape 101. 
The mechanism 26 further comprises an electric eye or sensor 105 for 
registering the presence of the literature, a reverse-arc plate 106, an 
idler roll 107, an applying roll 108, a draw roll 109, a drum 110 for 
receiving the backing paper of the tape 101, a peel plate 111 for 
releasing the pieces of literature 28 from the tape 101, an adjustable 
gate 112 on the opening of the hopper 102, and a sensor 114 for sensing a 
product such as bottle 24 on the conveyor 22. Also included in the 
mechanism 26 are a drum 116 upon which the tape 101 is initially wound, an 
idler 118 for guiding the tape from the drum 116 to the pick-up bar 103, 
and a frame 120 which is partially shown in phantom view, and mechanically 
connects and positions the drum 116, the idler 118, the pick-up bar 103, 
as well as other idlers and rolls of the mechanism 26. 
The frame 120 also holds brake pads 122 against the drum 116 to provide a 
braking force during paying out of the tape 101 from the drum 116. In the 
hopper 102, a plunger 124 is driven by a spring 126 or a constant force 
spring motor (not shown) to force the piece of literature 28 towards the 
pick-up bar 103. An idler 128 is provided for guiding the tape 101 about 
the draw roll 109, and a pressure roll 130 forces the tape 101 against the 
draw roll. A motor 132 is mechanically connected to the draw roll 109 and 
to the drum 110, as indicated by a dashed line 134, and imparts rotation 
to the draw roll 109 and the drum 110 for advancing the tape 101 and for 
receiving a roll of the spent tape on the drum 110. An electronic drive 
circuit 136, of well-known design, provides electric signals for 
activating the motor 132 in response to signals of a logic unit 138 
coupled to the drive unit 136. 
The logic unit 138 is activated by signals along lines 140 and 142, 
respectively, from the literature sensor 105 and the product sensor 114. A 
signal from the product sensor 114 indicates that a bottle 24 has advanced 
to a position for receiving a piece of literature 28. A subsequent signal 
from the literature sensor 105 indicates that the tape 101 has advanced a 
sufficient amount for the completion of the application of the piece of 
literature 28 to the bottle 24. The logic unit 138 is responsive to the 
signals from the product sensor 114 and the literature sensor 105 to 
initiate the operation of the mechanism 26 for advancement of the tape 101 
when the bottle 24 arrives in position, and to stop the operation of the 
mechanism 26 to terminate the advancement of the tape 101 when the piece 
of literature 28 is fully secured to the bottle 24. 
In operation, the adhesive transfer tape 101 is provided in varying widths, 
the width being selected in accordance with the width of the literature 
which is to be dispensed by the mechanism 26. The requisite width of the 
tape is also determined by the desired height of the location of the 
literature on the bottles 24. 
A roll of the tape 101 is placed on the drum 116 from which it may be 
unwound upon demand for a piece of literature 28 to be applied to a bottle 
24. As the tape 101 is unwound, a tacky adhesive is exposed on the surface 
of the tape. The unwound tape 101 passes along the idler 118 which guides 
it to the hopper 102 and the pick-up bar 103. The bar 103 insures a 
constant pressure of the tape 101 against the pressure of the spring 126 
or constant force spring motor (not shown) and the plunger 124 which urge 
the pieces of literature 28 toward the tape 101 and the bar 103. 
As the tape 101 moves forward, the tackiness of the adhesive will move the 
literature out of the hopper 102. The literature gate 112 is adjustable to 
insure that one piece of literature moves out of the hopper 102 with each 
advance of the tape 101. The pick-up bar 103 is also adjustable relative 
to the frame 120, as by adjustment screws (not shown), to be accurately 
positioned adjacent the opening of the hopper 102; this insures that a 
desired amount of adhesive contacts the pieces of literature 28 to 
successively draw them out of the hopper 102. 
