Means Simultaneously Conveying Plural Articles From A Single Source And Serially Presenting Them To An Assembly Station Patents (Class 156/566)
  • Patent number: 5556505
    Abstract: A windshield assembly system for assembling windshield assemblies for vehicles includes a conveyor for delivering at least two plys of glass to an assembly station, a first robot for lifting one of the two plays from the conveyor, a second robot for gripping and removing at least one adhesive sheet from a stack of adhesive sheets and placing the removed adhesive sheet adjacent the other one of the two plys, whereby the first robot places the one of the two plys adjacent the removed adhesive sheet to assemble the windshield assembly. The apparatus includes a sheet edge separator such as a knife or blade movable along a longitudinal edge of the top sheet for separating at least a portion of the top sheet from the stack of adhesive sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Hill
  • Patent number: 5538575
    Abstract: A labeling machine applies an adhesive to labels for attachment to containers and has a glue bar which engages a glue roller. A label drum receives and delivers labels into engagement with containers for wrap around labeling of the containers. An adhesive is delivered to the glue bar. The adhesive is a hot melt adhesive which can maintain its label bond while withstanding high heat such as from a pasteurization process. The hot melt adhesive has a viscosity which tends to increase if the adhesive is not kept in constant motion or is allowed to set. The shear of the adhesive is increased during adhesive transfer to ensure low viscosity transfer of the adhesive from the glue roller to a label positioned on the label drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: CMS Gilbreth Packaging Systems
    Inventor: Gaylen R. Hinton
  • Patent number: 5536357
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for gripping a bag and downstream handling, such as application of a header label to the bag. The bag, which has previously been filled with a product, is presented to the apparatus at an upstream bag presentation and accepting station and is gripped proximate its top. It is then transferred from the upstream bag accepting station to a downstream bag release station. Before being released, the bag travels to an intermediate label application station where a label is readied, the label then being transferred upstream to a second position and applied to the bag. Thereafter, the bag proceeds downstream, with the label, and the label is sealed to the bag. A series of grippers are employed for accepting a stream of discreet bags in a continuous manner. The grippers are recirculated continuously so that the apparatus operates continuously so long as bags are presented for application of a label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Hayssen Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Lloyd Kovacs
  • Patent number: 5527419
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for tag and thread assembly for tagged infusion packets. Spaced tags from a strip of tags and a length of thread are laid over each other on the periphery of a first assembly wheel and the thread is drawn out in loops between successive tags. The spaced tags and looped thread are transferred to a second assembly wheel where they are connected to a web of sheet material that is to form the infusion packets. The web is subsequently formed into a series of compartments in which infusion material is contained. The compartments are severed from the web for forming the individual packets and the thread is simultaneously severed between the packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Thomas J. Lipton Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Vernon, James Goodwin, Andrew J. Cleall
  • Patent number: 5505812
    Abstract: The present invention sets forth an automatic gluing and conveying system for use with an automated clamp tightener and flattener system in which the conveyor system is capable of moving transversely to the path of conveying in order to accommodate movement of portions of the clamp carrier which interfere the conveying path. An electronic controlling means controls the movement of the conveyor along the conveying path, movement of the conveyor perpendicular to the conveying path, and coordinates movement of the clamp carrier. Also provided is a method for gluing segments of wood to be formed into panels by a gluing process which is controlled by an electronic control system which coordinates movement of the conveyor along a conveying path and movement of the conveying means perpendicular to the conveying path and movement of a clamp carrier apparatus which overlaps the conveying path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Assignee: James L. Taylor Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Mortoly, Jr., Bradley S. Quick
  • Patent number: 5503706
    Abstract: An inflation apparatus is described for a labeling machine for placing labels on containers. A sealing element seals the opening of a container whereby the sealing element covers the opening without substantial insertion of the sealing element into the opening in the container. A wall in the sealing element defines an opening through the sealing element for passing an inflation gas through the sealing element and into the container. A gas supply and conduit are provided for connecting the gas supply to the opening in the sealing element. The invention is particularly suited to in-line labeling machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Nicholson, Martin Davidow
