Improvements in Machines for Wrapping and Fixing Labels on Cylindrical Cans and Packages.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application,; 11th May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 20th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 31st Dec., 1892
4
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by CHARLES ELLIS NEWELL, of 130, Sansome
Street, San Francisco, California, United States of America, Gentleman.]
Improvements in Machines for Wrapping and Fixing Labels on
Cylindrical Cans and Packages.
:
I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co. Patent
Agents, 45 Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-
My invention relates to improvements in machines or apparatus for wrapping,
pasting and fixing labels on cylindrical cans or packages of all kinds such for
example as those in which hermetically sealed goods and many substances used as
food or as ingredients in food, are put up for the market; and the improvements
appertain more especially to that class or description of labeling machines in
which the cans are caused to run by gravity down an inclined trough on a track or
run-way through pasting and label-feeding devices and by the rolling motion
and momentum acquired the cans operate upon these several devices in succession
to apply paste to the can and then pick up, wrap and fix the label in a complete and
finished manner.
The improvements constituting my said invention comprise a novel pasting
device or apparatus to apply paste to the body or a portion of the body of the can;
also, novel can-controlling stops or fingers in combination with the inclined run-
way to regulate the head-way or interval of distance between one can and the next
following; also, certain improved construction of label-bed and the combination
therewith of an inclined track or run-way having raised or elevated portions or
sections at or along the label-bed by which variable movements of the rolling cans
in a vertical direction with respect to the labels are produced during the run of the
can over the label-bed; also, certain novel construction of holding-down roller and
its combination with the label-bed and run-way to produce a certain degree of
tension or pulling force on the label by the rolling-can while it is being taken up
by and wrapped around the body of the can; also, a lap-pasting apparatus of novel
construction operated automatically through the agency of the rolling cans to paste
and fix the last laid end of the label on the can; also, a can-feeding apparatus of
novel construction at the head or higher end of the inclined run-way to feed at
proper intervals apart into the machine a long line or row of cans from a trough
or run-way above.
The can-pasting apparatus is mounted for operation over the inclined run-way
and consists of a paste-holding box with an outlet-aperture in the bottom to which
is fitted a trap-door with a beveled edge opening inwardly and controlling the
outlet like a valve.
This part is hinged at one side of the outlet to open upwardly into the box and
the front or opposite side is beveled along the edge to fit closely against a corre
sponding edge on the opening. Directly under the paste-holding box and in close
relation to the valve are mounted two paste-rollers on pivoted arms to rotate freely.
one directly upon and in contact with the other, both rollers having the same
length but the upper one being somewhat smaller in diameter than the lower one.
The bottom of the lower roller sets at proper distance above the run-way to touch
and coat the body of the can with paste as the can strikes against and runs under
the roller. This position and the manner of hanging the roller causes the can to
lift the roller as it passes under.
The small top-roller is set directly between the large roller and the paste-outlet
in the box and consequently the vertical movement of the lower roller brings the
small roller up against the valve and opens the outlet in the paste-box. At such

page_text: operation the quantity of paste discharged from between the beveled edges of the
outlet drops upon the smaller roller and by it is distributed upon the surface of the
can-pasting roller beneath. An adjustable stop extends downward from the back
of the hinged valve towards the top roller to take the contact of the roller.
Springs are applied to the roller-carrying arms to hold the pasting-roller down
against the cans with suitable degree of pressure.
The improvement in the means of controlling and regulating the run of the cans
and the amount of head-way or interval between them consists of pivoted stops or
fingers projecting across the run-way in the path of the cans from opposite sides
and arranged in sets or pairs at intervals apart along the run-way the stops of the
set or pair at the higher end of the run-way being connected by long rods with the
stops of another set situated at a point in the run-way lower down and beyond
the pasting apparatus, in such manner that the rolling can as it strikes and passes
through the lower stops acts upon the stops at the head of the run-way to release
one can but to catch and hold back the following can until the next movement of
the lower stops
Springs are applied to these stops to throw them forward into
position as soon as a can has passed through them.
The head-way or interval of distance between one can and the next following is
determined by the distance at which the lower set of stops is placed from the stops
at the head of the machine.
