Patent GB-779342-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for feeding sheets, such as labels, from a pack to positions at which they are required
Inventor: SHERRINGTON JOHN EUSTACE
IPC: B65C3/20
Filed: 1954-03-11
Abstract: 779,342. Labelling machines. PURDY MACHINERY CO., Ltd. March 7, 1955 [March 11, 1954], No. 7157/54. Class 73. [Also in Group XVI] In a top-strapping labelling machine, labels are extracted from a horizontally reciprocating magazine M, Figs. 1a, 1b, 5 by an intermittently rotating four-sided suction drum 33 which transfers each label to an intermittently rotating suction label carrier P on which, in one position, the label is gummed by a gumming roller 86 and is then moved to an applying position over the top of a stoppered bottle B. The bottles are located on a continuously rotating turntable 1, each bottle position on the turntable being provided with a set of grippers 94b, 95b, Fig. 3 mounted above and rotating with the turntable, the grippers in the applying position C taking the label L from the carrier P as shown in Fig. 3, and a plunger, also mounted on the turntable, then clamping the label to the top of the bottle while simultaneously the grippers are released ; presser pads also rotating with the turntable then swing down to press the ends of the label on the sides of the bottle neck. The grippers are mounted yieldingly on the turntable and means are provided for temporarily arresting each set of grippers at the applying position during movement of the turntable when the carrier P is stationary and the label is being transferred therefrom to the grippers. To assist this operation the turntable is not driven at constant speed but is arranged for the speed to increase and decrease alternately so that each set of grippers is travelling comparatively slowly as it approaches the applying position. The transfer drum 33 rotates about a horizontal axis 42, Fig. 1a, the labels being lifted in turn from the upper side thereof by elongated horizontally disposed suction pickers 73a .. 73d, Figs. 1a, 3, each projecting from a side of the carrier P which rotates about a verticle axis ; in order to effect transfer of each label and also to enable the carrier P to co-operate with associated parts in performing its various functions, the carrier P with its pickers is caused to reciprocate vertically during each dwell in its rotary movement. The gumming roller 86 is mounted at the end of a telescopic arm 80, Fig. 1a, which is swung clockwise by a cam 82a so that the roller 86 rolls from end to end of the label L carried by the suction picker 73b which had previously taken the label from the transfer drum 33 and moved through 90 degrees to the position shown ; at the same time the picker 73a takes another label from the drum 33 and picker 73c is in the applying position. After adhesive has been applied, the picker rises with the carrier P and the return movement of the roller 86 is effected out of contact with the label, the arm 80 being contracted to bring the roller 86 into contact with an idle roller 88 on which adhesive is applied by a roller 89 running in an adhesive box 90. The picker 73b then moves through 90 degrees to the applying position shown occupied by the picker 73c. Each gripper assembly is mounted on a plate 96, Figs. 1b, 3, mounted to swing about a vertical axis 97 on a turntable 98 fixed to a shaft 99 that rotates with the bottle turntable 1. Each set of grippers 94a, 94b, 95a, 95b is latched in their open positions and is provided with pin projection 123 which engages a trip 122 on the picker 73c in the applying position shown in Figs. 1b, 3. This unlatches the grippers which close on the label carried by the picker 73c and at the same time the rotation of the gripper assembly with the turntables 1, 98 is arrested, so that the plate 96 swings momentarily about the axis 97 against the action of a tension spring 125. Vertical movement of the picker 73c together with the label carrier P, then brings the pin 123 and trip 122 out of engagement and the spring 125 returns the plate 96 to its normal position. Soon after a bottle B, with a label L mounted in the grippers thereabove, has moved past the applying position C, a plunger 128, Figs. 9, 11 is depressed to clamp the label against the top of the bottle. Thus an uppermost turntable 129 is fixed to the shaft 99 and carries, over each bottle position, a head grip bar 130 arranged to reciprocate in a guide 131 under the action of a cam groove 132 and roller 133. Each bar 130 carries a plate 133a having a bearing 137 in which the plunger 128 reciprocates, it being normally held in its lowermost position by a spring 138. As the bar 130 is lowered, the plunger 128 is arrested by the bottle and continued movement of the bar 130 causes the spring 138 to be compressed. At the same time a stop fixed relatively to the bar 130 engages the gripper assembly to release the label and to cause the grippers to be retracted towards the shaft 99. Presser pads 151 pivoted in bearings on the plate 133a are then caused to swing inwards to press the ends of the label against the sides of the bottle neck by means of a stationary cam groove 153, and a co-operating roller 154 on a frame 156, 157 mounted to reciprocate in the guide 131, each vertical member 157 of the frame carrying a channel member 158 in which is located a roller 159 on a lever 160 fixed to the spindle 143 of the presser pad. Mechanism is provided to prevent label feeding and the applying of adhesive in the event of no bottle being fed into any one of the positions on the turntable 1, and mechanism is also provided to prevent the applying of adhesive when no label is left in the magazine. Specification 779,341 [Group XXX] is referred to.