  • Patent number: 5501752
    Abstract: A production line for manufacturing wooden I-beams wherein a pair of grooved flanges are conveyed along opposite left and right sides of a train of web members and converged so that the web longitudinal edges are inserted into the flange grooves is disclosed. The flanges are moved along left and right hand chutes of the assembly machine with plural vertical flange drive rolls engaging the wider flange faces for improved traction. These flange drive rolls and the chutes are mounted to the machine base with a lateral adjustment mechanism permitting center justified adjusting movement relative to the machine center line. The lateral adjustment mechanism utilizes a series of lead screws each formed with left and right handed threaded portions engageable with a threaded nut attached to each chute. A pair of web bottom rails are vertically adjustable in elevation with plural vertical column screws connected between the machine base and the support rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Globe Machine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: William M. Owens, Victor Croston
  • Patent number: 5487780
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying pressure sensitive adhesive to a substrate, in which the adhesive is deposited on a transfer surface, such as a circulating transfer belt, dried, and subsequently transferred to a plurality of overlapping sheets. The sheets are preferably coated with a primer or a low adhesion backsize, or both, prior to application of the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Johannes A. Ritter
  • Patent number: 5480502
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a label onto a substantially cylindrical article is disclosed. A thin layer, heat activated adhesive backed label is fed onto the surface of a rotating label transport drum so that the adhesive back faces outward from the drum. The adhesive is heated as the drum rotates so that the adhesive obtains a sufficient temperature to melt. Articles are conveyed into tangential spinning engagement with the drum and into rotate engagement with the leading edge of the label as the label moves into the article wrapping position so that the label wraps about the article and adheres thereto. The articles can include crayons which are somewhat tapered along their length. The articles are conveyed at a skewed angle so that the label wraps about the tapered crayon with end-to-end label alignment thereof. The crayon is conveyed onto the drum surface so that the wider "butt" end of the crayon engages the leading edge of the label before the more narrow and of the crayon engages the label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: CMS Gilbreth Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert M. Rello, Michael Yager, Ramon A. Martinez
  • Patent number: 5479757
    Abstract: A label supplying apparatus for quickly supplying the labels such as the certificate labels to the mouths of the bags filled with the livestock feed and the like. A label stored in a label magazine is attracted under suction by a suction cup, and removed from the label magazine. The removed label is guided to drop into a label receiver, from which the label is delivered by mating scrum belts to a position where it is applied to the mouth of a bag that has been conveyed by a first guide-and-feed mechanism composed of a pair of V-belts. The mouth of the bag and the label are then conveyed by a second guide-and-feed mechanism composed of a pair of V-belts to a sewing machine, which then stitches the mouth of the bag and the label to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Newlong Machine Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5470420
    Abstract: A labeller head using the Bernoulli Effect is suited for applying thin, flexible, pressure sensitive labels (14, 106) of the type having a first, display side and a second, adhesive side, and includes a body having a rigid or resilient support surface (52, 64, 102, 104); a plenum (54) within the body; a plurality of bores (56, 74, 86-90, 114) extending from the plenum through the support surface, the bores being angled with respect to the support surface and arranged in an array so that jets of gas issuing from the array will cause the label to be drawn onto the support surface when the label is presented to the support surface and the first, display side is brought into close proximity of the jets, thereby causing a zone of reduced gas pressure to be formed between the support surface and the first, display side and establishing a pressure differential across the label to hold the label on a film of gas flowing over the support surface; a source of pressurized gas (58) for directing gas into the plenum and t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Joseph E. Yokajty
  • Patent number: 5462632
    Abstract: A device for changing the angular relation between a carousel conveyor and a label applying apparatus including a support frame to which an internal hollow shaft and an external hollow shaft are mounted, the shafts being coaxial and respectively connected by a cogwheel to the drive shaft of the conveyor and to the drive shaft of the label applying apparatus, the shafts being coupled to each other by a rotatable coaxial joint which moves axially of the shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: ALFA Costruzioni Meccaniche S.P.A.
