Abstract:
A coupling capable of adjustably cantilever-mounting a machine such as a labeling machine to a mounting structure, wherein the attitude or inclination of the machine to other machinery such as a conveyor can be precisely adjusted. Also, there is a method a mounting a machine to mounting structure with the capability to adjust the inclination of the machine that requires only one person.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a 371 of International Application No. PCT/US2009/069769, which was published in English on Jul. 7, 2011, which is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/100,553, filed Apr. 10, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure relates to adjustable couplings, to a combination coupling and a machine such as labeling machine, to method of adjusting such a machine, and to method of mounting such a machine. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     In one prior art coupling for mounting a labeling machine it required two people to adjust the labeling machine relative to another machine such as a conveyor. 
     A typical prior art labeling machine useful with the present disclosure is disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/100,553 
     A typical prior art support or mounting structure is designated  100  in the drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is disclosed an improved coupling which overcomes the disadvantage cited above, which is capable of mounting and adjusting a machine relating to another structure, and wherein the adjustment in infinite over a range. 
     According to a specific embodiment, there is provided a coupling including a first coupling part or element, a second coupling part or element, a pivot pin connecting the first and second coupling elements for pivotal movement relative to each other, and a cam to vary the amount of relative pivotal movement between the first and second coupling elements. The first coupling element can comprise a clevis. The first coupling element can be generally U-shaped and can include a pair of arms and a bight portion connecting the arms. The second coupling element can include a coupling portion disposed between the arms. The pivot pin can extend through the coupling portion and into the arms. The cam can be received by the first coupling element and can act on the second coupling element to define a selected stop position for the first and second coupling elements relative to each other. The cam can include a pair of relatively movable cam elements received in aligned bores in the first coupling element and a screw acting on the cam elements can cause the cam elements to move selectively toward or away from each other. The screw can extend into both cam elements. The arms can have aligned holes to slidably receive the cam elements, wherein the screw can pass through both the cam elements, and wherein rotation of the screw in one direction can cause the cam elements to move toward each other and rotation of the screw in the opposite direction can enable the cam elements to move away from teach other, wherein the second coupling element can include a cam surface cooperable with the cam elements, and wherein the second coupling element includes a cam surface cooperable with the cam. There is a structure to cantilever-mount the coupling, the structure can be rigidly secured to the second coupling element, a machine can be rigidly secured to the first coupling element, and a conveyor can carry items to be labeled, wherein the machine can comprise a label applicator to apply labels to the items, and wherein the cam is operable to vary the inclination of the label applicator relative to the conveyor. 
     According to a specific embodiment of a method there can be steps of adjusting a label applicator, providing a mounting structure, a coupling mounted to the structure, and a label applicator cantilever-mounted to the coupling, wherein the coupling includes coupling elements and a cam to vary the stop positions of the coupling elements relative to each other, and moving the cam to vary the inclination of the label applicator. The label applicator can be disposed over a conveyor, and wherein movement of the cam causes the inclination of the label applicator relative to the conveyor to vary. 
