Labeling Machine

Abstract

An asynchronous article addressing or labeling apparatus, the components of which are operated independently in response to demand. The apparatus includes a first transport to advance the label supply sheet to a first cutter, the first cutter serving following a predetermined label sheet advance to cut the sheet transversely to provide a strip-like label piece; a strip conveyor to advance the label piece to a second cutter which, following an advance of one label length, cuts an individual label from the label piece; and a label conveyor to carry the cut label to the apparatus label transfer wheel for transfer to the article being labeled. The label transfer wheel itself is operated in response to advance of the articles to be labeled to a predetermined position adjacent the label transfer wheel.

Description

This invention relates to an article addressing apparatus, and more particularly, to an article addressing machine having asynchronously operated components.

As is well known, addressing or labeling machines serve to transfer address information, normally in the form of individual labels, to articles such as envelopes, newspapers and the like. This transfer of address information is commonly effected through either physical attachment of the label itself to the article or by using the label as a master to imprint the address information therefrom onto the article. To do this economically, modern automatic addressing machines are designed to function at the highest speed possible commensurate with reliability.

However, the modern addressing machine comprises a very complex piece of equipment, a piece of equipment which may be broadly visualized as serving to mate, with a high degree of precision, articles and labels from two disparate sources. To perform such work, with the afore-mentioned precision, economy, and speed, the usual addressing machine is carefully designed and engineered with fixed operating ratios between the various machine components. For example, the speed with which the articles to be labeled are fed into the machine is carefully matched with the operating speed of the label transfer wheel, and in turn, the supply mechanism for the labels is designed to exactly correlate with the operating speed of the transfer wheel. Failure to so match the various operating speeds of the conventional machine components would result in disaster. At the same time, however, certain disadvantages would accrue if an addressing machine could be designed wherein no permanent operating ratios between the machine components existed, namely an asynchronous machine wherein each component operates only on demand.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an asynchronous article addressing machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article labeling machine in which the various operating components thereof operate independently on demand.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved article labeling machine having both independently operated label transfer means and label supply means, each operable in accordance with demand.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an article addressing machine without fixed timing relationships between the machine components.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an article addressing machine wherein the labeling head operates only on presentation of an article to be labeled.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an article addressing machine wherein the label supplying and cutting mechanisms and the label transfer and article supply components are independently controlled.

This invention relates to an article labeling machine, comprising in combination: label transfer means; transport means for feeding articles in seriatim to the label transfer means for labeling thereof; means for supplying labels to the transfer means; a first control responsive to feeding of an article by the transport means to actuate the transfer means and label the article; and a second control responsive to use of a label by the transfer means to actuate the label supplying means and resupply the transfer means with another label.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the ensuing description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing the asynchronous addressing machine of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the label supply control circuit for the addressing machine shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the control circuit for the addressing machine shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown the asynchronous labeling or addressing machine, designated generally by the numeral 10 of the present invention. Addressing machine 10 includes a wheel-like transfer member 12, an article transport 14 for bringing articles to be labeled such as envelopes 15 into operative contact with the transfer wheel 12, a sheet-like supply 18 of uncut labels 17, a first knife 20 for cutting sheet 18 transversely into strips 19, a strip conveyor 50 to carry label strips to a second knife 45 where strip 19 is cut into individual labels 17, and label conveyor 35 for carrying the individual labels 17 to transfer wheel 12.

Referring now to FIG. 1, addressing machine 10 includes a suitable frame or base (not shown) having a table-like top. Article transport 14 includes a conveyor belt 27 suitably supported on the machine base, the operating run of belt 27 extending from the discharge side of article feeder shuttle 23 past transfer wheel 12. Feeder shuttle 23 comprises any suitable article feeder adapted when actuated to advance one article at a time from article supply 15' forward under gate 24 and onto transport belt 27. Feeder shuttle 23 may be of the type described in copending application Ser. No. 774,956, filed Nov. 12, 1968 in the name of Donald W. Watson et al, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,578,316, where a solenoid operator 25 serves when triggered to drivingly couple shuttle 23 with the reciprocating driver 22 to advance an article 15 forward onto transport 14. A suitable backup or pressure roller (not shown) may be provided opposite transfer wheel 12 to support conveyor belt 27 and articles 15 thereon at the transfer point.