    Inventors: Vanni Zacche', Ireneo Orlandi, Maurizio Pedercini
  • Patent number: 5458728
    Abstract: An apparatus applies labels onto small cylindrical articles and includes a label transport drum that defines a central axis. Labels are supplied onto the surface of the drum and returned thereto. The drum rotates about its axis so that the label moves with the drum into an article wrapping position. Small cylindrical articles are tangentially delivered onto the drum surface and into rotative engagement with the label as the label moves into the article wrapping position for wrap around labelling so that the trailing edge of the label overlaps its leading edge forming a bond. The rotation of the article is retarded after wrapping for a period of time while the drum continues its rotation so that the article rests on the overlapping seam and applies pressure while allowing sufficient time for any solvent or adhesive applied thereon to react with the label material. Magnetic attractive forces can be applied onto a magnetically attractive article to enhance pressure applied on the seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventor: John Galchefski
  • Patent number: 5458729
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a label onto a small, cylindrical article, such as a dry cell battery, is disclosed. A rotatable label transport drum has a central, horizontal axis. A label is fed to the drum surface, retained thereto as the drum rotates, and moved with the rotating drum into an article wrapping position defined at the upper area of the drum. An article delivery system, such as a star transfer wheel, delivers the articles sequentially onto the drum surface. The delivery system is spaced outward from the drum surface to clear the trailing edge of the label which is outwardly positioned from the drum surface. An attractive force is imparted on the article in a direction so as to aid smooth delivery of the article onto the drum surface and the label moving therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Inventors: John M. Galchefski, Ian Westbury
  • Patent number: 5437759
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying labels onto small cylindrical articles such as dry cell batteries is disclosed. A label transport drum has a substantially smooth surface. Cut labels are applied to the surface and an adhesive applicator applies a preferred cold adhesive onto an area adjacent the leading edge of the label. A solvent applicator applies a predetermined amount of solvent on the area adjacent the trailing edge of the label. The solvent applicator includes a solvent transfer roll and a rotatably support rotary pad print head. The rotary pad print head includes at least one narrowly tapering, flexible wiper tip. In one embodiment the wiper tip has a V-notch on its end. The flexible tip engages the solvent transfer roll, transferring solvent from the solvent transfer roll into the V-notch. the rotary pad print head is timed to rotate so that the flexible tip is deflected against the area adjacent the trailing edge of the label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Inventor: Ian Westbury
  • Patent number: 5427646
    Abstract: A gluing palette for use with apparatus for gluing labels to objects, such as bottles or the like. The palette is intended to coact with a rotary gluing roller so as to be coated with glue and then to transfer glue to a label transported by the palette from a label magazine to a transfer device. The transfer device is intended to take the glue-coated label from the palette and press the label against the object concerned. The palette includes a core (18) and a carrier which is fitted to the core and can be readily detached therefrom. The carrier has the form of an elastic, pliable apron element (21) which will mould itself to the configuration of the core (18) and which is provided with at least one outwardly projecting part (23) made of an elastic material. This outwardly projecting part has a shape which corresponds essentially to the shape of the label to be coated with glue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: Lars E. Trygg
  • Patent number: 5413666
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of labeling machines for bottles provided with a reference recess (13) on the bottle base, which recess (13) can be used to effect the centering of the labels on the bottle: more precisely the invention relates to a bottle-bearing plate, comprising an internal body (3) which can slide vertically and rotate about its own axis, and which is non-contactingly surrounded by an external body (2) which can be engaged and raised by the internal body (3) after an initial non-contacting upward-moving rotation. A centering ring (4) is fixed to the external body (2), which ring (4) perfectly reproduces the the external surface curvature of the bottle at its base. A centering device (5), destined to insert into the reference recess (13), is fixed to the internal body (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Alfa Construzioni Meccanische S.p.A.
