Labeling machine feed apparatus

A magazine-type label feed mechanism for a two-table labeling machine is disclosed. Labels to be affixed to containers are loaded on and fed by primary and secondary feed mechanisms in such a manner that an operator can continuously replenish the supply of labels while the labeling machine is operating. Fluid drive means control the position of the label-feed tables and provide a relatively-constant feed pressure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to labeling machines, and more particularly to 
automatic labeling machines which employ primary and secondary feed 
mechanisms to allow uninterrupted operation of the machine eliminating the 
need to discontinue operation to replenish the label supply. 
Various feed mechanisms have been employed with automatic labeling 
machines. Roll-type feed machines, which feed labels from a roll rather 
than a flat stack, are capable of relatively high operational speeds but 
are quite bulky and complex. Prior art flat pack feed mechanisms are 
simpler but are limited in speed of operation by the nature of the 
mechanical controls used to operate the machine. A typical pack feed 
mechanism for label machines is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,185,947, 
issued to Neer. The Neer machine employs primary and secondary tables to 
feed stack labels. This machine has ratchet and pawl actuators and while 
it was designed to operate at speeds of up to 1,000 cans per minute, it 
was limited in practice to a maximum speed of about 700 cans per minute by 
the mechanical feed mechanism. 
In the present invention, the fluid drive means allows operation of a 
magazine-type labeler at speeds of up to 1,200 cans per minute. Thus, the 
magazine feed apparatus of this invention is capable of operational speeds 
almost twice as fast as earlier designs and is smaller than the usual 
roll-type labeler and less complex than the earlier magazine-type 
labelers. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is among the objects of this invention to provide a new and 
improved magazine-type feed mechanism for use with two-table flat pack 
labeling machines which is easy to operate, capable of high speed 
operation, and less bulky and complicated than earlier magazine-type feed 
mechanisms. 
It is another object of this invention to provide a feed mechanism which 
can be operated by a relatively unskilled operator with a minimum of 
training. 
It is another object of this invention to provide a label feed mechanism 
which is easily adjustable to accommodate various label thicknesses 
without sacrificing high speed operation. 
The overall operation of a magazine-type label feed mechanism in accordance 
with this invention is as follows. 
Before initially operating the machine, the primary and secondary feed 
control tables are lowered to a position where a stack supply of labels 
can be supported by the primary table. The height of the primary table is 
then raised so that the topmost label comes into the proper feeding 
position in the can labeling machine. The secondary table is not 
supporting any labels during this phase of the operation. During the 
operation of the can labeling machine, as the stack of labels on the 
primary table begins to diminish, the operator engages the fingers of the 
secondary table to hold the existing stack of labels in feed position 
while at the same time lowering the primary table to allow insertion of a 
new stack of labels on the primary table. The primary table is then raised 
back into a position where the top label on the new stack contacts the 
bottom label on the old stack, at which time the secondary table is 
lowered automatically withdrawing the fingers. The operation then 
continues until a new cycle is required. 
The raising and lowering of the primary and secondary tables is 
accomplished by operation of fluid drive means. In one embodiment, the 
operation of both the primary and secondary tables is accomplished by 
pueumatic drive means controlled by lever-type pneumatic valves. The 
excursions of the tables, in this embodiment, are limited by hydraulic 
damping mechanisms, which insure a smooth, trouble-free operation. In the 
preferred embodiment, the raising and lowering of the primary and 
secondary tables is accomplished by a fluid drive mechanism consisting of 
a pneumatic actuator means and a hydraulic drive means serially connected 
to each other such that operation of the pneumatic actuator means controls 
the operation of the hydraulic drive means. The secondary table contains 
an adjustable spring-biased force-limiting mechanism to filter the 
application of force applied to the labels by the secondary table.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
FIG. 1 gives an overall representation of the operation of the can labeling 
machine 100. Bright (unlabeled) cans proceed from the entrance 104 of the 
machine propelled by conveyor belt 102 past an adhesive application zone 
105 where adhesive from adhesive container 103 is applied to the periphery 
of the can. The can then traverses a label application zone, where, as it 
rotates, the label is affixed to the can. The flat end of each label is 
provided with a marginal strip of adhesive immediately after leaving the 
label application zone 106. This second adhesive is contained in container 
107 and operates to seal the label to the can. Preferably, the adhesive 
applied from container 103 is heated glue, while the adhesive applied from 
container 107 is paste. 
The first embodiment of the pack feed mechanism in FIGS. 1-9, operates 
generally as follows. 
Prior to the operation of the machine, primary table 200 and secondary 
table 300 are lowerd sufficiently to allow insertion of the desired number 
of labels upon the surface of the primary table. When operation of the 
labeling machine commences, the primary table 200 is actuated by pneumatic 
drive means 210 to advance the labels to a position of application to the 
cans (i.e., label feeding relation). As this initial supply of labels is 
used up, the secondary table 300, is engaged to feed the remaining stack 
of labels while the primary table 200 is lowered and a new supply of 
labels inserted upon it. The primary table 200 is then raised back into 
position to support the entire stack of labels in the machine. The fingers 
350 of the secondary table automatically disengage as secondary table 300 
is lowered. The effect of this two-table operation is to continuously 
supply labels into the proper application position within the machine 
eliminating the necessity of stopping the machine for replenishment. FIGS. 
