Patent GB-190225938-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Labelling Machines.
Inventor: KNEISLY DANIEL W
Filed: 1902-11-25
Granted: 1903-09-10
Abstract: 25,938. Kneisly, D. W., Kramer, G. H., and Kramer, F. J. Nov. 25. Damping and affixing labels.-Relates to a machine for pasting labels of various sizes upon cans of various sizes and shapes. The cans are fed to and, after labelling, are removed from the machine automatically. Fig. 1 shows a side elevation of the machine, Fig. 3 a detail view of the label - feeding mechanism, Fig. 7 the clutch - mechanism for operating the label-holding table, Fig. 12 a section of the label - guiding, pasting, and roller mechanism, and Fig. 19 the device for regulating the feed of the labels. In Fig. 1, the labelled can a<3> is shown about to be dropped within the cavity a<a> of the roller a', the surface of which is covered with fabric for the purpose of pressing the labels with a yielding action. When the can is dropped, the spindle a<7> is rocked by a crank and the arm a<4> raised, and the can immediately below it is released and the hinged bottom underneath simultaneously dropped. The movement of the roller e' within the cam-groove e<5> will reciprocate the rocking arm e' by means of the rod e<2>, and thereby feed the labels to the rollers c<8>, c<9>, which with the assistance of deflecting - devices deliver them around the pasting-wheel d. The labels pass thence to the can which, by reason of the depression y upon the roller a<1>, is raised gradually until brought in contact with the pressure roller b<1>. When the label is attached, the can drops into the pocket a<2>, and is passed to the point of delivery. As regards the arms a', a<5>, their upper ends are connected to each other by a spring arrangement, so that, when a can is released, the arm a<5> drops and presses upon the top of the second can. The further movement of the spindle a<7> and arm a' will result in the second can being held positively without danger of crushing the can. The further upward movement of the arm a<4> is against the tension of the spring until the can is released from the arm. The result is that the can to be fed to the machine is not released from the claw of the arm a' until the next succeeding can is held from advancing by the claw of the arm a<5>. By a thumb-screw arrangement, the spread of the arms can be varied. The pressure roller b<1> is supported on an arm b<2> which fits over the shaft of the pasting-wheel d, The arm can be moved upwards and downwards to allow for varying sizes of cans. To prevent the accumulation of paste on the wheel d, the scraper b<7> is provided. The parts b<4>, b<x>, b<20> serve to direct and smooth the labels, while the part b<5> deflects the labels to the pressure roller. The roller b receives paste from the roller a, and conveys it by a slipping motion to the wheel d. Fingers assist in deflecting the labels from the wheel to the pressure roller. The feed-roller c<9> is formed with grooves within which are fitted rubber bands. The arm e for feeding the labels is pivoted to the rocking arm e<1> which is secured to the same shaft as the slotted link e<y>. The end of the rod e<2> is secured to the rocking lever e<6> which lies within an offset within the slot of the pivoted arm e<7>, e<8>. As long as the catch e<8> is held normally against a can, the offset permits of the formation of a fulcrum for the lever e<6>. When the supply of cans is exhausted, the end of the lever e<6> throws the catch into the position shown in dotted lines, and slides from the offset. Referring to the labelfeeding mechanism (see particularly Fig. 3), the arm e is provided with the roller f<2 >which, when the supply of labels is exhausted, comes in contact with the bar f attached to the frame of the machine. When there are rollers to be fed, the roller f<2> rests above the bar f<3> and between it and the pivoted bar f<4>. The feed-arm is devised to remain stationary at two different periods, viz., at the end of the forward movement and at the end of the backward movement. At the end of the forward motion, the roller f<2> raises the forward end of the bar f and passes to and rests upon the forward end of the bar f During the backward movement, the bar f<1> is kept above the labels by the roller upon the bar f until the pivoted point of the latter is reached, when the roller passes down the incline and releases the end of the bar f<4> which regains its normal position. The foot f<6>, attached to the lever f<5>, holds down the labels in their proper position, as also the roller f upon the lever f The link f<9> is provided with a needle for separatinga label and assisting its onward movement to the rollers c<8>, c<9>. The arm f<14>, Fig. 7, of the lever f<7> extends downwards and is formed with a notched foot which regulates the stroke of the table mechanism. It is made adjustable by constructing it in two parts connected by a spring, so that the position of the foot upon the lever f<15> may be varied and consequently the amount of its stroke. The lever f<15> is pivoted to the frame of the machine and connected by the stirrup f<16> to the clutch member f<18>, through which the arm f<17>, supporting the table f, Fig. 3, passes. The clutch mechanism is such that when the lever f<15> is reciprocated, the table f is raised by a step-by-step movement, the length of the movement being regulated by the position of the arm f<14>. To stop automatically the feed of the cans with the exhaustion of the labels, the stop g' on the arm f<17> comes into contact with the rod g, which, by a convenient arrangement, interposes a stop in front of the stream of cans entering the machine. The pin g<5> acts as a stop for the labelfeeding mechanism by holding the member f <18> against movement. To adapt the machine for different sizes of cans and to ensure even and proper pasting and labelling, adjustable guide - plates extend over the roller a'. The guides are operated by the handle a<15>. For operating the hinged bottom to permit the cans to enter the machine, a crank attached to the spindle a<20> is rocked by a lever in contact with a cam upon the roller shaft a. Guides separated or drawn together by a screw f<25> permit the use of labels of varying sizes. For labelling cans of irregular shape, the position of the roller c, Fig. 12, may be varied by a suitable device.