    Inventor: Ireneo Orlandi
  • Patent number: 5405487
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying a label onto a small, cylindrical article, such as a dry cell battery, is disclosed. A rotatable label transport drum has a central, horizontal axis. A label is fed to the drum surface, retained thereto as the drum rotates, and moved with the rotating drum into an article wrapping position defined at the upper area of the drum. An article delivery system, such as a star transfer wheel, delivers the articles sequentially onto the drum surface. The delivery system is spaced outward from the drum surface to clear the trailing edge of the label which is outwardly positioned from the drum surface. An attractive force is imparted on the article in a direction so as to aid smooth delivery of the article onto the drum surface and the label moving therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: CMS Gilbreth Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Galchefski, Jan Westbury
  • Patent number: 5401353
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying thin film polymer labels onto small cylindrical articles has a label transport drum with a substantially smooth, outer surface on which labels are fed. A cold adhesive that is viscous at room temperature is printed onto an area adjacent the leading edge of the label. A solvent is applied by two static wiper assemblies onto an area adjacent the trailing edge of the label. The first static wiper assembly wipes an amount of solvent onto the area adjacent the trailing edge of the label for cleaning and softening that area. A second wiper assembly applies an amount of solvent onto the area adjacent the trailing edge of the label for dissolving a portion of the label to create a tacky, bonding quality to the label and form a solvent seal bond when the trailing edge overlaps the leading edge. Solvent is applied to the wiper bodies for dispersion throughout and to the wiper tip. A plunger is formed in the drum at those areas where the trailing edges of labels are positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1995
    Assignee: CMS Gilbreth Packaging Systems
    Inventors: Ian Westbury, John M. Galchefski
  • Patent number: 5397423
    Abstract: A multi-tool bonder having a plurality of die heads flexibly mounted on a conveyor which spaces and moves the heads along a path which includes a plurality of die processing stations. An alignment mechanism is provided at each stationary processing station for aligning the head at a fixed position along the path at the station. A controller controls the conveyor to position the plurality of heads at the stations and controls operation of the heads at the stations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Kulicke & Soffa Industries
    Inventors: George H. Bantz, Jeffrey A. LaPat
  • Patent number: 5384006
    Abstract: Labeling equipment has a support rotatably driven about a central shaft and above a stationary bench, the support carrying label shafts pivoted by gear assemblies so that curved label plates on the label shafts are glue-coated over their full area by rolling off a glue roller when the support is rotating, removing labels from a label box and transferring the labels to a label transfer device. The gear assemblies each have a gear segment pivotably resting on a gear assembly shaft borne in the support and meshing with a pinion of the label shaft, the gear segment being pivotably driven by a cam follower moving along a cam curve in the bench. Clutches are coupled in a predetermined angular position of the support to disengage individual label plates from their constrained motion to block label removal. The cam follower is carried by a pivoting arm on the gear assembly shaft, the arm being engageable by means of a clutch with the gear segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: Anker-Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Harry Meyer
  • Patent number: 5356508
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying seals to articles has a rotary table having heads, and an article guide provided along the periphery of the rotary table. Each head is provided with a holding-moving mechanism for holding an article and moving the article on and along the article guide together with the head, and a labeling mechanism for applying a label to the article which is being transferred together with the head. The article is held by the holding-moving mechanism and moved together with the head. During the transfer of the article, the label is applied to the article. The article can be applied with the label while the article is being continuously transferred without being moved intermittently, whereby the apparatus can be easily operated at a high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Japan Tobacco, Inc.
    Inventor: Tomoichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 5350482
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying labels onto small cylindrical articles such as dry cell batteries is disclosed. A label transport drum has a substantially smooth surface. Cut labels are applied to the surface and an adhesive applicator applies a preferred cold adhesive onto an area adjacent the leading edge of the label. A solvent applicator applies a predetermined amount of solvent on the area adjacent the trailing edge of the label. The solvent applicator includes a solvent transfer roll and a rotatably supported rotary pad print head. The rotary pad print head includes at least one narrowly tapering, flexible wiper tip. In one embodiment the wiper tip has a V-notch on its end. The flexible tip engages the solvent transfer roll, transferring solvent from the solvent transfer roll into the V-notch. The rotary pad print head is timed to rotate so that the flexible tip is deflected against the area adjacent the trailing edge of the label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1994
    Assignee: CMS Gilbreth Packaging Systems
    Inventor: Ian Westbury
  • Patent number: 5338381
    Abstract: A TAB method is known to manufacture an electrical component by bonding a semiconductor on a film carrier made of synthetic resin, then punching the lead of the film carrier, and bonding a device obtained by punching to a circuit board. A bonding of a semiconductor to a film carrier as described above is called "an inner lead bonding". Bonding a punched device to a circuit board is called "an outer lead bonding". In the invention, the film carrier fed from the supply reel is punched by a punching unit, and the device obtained by punching is picked up by a bonding head. Then, the positional deviation of the lead of the device picked up with respect to the electrode of the circuit board is detected by the optical means. Subsequently, the positional deviation of the lead is corrected, the device is placed on the circuit board, and the lead is fusion-bonded to the electrode of the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wataru Hidese