With each advance of the tape 101, a further piece of literature 28 is 
drawn out of the hopper 102 and is mounted to the tape 101. The mounting 
of the pieces of literature 28 to the tape 101 proceeds sequentially with 
each advancement of the tape 101. Thus, there develops a chain of pieces 
of literature 28 which is driven past the adhesive bonding rolls 104, 104' 
which further presses the pieces of literature 28 against the backing 
paper of the tape 101 to insure complete adhesive coverage on the pieces 
of the literature 28. It is noted, that the adhesive will remain on the 
pieces of literature 18 after they are extracted from the tape 101 at the 
peel plate 111, this adhesive remaining on the literature 28 to be 
utilized in securing the literature 28 to the bottles 24. The chain of 
literature then passes the plate 106 which is provided with a reverse arc 
so as to create a space between the successive pieces of literature 28, 
such spacing permitting beams of light from the photoelectric sensor 105 
to register each advance of the tape 101 and the literature thereon. 
An alternate register system, shown in phantom, employs a reflective 
scanner 143 activated by a printed register mark on the literature 28 to 
terminate the forward motion of the tape 101 carrying the literature 28. 
This alternative scanning register system eliminates the need for the 
plate 106 and the photoelectric sensor 105. 
The chain of literature then advances past the idler roll 107 which guides 
the literature onward in the direction of the peel plate 111. The tape 101 
is guided around the end of the plate 111 by the idler 128 to the draw 
roll 109. Rotation of the draw roll 109 by the motor 132 pulls the tape 
101 around the end of the plate 111 to peel a piece of literature 28 away 
from the tape 101 for advancement directly ahead into the space betwen the 
roll 108 and the bottle 24 to which the literature 28 is to be applied. 
Overhead clamping action is provided, preferably, by an overhead clamping 
belt of known construction, particularly in the use of light containers. 
The adhesive on the literature remains with the literature as it separates 
from the backing paper of the tape 101 so as to stick to the side of the 
bottle 24. Thereby, as the bottle 24 advances along the conveyor 22 past 
the roll 108, the roll 108 rotates to apply the literature 28 to the 
bottle 24. The spent tape 101, freed of the literature 28, then continues 
to advance on the back side of the peel plate 111 by the idler 128 and 
onto the draw roll 109. Rotation of the drum 110 along with the rotation 
of the roll 109 further advances the spent tape 101 past the pressure roll 
130 to be wound up as selvedge on the drum 110. 
Synchronization of the motion of the bottles 24 with the motion of the 
pieces of literature 28 is accomplished with the aid of the product sensor 
114, the literature sensor 105, the logic unit 138, the drive unit 136, 
and the motor 132. As a bottle 24 is carried along the conveyor 22 to the 
applying roll 108, the product sensor 114 applies a signal via the logic 
unit 138 to the drive unit 136 to initiate operation of the motor 132. 
Thereby, the tape 101 begins to advance and a piece of literature 28 
begins to separate from the tape 101 at the peel plate 111 to be applied 
by the roll 108 to the side of the bottle 24. The application of the piece 
of literature 28 to the bottle 24 continues until the literature sensor 
105 applies a signal via the logic unit 138 and the drive unit 136 to 
terminate operation of the motor 132. The literature sensor 105 is so 
positioned relative to the chain of literature 28 at the plate 106 to 
signal the requisite amount of advancement of the tape 101 and the chain 
of literature 28 to indicate that the chain has moved forward by a spacing 
of one piece of literature 28. Thus, the signal of the literature sensor 
105 one the line 140 designates the completion of the application of a 
piece of literature 28 to the side of the bottle 24. With respect to the 
construction of the circuitry of the logic unit 138, such circuitry may 
comprise a set-reset flip-flop (not shown) which is set by the signal on 
line 142 and reset by the signal on line 140 so as to provide a logic-1 
signal to activate the drive unit 136. Alternatively, the logic unit 138 
might comprise a latching relay (not shown) wherein the signal on line 142 
latches the relay while the signal on line 140 restores the relay to its 
initial state. The motor 132 may be a well known DC (direct current) motor 
or stepping motor with the circuitry of the drive unit 136 being of a 
corresponding well-known form for driving the motor 132. 