Transfer wheel 12 is operatively supported opposite article transport belt 27 by means of shaft 30. Shaft 30 is in turn journaled for rotation on the frame means (not shown). Shaft 30 is operated by a suitable driver 31.

Transport wheel 12 includes a radially projecting arcuate label shoe 32 having discrete vacuum holddown ports 33 in the periphery thereof. Ports 33 serve to permit vacuum from a suitable source (not shown) to temporarily attach individual labels 17 to the periphery of transfer wheel shoe 32 so that wheel 12 may bring the labels from label supply conveyor 35 into transfer relationship with articles 15 on transport belt 27. It is understood that suitable vacuum control valve means (not shown) are provided to open and close ports 33 to the vacuum source as wheel 12 rotates to provide the requisite label pickup and discharge functions.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, labels 17 may be physically transferred to articles 15 through the use of a suitable adhesive. Alternately, the label information only, normally comprising name and address, may be transferred or imprinted from labels 17 to articles 15. Where labels 17 are physically attached to articles 15, the vacuum control valve for holddown ports 33 is arranged to admit vacuum to ports 33 as ports 33 come opposite the discharge point of label supply conveyor 35, the vacuum being terminated adjacent the point where labels come into physical contact with articles 15 on conveyor belt 27. Where, however, the label information only is transferred to articles 15, the vacuum supply to ports 33 is sustained beyond the point of image transfer to enable wheel 12 to remove the used labels from the labeling area.

Label supply conveyor 35 comprise an endless transport belt 36 operatively supported as by rolls 37 between the discharge side of strip knife 45 and transfer wheel 12. Preferably, conveyor 35 is driven by means of a suitable two speed driver 43 to enable conveyor 35 to be operated at the same speed as strip conveyor 50 or alternately, at the same speed as transfer wheel 12 as will appear more fully herein.

Preferably, both label supply conveyor belt 36 and belt 51 of label strip conveyor 50 are suitably perforated at 47 to enable vacuum attachment of the label material thereto. To provide the requisite vacuum, suitable vacuum distributing chambers 48, 49 are provided underneath the operating runs of conveyor belts 36, 51 respectively.

Belt 51 of label strip conveyor 50 is suitably supported by rolls 53 such that the operating run thereof extends along and somewhat below the discharge of knife 20 to strip knife 45. Conveyor belts 36, 51 are separated by a distance adequate to permit knife 45 to be operatively disposed therebetween. Belt 51 of label strip conveyor 50 is operated by a suitable driver 44.

Knife 45 includes a lower fixed shear member 58 with movable knife blade 59 operatively disposed thereabove and arranged astride the path of movement of label strip 19 from conveyor 50 to conveyor 35. Knife 45 has a solenoid operator 60 therefor effective when actuated to move knife blade 59 downwardly to cut in cooperation with shear member 58 therebelow the label material therebetween.

In the exemplary arrangement shown, labels 17 are provided in the form of an uncut sheet 18 having one or more rows 62 of labels 17 thereon. Margins 63 of label sheet 18 are suitably perforated at spaced points 64 therealong to permit tractor-like sprocket belts 65 to feed sheet 18 toward knife 20. One support shaft 66 of sprocket belts 65 is driven by a suitable driver 68. A perforated counter disc 80 is secured to and rotatable with shaft 66 as will appear more fully herein.

A pair of disc-type margin cutters 69 are supported by shaft 71 downstream of sprocket belts 65, cutters 69 cooperating with suitable anvil members therebelow (not shown) to remove margins 63 before sheet 18 reaches knife 20. Shaft 71 of cutters 69 may be driven by suitable means (not shown).