  • Patent number: 5332462
    Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a fiberglass reinforced grating from preformed bearing bars and cross bars includes an elongated open frame table having a plurality of rollers in side-by-side fashion with their axes transverse to the longitudinal axis of the table and supporting a set of upwardly upright transversely spaced bearing bars on the peripheries of the rollers. A loading rack formed of vertically upright transversely spaced spacing and alignment pins controls the lateral spacing of the bearing bars. A raisable stop upstream of a grooving station aligns the ends of the bearing bars. A vertically shiftable hold press hold down bar operates alternately with a vertically shiftable car press hold down bar and the car press is incremented which frictionally presses the bearing bars against the tabletop rollers to increment the set of bearing bars upon release of the hold press hold down bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventor: Robert E. Myers
  • Patent number: 5326422
    Abstract: A labelling machine for treating vessels of different shapes or with different labels comprising a rotatingly drivable turntable with at least one labelling station disposed on its circumference with following wipe-on and pressure-applying elements, the turntable having rotary tables with one associated control element each, which cooperates optionally with one of several radial cams secured against rotation and disposed in axially staggered relationship in the direction of the rotary table axis, the control element associated to the rotary table and/or the radial cams are adjusted relatively to each other for change-over of one type of vessel and/or label to another one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Inventor: Hermann Kronseder
  • Patent number: 5310442
    Abstract: A single wafer transport mechanism takes a semiconductor wafer out of a cassette loader, and transports the wafer to a single wafer positioning mechanism for placing the wafer in position. When applying a protective adhesive tape to a surface of the wafer, the transport mechanism transports the wafer placed in position to a tape applying mechanism. When removing the protective tape from the wafer surface, the transport mechanism transports the wafer to a tape removing mechanism which removes the protective tape from the wafer surface by using a remover adhesive tape having a strong adhesion. The wafer having the protective tape applied thereto or stripped of the protective tape is transported back to a cassette by the wafer transport mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventor: Minoru Ametani
  • Patent number: 5300161
    Abstract: A methods is disclosed for labeling bottles in a stream. An input conveyor is provided for supplying bottles to a presenting station. Bottles are restrained at the presenting station until the appropriate time by an entrance gate. Bottles are conveyed from the presenting station to a work station by an advancing conveyor. Bottles entering the work station drive the predecessor bottle out of the work station. An exit gate is provided to halt bottles leaving the work station so that they act as a registration stop for bottles entering the work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Automated Label Systems Company
    Inventor: Eric Gifford
  • Patent number: 5294283
    Abstract: An automatic labeling machine, for containers in the form of mesh bags or the like, includes a carriage 18 displaceable back and forth in a support plate 19, which incorporates a central, lengthwise channel 20, two lateral connecting rods 23 and 24 being articulated in the carriage, one with an external stud and the other with a lever 25, joined together at their free ends by means of a brace 26, in which is fixed a finger 27 carrying small catches 28, which can be introduced into the channel 20 with intercalation of the corresponding part of the label to be dragged toward the discharge from the machine; A push rod 32 temporarily retains the stud, provided with a plane 32a inclined to the inside in its free end and which can be freed by a bumper 36 joined to the corresponding connecting rod 24, and the lever 25 actuates a cutting device 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Talleres Daumar S.A.
    Inventor: Agustin D. Guardiola
  • Patent number: 5290388
    Abstract: In a labelling machine comprising at least one plate (1), which is adapted to carry out controlled rotations, and a plunger (2), which is adapted to carry out controlled upward and downward movements, the object to be labelled, e.g. a bottle (24), being fixed between said plate and said plunger such that it is secured against rotation relative thereto, the plunger has associated therewith a rotating means (3), which will rotate said plunger to a specific angular position and/or fix it in said angular position, if the plunger is not in contact with the object to be labelled. However, if the plunger is in contact with the object to be labelled, it will be decoupled from said rotating means, whereupon it can rotate freely together with the object to be labelled, which is driven by the plate. Such a rotating means can be established with the aid of simple structural means and permits a manifold use of asymmetric plungers having a preferred position. This is the case e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Krones AG Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Georg Zepf
  • Patent number: 5290391
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for attaching articles to a plastic bag wall and particularly for attaching flat articles, such as coupons, cards, packets, samples, etc., to an inside wall of a panel of the bag and at different locations thereon. The articles are attached by feeding a bag-forming film sheet of plastic material to an article insertion station where the plastic sheet passes about a nip roll. An article transfer mechanism transfers articles from a discharge end of one or more supply magazines to two or more support surfaces at an article insertion station. These support surfaces are aligned with distinct sections of the bag-forming film sheet. An attaching film sheet is fed over a support roll which is in frictional rotational contact with the nip roll with the attaching film sheet aligned over the distinct sections of the bag-forming film sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Glopak Inc.