These two sets of stops are so connected and adjusted for operation that when
the can passes from under the pasting-roller it presses back the lower stops and
through their movement the stops at the head of the machine release the following
can and immediately spring forward into position across the run-way.
The improvements in the label-bed and the track or guide-rails for the cans
have for their object to wrap and lay the labels smoothly on the cans without
wrinkles, blisters or loose portions; and the same consist of a vertically movable
label-bed set in an opening in the run-way between the tracks, or guide-rails for
the cans to present the labels in a pile flatwise in the path of the traveling can that
in rolling over the label-bed from end to end the can shall pick up and wrap the
label around its body.
The label-bed is fed up by springs applied beneath it and the labels laid in a pile
on the bed are held up against yielding fingers over the higher end and a holding-
down roller over the lower end of the bed to keep the top-most label in proper
position with reference to the track on which the cans run over the bed.
The yielding fingers are pressed back by the can from over the end of the label
as the paste-covered surface of the can touches and picks up that end of the label
and are returned by springs while the roller against which the pile of labels is held
produces sufficient grip or pressure on that end of the label to keep the label
in tension during the time the can is traveling over the bed and taking
the label.
The track for the can has for the section along the sides of the label-bed a
portion about on a level with the higher end of the label pile and an elevated
portion along the lower part of the bed, and the two portions standing at different
levels are joined by an abruptly inclined portion for raising the can from the
lower to this higher or more elevated section of the track.
These elevated and upwardly inclined portions are designed to produce variable
movements in vertical directions in the rolling can at this part of the run-way,
whereby a certain tension or pulling force upon the stationary label held on the
bed is exerted by the can as soon as the first or leading end of the label becomes
fixed to the body of the can and the can makes its run over the label-bed.
The abruptly inclined and elevated portions of the track operate to carry the
rolling can in an upward direction away from the label-bed and by that means
cause the label to be laid smoothly upon the can body.
The improvements in respect of the lap-pasting apparatus consist of an auxiliary
paster located at the lower end of the label-bed and so actuated that it applies a
line or strip of paste across the end of the top-most label on the bed just at the

page_text: moment of time when the previous label is drawn out from beneath the holding
down roller by the rolling can. This apparatus is constructed to be operated by
the cans and to that end is composed of a movable endless belt traveling through
a paste-trough and across the lower end of the. pile of labels and in connection
therewith a yielding presser plate lying over the belt and by its position adapted
to press the paste-carrying belt down upon the label beneath and operated in that
manner by the weight of the can rolling over it.
Each can in its run is caused to pass over the presser-plate by bringing it
directly against the paste-belt with suitable force to transfer paste from the belt
to the label and the plate is thrown up by springs. The end of each label is
therefore coated with paste for the lap by the preceding can as it runs over the
presser at the end of the label-bed.
By suitable mechanism consisting chiefly of levers extending in the path of the
rolling cans and pawl and ratchet wheels connected with such levers the paste-
carrying belt is caused to travel through the paste-trough with intermittent
movement and be continually charged with paste.
The weight and movement of the cans are thus utilized to move the paste-belt
in the intervals when it is out of contact with the label.
My improvements in feeding and controlling the cans at the head of the run-way
consist of an inclined trough to hold a number of cans in a line or row over the
higher end of the machine run-way and having its lower end closed and an outlet-
aperture in its bottom directly over the head of the run-way of proper length and
breadth to let one can at a time drop through. From the back end of this opening
a chute or apron extends in a curve downward and forward to the bottom of the
run-way, and at the front end of the opening a hinged or yielding gate extending
across the inside forms an abutment or stop that holds a can suspended in the
opening but when moved back it releases and discharges the can through the opening
upon the curved chute beneath.
This gate is a yielding plate fixed at the top to the head-board that closes the
front end of the trough and extending from that point of attachment downward
into and across the outlet. A pivoted plate or controlling piece working on a pivot
below and in front of the yielding gate extends from the pivot forward over the
run-way and at proper height above the run-way to come in contact with and be
pressed upward by the released can as it rolls from the trough downward through
the curved chute and on to the run-way. This upwardly held end of the pivoted
plate sets about in line with the head-stops before mentioned that control the can on
the run-way of the machine.