The preceding description has set forth an explanation of the structure and 
operation of the first embodiment of the invention. A second embodiment is 
presented now with reference to FIGS. 2-6. In the second embodiment, the 
extraction of pieces of literature or packets from the hopper is 
accomplished more reliably by use of a suction cup carried by a rotatable 
arm. A vaccum valve initiates and terminates suction at the required times 
for lifting the literature packets from the hopper and for depositing the 
packet on the adhesively coated tape. The presence of literature is 
monitored by a vacuum sensing switch. Spring loading is employed in the 
operation of the selvedge roll. The details of this second embodiment will 
now be presented. 
With reference to FIGS. 2-6, there is shown a system 20 comprising a 
conveyor 22 which carries objects such as bottles 24 past a 
literature-applying mechanism 26. In accordance with the invention, the 
mechanism 26 applies literature 28 in the form of packets, to the sides of 
bottles 24. By way of example, in the implementation of the invention, a 
timing screw 30 may be incorporated in the system 20 for separating and 
guiding the bottles 24. The timing screw 30 has threads 32 which are 
spaced apart with spacing determined by the physical sizes of the bottles 
24 and other considerations of the system 20, such as an oscillating 
pressure station (not shown) or an imprinter in a primary labeling system 
(not shown). The screw 30 accurately positions the bottles 24 as they pass 
sequentially by the mechanism 26 along the conveyor 22. The system is on 
"on-demand" system. Thus, a delivery system other than the timing screw 
may be incorporated within the system 20. It is understood that the 
bottles 24 are shown by way of example, and that other products of round 
or rectangular shape may be carried by the conveyor 22 for receiving 
literature 28. 
The mechanism 26 employs a roll of adhesive transfer tape 101 supported on 
a supply roll drum 116 mounted on a table top 27 of the mechanism 26. 
Brake support arms 121 are pivotally mounted on the tabletop 27 and carry 
brake pads 122 which engage the supply roll drum 116. An adjustable spring 
assembly 123 biases the brake pads 122 against the drum 116 and thereby 
provide a braking force during a paying out of the tape 101 from the drum 
116. The adhesive transfer tape 101 is routed along a path via an idler 
118, also known as a dancer roll. The tape 101 is further routed via an 
adhesive bonding roll 104, and idler roll 107, a peel plate 111, an idler 
roll 128, guide rolls 127, a draw roll 109, and its associated pressure 
roll 130. The path of the tape 101 terminates at a selvedge roll 110 upon 
which is wound the depleted adhesive backing paper 131 of the tape 101. 
The depleted backing paper 131 remains after removal of the packets of 
literature 28 and the adhesive coating from the original tape 101 at the 
peel plate 111. 
The depleted backing paper 131 is securely held between the draw roll 109 
and its associated pressure roll 130, as will be explained further 
hereinafter. The backing paper 131 is further held by a tension force 
extending through the entire tape 101 and 131, which force is provided by 
means of the dancer roll 118. The dancer roll 118 is rotatably mounted on 
a dancer arm 119 which is pivotally mounted about the supply roll drum 116 
and spring biased against the tape 101 by a tension spring 125. The 
tension spring 125 urges the dancer arm 119 toward a stop block 129. As 
the tape 101 and 131 is drawn forward by the draw roll 109 and the 
pressure roll 130 against the retarding braking force of the supply drum 
116, the dancer arm 119 is pulled away from the stop block 129 against the 
tension of the spring 125, and thereby tensions the entire tape 101 and 
131. During operation of the system 20, the retarding force of the supply 
drum 116 is balanced against the force of the spring 125 by means of a 
spring assembly 123 so that the portions of the tape 101 and 131 are 
always under sufficient tension to prevent sagging as they advance forward 
by the urging of the draw roll 109 and the pressure roll 130. 
