Patent GB-956821-A (GB)
Title: Automatic labelling machine
Inventor: TOBEY FREDERIC SAMUEL
IPC: B65C3/02
Filed: 1962-04-17
Abstract: 956,821. Labelling machines. W. H. BRADY CO. April 17, 1962, No. 14858/62. Heading B8F. Relates to a labelling machine in which pressuresensitive labels adhering adhesively to backing material either in roll or card form, are removed therefrom and applied to objects such as wires, glass phials, electrical components &c. According to the invention, the machine comprises means to mechanically engage and remove labels from the backing material, transfer means co-operating with the label removing means for transferring the removed label to an object prior to permanent application thereof by a label applicator, support means for releasably engaging the object and sequential electrical control means for controlling the operations in selected sequence. As particularly described, the machine removes labels 120 from a dispenser card of the form described in Specification 637,036 and applies them to wires 310 either in " flagging " form, as shown in Fig. 17, or in " wrapping " form, shown in Fig. 28, the label applicator in the former case consisting of two spring fingers which move laterally of the wire 310 to engage the label around the wire and secure the label ends together whilst in the " wrapping " form the applicator consists of a wiping blade 382, Fig. 26, which rotates around the wire 310 to wrap the label therearound. The machine consists essentially of four distinct units: the card-feeding unit C, Fig. 1, the label removal and transfer unit P, the label-applying unit W and the electrical unit T, the units being interlocked electrically so that the desired sequence of operations is maintained. Card-feeding unit.-The unit C comprises an elongated card-supporting member 100, Fig. 2, having a groove 101 containing and guiding the lower edge of a dispenser card 121 inserted between guide fingers 122, Fig. 1, the card being fed along the groove by oppositely and angularly disposed knurled wheels engaging the card and retaining it in the groove 101. The upper portion of the card passes through a backing strip remover 125 consisting of two opposite bevelled wheels 143, Fig. 3, engaging on each side of the card which remove the upper margin of the backing along a scored or weakened line and divert it away to leave a row of labels with their lower portions only adhered to the remaining backing. A switchpin 291, Fig. 2, is actuated by the leading edge of the leading label 120 to stop the operation of the card feeding unit C when the next label to be removed is positioned between the pick-off fingers 236 and 241 of the label removal and transfer unit P. Label removal and transfer unit.-This unit comprises essentially two slide members operated by cam mechanism, the main slide member 231, Fig. 2, controlling the movements of the pick-off fingers 236, 241 between the position for removing a label from the dispenser card, as shown in Fig. 2, and an extended position (see Fig. 15) when the removed label is brought into contact with the wire 310 held in the applying unit W, whilst the other slide member 272, Fig. 11 (not shown), controls through a lever 271 and crank 239, Figs. 2, 15, the pivotal movements of the finger mechanism 235 and the opening and closing movements of the fingers 236, 241. Thus as shown in Fig. 2, the finger mechanism 235 is positioned to grip a label projecting from the card 121 and on gripping a label 120 between the fingers 236, 241, the mechanism 235 is moved outwardly and swung upwardly about a pivot 240 to the position-shown in full lines in Fig. 15 above the applying unit W. The finger mechanism 235 is then swung downwardly as shown in Fig. 15, in phantom line to bring the label 120 against the wire 310 held by releasable clamping means 306, 308. Label-applying mechanism.-This mechanism and the subsequent operations depend upon whether the labels are to be applied in " flagging " or " wrapping " form. In the former case the grip finger mechanism 235 is also provided with spring fingers 302, 303, Figs. 2 15, shaped as shown, the arrangement being such that immediately following the operation of bringing the label above and against the wire 310, the grip finger mechanism 235 together with the spring fingers 302, 303 continue to swing downwardly and anti-clockwise so that the fingers 302, 303 engage the label around the wire and the ends of the label together, as shown in Fig. 16, the grip fingers 236, 241 having opened to release the label. The mechanism 235, after a dwell period, then swings upwardly to retract the spring 302, 303 from the wire 310 and the slide 231 then moves back to complete a cycle of operations. If the label is to be applied in " wrapping " form, the springs 302, 303 are omitted from the grip finger mechanism 235 which takes the form shown in Fig. 18. In operation, the label 120 is presented to the wire 310 by the mechanism 235 in the same manner indicated above, but the label applying unit W is provided with a wiping blade 382, Figs. 2, 26, extending from a support shaft 383 carried in the bore of a tubular support member 384. The member 384 is rotatably supported upon a pin extending from a flanged gear 371, so that the member 384 and the wiper blade 382 will follow the general rotation of the gear 371 and is further rotatable relative to the gear 371. The arrangement is such that on bringing the label adjacent the wire 310, the blade 382 and shaft 383 is caused to rotate in the manner shown in Fig. 26 for wiping the label 120 around the wire 310.