•
That part of the pivoted-plate behind its pivot extends backward and upward
at an angle to bring the rear end in contact with the back of the yielding gate in
such manner that while the front end of the pivoted-plate is pressed up by the
can at rest at the head-stops on the run-way the upwardly bent end of the plate
keeps the gate from yielding to the weight of the can resting in the outlet and
by contracting that outlet holds the can suspended in position over the curved chute.
Rollers are mounted on both ends of this pivoted-plate to prevent excessive
friction between the rear end and the back of the gate against which it bears and
between the front end and the body of the can on which it rests.
By these parts and devices the cans are released and fed down from the trough
on to the run-way at such interval of distance apart that one can passes through
the pasting apparatus before the next can follows and each can regulates the
discharge from the trough-outlet of the can following after, because the head-stops
which hold one can at rest on the run-way above the can-pasting apparatus do not
release that can.until the previous can has rolled down under the pasting-roller and
has passed through the stops of the lower set.
Until the can at the head stops is released and passes from under the pivoted-plate
that controls the gate no discharge of the can suspended in the trough-outlet can
take place.
In connection with the feeding-trough and the gate controlling the outlet in its

page_text: bottom a device applied in the path of the cans above the front edge of the outlet
operates to hold back the leading can in row from actual contact with that can
which is held by the gate in the outlet ready to be fed down.
This device is governed by the can so suspended and operates to release the head
can of the row as soon as the suspended can passes through the outlet and then to
immediately catch, and hold back the can next behind until that in its turn is
released to roll forward into the outlet. The object of this device is to separate
and take from the suspended can the weight and pressure of all the cans in the
row behind the outlet and thereby render the releasing mechanism more delicate
and more certain in its operation.
Dated this 11th day of May 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machines for Wrapping and Fixing Labels on
Cylindrical Cans and Packages.
I HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co. Patent Agents
45 Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
.
My invention relates to improvements in machines or apparatus for wrapping,
pasting and fixing labels on cans and cylindrical packages of all kinds, such for
example as those in which hermetically sealed goods and many substances used as
food or as ingredients in food are put up for the market; and the improvements
appertain more especially to that class or description of labeling machines in which
the cans are caused to run by gravity down an inclined trough on a track or run-
way through pasting and label-feeding devices and by the rolling motion and
momentum acquired the cans are made to operate upon these several devices in
succession to apply paste to the can and then pick up, wrap and fix the label in a
complete and finished manner.
The improvements constituting my said invention comprise a novel pasting
device or apparatus to apply paste to the body of the can; also, novel can-
controlling stops or fingers in combination with the inclined run-way to regulate the
head-way or intervals of distance between the cans; also, certain improved con-
struction of label-bed and the combination therewith of an inclined track or run-
way having raised or elevated portions or sections at or along the label-bed by
which variable movements of the rolling cans in a vertical direction with respect to
the labels are produced during the run of the can over the label-bed; also, certain
novel construction of holding-down roller and its combination with the label-bed
and run-way to produce a certain degree of tension or pulling force on the label by
the rolling can while it is being taken up by and wrapped around the body of the can;
also, a lap-pasting apparatus of novel construction operated automatically through
the agency of the rolling cans to paste and fix the last-laid end of the label on the
can; also a can-feeding apparatus of novel construction at the head or higher end
of the inclined run-way to feed at proper intervals apart into the machine a long
line or row of cans from a trough or run-way above.
The accompanying drawings which form part of this Specification and are referred
to therein by figures and letters represent a machine constructed according to my
invention and shows the parts thereof in detail.
Figure 1 represents the machine in longitudinal section.
Figure 2 represents a plan of the machine.
Figure 3 shows on a larger scale a longitudinal section through the label-bed.
Figure 4 represents a cross-section through the machine on line
Hive 't

page_text: ретерссы
Figure 6 is an elevation of one of the adjustable standards or supports of the
frame.
Figure 7 is a detail view of the check-plate in the feeding trough.