Knife 20, which serves to cut label sheet 18 transversely between adjoining labels into strips 19, comprises an upper knife blade 73 suitably supported for vertical up and down movement in side journals 74. A stationary lower shearing member 75 is provided below knife blade 73 and cooperates therewith to cut the sheet material therebetween upon descent of knife blade 73. Blade 73 is reciprocated by means of shaft 76 through eccentric journals 77 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Shaft 76 is operated by means of a suitable driver 79, driver 79 being adapted when actuated to turn shaft 76 through one revolution and operate knife 20 through one cycle.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, driver 68 is controlled by means of flip-flop 81. When operated, driver 68 rotates shaft 66 to drive feed tractors 65 in a direction shown in the solid line arrow of FIG. 1 to advance label sheet 18 toward knife 20. A pair of photocell type detectors 82, 83 control flip-flop 81 as will appear, label width detector 82 being located opposite the discharge of knife 20 while label strip detector 83 is located above strip conveyor 50 and downstream of knife 20.

Label width detector 82 serves to measure the width of label strip cut off from the label supply sheet 18 by knife 20. Detector 82 is adjustably supported above label sheet 18 at a predetermined distance downstream of the effective cutting line of knife 20. By adjustably supporting detector 82, the width of the label strip 19 cut by knife 20 may be varied by moving detector 82 toward or away from knife 20.

Label strip detector 83 responds to the presence of label strip 19 therebelow, detector 83 serving to start driver 68 when the trailing edge of label strip 19 passes thereunder as will appear.

Perforations 64 in margins 63 of label sheet 18 are located at fixed intervals therealong and are relied upon as an indicator of the length of label sheet 18 fed. Control disc 80 is secured to and rotatable with support shaft 66, disc 80 being provided with apertures 85 therethrough at preset spaced points along its face. A suitable photocell type detector 86 is disposed on one side of control disc 80 opposite apertures 85 with a suitable light source 88 arranged opposite thereto on the other side of disc 80. As will be understood, turning of shaft 66 by driver 68 to advance label sheet 18, results in an intermittent signal output by detector 86.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the output of strip detector 83 is connected to the set gates of flip flops 81, 90. The signal from flip flop 81, when in the set condition, starts driver 68. To reset flip flop 81 and stop driver 68, an AND function gate 91 is provided. The output of detector 86 is connected to one input of gate 91 while that of label width detector 82 is connected through the reset gate of flip flop 90 to the other input of gate 91. Simultaneous signal inputs from flip flop 90 and detector 86 serve to trigger gate 91 and stop driver 68.

In addition, gate 91 controls driver 79 of knife 20 and timer 94, the latter serving to temporarily disable AND function gates 120, 123 during the cutting cycle of knife 20. At other times, gates 120, 123 which serve to start conveyor drivers 43, 44, are enabled and responsive to the demand signal of label demand detector 99.

In the FIG. 2 circuit operation, as the trailing edge of label strip 19 passes label strip detector 83, the signal therefrom sets flip flops 81, 90. The signal from flip flop 81 starts label sheet driver 68 to operate tractors 65 and advance sheet 18. With advance of label sheet 18, disc 80 rotates and apertures 85 therein cooperate with detector 86 to generate a pulse-like signal at control gate 91. Gate 91 is however inhibited so long as flip flop 90 is in the set condition.

As the leading edge of sheet 18 reaches label width detector 82, the ensuing signal from detector 82 resets flip flop 90 which in turn enables gate 91. It is understood that on movement of strip 19 past detector 82, detector 82 becomes inactive enabling flip flop 90 to be set on the later signal from detector 83. With gate 91 enabled, the next signal pulse from detector 86 triggers gate 91 to reset flip flop 81 and stop driver 68. At the same time, the signal from gate 91 starts driver 79 and timer 94. Driver 79 operates knife 20 through one cycle to cut off a strip -19 of labels from supply sheet 18 while timer 94 temporarily disables gates 120, 123 to prevent operation of conveyors 35, 50 during the cutting cycle.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, a photocell type detector 100 is disposed opposite label supply conveyor 35 just upstream of the point where cut labels are transferred from belt 36 of conveyor 35 to shoe 32 of transfer wheel 12. Detector 100 serves to sense the presence of a cut label 17 in a ready position on conveyor 35 adjacent transfer wheel 12.