The tape 101 is routed through the mechanism 26 with the adhesive bearing 
surface of the tape 101 being disposed opposite the surface of the tape 
101 which contacts the dancer roll 118. Thereby, the adhesive surface is 
oriented adjacent to a mouthpiece 144 (an array of suction holes) of a 
literature pick-up device 145. The pick-up device 145 acquires literature 
from a hopper 102, holds onto the literature by means of suction applied 
at the mouthpiece 144, transports the literature from the hopper 102 to 
the tape 101, and then releases the literature upon the tape 101 upon a 
termination of the suction as will be described hereinafter. A back-up pad 
146 is supported on a pivotally mounted lever 147 and forced into contact 
with the "non-sticky" surface of the tape 101 by a solenoid 148 which is 
rigidly mounted to the tabletop 127 by a bracket 149. 
The mouthpiece 144 is carried by an arm 150 which is slotted in an end 
thereof opposite the end which carries the mouthpiece 144. By means of the 
slotted end, the arm 150 is slidably fastened to a rotatably mounted block 
151 at the tabletop 27. An oscillating motion is provided between a 
literature deposit position 152 and a literature pick-up position 153 (as 
is indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 2) adjacent to the hopper 102. The 
oscillating motion is imparted to the slotted arm 150 by a pivotally 
mounted lever 154 which, in turn, is driven by a connecting link 155 from 
a crank arm 156. A crank pin 157 (FIG. 3) of the arm 156 imparts the drive 
motion to the connecting link 155. The drive mechanism of the literature 
pick-up device 145 with an associated vacuum timing valve 160 and other 
timing functions will be explained hereinafter. 
The mouthpiece 144 has a vertical front surface on which is carried two or 
more suction cups 158 which are connected via a flexible hose 159 to a 
vacuum timing valve 160 (FIG. 3). When the literature pick-up device 145 
is in the literature pick-up position 153, the suction cups 158 engage the 
terminal packet of literature 28 in the hopper 102, and the vacuum valve 
160 initiates the vacuum. Further motion of the crank arm 156 pulls the 
terminal packet of literature 28 from the hopper 102. The literature gate 
112 is adjusted to insure that only one piece of literature is pulled from 
the hopper 102 by the action of the vacuum in the suction cups 158. In the 
hopper 102, a plunger 124 is pressed against the back side of the stack of 
literature 28 with a continuous force provided by a spring 126 or a 
constant force spring motor (not shown). Thereby, the literature 28 is 
urged against the literature gate 112 so as to assure a constant 
uninterrupted supply of literature at the gate. It is understood that, 
from time to time, the literature must be manually replenished in the 
hopper 102 before the last piece of literature from the previous batch has 
been acquired by the suction cups 158. 
Further motion of the crank arm 156 drives the literature pick-up device 
145 into the literature deposit position 152. A packet of literature 28 
carried by the suction cups 158 is deposited by the device 145 onto the 
adhesive side of the transfer tape 101. The tape 101 is held in the 
position of acceptance of the literature 28 by the back-up pad 146. 
Sufficient force is supplied by co-operation of the pad 146 and the 
suction cups 158 to firmly affix the literature 28 to the tape 101. As the 
packet of literature 28 is brought into contact with the tape 101, the 
vacuum holding the literature 28 to the suction cups 158 is terminated by 
the vacuum valve 160, thereby to release the literature from the suction 
cups and to allow its adhesion to the adhesive of the tape 101. 
In summary, during one cycle in the operation of the pick-up device 145, a 
packet of literature 28 is acquired at the hopper 102 at the position 153, 
the literature 28 is deposited onto the transfer tape 101 at the deposit 
position 152, this being followed by a return of the device 145 to the 
hopper 102 at the pick-up position 153. The foregoing cycle is completed 
during the dwell or rest period in the feed motion of the transfer tape 
101. The tape 101 is stationary during the dwell period. As the transfer 
tape 101 passes by a bottle 24 and releases a packet of literature 28, the 
adhesive coating separates from the transfer tape 101 and adheres to the 
packet of literature 28 for securing the literature to the bottle 24. 