Figure 8 is a view on an enlarged scale of the tension roller on the end of the
label-bed.
Figure 9 is a detail view of the compensating balance which is sometimes
substituted for springs to feed up the label-bed, and is a vertical longitudinal section
on an enlarged scale.
The side-plates 11 and the standards 2 2 form the frame upon which are mounted
the paste-fountain and its rollers near the head of the machine, the label-bed and
lap-paster at a point lower down, and the finishing roller and apron at the lower end.
The side-plates are cast with openings for lightness, and on the inner faces
projecting ledges 3 3 for the ends of the cans to run on are cast integral with the
sides or are separate pieces secured to them.
The sides are held by tie-rods or long bolts 4 4 and the space between the can-
tracks or ledges is closed by bottom-boards 5 at the upper and lower ends of the
run-way, but is left open along the middle portion where the can takes the paste
and picks up the label.
The standards are formed of tubular sections sliding into each other and held by
set screws 6, the upper section telescoping, into the lower section and having a
horizontal cross-bar 7 at top to take the side-frames, while the rods of the lower
section are joined by cross-bars and by a long tie-rod S extending from one standard
to the other, as shown in Figures 1 and 6.
The length of the standard is changed by loosening the set-screws and sliding
the upper movable section up or down. By this means the bed of the machine can
be raised or lowered at either end to change the degree of inclination as the work
is found to require it..
The improvement relating to the can-controlling stops comprises the check-
plate 14 set in the bottom of the run-way at the head of the machine, and the inter-
mediate fingers or stops 9 placed between the head-stops 10, 10 and the releasing
dogs 11, 11, below the can-pasting rollers. The check-plate is pivoted at 12 and is
bent up at the front along the line of the pivot so that the front half will stand at
an angle above the bottom of the run-way when the rear half is pressed down flush
with the bottom.
A spiral spring 13 is attached to the rear end of the check-plate and to the
bracket below to draw down that end and hold up the front end in the path of the
can. This elevated end of the plate is set in the run-way just in front of the stops 9
in such position that the can held at the stops and resting on the end of the check-
plate will hold up by its weight the rear end of the plate against the tension of the
spring.
Both sets of stops 9 and 10 are connected with the releasing stops 11 by rods 15
to throw in alternate manner across the run of the cans, that is, the intermediate
stops throw across the path of the can just as the head-stops draw back and after-
wards as the can is released by the intermediate stops the following can is caught
by the head-stops just as the check-plate is drawn down by its spring 13.
The stops and this check-plate are adjusted to act and be acted on by the cans as
follows: At the beginning of the operation the foremost can of the number fed
into the machine rests against the head-stops and in that position the fingers 11
also lie across the track below but the stops 99 set back clear of the run-way;
now, drawing back the fingers 11 with his hands the attendant sets the machine in
operation by releasing the can from the head-stops and allowing it to run down
against the intermediate stops. In that manner the intermediate stops are thrown
across the run-way and the can rests upon the front end of the check-plate and
holds up the rear end to catch the next can.
But the return of the head-stops across the track cannot take place, however,
until the releasers return to position and the intermediate stops are drawn back.

page_text: As soon as the attendant allows the releasers to spring across the track, however,
the foremost can at the stops 9 9 is set free and begins its run down the machine at
the same time the head-stops are thrown across the track and catch the next can
released by the check-plate. This takes place as soon as the can set free at the
intermediate stops rolls off the end of the plate.
By the acquired momentum the foremost can rolls under the pasting-roller 16 and
receives a coating of paste in a narrow strip along the body. In that movement
the can presses back the releasers and sets free the can next above to act in the
same manner in its turn. The distance between the upper stops and the releasers
below determines the amount of head-way or interval between the rolling-cans.
16 is a pasting-roller mounted in pivoted arms 17 over the run-way and 18 are
springs applied to hold the roller with pressure and yielding contact against the
surface of the can. The drop or downward movement of the roller is regulated
by stops which hold the roller at suitable distance above the bottom of the
run-way to strike the can and bear upon it with rolling contact for about one
third of the circumference to coat that extent of surface with paste. 19 is a
paste-feeding roller mounted above the roller. 16 in pivoted arms 20 and running
in contact with that roller.