2 through 9 illustrate the specific mechanisms employed in the first 
embodiment of the present invention to achieve this operation. 
FIG. 2 is a top cross-sectional view of the pack feeding mechanism showing 
primary table 200 and secondary table 300. Labels placed upon primary 
table 200 are supported by surface 202 (shown in FIG. 3) and are guided by 
guide rails 112 and 113. Adjustment set screws 230 shown in FIG. 3 are 
used to adjust the tope face of surface 202 of primary table 200. This 
adjustment raises or lowers either the pick-up end (front end) or the lap 
end (rear end) of the label pack to assure proper labeling. The primary 
table is mounted to and supported by actuator rod 211 which is threaded 
into table 200 and secured by lock nut 212. 
Secondary table 300, as shown in FIG. 2, is comprised of side rails 301, 
finger assemblies 350, end rails 302 and 303, and acutator attachment 
assembly 340. As shown in FIG. 2, finger assemblies 350 are in the 
extended position. The operation of these assemblies will be discussed in 
detail when discussing FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. 
The height of secondary table 300 is controlled by the pneumatic drive 310. 
As the pneumatic actuator rod 311 is extended vertically, the secondary 
table assembly moves vertically, supported at one end by rod 111 along 
which linear bearing assembly 370 moves axially. The other end of the 
table is supported by actuator rod 311 which is threaded into pivotal 
attachment plate 340 secured by lock nut 312. 
The side rails 301 are pivotally fastened to the attachment plate 340 by 
shaft assembly 313. The side rails 301 are free to pivot within an arc 
determined by the position of adjustment screws 330 and adjustment knob 
335. Springs 331 bias the side rails 301 so that they are almost parallel 
to the plate 340 with the end of the shaft 336 of adjustment knob 335 
resting upon end rails 302. When an upward vertical force is applied by 
pneumatic actuator rod 311 to the plate assembly 340, the secondary table 
is moved vertically upward in reaction to this force. The feeding of the 
label stack in the magazine is transferred from the primary table 200 to 
the secondary table 300. Fine adjustment using the adjusting screws 330 
and knob 335 position the secondary table in the proper plane to assure a 
smooth transfer. 
The automatic pantograph-type finger assemblies 350 used in conjuction with 
secondary table assembly 300 can best be understood by reference to FIGS. 
6, 7, and 8. FIG. 6 illustrates a stack of labels 400 supported by 
extended finger assembly arm 352. The finger assembly arm 352 is rotatably 
attached to side rail 301 by parallel linkage 351. As shown in FIG. 6, 
finger arm assemblies 352 support the stack of labels 400 when the primary 
table 200 is withdrawn. After a new supply of labels has been inserted 
upon the top surface of table 200, primary table 200 is raised until such 
time as the new labels contact the bottom of the old label stacks 
supported by fingers 352. When contact has been made between the old and 
new label stacks the secondary table 300 is then lowered by manually 
shifting the pneumatic control valve 505 on FIG. 9. As the secondary table 
drops, as shown in FIG. 7, linkages 351 allow the finger arms assemblies 
352 to move out of engagement with label stack 400 while maintaining a 
horizontal attitude. In FIG. 8, the finger arm assemblies 352 are 
retracted, at which time the label pack is again supported by primary 
table 200. It is a novel feature of this invention that this retraction of 
the finger arm assemblies is accomplished completely, automatically, 
without any need for separate control linkage. With the finger assemblies 
352 retracted to the position shown in FIG. 8 the secondary table assembly 
300 is lowered into position ready to repeat the cycle. 
The operation of the pneumatic drive cycle of the first embodiment is shown 
in FIG. 9. Line pressure of about 80 psi is applied to off/on valve 500 as 
shown. Valve 500 is illustrated in the "off" position. The air is then 
filtered by forty micron filter strainer 501 and applied to two pressure 
limiting valves 502 and 503. Pressure limiting valve 502 maintains the 
level of pressure between 18 and 22 psi, while pressure limiting valve 503 
maintains the pressure applied to pneumatic valve 505 within the range of 
30 to 35 psi. Different pressures are applied to the identical pneumatic 
actuators of the primary and secondary tables because different forces are 
necessary to move the tables in a manner which will allow the labels to 
feed smoothly. Pneumatic lever valves 504 and 505 control raising and 
lowering the primary and secondary tables respectively, as shown. 
In operation, the forces applied by pneumatic drives 210 and 310 to the 
primary and secondary tables respectively, are damped by operation of the 
hydraulic dampers 220 and 320. The rods 221 and 321 of hydraulic dampers 
220 and 320 are threaded into the primary and secondary tables, 
respectively, and secured thereto by lock nuts 222 and 322. The hydraulic 
dampers insure smooth operation of the pneumatic actuators and avoid rapid 
excursions of the table which might otherwise result. 