    Inventors: Norberto Czech, Robert Lauzon
  • Patent number: 5281296
    Abstract: A label applicator and method for applying labels to an article is provided that changes the orientation of a label from a horizontal to a vertical orientation before the label is applied to the article, so that the label is not applied to the article in the same, or parallel, plane that the label is presented to the applicator. The label applicator includes a housing formed from a first faceplate and a second faceplate, each having a plurality of holes passing therethrough which define an interior chamber adapted to be connected to a source of reduced pressure. The second faceplate extends in a plane that, in the preferred embodiment, is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first faceplate. A plurality of conveyor belts carried by the housing carry the labels from the first faceplate to the second faceplate. A corner assembly having openings that are larger than the holes of the faceplates interconnects the first and second faceplates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Markem Corporation
    Inventor: David B. Beliveau
  • Patent number: 5275685
    Abstract: The gluing apparatus has several carrier arms attached to a rotating organ, which carry holders at their free ends. Each holder picks up an attachment slip at the supply point, transports it past an adhesive-applicator apparatus whereby adhesive is applied to the attachment slips, and on to the printed products to which the slips are then attached. The printed products are transported on supports placed perpendicular to the feed direction (A), the holders enter between consecutive pairs of supports and have means of control to move them against supports, in order to glue the attachment slips on the printed products and press them firmly into place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: Ferag AG
    Inventor: Hans-Ulrich Stauber
  • Patent number: 5271783
    Abstract: Labeling machine for applying labels of heat softenable material to containers comprising a rotating cylindrical vacuum drum which picks up labels in succession at a label receiving station as it rotates, transports each label to a label applying station at which the leading end of each label is applied to a container; means to rotate each container to which the leading end of a label has been applied to wrap the label around the container and to lap the trailing end of the label over the leading end and while so doing to apply pressure to the lapped junction of the leading and trailing ends, and means in the form of a heat applicator located within the drum, extensible through an opening in the drum to bring a head or nozzle into close proximity to the trailing end of a label during most of the travel of such trailing end between the label receiving and label applying positions and to apply heat during such period to the trailing end to soften the trailing end so that it can be welded by pressure to the lead
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: B & H Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Terry C. Potter
  • Patent number: 5271793
    Abstract: Apparatus for transporting containers having circular portions with any one of a number of different diameters first along an adhesive applying unit and thereupon past one or more units which apply labels all the way around the circular portions of the containers has a rotary turntable with a set of depending rotary supporting elements for discrete containers. The supporting elements are rotated about their own axes, while orbiting about the axis of rotation of the turntable, by two arcuate cams which are adjacent the path of orbital movement of the supporting elements and are tracked by roller followers provided on disc-shaped holders at the upper ends of the supporting elements. Adjustment of the apparatus for the transport of containers having circular portions of different diameters is effected by moving the cams in the circumferential direction of the turntable. The positions of the various treating units remain unchanged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Alfill Getranketechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Gunter Seifert, Gerd-Reiner Israel
  • Patent number: 5269121
    Abstract: A method and device for applying sealing strips to packages, whereby the strips are applied to the packages as these are transferred between respective transverse pockets on three conveyors traveling at the same speed and in the same direction, the first conveyor being a loop conveyor located between a feed conveyor and an output conveyor. The strips are supplied in such a position as to close the end of the pockets on the loop conveyor facing the feed conveyor, and the packages complete one full turn of the loop conveyor prior to being transferred on to the output conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: G.D Societa' per Azioni
    Inventor: Fiorenzo Draghetti
  • Patent number: 5265792