The two rollers are held together by springs 21 and rise and fall together.
22 is a paste-fountain formed of a box with an hinged and upwardly-movable
bottom 23 opening like a trap-door when raised to leave a slit or narrow outlet
between the edge of the lifting part and the adjacent edge of the stationary bottom
part 24.
The roller in its upward movement is arranged to strike the hinged bottom and
thus take a supply of paste from the opening, and such movement being produced
by contact of the can with the principal paste-roller it will be seen that one can
acts to feed paste to the rollers for the next can.
The arm 25 extends backward from the point or center 26 on which the roller-
carrying frame 27 oscillates and a sliding weight 28 on the arm has a set screw 29
to fix it at any point along the arm.
An adjustable stop-screw 30 on the arm regulates the height of the pasting-roller
from the bottom of the run-way when at rest and the spiral spring is attached to
one of the roller-carrying arms and to a fixed point below to bring the roller
down quickly each time after it is lifted by the rolling-can.
In
The spring and the adjustable weight net together to regulate the touch of
the pasting-roller on the can and produce a light but at the same time a perfect
contact of the paste-covered surface of the roller with the body of the can.
adjusting these parts to the work it is important to secure this contact with the
least degree of pressure of the roller upon the can, and in constructing this part of
the labeling apparatus it has been found necessary to reduce the weight of the
pasting-roller itself as much as possible in order that the additional weight imposed
by the layer of paste on its surface and the roller that supplies paste from the
trough above may not arrest or materially check the rolling-can.
By shifting the counter-weight on the arm the pasting-roller can be balanced to
its work with considerable delicacy of touch and this adjustment can be readily
made from time to time as any variation in the size of the cans being operated on
may be found to require.
The pasting-roller is supplied from the trough 22 by the small roller (see
Figure 1) resting in contact with the pasting-roller and pressed up against the
outlet valve 23 in the bottom by the pasting-roller as the can passes under and lifts
it; at each movement a small quantity of paste is taken from the trough and
distributed on the surface of the pasting-roller.
The construction of the label-bed and adjacent parts has for its object to secure
an even play or movement of the label-bed in the surrounding box, and to produce
such tension on the label that all wrinkles and loose portions shall be effectually
prevented and the label shall be laid smoothly and evenly.
The side-frames and the end-plates 31 form the label-box but the edges of the

page_text: bed set clear of them chiefly to avoid friction between the bed and its surrounding-
box and prevent uneven movement of the bed. The edges of the pile of labels are
out of contact with the sides of the label-box excepting at the lower end where the
inclined position of the bed necessarily brings the lower ends of the labels against
the end-plate 31 but the excessive friction which would arise from such contact is
greatly reduced and practically overcome by forming perpendicular ribs
projections 35, 35, on the face of the plate 31.
or
The ends of the labels touch these two points 35 only instead of the whole
face of the plate, and consequently the friction is reduced below that amount
or degree which would depress the pile of labels at that end during the upward
feeding movements of the bed. The label-bed is provided with a compensating
balance (Figure 9) which decreases proportionately with any decrease in the
weight on the label-bed, and which consists of a series of weights 32 flexibly
or yielding connected together one above the other and suspended from each of
the belts 33, 33. As the pile of labels on the table decreases the weights will
descend until the lowermost one of the series rests upon the support under
them and relieves the table of its weight. This support consists of a board 87
fixed on the tie-rod 8 on the frame.
As the pile of labels further decreases the next weight will come down and rest
upon the lowermost one and so on in succession until the table is counter-balanced
by the uppermost weight alone.
For this purpose namely to feed up the label-bed I also employ the construction
shown in Figures 1 and 3 consisting of two rods working through tubular guides 88
and spiral springs 89, 89 bearing under fixed collars 90 on the rods and against the
closed bottoms of the tubes. The upper ends of the tubes are fixed in the bottom-
board 91 and the rods extending through the tubes are joined at the lower ends by
the cross-bar 92. The collars on the rods have a close sliding fit in the tubes and
the rods slide in the same manner through the bottoms of the tubes. By this
construction the label-bed is kept true and even in its movements between the
upright sides and ends of the surrounding box and always perpendicular with the run
of the can.