     According to a specific embodiment of a method of mounting a machine to a structure there can be steps of a providing a machine, a mounting structure, and a coupling to couple the machine to the structure, wherein the coupling includes a first coupling element, a second coupling element, and a cam, of the coupling operable to vary the inclination of the machine, securing the first coupling element to the machine, articulating the second coupling element to the first coupling element, moving the machine and the coupling relative to the mounting structure to mount the coupling to the machine with the machine in approximate orientation to the mounting structure, and thereafter moving the cam to adjust the orientation of the machine. The method can further use a conveyor, wherein the cam is moved to adjust the machine relative to the conveyor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMMATIC DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational of an exemplary machine, namely, a labeling machine supported on a mounting structure; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the dispensing assembly shown in  FIG. 1  applying a label to a carton on a conveyor; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the machine shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  on a mounting structure, wherein the machine is perfectly aligned with a conveyor and a carton disposed on the conveyor; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary, simplified front elevational view of an applicator and the delaminator of the machine which are out of alignment or skewed in one direction with respect to the conveyor and a carton disposed on the conveyor; 
         FIG. 5  fragmentary, simplified front elevational view of an applicator and the delaminator of the machine which are out of alignment or skewed in the opposite direction from the direction shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is top plan, partly sectional view of the coupling secured to the frame of the machine and to support structure; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded pictorial view of the coupling and the frame; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded pictorial view of the underside of the coupling; 
         FIG. 9  is an assembled bottom plan view of the coupling; 
         FIG. 10  is an assembled right side elevational view of the coupling; 
         FIG. 11  is an assembled left side elevational view of the coupling; 
         FIG. 12  is a pictorial view of the frame and a first part of the coupling bolted to the frame; 
         FIG. 13  is a fragmentary view showing the action of cam elements of a cam on a second part of the coupling; and 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded fragmentary view showing the relationship of the screw to the cam elements and the second part of the coupling. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With references to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , there is shown an exemplary machine such as a labeling machine  25  of the construction disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/100,553 to which reference may be had for additional details. The same reference characters are used in the present application to designate corresponding components as are used in application Ser. No. 12/100,553. Components of the present application that relate to components not found in application Ser. No. 12/100,553 start with reference character  100 . While the machine  25  is illustrated to be a particular labeling machine, the machine can be other and different labeling machines, and if desired they can be machines that are not labeling machines. Also, the machine  25  can include a printer or print engine, if desired. 
     The illustrated machine  25  is shown to be mounted on mounting or support structure generally indicated at  100 . The machine has a frame  26  that mounts an applicator or dispenser assembly or module  28 , a rewind or rewind module  29  and a support arm  30 . The support arm  30  mounts a label web tension control assembly  27  having a hub  81  for a label supply roll R. A web W is paid out from the roll R and passes partly about direction-changing rolls  31 ,  32 ,  33  and  34  partly about a driven roll  35 , partly about a direction-changing roll  37  and undergoes a sharp change in direction as it passes around a delaminator  38  ( FIG. 2 ) where labels L are successively delaminated or peeled off as the web W advances. The labels L are dispensed into underlying, label-applying relationship with respect to an applicator  40  which may be in the form of an applicator roll  41 .  FIG. 2  shows the leading label L being applied to a carton C moving along a conveyor  101 . The spent web W passes from the delaminator  38  partially around direction-changing rolls  42  and  43 , partly around a driven roll  44 , partly around direction-changing rolls  45  and  46  to a dancer  49 . The dancer  49  includes a dancer art  49 ′ that carries direction-changing rolls  47  and  48 . The spent web W passes partly around direction-changing rolls  47 ,  50 ,  48  and  51  in sequence and is rewound on a roll mounting assembly  89  onto a take-up roll R′. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the machine  25  is shown to be mounted square or aligned with respect to the conveyor  101  by the mounting structure  100  and a coupling  102 . The structure  100  includes a post or upright  103  which is generally vertical and is secured to a base  104  having adjustable feet  105 . The mounting structure  100  also includes a generally horizontal member  106  to which the coupling  102  is cantilevered. In turn, the machine  25  is cantilevered to the coupling  102 . The member  106  is coupled to the post  103  by a right-angle coupling  107 . The post  103  and the member  106  are preferably tubular for light weight and strength. The machine  25 , the member  106  and the coupling  102  can be raised and lowered as a unit by turning a hand wheel  108 , and the machine  25 , the member  106  and the coupling  102  can be moved generally horizontally relative to the post  103  and the conveyor  101  by turning a hand wheel  109 . The applicator roll  41  is shown to be in parallel alignment to the carton C and the conveyor  101  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Although the delaminator  38  is not shown in  FIG. 3 , the delaminator  38  is also in parallel alignment with the carton C and the conveyor  101 . Thus, it can be expected that labels L will be correctly applied to the carton. Even though some labeling machines do not have applicator rolls but instead have reciprocating presser feet, they do have delaminators which should be in parallel alignment with the carton C to which the label L is to be applied. So in any event, the machine  25  or at least its delaminator  38  are preferably square with the item to be labeled. It should be understood that even though the post  103  is generally vertical and the member  106  is generally horizontal, the fact alone that the machine  25  is cantilevered means that there will be some deflection of the post  103  and the member  106 . Accordingly, the coupling  102  is used not only to connect or secure the machine  25  to the structure  100 , but to adjust the machine  25  so that at least the delaminator  38  and also the applicator roll  41  (if there is one) should be true or parallel to the item to be labeled as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  are views looking at the front of the machine  25  as viewed in  FIG. 3 .  FIGS. 4 and 5  show the conditions exaggerated for clarity that can exist when the machine  25  is mounted on the mounting structure  100  without the machine being precisely adjusted. In particular,  FIGS. 4 and 5  show the applicator roll  41  and show the delaminator  38  behind the applicator roll  41 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the delaminator  38  is behind the applicator roll  41 . The delaminator  38  is shown to be slightly wider than the applicator roll  41  in  FIGS. 4 and 5  for clarity of illustration.  FIG. 4  shows the applicator roll  41  and the delaminator  38  at an angle or skewed exaggeratedly in one direction relative to the carton C and the conveyor  101 , and  FIG. 5  shows the applicator roll  41  and the delaminator  38  at an angle or skewed exaggeratedly in the opposite direction relative to the carton C and the conveyor  101 . 
     By use of the coupling  102  the machine can be mounted to the structure by one person so that the platen roll  41  and the delaminator  38  are in approximate alignment or square with the conveyor  101  and items to be labeled that are on the conveyor  101 , and the coupling  102  is used to precisely adjust the inclination of the machine  25  and in particular the delaminator  38  and any applicator roll which the machine may have. In general, the coupling  102  illustrated in the drawings has a range of adjusting sufficient to take care of situations that may occur. Accordingly, by way of any example, not limitation, the coupling  102  may readily adjust the machine  25  and its components such as the delaminator  38  and the applicator roll  41  plus or minus four degrees with respect to the horizontal. However, the range can be expanded by changing certain dimensions, if desired. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6 , the coupling  102  is shown to be cantilevered on the generally horizontal member  106  of the mounting structure  100 . The coupling  102  is shown to have a first coupling part or element  110  and a second coupling part or element  111  articulated to each other. The first coupling part  110  includes a bight portion  112  jointed integrally to a pair of spaced arm portions  113  and  114 . The bight portion  112  has a collar or tubular flange  115  which makes a slidable fit over a boss or pad  61   p  of the machine frame  26 . Holes  116  in the boss  61   p  and holes  117  in the first coupling part  110  are shown to receive aligning pins  118 . The holes  116  and  117  and the pins  118  are preferably horizontally aligned. While the holes  116  and  117  and the pins  118  received thereby are shown to be 180 degrees apart, they can be spaced by other than 180 degrees if desired. The first coupling part  110  has a through hole or bore  119  which is aligned with a threaded hole  120  in the frame. A bolt or machine screw  121  having a head  122  passes through the hole  119  and is threadably received in the threaded hole  120 . The head  122  bears against a washer  123  which in turn bears against the bright portion  112 . The first coupling part  110  is illustrated as taking the form of a clevis. The second coupling part  111  includes a projection or a projection or coupling portion  124  straddled by the arm portions  113  and  114  of the first coupling part  110 . The projection  124  is shown integrally joined to a connecting portion in the form of a tube  125  which can slidably receive the member  106 . Although the connection of the first coupling part  110  to the frame  26  and the connection of the second coupling part  111  to the structure  100  are shown and described in considerable detail, these connections can take any suitably form or construction. For example, the second coupling part  110  can be constructed to be bolted directly to a substantially rigid structure other than the mounting structure  100 . Also, the positions of the coupling parts can be reversed, namely, the second coupling part  111  can be suitably secured to a machine such as the machine  25  and the first coupling part  110  can be suitably secured to a substantially rigid structure. 
