Patent GB-1408401-A (GB)
Title: Labelling machines
IPC: B65C1/04
Filed: 1972-03-01
Abstract: 1408401 Labelling machines DECCA Ltd 17 May 1973 [1 March 1972] 9659/72 Heading B8F A machine for labelling magnetic tape cartridges comprises suction holders 5 and 6 carried on arms 3 and 4 of a hollow shaft 2 for step-wise rotation between a first label pick-up station 7 wherein an adhesive label is picked up from a label stack 14, a second label-heating station 8 whereat the adhesive of a label is activated, and third label-application station 9 wherein a respective one of the holders applies the heated label to the narrow side of a cartridge carried in a pivotal holder 40, said cartridge holder being subsequently pivoted downwards on arms 47 and 49 to a horizontal position and the labelled cartridge ejected between a pair of spring-biased rollers 56 and 57 which fold the label down on to opposite wide sides of the cartridge. The shaft 2 is rotated stepwise between stations, a dwell station for one labelholder being provided between the second and third stations when the other label-holder is at the first station, by a Geneva wheel 81 and pneumatically-actuated lever mechanism 78, Figs. 6 and 7 (not shown), and is axially lowered and raised as it reaches and leaves respectively each station by a pneumatic cylinder CB. Label pick up station.-The labels are carried on a platform 15, which is progressively raised by a pneumatic cylinder 16, Fig. 2 (not shown), when the shaft 2 is lowered so that the upper label of the stack is correctly vertically positioned with respect to the label holder. An airjet 20 separates the upper label to facilitate pick up by the holder. A pin 12 co-operates with an aperture 10 or 11 in the holder arms to align the holder with respect to the stack. Label heating station.-The heating station comprises elements 31 and 311 in a box 30, Fig. 3 (not shown), over which air is passed when a label-holder is located thereabove, the air supply being taken from the vacuum pump applying vacuum to the label holders. Label application station.-At the label applying station, a cartridge 62, which is initially fed down a roller conveyer rests on top of a ramoperated slider 43, Fig. 4 (not shown). A pneumatic device 44 senses the presence of the cartridge and initiates retraction of the slider 43 to allow the cassette to drop down. The ram is thus extended to push the cartridge into the holder 46 and the next cartridge takes up its position on the slider. A pneumatic ram CE is actuated to pivot the holder upwardly and thus presenting the narrow side of the cartridge therein such that it faces upwardly towards a label holder indexed into the station. On lowering the shaft 2, the label holder is located by a pin 13 and applies the label to the narrow cartridge side, the vacuum applied to the labelholder being destroyed by a stud 26 lifting a cover 17 or 18 on the arm 3 or 4. On subsequent raising of the shaft and rotation of the empty label holder towards the pick up station, the cartridge holder is lowered. The slider, which was previously retracted when the holder was pivoted upwardly, is again extended to push the next cartridge into the holder and hence eject the labelled cartridge between the rollers 56 and 57. The first cartridge fed into the machine to initiate its operation is not labelled since either holder 5 or 6 is originally indexed from the label pick up without picking up a label. Pneumatic circuits, Figs. 8 and 9 (not shown), for controlling and sychronizing operation of the machine are described.