Over the lower end of the label-bed is located the lap-paster which applies across
the extreme end of the labels a strip of paste for the lap. This part of the apparatus
consists of the paste-carrying belt 36 traveling on rollers 37 across the space
between the side-frames beneath a presser-plate 38 and downward through a paste-
trough 39. Intermittent movement is given to the belt by the flanged wheel 40 in
the trough and a pawl and ratchet 41, 42, connects the shaft 43 of the wheel with a
compound-lever composed of the parts 44, 45, 46.
The ratchet wheel 41 is fixed on the shaft of the wheel 40 outside the trough, and
the pawl is attached to an arm 47 centered on the shaft and connected by the rod 48
to the lower member of the compound-lever. The upper member of this compound-
lever is formed of the two arms 44, 44 pivoted at 50 on the side-frames and connected
together at the opposite ends by the cross-bar 45. The lower member is formed
of the arms 46 vibrating in the contrary direction on the pivot 51 and connected at
the free ends by the cross-bar 49. Links 52 connect the two sets of levers together,
and the rod 48 from the paw!-carrying arm is attached to the cross-bar 49. The
levers when at rest are inclined upwardly from the centers in the path of the cans
and move closely against the side-frames so that in running along the tracks 3
the can depresses the levers and turns the wheel in the trough each time a step
forward.
This construction of levers enables the travel or feed of the belt to be produced
by a longer lever than heretofore and consequently to move the same with auch
less check or resistance to the rolling can than heretofore.
The presser-plate 38 sets over the paste-belt and is supported by rods 54, 54 held
up by spiral springs in the tubular posts 55, 55 on the top of the side-frames. The
upper ends of the rods are screw-threaded and fitted with adjusting nuts 56 to
regulate the tension of the springs according to the weight of the cans that are being

page_text: run through the machine. To bring the top of the presser-plate on a level with the
tracks 3 the surface of the label-bed is depressed from about the point 57, where the
labeling holding fingers 59 are situated down to the lower end where the label sets
under the lap-paster, and the tracks 3 are elevated in about the same proportion
above the level of the tracks at the higher end where the cans first strike the label:
at this point the elevated surface of the label-bed and the tracks are about on the
Bame level. The object of this construction is chiefly to produce a condition or
degree of tension or pulling force between the rolling-can and the stationary label
sufficient to prevent wrinkles and blisters or loose portions in the label and to lay it
smoothly around the body of the can. In Figure 1 the label-bed is shown with a
pile of labels in position and in Figure 5 the bed is shown without labels.
The fingers 59 that hold down the label on a level with the tracks are attached
to pivoted levers 60 and are held over the bed by springs 61. When the can
reaches. this point in its run it has acquired sufficient momentum to throw back the
fingers and pick up the end of the label; but after the can passes them they spring
forward into place over the top-most label before the bed rises. It should be
mentioned that because of the peculiar construction of the label-bed and the can-
tracks the can does not roll upon the label for the whole length but only at the
beginning of its contact where the end of the label is attached to the can, and for
the remaining distance the can is raised perpendicularly by the elevation in the
opposite direction. The amount of this change in the relation of the rolling-can
and the stationary label to each other is sufficient to produce the desired tension.
The top-most label is pressed up against the tension-roller 62 over the lower end
of the label with sufficient degree of force to hold the end of the label until the can
comes directly over the roller, at which point the can then draws away the pasted
end from under the roller before striking the presser-plate of the lap-paster. To
release the label at this moment with the least amount of resistance I provide a
roller constructed substantially as represented in Figure 7 of an axle 63 and a
sleeve 64 upon the axle fitted to turn loosely on it and confined by collars 65, 65 at
the ends.
Bearings are set in openings 69 in the side-frames to receive the journaled
portions of the roller and collars 68 on the outer ends prevent the roller from
moving longitudinally. This construction of roller allows the end of the label to
draw out easily from under it when the can comes perpendicularly over it.
