Patent GB-1265551-A (GB)
IPC: B65B7/26
Filed: 1969-06-16
Abstract: 1,265,551. Closing and labelling egg cartons. W. R. GRACE & CO. 16 June, 1969 [17 June, 1968], No. 30310/69. Headings B8C and B8F. Egg cartons comprising a base member and a cover member pivotally mounted thereon and retained in a closed position by locking means, are closed and labelled by transporting each carton past a first work station at which the cover member is pivoted to its closed and locked position, a second work station at which an outer surface of the carton is heated, and a third work station at which a label is applied to the heated surface from a length of label material, the label being applied by moving the label material towards the carton in the direction of movement thereof so that the free end of the label is applied to the heated surface of the carton, pressing the label into position on the heated surface and subsequently separating the label from the label material. As shown, filled cartons 300, Fig. 3, with their lids 303 in open position are fed to a continuously moving conveyer 28, which moves the cartons through a closing apparatus 24, dating apparatus 25 and labelling apparatus 26. As each carton engages the conveyer 28, its lid 303 operates a switch 33 controlling a solenoid-operated clutch 35 which then rotates a shaft 56, and cams 59, 60, 61 and 63 through one revolution for each operation of switch 33 to pivot a rocker arm 72 which pivots hooks 75 into engagement with an upper rim 308 of the carton on each side of a locking flap 302. At the same time a spring pivots levers 76, 77 and hooks 89 attached thereto, through a link 81, to centre the carton in the apparatus 24; cams 61 and 62 elevate and tilt a plate 110, Fig. 7, which pivots the flap 302 inwardly and a crank 115, Fig. 3, pivots a plate 118 about a pin 119, Fig. 5, to close the lid on to the carton base. Presser feet 120 engage the outer surface of the lid and a rim presser (121) ensures locking of the lid of the carton. At this stage, the crank 115 is at its top dead-centre position and further movement of shaft 56 frees the carton for further movement by the conveyer 28. The carton then passes through the dating apparatus 25 which comprises a stamping disc 128, Fig. 10, having a stamping head 129 which engages a sloping side of the container at one side thereof, and a biasing disc 132 which engages the opposite side of the carton, both discs being rotatable by movement of the carton through the apparatus. The container then moves beneath heated rollers 246, 248, Fig. 11, which heat the top of the carton and then to the labelling apparatus 26 which comprises a pair of feed rollers 166, 167, Figs. 12, 13 and 14, supported on an arm 152, which feed a continuous length of label 169 from a roll of labels (144), Fig. 1 (not shown). The roller 166 is driven intermittently by a clutch mechanism 191 which is controlled by a solenoid 198 in dependence upon a predetermined length of labelling material passing between a light source (165) and a photo-electric switch (161). Rollers 204, 205, Fig. 16, driven by interengaging sprockets 207 from a sprocket 197 are interconnected with rollers 166, 177 by belts 214, 217 and with heated rollers 224-227 by belts 242, 244. The rollers 224-227 heat the labels and press them into contact with the heated top of the carton, the label material being coated with heat-responsive adhesive. The carton is biased into engagement with the rollers 224-227 by biasing rollers 341 below the conveyer 28. A guillotine (275), Fig. 17 (not shown), is located between rollers 166, 167 and rollers 204, 205 and comprises stationary members (276), (277) and a cutting member (278) movement of which is controlled by a solenoid 288, Fig. 12, in dependence upon operation of a photo-electric switch (160), Fig. 1 (not shown), controlled by a light source (164). A jet (252) directs a stream of air along and under the leading edge of the labelling material 169 to urge the latter in a plane normally occupied by the top of the carton. The carton finally passes under a shrinkage heater in which heated air is directed on to the label to remove any wrinkles therefrom. In another embodiment, Figs. 20- 23 (not shown), a modified clutch mechanism 191 is used and the guillotine 275 is modified in that a knife assembly (556), Figs. 24-27 (not shown), cuts through the labelling material for only a portion of its width, the severing operation being completed by the movement of the carton by the conveyer 28. In both embodiments, the whole apparatus is electrically controlled by circuitry described with reference to Figs. 19 and 28 (not shown).