Withdrawal of the adhesive coating from the tape 101 leaves the backing 
paper 131 which continues on via the idler roll 128 to the drum or 
selvedge roll 110. The forward motion of the tape 101 is generated by the 
frictional force of the backing paper 131 wrapped around the circumference 
of the draw roll 109 with the assistance of the guide rolls 127 and the 
pressure roll 130. The pressure roll 130 is rotatably supported by a 
pivotally mounted arm 133 which is urged towards the draw roll 109 by a 
spring 135. The draw roll 109 is rigidly mounted on a drive shaft 33 (FIG. 
4) which is rotatably supported by a bearing 34, mounted in the tabletop 
27, and a bearing 35, mounted in a support plate 29. 
The support plate 29 is rigidly mounted to the tabletop 27 by spacers 31. 
Also mounted on the tabletop 27 is a brake with its armature fastened to 
the drive shaft 33. The plate 29 supports a clutch 37. The clutch 37 has a 
rotor fastened to the drive shaft 33 and an armature fastened to a drive 
motor 132. Also fastened to the drive shaft 33 is a well-known, 
commercially manufactured shaft-angle encoder 39 which generates a set of 
digital pulses for each revolution of the shaft 33. By way of example in 
the use of the encoder 39, assuming that the encoder 39 produces a total 
of 400 pulses for one revolution of the shaft, and furthermore assuming 
the circumference of the draw roll 109 to be ten inches, then each pulse 
of the encoder represents an incremental rotation of 0.025 inches of the 
draw roll 109 and a corresponding advance of the tape 101 and backing 
paper 131. 
The shaft 33 is coupled to a sprocket 40 which carries a chain 41 by which 
the sprocket 40 drives a second sprocket 42. The second sprocket 42 is 
mounted on a drive shaft 43 of the drum or selvedge roll 110 for rotation 
therewith. The sprocket 42 drives the shaft 43 through an adjustable 
friction drive 50 comprising a back-up collar 44, a friction washer 45, a 
hardened washer 46, a compression spring 47 and a compression adjustment 
nut 48. Use of the nut 48 in adjusting the compression of the spring 47 
regulates the frictional force of the foregoing friction drive 50. The 
selvedge drive shaft 43 is rotatably mounted on the tabletop 27 by means 
of a double row ball bearing 49. The shaft 43 carries on its upper end, 
and rigidly mounted thereto, the roll 110. 
In operation, the product sensor 114, which may be adjusted in position 
longitudinally along the conveyor 22, signals the logic control unit 138 
that a bottle 24 moving along the conveyor 22 is in position to receive a 
packet of literature 28'. The signal of the sensor 114 serves as a "start" 
command signal for the logic control unit 138 which, in response to the 
start command de-energizes the draw roll brake 36 and energizes the draw 
roll clutch 37. The clutch 37 engages the rotating drive motor 132 to the 
drive shaft 33 and thereby rotates the draw roll 109 for advancing the 
backing paper 131 and the transfer tape 101. The tape 101 carries a series 
of literature packets 28 which have been placed upon the tape 101 by the 
aforementioned action of the literature pick-up device 145. As the series 
or chain of literature packets 28 fastened to the transfer tape 101 
travels from the literature deposit position 152 around the adhesive 
bonding rolls 104-104' (the latter roll 104' may be delected if desired), 
further pressure is developed against the tape 101 to insure complete 
adhesive coverage of the packets of literature 28. It is also noted that 
the adhesive carried by the tape 101 has a greater affinity towards the 
type of paper which is commonly used for the printing of literature than 
for the backing paper 131 and, accordingly, leaves the tape 101 and 
adheres to the literature 28 as a packet of literature 28 is lifted off of 
the tape 101. Such separation of the literature 28 from the tape 101 
occurs at the peel plate 111. The adhesive remaining on the packet of 
literature 28 is utilized in securing the literature 28 to the bottles 24. 