A roller 70 is mounted in swinging arms 71 which are pivoted to standards 72 of
the label-bed, projections on the standards form a support for the swinging arms and
keep thereby the roller 70 in position. An endless apron or belt 75 running around
the roller 70 is at some distance therefrom supported by a roller 76 mounted in
swinging arms 77, the latter also being pivoted to standards of the label-bed and
held up by projections thereon. The roller 70 is situated in such a manner that
the belt or apron bears upon the can at the point where the can takes the end of the
label, the pressure of the belt being applied directly upon the rolling can at the time
when the label is brought over the paste-coated portion of the can.
The can continues to roll downward underneath and in contact with the apron
or belt 75, whereby the pressure of the belt bearing on the label results in
smoothing the lap and firmly pressing the label to the can; the belt 75 may be
composed of any suitable fabric, either elastic or otherwise, but it is preferably
composed of rubber, as the latter substance produces greater adhesion or friction
upon the label and is consequently more effective in producing the desired rear-
ward smoothing action on the label.
My improvements in feeding and controlling the cans at the head of the run-way
consist of an inclined trough 82 to hold a number of cans in a line or row over the
higher end of the machine run-way, and having its lower end closed and an outlet
aperture in its bottom located directly over the head of the run-way of proper
length and breadth to let one can at a time drop through. From the back end of
this opening a chute or apron extends in a curve downward and forward to the
bottom of the run-way and at the front of the opening a hinged or yielding gate

page_text: extending across the inside forms an abutment or stop holds a can suspended in the
opening but when moved. back it releases and discharges the can through the
opening upon the curved chute beneath.
This gate is a yielding plate 80) fixed at the top to the head-board 81 that closes
the front end of the trough 82 and extending from that point of attachment down-
ward into and across the outlet 83. A pivoted plate or controlling-piece 84
working on a pivot 85 below and in front of the yielding-gate 80 extends from the
pivot forward over the run-way and at proper height above the run-way to come in
contact with and he pressed upward by the released can as it rolls from the trough
downward through the curved chute and on to the run-way. This upwardly held
end of the pivoted plate rests about in line with the head-stops before mentioned
that control the cans on the run-way of the machine.
That par: of the pivoted-plate behind its pivot extends backward and upward at
an angle to bring the rear end in contact with the back of the yielding gate in such
manner that while the front end of the pivoted-plate is pressed up by the can at
rest at the head-stops on the run-way the upwardly-bent end of the plate keeps
the gate from yielding to the weight of the can resting in the outlet and by
contracting that cutlet holds the can suspended in position over the curved chute.
Rollers 86 are mounted on both ends of this pivoted-plate to prevent excessive
friction between the rear end and the back of the gate against which it bears and
between the front end and the body of the can on which it rests.
By these parts and devices the cans are released and fed down from the trough
on to the run-way at such interval of distance apart that one can passes through the
pasting apparatus before the next can follows and each can regulates the discharge
from the trough-outlet of the can following after, because the head-stops which
hold one can at rest on the run-way above the can-pasting apparatus do not release
that can until the previous can has rolled down under the pasting-roller and has
passed through the stops of the lower set. Until the can at the head-stops is
released and passes from under the pivoted-plate that controls the gate no discharge
of the can suspended in the trough-outlet can take place.
In connection with the feeding-trough and the gate controlling the outlet in its
bottom a device applied in the path of the cans above the front edge of the outlet
operates to hold back the leading can in the row from actual contact with that can
which is held by the gate in the outlet ready to be fed down.
This device is governed by the can so suspended and operates to release the
head can of the row as soon as the suspended can passes through the outlet and
then immediately catch and hold back the can next behind that in its turn is
released to roll forward into the outlet. It consists of the pivoted check-plate 94
bent at an angle on the line of its pivot 95 as shown in Figure 8 and placed in
position to separate and take from the suspended can the weight and pressure of
all the caus in the row behind the outlet and thereby rendering the releasing
mechanism more delicate and more certain in its operation.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a can-labeling machine the combination with an inclined run-way for the
cans of the head-stops the releasing fingers and the intermediate stops the rods
connecting the said stops with the releasing fingers and the spring check-plate in
the bottom of the run-way having an upwardly bent portion substantially as
described and shown in the drawing.