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 
10 and 11. It is to be understood that the preferred embodiment, 
illustrated in FIG. 10 is a partial elevational view of the embodiment and 
includes all the components shown in FIG. 1 not specifically included or 
discussed in reference FIG. 10. 
As shown in FIG. 10, the preferred embodiment of the present invention 
utilizes a hydraulic drive 400 to raise both the primary table 200 and the 
secondary table 300. The hydraulic drive consists of a hydraulic cylinder 
410, which includes a barrel portion 411 and a piston 413 positioned and 
movable within the barrel portion. The piston has a top 415 and a bottom 
417. Rod 419 is secured to the top 415 and extends therefrom. The other 
end 421 of rod 419 is secured to primary table support 414 by lock nut 416 
or by any conventional means. An oil reservoir (supply) 606 is connected 
to cylinder 410 to communicate oil to the barrel of the cylinder and 
thereby contact and exert an upward force on bottom 417 of piston 413. 
Guide shafts 418 and 420 are positioned on either side of cylinder 410 and 
pass through aperatures in frame 422 of the labeling machine. The ends 425 
of rod 419 pass through apertures, (not shown), contained in support 414. 
Collars 426 and 428 are mounted to end 425 to secure the guide shafts to 
the primary table support. Guide shafts 418 and 420 move through the 
aperatures in the frame as the primary table moves vertically. 
Primary table 200 consists of a plate 203 pivotally mounted to support 414 
by means of clevises 430 and 432 and pin 434. Thumb screws 436 and 438 are 
mounted to either side of clevises 430 and 432 and interposed between the 
support and the bottom of plate 203 of primary table 200. These screws 
vary the position of the primary table relative to support 414. The plate 
of the primary table has a top face 202 the front or pick-up end 205 being 
adjustable, in a vertical plane, by means of screw 440. 
The second table illustrated in FIG. 10 is identical to the second talbe 
described above in reference to FIGS. 1-9. The only difference is that in 
the preferred embodiment a hydraulic drive 500, controlled and operated by 
a pneumatic actuator moves the table into label feeding relation. The 
hydraulic drive of the secondary table is identical to that described 
above in reference to the hydraulic drive for the primary table. 
Specifically, the hydraulic drive for the secondary table consists of a 
hydraulic cylinder 510. The hydraulic cylinder includes a barrel portion 
511, a piston, not shown, positioned and movable in the barrel portion 
having a top and a bottom. A rod 519 is secured to the top of the piston 
and extending out of and through barrel 511 of the cylinder. The other end 
of rod 519 is threaded and secured to plate 340 by lock nut 312. 
The operation of the pneumatic actuator and hydraulic drive which comprise 
the fluid drive of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is 
shown in FIG. 11. Line pressure of approximately 80 psi is applied to 
on/off valve 600. The air is then filtered by a filter strainer 601 and 
applied to two pressure limiting valves 602 and 603. Pressure limiting 
valve 602 maintains the level of pressure between 17 and 22 psi, while 
valve 603 maintains the pressure applied to pneumatic valve 605 within the 
range of 28 to 30 psi. Different pressures are applied to the respective 
lines of the primary and secondary tables because different forces are 
necessary to move the respective tables in a manner which will allow the 
labels to feed smoothly. Pneumatic lever valves 604 and 605 control the 
application of the air pressure either to the oil reservoir supply 606 and 
608 to lift the primary and secondary tables, or to the top of the barrel 
of the hydraulic cylinders to depress the piston contained therein to 
lower either or both of the tables. It is the flow of air under pressure 
into the respective oil supplies which causes the oil to pass through oil 
flow valves 610 and 612 respectively, and enter the lower portion of the 
barrels of the hydraulic cylinders to exert a steady and constant upward 
force on the bottom portion of the pistons to raise the respective tables. 
It is the flow of the oil into the cylinder to raise the tables which 
provides a smoother ascent for the respective tables than has been 
previously attainable. To lower the tables, valves 604 and 605 are 
adjusted so that air under pressure proceeds through the respective 
pneumatic valves to the top portion of the barrel of the hydraulic 
cylinder to exert a downward force on the top portion of the pistons to 
lower the respective tables. 
Specifically, the force applied by the air through pneumatic valves 604 and 
605 act to "pump" the oil from the oil supply through oil flow valves and 
into the hydraulic cylinders to raise either or both of the tables. To 
lower the tables, air, under pressure, is introduced into the top of the 
hydraulic cylinder thereby exerting a downward lowering force on the top 
of the piston of the respective cylinders. 
The use of the fluid drives discussed above represents a considerable 
improvement over the prior art mechanical actuators, in that, the constant 
even force imparted by the use of oil during the ascent of the tables, 
result in much smoother trouble-free feed operation of the mechanism. 
Earlier mechanical feeds moved in shorter increments, rather than 
continuously, resulting in uneven forces being applied to the labels. The 
change to a linear feed stroke makes it possible to add more precise 
adjustments, which contributes to the overall effectiveness of this new 
and novel system. Prior art machines did not contain the fine adjustment 
features described above because the overall design approach made it 
impossible to incorporate them. 
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, 
clearness, and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be 
implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such 
words are used for descriptive purposes herein, and are intended to be 
broadly construed.