Patent GB-785908-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in high speed labelling machines
IPC: B65C9/14
Filed: 1956-02-10
Abstract: 785,908. Label machines. WEISS, U. Feb, 10, 1956 [Feb. 23, 1955], No. 4277/56. Class 73 Cylindrical articles 3 are labelled by a machine of the kind comprising a reciprocating label box 6 and a continuously rotating drum 5 which takes the labels by suction from the box and delivers them to the labelling station. According to the invention the machine is provided with a fixed duct 18 connected to the source of suction air and a ring 27 both arranged concentrically with the vertical axis of the drum, the ring being fast with the drum, having its lower surface moving with sealing contact on the upper surface of the duct, and being provided with passages which in conjunction with openings in the upper wall of the duct serve to put the duct into communication with the suction surfaces on the drum. In the construction shown, body labels 17 and neck labels 17<SP>1</SP> are applied by drums 15, 33, respectively. The drum 15 is mounted for vertical adjustment on a sleeve 9 carrying a gear wheel 10 by which it can be rotated about a fixed post 4. The drum 33 is also mounted on the sleeve 9 and is supported by rollers 38 from a dome 48 vertically adjustable on the post 4. This drum 33 has suction openings 33<SP>1</SP> for holding the leading edges of the neck labels and is provided also with pivoted label carriers 44 which, by suction, hold the centres of the labels and apply them to the necks of the containers. The carriers pivot at 46 on spring-urged sleeves 45 which are normally restrained from outward movement by levers 50, Fig. 3, but which are permitted to move, thereby to apply a label, when rollers on the lever reach a depression 54 in the flange 39 of the dome 40. The carriers 44 and the two drums have openings 44<SP>1</SP>, 33<SP>1</SP>, and 15<SP>1</SP> which are connected respectively by pipes 56, 55 and 31 to the openings 30, 29, 28. arranged in the ring 27 in the manner shown in Fig. 4. These openings communicate respectively with openings 20, 21, 19, in the upper wall of the duct 18, which duct is in two sections 22, 22<SP>1</SP>, each connected to a suction source; a pipe connection from the duct is held by a fork fixed to a conveyer frame 26 to prevent the duct from rotating. The suction effect mav be increased where required, as for instance at the label box or at the gumming station, by increasing the sizes of the openings in the upper wall of the duct Action. By means of cams 58. 59, Fig. 1, and associated linkwork the label box is caused to move towards the drums and is also rocked in the direction of movement of the drums. The box carries both the body and neck labels and these are transferred to the drums by suction and are carried to the gummer 7 which is given a rocking movement, towards and away from the drum, by a cam 69. The labels are subsequently applied to the articles 3 which are uniformly spaced by a worm 8 on a conveyer 2, and which, during labelling, bear against a resilient pad 73. The duct openings for the neck labels are so arranged that the suction openings 33<SP>1</SP> are the first, to be cut off from the suction source, thus. leaving the centre of the label held by the carrier which subsequently pivots about the pivot 46. The supply of suction air to the other openings is subsequently interrupted and the labels are accepted by the article now rolling between the drum and pad 73. The front free edge of the neck label is urged against the article by a rotating'brush 74, and its rear edge is applied by the combined use of a padded wall 73<SP>1</SP>, rotating brush 75, and an endless belt 76. In a modification, Fig. 12 (not shown), the brush 75 is replaced by a fixed flat brush arranged adjacent the side of the endless belt.