Patent GB-1437463-A (GB)
Title: Labelling apparatus
IPC: B65C9/06
Filed: 1973-10-30
Abstract: 1437463 Labelling apparatus H H SCHAFER [trading as SCHAFER - ETIKETTEN INHABER HUBERT H SCHAFER] 30 Oct 1973 50346/73 Heading B8F In a machine in which self-adhesive labels 1 are stripped from a backing web 2 by an edge 6 and sucked or blown on to a reciprocable label applicator 18 subsequent to application thereby to articles 115, one or more guide elements are associated with the applicator to ensure correct registration of a label, if misaligned, on the applicator. As shown, a reciprocable applicator has a suction head 55 for gripping each successively stripped label and applies them to cans located in pocketted blocks 117 of an intermittently-movable conveyer. Semi-circular guide shells 63 at the ends of pivotal arms 59 are movable together to enclose the applicator head and have projections 65 which engage the periphery of a label to centre it, if misaligned, with respect to the head. Tapered faces 148 and 153 of the shells act to ensure correct registration between the head and the can to which the label is to be applied. In another embodiment, Figs. 3-5 (not shown), tape spool labels having the appropriate apertures and cut-outs 10 are applied to tape spools 15 on a conveyer 17 by an applicator 218 which includes a central, spring-loaded pin 235 adapted to engage within the. label aperture to ensure correct label/applicator registration, the label being blown on to the applicator by an air nozzle 49 and retained in position by suction ports 246. The applicator is then shifted laterally by a gear and ratchet mechanism 25 against a stop, and lowered by a fluid actuator 20. The label may be directly pressed against the spool by the applicator, or alternatively, the applicator may be stopped short and the label blown on to the spool by an air blast delivered through the vacuum ports 246. The spool may be correctly aligned with the descending applicator by clamps 53. Alternatively, the spool may be loosely held so that the pin 235 centralizes the spool with the applicator when the pin is engaged in the spool. The vacuum applied to the ports 246 may be developed by an ejector 203 coupled to a compressed air line 204 and having its expansion side connected to the ports. In the case where an air blast blows the label on to the spool, the air blast may be obtained by closing the ejector's outlet to atmosphere. In another embodiment, Figs. 6 and 8 (not shown), tape cassettes are fed by a conveyer 71 between a pair of labelling units, each applying a rectangular label having an elongate opening with semi-circular ends to a respective side of the cassette. Each unit comprises a reciprocable vacuum applicator or support 118 provided with a pair of spring- loaded pins 85 which co-operate with the semicircular ends of the label opening to ensure registration of the label. Said pins engage in the spool drive apertures of the cassette on reciprocation of the support. This engagement may align the cassette with the heads. Alternatively the cassette is held against an abutment 73 by an arm 72 in alignment with the label support. Air jets 97 and 98 displace the labels on to the label support. In another embodiment, (Fig. 7 (not shown), the applicator or label support is provided with projections 335 having sloping sides 348 adapted to co-operate with the edges of the label or cut-outs therein to register the label on the applicator. Pins 351 are also provided for registering an article to be labelled or a support retaining the same with respect to the applicator.