The output of detector 100 is connected to a suitable OR function gate 121. The output of gate 121 is connected to the reset gate of flip flop 122 controlling driver 43 of conveyor 35. As will appear, flip flop 122, when in a set condition, operates driver 43 at a first speed equal to that of driver 44, the signal from OR function gate 125 in response to a control signal from either gate 120 or timer 95 serving to trigger flip flop 122 to the set condition. A signal from gate 121 resets flip flop 122 to terminate operation of driver 43 and conveyor 35 at this speed.

To regulate the length of label strip 19 cut by knife 45, a photocell type detector 106 is spaced above belt 36 of label supply conveyor 35 downstream of knife 45. Detector 106, which serves to stop conveyors 35, 50 and operate knife 45 as will appear, is spaced from the cutting line of knife 45 hy a distance substantially equaling the length of labels 17.

The output of label length detector 106 is connected to a second input of gate 121, the signal from detector 106 serving to stop driver 43 and the conveyor 35 following an advance of label strip 19 equal to one label length under knife 45. In addition, the signal output of detector 106 is fed to the reset gate of flip flop 124 controlling conveyor driver 44, flip flop 124 when reset stopping driver 44 and the conveyor 50 driven thereby. It is understood that flip flop 124 is set in response to a signal from gate 123 which in turn is triggered by a signal from demand detector 99.

The signal output of detector 106 serves to operate the solenoid driver 60 for knife 45 to thereby operate knife 45 through one cycle. At the same time, the signal from detector 106 starts timer 95 which, following an interval adequate for knife 45 to cut strip 19, triggers gate 125 to restart driver 43.

The label demand detector 99 is disposed opposite transfer wheel 12 and along the path of movement of the labels from conveyor 35 into transfer contact with the articles 15 being labeled, detector 99 serving to sense the presence of a label on transfer wheel shoe 32. Preferably, detector 99 is arranged to respond to the trailing edge of label 17 on shoe 32.

The signal output of detector 99 is fed to the reset gate of flip flop 129 controlling operation of conveyor driver 43 at a second speed corresponding to the rotational speed of transfer wheel 12, and to the reset gate of flip flop 126 controlling transfer wheel driver 31. The signal from detector 99 serves to reset the flip flops 126, 129 and stop drivers 31, 43 respectively. Additionally, the signal output of detector 99 is fed to gates 120, 123, a signal from detector 99 serving to start drivers 43, 44 to operate conveyors 35, 50 in unison.

A photocell type detector 108 is disposed above article transport 14 upstream of transfer wheel 12, detector 108 serving to signal the advance of an article 15 to be labeled. The output of article detector 108 is connected to an OR function gate 127. The output of gate 127 in turn controls the set condition of flip flop 126 controlling transfer wheel driver 31.

A photocell type detector 109 is disposed above article transport 14 downstream of transfer wheel 12, detector 109 serving to signal the passage of the labeled article therebelow. The output of labeling response detector 109 is connected to a second input of gate 127 controlling the set condition of flip flop 126, and to the set gate of flip flop 129 governing second speed operation of conveyor driver 43. Additionally, the signal output of detector 109 serves to momentarily operate solenoid 25 of feeder shuttle 23 to advance the next article 15 to be labeled forward onto article transport 14.

OPERATION

For first start up of labeling machine 10 and loading of transfer wheel 12 with a cut label in preparation for labeling, article transport 14 is started, it being understood that transport 14 normally runs continuously. At the same time, suitable label loading control means (not shown) are provided to simulate initially a label demand signal from detector 99 and thereafter following advance of a cut label to the ready position on label supply conveyor 35 as determined by detector 100, to simulate in sequence the signal response of detectors 108 and 109.