    Abstract: A light emitting diode has both end faces metallized and is mounted on a substrate with the light emitting junction perpendicular to the substrate. The electrically conductive ends are electrically bonded to conductive areas on the substrate by solder or conductive adhesive LED dice can be placed on the substrate by temporarily attaching the dice to a tape which has been wrapped around a knife edge. The dice tilt as the tape wraps around the edge and are picked off one at a time by a vacuum collet while temporarily supported by a movable finger, and then transferred by the vacuum collet to a substrate. A similar method may be used for placing semiconductor dice on a substrate without the tilting of dice around the edge. In another embodiment, an array of LEDs can be assembled in windows through a metallized plastic tape which is bonded to a foundation with additional metallized leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Shane Harrah, Trevor J. Smith, John Uebbing, Thomas Fajardo, Jerry D. Kreger
  • Patent number: 5264066
    Abstract: A tire labeling apparatus feeds labels that are releasably adhered to a carrier web from a supply reel to a label dispensing station where the labels are transferred one at a time from the web to an application roller. At the dispensing station, the carrier web is tightly reversely bent to assist in sequentially "peeling" labels therefrom; spent web material is withdrawn from the dispensing station and collected on a collection reel; and, each newly "peeled" label is subjected to a jet of pressurized air that forces the indicia-carrying face of the label into engagement with a curved, label-receiving portion of the circumference of the application roller. Holes open through the label-receiving portion of the application roller, and ambient air is drawn through these holes to generate air pressure differential forces that releasably retain each newly dispensed label in place on the application roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Dennis A. Lundell
  • Patent number: 5261992
    Abstract: Two upper fabric cuts and at least one insert are assembled into a processing unit prior to bonding, and this unit is sent after bonding to a magazine following a bonding press used for bonding. This process and the device used to carry out same are particularly suitable for producing cuffs and collars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Moll Automatische Nahsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Philip Moll
  • Patent number: 5259912
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for continuous in-line labeling of flexible walled bottles of predetermined height, having a pair of substantially continuous lower and upper conveyor members substantially longitudinally aligned to provide an inlet end and an outlet end. The upper conveyor member includes a substantially endless chain supporting a plurality of downwardly depending compression wedges spaced therealong, whereby successive bottles to be labeled are received at the inlet end in partially compressed relationship between the top surface of the lower conveyor and the compression wedge. The apparatus can be selectively adjusted such that the vertical spacing between the top surface of the lower conveyor and the wedges of the upper conveyor appropriately compressively accommodate bottles of various heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Spear, Incorporated
    Inventor: Carl L. Cline
  • Patent number: 5259913
    Abstract: A rotary decorating machine for bottles having an alignment structure formed adjacent their bottom periphery, wherein the machine has at least one decorating station. A rotating table is provided with a plurality of independently rotatable bottle receiving cups spaced from one another adjacent the outer periphery of the table. The rotating table is driven by a first motor, and the bottle receiving cups are independently rotatable by pinion gears attached thereto for enabling planetary rotation of the bottles relative to the rotating table. A lower gear is provided with a second drive motor for rotation independent of the rotating table, and the pinion gears attached to individual bottle receiving cups are intermeshed with that gear. Rotation of the lower gear independently effects the rotation speed and direction of the bottle receiving cups independent of the planetary rotation resulting from movement of the rotating table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Spear, Incorporated
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Stover
  • Patent number: 5244530
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for laminating patches to a base web accurately, and as efficiently as possible, are provided. Two webs are fed at speeds which are related as the ratio of the width of each patch to the separation distance between patches, the patch web moving more slowly. Patches are cut from the patch web and transferred to the other web while being accelerated to the higher speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Philip Morris Incorporated
    Inventors: Alfred L. Collins, Billy J. Keen, Jr., George B. Reid, Renzer R. Ritt, Sr., William H. Stevens, Howard W. Vogt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5242528
    Abstract: An apparatus, formed by a plurality of devices, permits the automatic glueing of metal bases onto glass windscreens for automobiles. The apparatus is formed by a device for loading the windscreen, a centering device, a device for the hot glueing of a base, and devices for the automatic feeding of the bases. Devices for the unloading of the windscreen and for the supply of bases also form a part of the same apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Assignee: Societa Italiana Vetro - SIV S.p.A.