     With reference to  FIG. 7 , the first coupling part  110  has a pair of axially aligned holes or bores  126 . The projection  125  of the second coupling part  111  has a hole or bore  127  which is axially aligned with the holes  126 . A pivot or pin or pivot pin  128  extends through the holes  126  and the hole  127  so that the first and second coupling parts  110  and  111  are articulated to each other, and more specifically the first and second coupling parts are pivotal relative to each other about the pivot pins  128 . The leg portions  113  and  114  are split and have respective slots  130  that open into the respective holes  126 . The slots  130  and the respective holes  126  make a pair of generally C-shaped arrangements having pairs of spaced members  131  and  131 ′ ( FIG. 12 ). Socket-headed machine screws  132  pass through respective holes  133  and the slots  130  and are threadably received in the leg portions  113  and  114 . The screws  132  are tightened or loosened to the desired degree to adjust the fit between the holes  126  and the pin  128 . 
     The projection  124  of the second coupling part  111  has a slot  134  that opens into the hole  127  to make a C-shaped arrangement having a pair of spaced members  135  and  135 ′. Socket-headed machine screws  136  pass through respective holes  137  in the member  135  and are threadably received in threaded holes  137 ′ ( FIG. 8 ) in the member  135 ′. The screws  136  can be tightened or loosened to the desired degree to adjust the fit between the hole  127  and the pin  128 . 
     If desired, the screws  132  could be tightened to such a degree that the pin  128  does not rotate. In effect the pin  128  is thus clamped against rotation to the first coupling part  110 . With this clamped position the screws  136  are only tightened to such a degree that the second coupling part can rotate about the pin  128  relative to the first coupling part  110 . Vice versa, the screws  136  can be tightened so that the pin  128  is clamped in the hole  127  to the projection  124 , and the screws  132  can be loose enough to enable relative movement of the first coupling part  110  about the pin  128 . Alternatively, the screws  132  and  136  can be tightened so that both the first and second coupling parts  110  and  111  can rotate relative to the pin  128 . It is only necessary that the first and second coupling parts  110  and  111  can articulate or pivot relative to teach other. When the machine such as the machine  25  is mounted on the mounting structure such as the mounting structure  100  as shown in  FIG. 3  for example the weight of the machine  25  will compensate for any play between the pin  128  and the holes  126  and  127 . 
     The first coupling part  110  has a pair of aligned holes or bores  137  for receiving respective cam elements  138  and  139 . The cam elements  138  and  139  constitute a cam generally indicated at  140  ( FIG. 8 ). The cam elements  138  and  139  have respective cam faces  138 ′ and  139 ′. As best shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the cam faces  138 ′ and  139 ′ act against a round face  141  of the second coupling part  111 . A socket-headed screw  142  passes through a hole or bore  143  in the cam element  139  and is threadably received in a threaded hole  144  in the cam element  138  as best shown for example in  FIGS. 8 ,  13 , and  14 . By rotating the screw  142  in one direction the cam elements  138  and  139  move relatively toward each other in contact with the cam face  141 , and by rotating the screw  142  in the opposite direction the cam elements  138  and  139  move relatively away from each other in contact with the cam face  141 . Let it be assumed first that the machine  25  and its delaminator  38  and applicator roll  41  are inclined downwardly from the horizontal portion as in  FIG. 4 . Thus, by tightening the screw  142 , the first coupling part  110  pivots in one direction about the pin  128  to bring the machine  25  and its delaminator  38  and its applicator roll  41  to the square or aligned position shown in  FIG. 3 . Next, let it be assumed that the machine  25  and its delaminator  38  and its applicator roll  41  are inclined upwardly from the horizontal position as in  FIG. 5 . Thus, by loosening the screw  142 , the first coupling part  110  pivots in the opposite direction about the pin  128  to allow gravity to bring the machine  25  and its delaminator  38  and its applicator roll  41  to the square or aligned position shown in  FIG. 3 . In particular, when the screw  142  is turned in one direction to bring the cam elements  138  and  139  relatively toward each other, the first coupling element  110  pivots clockwise about the pivot pin  128  as viewed in  FIG. 11 . Conversely, when the screw  142  is turned in the opposite direction to allow the weight of the machine  25  to move the cam elements  138  and  139  apart, the first coupling element  110  pivots counterclockwise about the pivot pin  128  as viewed in  FIG. 11 . 