At this point, the signal from strip detector 83 in response to the absence of label strip material 19 starts driver 68 to operate feeder sprockets 65 and advance label supply sheet 18 in the direction shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. 1. The leading edge of sheet 18 passes under the raised blade 73 of knife 20 and following advance of the predetermined label width determined by detector 82, the coinciding signals from detector 82 and counting detector 86 trigger control gate 91. The signal from gate 91 resets flip flop 81 to stop driver 68 and terminate advance of label supply sheet 18. At the same time, the signal from gate 91 starts driver 79 to cycle knife 20 and cut off the strip of labels while actuating timer 94. The signal from timer 94 disables gates 120, 123 to prevent operation of conveyor drivers 43, 44 during the cutting cycle of knife 20. It is understood however that timer 94 only precludes operation of driver 43 at the first speed corresponding to the speed of driver 44. Operation of driver 43 only at the second speed under the control of flip flop 129 is possible during the cutting cycle of knife 20.

Following an interval adequate for knife 20 to cut off strip 20, gates 120, 123 are once again enabled and the simulated signal representing label demand detector 99 triggers both gates 120, 123. The signal from gate 123 sets flip flop 124 to start driver 44 and operate strip supply conveyor 50. The signal from gate 120 works through gate 125 to set flip flop 122 thereby starting driver 43 and operating label supply conveyor at the same speed as strip conveyor 50.

The label strip 19 cut by knife 20 is accordingly carried forward on conveyor 50 under the raised blade 59 of knife 45 and partially onto conveyor 35. As the leading edge of the label strip 19 comes opposite detector 106, the signal therefrom resets flip flops 122, 124 to terminate operation of drivers 43, 44 and stop conveyors 35, 50. At the same time, the signal from detector 106 actuates solenoid 60 to operate knife 45 and cut off the first label from strip 19, while starting timer 95. Following an interval sufficient for knife 45 to cut strip 19, the signal from timer 95 triggers gate 125 to set flip flop 122 and restart driver 43. Label conveyor 35 is accordingly operated to carry the cut label 17 forward toward transfer wheel 12.

As the label on conveyor 35 comes opposite cut label detector 100, the signal therefrom works through gate 121 to reset flip flop 122 and stop driver 43 and conveyor 35. The signal of article detector 108 to gate 127 may now be simulated. The ensuing signal from gate 127 sets flip flop 126 to start driver 31 and rotate transfer wheel 12. As shoe 33 of wheel 12 approaches conveyor 35, a simulated signal may be provided to set flip flop 129 thereby starting driver 43 and conveyor 35 at the second speed corresponding to the rotational speed of transfer wheel 12.

The cut label on conveyor 35 is accordingly transferred onto shoe 32 of wheel 12. As the trailing edge of the label on wheel 12 comes opposite detector 99, the signal therefrom resets flip flops 126, 129 to stop transfer wheel driver 31 and terminate second speed operation of driver 43. At the same time, the signal from detector 99 resets flip flops 122, 124 to start drivers 43, 44 respectively and operate conveyors 35, 50 at the same speed to advance label strip 19 forward. As described, the strip 19 is advanced under knife 45 by a distance equal to one label length as determined by detector 106 following which conveyors 35, 50 are stopped, knife 45 actuated to cut off the next label, and conveyor 35 restarted to carry the cut label forward to a point adjacent transfer wheel 12 as determined by detector 100.

The addressing machine 10 is therefore ready for labeling with a cut label 17 ready on transfer wheel shoe 32 and a second label standing by on conveyor 35. The remainder of the label strip 19 rests on strip conveyor 50.

Article feeder shuttle 23 may now be actuated to advance the first article 15 to be labeled forward onto article transport 14 which in turn carries the article forward toward transfer wheel 12. Advance of the article is responded to by article detector 108, the signal therefrom setting flip flop 126 to start driver 31 and rotate transfer wheel 12. As the article 20 passes between the nip formed by conveyor belt 27 and transfer wheel shoe 33, the label or the address information therefrom is transferred to the article.

Completion of the transfer operation is responded to by detector 109. The resulting signal from detector 109 maintains transfer wheel driver 31 operative while starting cut label supply conveyor driver 43 at the second speed to transfer the next label from conveyor 35 onto transfer wheel shoe 32 as described heretofore, the signal from detector 99 serving to stop transfer wheel 12 in the ready position following successful transfer of the label thereto.