    Inventors: Vittore De Leonibus, Carmine Pascale
  • Patent number: 5232541
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for labeling bottles in a stream. An input conveyor is provided for supplying bottles to a presenting station. Bottles are restrained at the presenting station until the appropriate time by an entrance gate. Bottles are conveyed from the presenting station to a work station by an advancing conveyor. Bottles entering the work station drive the predecessor bottle out of the work station. An exit gate is provided to halt bottles leaving the work station so that they act as a registration stop for bottles entering the work station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Gifford
  • Patent number: 5227005
    Abstract: This invention relates to a labelling station for objects such as bottles with several stations located one behind another along a track, which includes an adhesive application station, a label feed station and a label transfer station. At least one extracting element is mounted so that it can rotate on a driven support plate. The drive mechanism comprises a cam drive mechanism. The cam drive mechanism comprises a stationary double cam disc with two one-sided cams located above one another, and two sets of followers. The two sets of followers are mounted on the drive shaft of the extracting element or on a bearing shaft coupled to it by means of a support element. During rotation of the support plate, the two sets of followers provide, by action of a form-fit with the two cam surfaces, a positive movement of each extraction element over its entire revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Assignee: ETI-TEC Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Rudolf Zodrow, Rainer Buchholz
  • Patent number: 5223076
    Abstract: A mechanism and method for applying adhesive to a sheet at an adhesive applying station from a mechanism adjacent the adhesive applying station for applying adhesive. A sheet support mechanism is provided adjacent the adhesive applying station. A moving mechanism is provided for moving a portion of a sheet in one direction relative to the sheet support mechanism from an initial position to a position adjacent the adhesive applying mechanism in order for adhesive to be deposited on the sheet. A mechanism is also provided for moving the portion of the sheet with the adhesive thereon away from the adhesive applying mechanism in an opposite direction beyond the said initial position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: GBR Systems Corp.
    Inventor: Bernd H. Walter
  • Patent number: 5219583
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a foil web of a thermoplastic with locally secured fittings, for use as tarpaulins or similar articles. The apparatus includes an extruder head with an entirely or mainly downwardly directed ejection orifice and two counterrotating rollers with a nip for calibrating the extruded foil. In a feeding device with a vertical supply magazine, a stack of fittings is accommodated and a guiding device is used to guide fittings into a discharge duct extending towards the roller nip. The guiding device is electrically operated and an electrically controlled stop member with an associated fitting sensing element are arranged at the lowermost end of the discharge duct towards the roller nip for accurate control of the supply of fittings to the roller nip through controlled stopping and releasing of the fitting element as well as the monitoring of fittings in the discharge duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Polysheet A/S
    Inventor: Peter Solbeck
  • Patent number: 5215622
    Abstract: The invention is used in a labeling machine for applying liquid to the surface of the bottles after the labels are applied for the purpose of rendering scratches, abrasions, chipping and chafing of the bottle surfaces invisible. To minimize the space taken by the combination of the labeling machine and the new liquid applicator device, the device is associated with the outfeed starwheel of the labeling machine. The liquid applicator device includes a fixed arcuate friction and applicator surface on which the bottles roll by reason of being orbited in the outfeed starwheel and, while rolling, the bottles receive their coating of liquid from the applicator surface. The applicator surface is spongy and maintains a coating of the liquid on it which is applied to the surface by means of spray nozzles which are timed to spray the applicator surface by projecting a fanshaped spray through the space between successive bottles as the bottles are moving orbitally by the rotating outfeed starwheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Krones AG Hermann Kronseder Maschinenfabrik
    Inventor: Stephan Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 5203953
    Abstract: Labels (10), especially revenue stamps, are usually affixed to cuboidal cigarette packs (11). The labels have to be supplied and held ready for being received by the packs (11) in sufficient numbers. The labels (10) are successively severed length- or breadthways from a continuous web of material (17) and are then directly fed into a magazine (14), from which the labels are extracted at the lower end as required. Without any conversion, the type of labels to be processed can be changed by way of (temporarily) manually inserting labels into the magazine which is appropriately designed for this option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Focke & Co.
    Inventors: Heinz Focke, Hans-Jurgen Bretthauer
  • Patent number: 5201984
    Abstract: A device for the orienting of bottles or similar containers, in particular for treatment machines such as labeling or decoration machines, each treated bottle being provided with a mark intended to come into engagement with an associated element of the orientation device, is so adapted that the associated element exerts on the bottle, as long as it is not in engagement with its mark, a push which tilts it and brings at least one point of a generatrix of its side surface to rub by contact against at least one wall during the relative displacement of the bottle and the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Inventor: Jean Bedin