     The connector  125  is shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  11  to be split to enable the connector  125  to be clamped onto the member  106  for example. The connector  125  has generally aligned flanges or bosses  145  and  146  having through holes  147  and  148 . A socket-headed machine screw or bolt  149  passes through the holes  147  and  148  and is threadably received by a nut  150  which is non-rotatable in a socket-shaped portion of the hole  148 . A washer  151  bottoms against a shoulder  152  in the hole  147 . With the member  106  received in the connector  125  as shown in  FIG. 6 , the screw  149  can be tightened to clamp the connector  125  to the member  106 . The space between the bosses  145  and  146  forms a slot  153  that opens into a hole  154  defined by the connector  125 . The width of the slot  153  decreases as the screw  149  is tightened. 
     The pitches of the screws  121 ,  132 ,  136 ,  142  and  149  are such that these screws are self-locking so that they do not loosen even though there are vibrations from the machine  25 . 
     A preferred way to assemble a machine such as the machine  25  onto the mounting structure  100 , is to insert the pins  118  into the position shown in  FIG. 6 , and then to secure the first coupling part  110  to the frame  26  by threading the screw  121  into the frame  26  as best shown in  FIG. 12 . Next the second coupling part  111  can be attached to the first coupling part  110  by aligning the holes  127  with the holes  126  and inserting the pin  128  into the aligned holes  126  and  127 . The cam elements  138  and  139  can be inserted into the holes  137  either before or after the pin  128  is inserted. If the cam elements are inserted into the holes  137  before the pin  128  is inserted into the holes  126  and  127 , then the screw  142  can be passed through the cam element  139  and threaded to a certain extent into the cam element  138 . Then the cam elements  138  and  139  and the screw  142  can be inserted into place in the holes  137 . If, on the other hand, the pin  128  is first inserted into the hole  127 , then the cam elements  138  and  139  can be inserted into their respective holes  137  and thereafter the screw  142  can be inserted through the hole  143  in the cam element  139  and then threaded into the threaded hole  144 . Then the screws  132  and  136  can be screwed into respective first and second coupling parts  110  and  111 . If is the position of the cam elements  138  and  139  of the cam  140  in contact with the cam face  141  that defines the variable stop portion of the coupling  102  and hence of the machine  25 . It generally requires only one person to left the machine  25  and the coupling  102  attached thereto to align the hole  154  in the connector  125  with the member  106  and then to slide the coupling  102  onto the member  106  to position shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . The screw  149  can then be tightened to secure the coupling  102  to the member  106 . With the machine  25  now mounted onto the support structure  100 , the screw  142  can be either tightened or loosened to bring the machine  25  and in particular the delaminator  38  and any applicator roll  41  into precise alignment or square with the articles to be labeled. 
     Although the machine  25  has been disclosed in relation to a conveyor  101 , some applications do not require a conveyor. For example, the machine  25  can be oriented with respect to bottles at a bottling machine where labels are dispensed from the delaminator  38  directly onto bottles (not shown). 
     Although the expressions “first” and “second” have been used, it is only for the purpose of convenient reference and not in any way to limit the scope of the invention. 
     Other embodiments and modifications of the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and all such of these as come within the spirit of this invention are included within its scope as best defined by the appended claims.