At the same time, the signal from labeling response detector 109 momentarily actuates feeder shuttle 23 to advance the next article to be labeled forward onto transport 14, movement of the article forward being responded to by detector 108 to again operate transfer wheel 12 and label the article as described heretofore.

It is understood that with transfer of the cut label from label transport 35 to transfer wheel 12, the signal from detector 99 restarts conveyors 35, 50 to advance label strip 19 one label length past knife 45 following which knife 45 is actuated to cut off the label. The cut label is carried forward by conveyor 35 to the waiting position adjacent transfer wheel 12 as determined by cut label detector 100. Where label strip 19 is used up, the signal from strip detector 83 starts sheet feed driver 68 to index label supply sheet 18 one label width following which knife 20 is operated as described to cut off a new label strip 19 as described heretofore.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, drivers 31, 43, 44, 68 and 79 may comprise any suitable driving mechanism such as electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, etc. type motors. Alternately, instead of individual motors, a single motor with appropriate drive connections and individual clutches may be employed. It will also be appreciated that certain of the independent functions described, for example, the functional relationship between transfer wheel 12 and article transport 14 may instead be internally synchronized with one another. In that event, the internally synchronized components would be operated asynchronously with the remaining components of labeling machine 10 as described heretofore.

While the invention has been described with reference to the structure disclosed it is not confined to the details set forth, but is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. In an article labeling apparatus having article feeding means for bringing articles to be labeled forward, the combination of:

label transfer means for labeling said article;

means for supplying labels to said transfer means;

first control means responsive to predetermined advance of an article to be labeled toward said transfer means to actuate said transfer means and label said article; and

second control means responsive to use of a label by said transfer means to actuate said label supplying means and resupply said transfer means with another label.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 including third control means responsive to resupplying of said transfer means with another label to actuate said article feeding means and bring the next article to be labeled forward.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 in which said label supply means is adapted to provide labels in a ready position proximate said transfer means, and

fourth control means responsive to disposition of the next label in said ready condition to stop said label supply means.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 in which said label supply means includes a label conveyor for carrying labels to said transfer means, said second control means being adapted to actuate said label conveyor and resupply said transfer means with another label,

and means to operate said label conveyor and carry another label forward to a waiting position proximate said transfer means.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2 in which said label supply means includes a first conveyor for carrying labels to said transfer means, means for separating uncut labels into individual labels for transport by said first conveyor to said transfer means, and a second conveyor for supplying said uncut labels to said separating means,

said third control means being adapted to actuate said first and second conveyors together with said separating means whereby to provide a label for said transfer means.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 including fourth control means adapted when said label is in a ready position proximate said transfer means to stop said first conveyor.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 including fifth control means adapted on advance of a predetermined uncut label length to said label separating means to stop said first and second conveyors while actuating said separating means to separate the next label, and means adapted following separation of said label to restart said first conveyor whereby to bring said label to said ready position adjacent said transfer means.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 in which said label transfer means includes a rotatable label transfer wheel; and

means for selectively driving said first conveyor at a first speed corresponding to the operating speed of said transfer wheel to facilitate resupplying of said transfer wheel with labels from said first conveyor and at a second speed corresponding to the operating speed of said second conveyor,

said second control means being adapted to actuate said selective driving means at said first speed when resupplying said transfer means wheel with a label while said third control means is adapted to actuate said selective driving means at said second speed when providing a label in said ready position adjacent said transfer means wheel.

9. In an article labeling apparatus, the combination of:

separably drivable label transfer means for labeling said articles;

separably drivable label supply means for supplying labels to said transfer means;

separably drivable article feed means for bringing articles to be labeled into operative relationship with said label transfer means;

means responsive to a label on said label transfer means to actuate said article feed means and bring an article to be labeled forward to said transfer means;

means responsive to predetermined movement of said article forward to actuate said transfer means and label said article; and

means responsive to labeling of said article to actuate said label supply means and resupply said transfer means with another label.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 including means for operating said label supply means to bring the next label to a ready position adjacent said transfer means.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 in which said label supply means includes means for cutting individual labels for use by said transfer means, and

means for operating said cutting means in response to a predetermined label size.