2. In a can-labeling machine the combination with an inclined run-way for the
cans, of the can controlling stops, the paste-trough, paste-supply roller, pasting-
roller, the roller-frame in which said roller is mounted, the arms with the adjustable
counter-weight and the spring, substantially as described for operation as set
forth.
3. In a can-labeling machine having an inclined run-way for the cans, the
B

page_text: label-bed having an elevated portion at the higher end and a depressed portion as
described in combination with the can-tracks or ledges having an upwardly inclined
and an elevated portion, substantially as described.
4. In a can-labeling machine having an inclined run-way for the cans the
combination, with the label-bed of the presser-roller placed above the label-bed
and adapted by its position to bear upon the body of the can at a point directly
over the line of contact of the paste-coated portions of the can with the end of the
label, substantially as described.
5. In a can-labeling machine, the combination, with the label-bed of the
stationary end-plate having perpendicular ribs or projections on its inner face,
substantially as described.
6. In a can-labeling machine the combination with the inclined run-way thereof,
of a label-box or receptacle, a self-feeding label-bed therein, the holding down
fingers over the upper end of the bed and the tension-roller mounted in bearings to
turn freely above the lower end of the bed and having a loosely revolving sleeve in
contact with the label, substantially as described.
7. In a can-labeling machine having an inclined run-way for the cans, a label-
box or receptacle and a label-bed mounted therein to present the labels flat-wise,
the combination with the run-way and label-bed of the lap-pasting belt, belt-
carrying rollers, paste-trough, pulley and pawl and ratchet mechanism and the
compound-levers arranged to operate said pawl and ratchet substantially as
described.
8. In a can-labeling machine of the kind having an inclined run-way for the
cans, the combination of the side-plates having tracks for the cans and supporting
the can-pasting and labeling-devices and the adjustable standards formed of
telescopic uprights, the cross-bars brace and set screws, substantially as
described.
9. In a can-labeling machine the combination with the inclined run-way and
label-feeding bed of the track or guide-rails at the sides of the label-bed having
ascending inclines and elevated portions as described above the level of the labels
by which variable movements in a vertical direction are imparted to the can in its
run over the label as and for the purpose described.
10. In a can-labeling machine, an auxiliary pasting-device to paste-coat the
upper face of the label being wrapped before the end of the label is fixed on the
can consisting of the endless paste-carrying belt having movement through a paste-
trough and across the end of the label, the rolling presser-plate over said belt in
the path of the rolling cans and mechanism actuated by the momentum of the
rolling can and connected with the paste-carrying belt to move the same step by
step through the paste-trough, substantially as described.
11. In a can-labeling machine the combination, with the lap-pasting device
adapted to apply a line of paste across the end of the label before it is laid against
the can of the presser roller to finish the lap, substantially as described.
12. In a can-labeling machine the combination, with a run-way and label-
supporting bed or table of a compensating balance for supporting said bed or table
constructed substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
13. In a can-labeling machine the combination, with a run-way and label-
supporting bed or table of a series of weights flexibly or yielding connected
together for holding said bed or table up to its work, substantially as described.
14. In a can-labeling machine the combination, with the run-way of the paste-
fountain having an opening in its bottom, a valve controlling said opening, a
paste-roller adapted to operate the said valve, and a pasting-roller in contact with
said paste-roller and adapted to apply paste to the can, substantially as described
and shown in the drawings.
15. In a can-labeling machine the combination, with a run-way and label-pasting
devices of a pressure-belt arranged over said run-way below said pasting devices,
substantially as described.
16. In a cau-labelling machine the combination with a run-way, and label-pasting

page_text: devices of an endless elastic pressure-belt arranged over said run-way below said
pasting devices, substantially as described.
17. In a can-labeling machine the combination, of an inclined feeding-trough
having an opening in the bottom at the lower end, the curved apron, yielding gate,
the stop-lever and the check-plate at the back of the opening arranged for operation,
substantially as described and shown in the drawings.
Dated this 20th day of August 1892.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.