After passing the bonding rolls 104-104', the series of literature packets 
advances past the idler roll 107 whch guides the literature onward in the 
direction of the peel plate 111. The tape 101 is guided around the end of 
the plate 111 by the idler 128 and directed toward the draw roll 109. At 
the peel plate 111, the adhesive coating is separated from the transfer 
tape 101 leaving only the backing paper 131. Rotation of the draw roll 109 
by the motor 132 pulls the tape 101, 131 around the end of the plate 111 
to peel a packet of literature 28 away from the tape 101 for advancement 
directly ahead into the space between the roll 108 and the bottle 24 to 
which the packet of literature 28 is to be applied. An overhead clamping 
action is provided, preferably, by an overhead clamping belt (not shown) 
of known construction, particularly in the labeling of bottles and 
containers of light weight. The literature packet with the adhesive 
applied thereto by the tape 101 is pressed against the bottle 24 by the 
roll 108. Thereby, as the bottle 24 advances along the conveyor 22 past 
the roll 108, the roll 108 rotates to apply the literature to the bottle 
24. The spent tape 131, freed of the literature 28 and the adhesive 
coating, then continues to advance on the backside of the peel plate 111 
onto the idler 128 and then around the draw roll 109 under direction of 
the guide roll 127. Rotation of the drum 110 along with the rotation of 
the roll 109 further advances the spent tape 131 to be wound up on the 
drum or roll 110. 
Synchronization of the motion of the bottles 24 with the motion of the 
packets of literature 28 is accomplished with the aid of the product 
sensor 114, the logic control unit 138, the motor control circuit 136 and 
the drive motor 132. As a bottle 24 is carried along the conveyor 22 to 
the applying roll 108, the product sensor 114 applies a signal to the 
logic unit 138 which, in turn, directs the clutch 36 and the brake 37 to 
initiate rotation of the draw roll 109. Thereby, the tape 101 advances and 
a packet of literature 28 separates from the tape 101 at the peel plate 
111 to be applied by the roll 108 to the side of the bottle 24. 
The speed of the tape 101 and the speed of the bottles 24 moving on the 
conveyor 22 are synchronized by adjustment of the rotational speed of the 
drive motor 132 by the control circuit 136. For this purpose, the motor 
132 may be a well-known DC (direct current) motor, and the circuitry of 
the motor control circuit 136 is similarly of well-known form as is used 
in regulating the speed of a motor such as the motor 132. 
Upon the initiation of the clutch-brake operation by the logic control unit 
138, a counter 161 within the unit 138 becomes unlatched and begins 
counting the pulses generated by the shaft-angle encoder 39. The counter 
161 counts for a preset number of counts which correspond to the desired 
length of advancement of the tape 101 for application of one packet of 
literature 28. Upon counting the predetermined number of counts, the 
counter 161 generates a supervisory signal which activates the logic 
control unit 138 to generate signals which de-energize the clutch 38 and 
energize the brake 37 for stopping the forward motion of the transfer tape 
101. With the stopping of the tape 101, the internal circuitry of the 
logic control unit 138 automatically resets the counter 161 in preparation 
for a subsequent counting operation. (See, for example, "Label Length 
Monitor", U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,709 issued to the assignee hereof). 
Included within the logic control unit 138 is a display 162 with rotary 
selector switches by which a number is entered for presetting the counter 
161. By way of example, one packet or piece of literature 28 has a width 
of 11/8 inches as measured along the tape 101. Assuming each count 
represents an advance in the tape 101 of 0.025 inches, then 45 counts by 
the counter 161 must accrue for an advancement of the tape 101 which is 
equal to the foregoing width of the piece of literature. Accordingly, for 
the foregoing example, the counter 161 would be preset to a value of "45". 
In response to the foregoing supervisory signal from the counter 161, the 
logic control unit 138 also generates a pulse signal of sufficient 
duration to cycle a clutch index control 163. The clutch index control 163 
is a commercially manufactured control unit commonly referred to as a 
"One-Shot" control, such a control being manufactured by the Warner 
Electric Co. A one-revolution clutch 164 (FIGS. 3 and 4) connected 
electrically to the control 163, and is mechanically coupled to a drive 
motor 165 (FIG. 3) which drives through a shaft 166 for operation of the 
crank arm 156 (FIGS. 2 and 3) in the literature pick-up device 145. The 
clutch index control 163 activates the clutch 164 to the cycle and thereby 
connect the motor 165 to the shaft 166 for rotating the shaft 166 for one 
complete revolution. 
The drive shaft 166 is rotatably mounted by a bearing 167 to the tabletop 
27 and by a bearing 168 to a support plate 169, the latter being rigidly 
fixed by spacer blocks 170 to the tabletop 27. The crank arm 156 is 
fastened to the upper end of the shaft 166. The vacuum timing valve rotor 
171 of a vacuum timing valve 160, and slotted discs 172-173 are also 
fastened to the shaft 166. The stator 174 of the timing valve 160 is 
supported in stationary fashion by the support plate 169, and is urged 
into air tight contact with the rotor 171 by compression springs 175. 
A vacuum sensing switch 176, such a switch being manufactured by the 
Barksdale Co., is inserted in the path of vacuum carried by the vacuum 
hose 159 between the mouthpiece 144 and the timing valve 160. An orifice 
177 is also inserted in the foregoing vacuum path between the vacuum 
sensing switch 176 and a port of the stator 174 of the vacuum timing valve 
160. A second port of the stator 174 is connected to a known source of 
vacuum (not shown). The area of the opening in the orifice 177 is smaller 
than the combined area of the vacuum ports of the mouthpiece 144 carrying 
the suction cups 158. Thus, any blockage of the vacuum ports by a piece of 
literature 28 will create a relatively high level of vacuum in the vacuum 
switch 176, and thereby close an associated electrical contact of the 
switch 176. Alternatively, in the absence of a piece of literature 28 on 
the mouthpiece 144, the suction holes thereof open to the atmosphere, and 
thereby reduce the level of vacuum sensed by the switch 176 to open the 
associated electrical contact. 
The cycling speed of the literature pick-up device 145 is synchronized with 
the cycling speed of the transfer taper 101. The literature transfer from 
the literature pick-up position 153 to the literature deposit position 152 
occurs while the transfer tape 101 is at rest. This period of time occurs 
between the "stop" signal from the logic control unit 138 as generated by 
the counter 161, and the "start" signal from the logic control unit 138 as 
initiated by the product sensor 114. Thus, the duration of the rest cycle 
of the tape 101 depends on the spacing between the bottles 24 on the 
conveyor 22, and also on the linear velocity of the bottles 24 on the 
conveyor 22. The speed of the conveyor 22 is synchronized with the speed 
of the tape 101 as described hereinabove. The rotational speed of the 
drive shaft 166 and its attached crank arm 156 are variable in order to 
allow sufficient time to accomplish the transfer of the literature 28 
without exceeding the required time window for transfer of the literature 
from the hopper 102 to the tape 101. The provision of adequate time for 
the foregoing transfer inhibits any development of unwanted stresses on 
the literature pick-up device 145. The foregoing timing parameters are 
readily met by employing a commerically available, well-known DC motor for 
the motor 165 along with a well-known motor controller 178 for regulating 
the speed of the motor 165. 
In view of the foregoing description, under normal operating conditions of 
the system 20 of FIG. 2, the literature applying mechanism 26 is 
responsive to the presence of a bottle 24 on the conveyor 22 to initiate 
the feeding of the transfer tape 101 carrying literature 28 in the 
arrangement of continuous chain from the literature deposit position 152 
to the peel plate 111. At the peel plate 111, a packet of literature is 
separated from the tape 101 to be affixed to the bottle 24. The chain of 
literature should be continuous to prevent malfunctioning of the system. 
To insure such continuity, the following interlock system is 
advantageously employed. 
With reference to FIG. 5, it is noted that the vacuum from the known source 
is connected to the mouthpiece 144 through the action of the vacuum timing 
valve 160 during a transfer cycle from 0.degree. to 180.degree. of 
revolution of the drive shaft 166. The vacuum has been disconnected during 
the return cycle from 180.degree. to 360.degree. of revolution of the 
crank arm 156. A photoelectric sensor 179 is positioned alongside the 
slotted disc 172 which is carried by the drive shaft 166. The slotted disc 
172 allows light to reach the sensor 179 from 45.degree. to 90.degree. of 
revolution of the drive shaft 166. During the foregoing illumination of 
the sensor 179 by the light, the sensor 179 effects a closure of an 
electrical contact in the logic control unit 138. The schematic 
representation of the electrical contact interaction is shown in FIG. 6. 
The foregoing contact closure signifies, in conjunction with the presence 
of a high level of vacuum as detected by the vacuum switch 176, that a 
piece of literature has been withdrawn from the hopper 102 and is in the 
process of being transferred to the literature deposit position 152. This 
combination of events results in the energization of the solenoid 148 
(FIG. 2) by means of the circuit of FIG. 6, the energized solenoid 148 
acting through the lever 147 to advance the back-up pad 146 against the 
force of the spring 181. The advancement of the pad 146 places the pad 146 
into a position alongside the tape 101 wherein the pad 146 provides a 
solid restraining surface for holding the tape 101 against the force of 
the literature 28 as it is deposited upon the tape 101 in the position 
152. The operation of the solenoid 148 is inhibited from a continuous 
cycling in each return cycle of 180.degree. to 360.degree. (FIG. 5) when 
the vacuum is terminated at the mouthpiece 144 to release the literature 
28 to the transfer tape 101. The inhibiting of the continuous cycling is 
attained by virtue of the operation of the slotted disc 173 with its 
associated photoelectric sensor 180 and a second electrical contact 
closure in the logic control unit 138 which provides a holding signal to 
retain the solenoid 148 in an energized state to retain the pad 146 in the 
accepting position. The electrical circuitry connecting the sensor 180 to 
the solenoid 148 is shown in FIG. 6. 
In the event of a failure to pick up literature 28 at the hopper 102 by the 
mouthpiece 144, the contacts of the vacuum switch 176 open. When the 
slotted disc 173 reaches the 55.degree. position of the transfer cycle 
(FIG. 5), the holding contacts open and de-energize the solenoid 148, 
thereby enabling the spring 181 (FIG. 2) to retract the pad 146 against 
the stop block 182. The retraction of the pad 146 displaces the transfer 
tape 101 sideways away from the accepting position. The displacement of 
the tape 101 prevents the transfer of adhesive from the tape 101 onto the 
suction cups 158 of the mouthpiece 144. It is noted that the presence of 
such adhesive on the suction cups 158 would be detrimental to the 
operation of the system, because it would prevent the transfer of a piece 
of the literature to the tape 101 during a subsequent operating cycle. 
The absence of literature 28 on the mouthpiece 144 during the sensing 
portion of the transfer cycle will also cause the logic control unit 138 
to generate a "disable" signal to prevent the forward motion of the 
transfer tape 101, thereby insuring that the chain of literature remains 
uninterrupted on the transfer tape 101. 
It is to be understood that the above described embodiments of the 
invention are illustrative only, and that modifications thereof may occur 
to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, this invention is not to be 
regarded as limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is to be 
limited only as defined by the appended claims.