Means Simultaneously Conveying Plural Articles From A Single Source And Serially Presenting Them To An Assembly Station Patents (Class 156/566)
  • Patent number: 4605459
    Abstract: A system for securing literature to a container by means of a band segment includes a supply of banding material, drawing rollers for drawing out a predetermined length of band segment and a knife for cutting it off. A dispenser of the literature and a conveyor of containers are set in proximity with a carousel which carries an applicator head. The applicator head picks up the band segment by suction, then receives the literature by further use of suction, and finally places the literature and the band segment against the container by release of the suction and a sweeping movement of arms extending from the applicator head to the container. The band segment is supplied with a thermo-sensitive adhesive for effecting an adhesive bond to the container. The applicator head includes heaters for activating the adhesive over only that portion of the band segment which is to adhere to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: New Jersey Machine Inc.
    Inventors: Helmut Voltmer, Alfred F. Schwenzer
  • Patent number: 4592651
    Abstract: A copier capable of binding copy papers at their center or their edge as desired. A bookbinding device is operatively connected to a paper outlet of the copier. To bind the papers at their center, a folding mechanism of the bookbinding device is activated first in order to form a crease along the center of each copy paper. Then, a binding mechanism of the bookbinding device is activated to sequentially stack the papers in an upwardly convex form and such that the creases face upward in alignment and, then, stich the papers together along the aligned creases by means of a stapler or the like. The bound papers are discharged to a stacking mechanism of the bookbinding device in a developed position so as to be stacked there while being folded double in the creases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Oikawa, Kenichi Shimizu, Shigeru Suzuki, Izumi Tagoku, Masahiro Ishikawa, Takashi Seto
  • Patent number: 4591403
    Abstract: A pail labeling machine is disclosed which applies labels to the sides of pails and particularly those having a bail. A continuously moving conveyor is provided which has a loading station, a labeling station and a discharge station. Positioned above the conveyor is a bail guide which maintains the pail bail in an upright position. The bail of the pail is guided in an upright position by the bail guide into a segment of a bail guide carried by a turret of a pail rotation drive mechanism positioned at the labeling station. The pail is arrested in its movement on the conveyor at the labeling station by a pair of rollers which swing into the path of the pail. The bail engaged by the segment of bail guide carried by the turret and rotated by the pail rotation drive mechanism is utilized to rotate the pail as a label is fed from a labeling machine into contact with the side of the pail. The label is in this manner rolled into place upon the side of the pail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: Anker Labelers Corp.
    Inventor: Claas Von-Meyer
  • Patent number: 4589947
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for adhering straws, each being packed in a plastic film, to external surfaces of beverage vessels for milk, juice, etc. which are sold by vendor machines. Specifically, a straw adhering apparatus for beverage vessels wherein a continuous laminated plastic film strip which incorporates straws separately and individually and is provided with an array of punched feed holes at upper and lower end parts of the strip is cut into individual straw packs by a cutter on the way of the strip feed passage. Upper and lower edges of each straw pack are delivered respectively by a pair of seizing feed belts to the main carrying conveyor path for a beverage vessel to which the straw pack is adhered to an external surface of the beverage vessel onto which an adhesive agent is applied in advance. An adhesion retaining belt which maintains a state of adhesion of the straw pack to the beverage vessel is provided at a side of the main carrying conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Takara
    Inventor: Masaaki Tsuda
  • Patent number: 4589943
    Abstract: A machine for applying tax stamps or like adhesive labels to articles such as cigarette packages arranged in two or more rows in a carton, including mechanism for advancing the carton lengthwise with exposed ends of the packages facing upwardly, and a head disposed above the path of carton advance for transporting a corresponding number of rows of spaced-apart labels into contact with the advancing package ends while the labels and packages are moving in the same direction and at the same velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignees: American Bank Note Company, Kirk-Rudy, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Kimball, Harry V. Kirk, Richard L. Roule, Richard C. Sennett, Peter J. Sorbo
  • Patent number: 4555299
    Abstract: A system for the dispensing of literature to objects, such as containers carried by a conveyor, includes a tape for the application of adhesive to literature, and a device for the separation of the literature from the tape to permit the securing of the literature, adhesively, to the containers. A drive mechanism is provided for advancing the tape through successive increments of distance, each incremental distance being equal to the size of one piece of literature. A hopper dispenses the literature to the tape, one piece at a time. Application of the pieces of literature to the objects is accomplished by a roller or brush. The literature separation device includes a bar having an edge about which the tape is bent to free the literature from the tape as the tape advances around the edge. The adhesive is retained by the literature during the separation from the tape so as to permit the adhesive attachment of the pieces of literature to the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: NJM, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmut Voltmer, Alfred F. Schwenzer, Edward J. Mazur
  • Patent number: 4551193
    Abstract: An apparatus for installing reinforcing bottom cups on blow molded plastic containers includes a transfer arm which grasps the outer peripheries of a plurality of molded hollow containers, such as bottles, by suction means, transfers the thus held bottles to a first station at which previously adhesively coated bottom cups are pushed upwardly on to the bottoms of the containers, from which station the thus reinforced bottomed containers are sequentially discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Ensamblaje y Manipulacion Industrial, S.A. (EMINSA)
    Inventor: Manuel I. Cano
  • Patent number: 4548668
    Abstract: This relates to a machine for assembling end units with container bodies. The container bodies have cylindrical open upper ends over which a cylindrical lower portion of an end unit or dome is telescoped with the overlapping portions being adhesively bonded together. The machine receives the end units serially and by way of a Ferris wheel type conveyor moves the end units first to an adhesive applicator where a band of adhesive is applied to the interior of each end unit, after which each end unit is then telescoped over and pressed into position relative to an associated body. The operation of the machine is continuous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Continental Can Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Roth, Charles S. Kubis, John Walter
  • Patent number: 4544431
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention processes roll fed labels for application to articles to be labelled. Adhesive is applied to or activated on the leading edge of the first to be applied label and the label is subsequently cut from the label supply and advanced by a conveyor in timed synchronization with an article to be labelled. Preferably, adhesive is applied to or activated on the leading edge of such first label as it is held essentially stationary on a vacuum bed in slipping engagement with continuously driven belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Stackpole Limited
    Inventor: George W. King
  • Patent number: 4526645
    Abstract: Labelling equipment is provided for applying wrap-around labels to cylindrical containers. The equipment includes a label carrier having a wheel rotatable about its axis, a vacuum system coupled to the wheel to retain labels on the wheel, a feeder for directing containers individually to the wheel adjacent the periphery of the wheel to receive a label, and a drive system for receiving containers from the bottle feeder and for rolling the containers upon receiving the label from the label carrier. The drive system includes at least one belt engaged about the wheel in slipping relationship therewith to permit the belt to move faster than the periphery of the wheel and including a portion for moving in contact with the container immediately after the container leaves the feeder to both carry the label off the wheel and to engage it on the container. A cutter arrangement is provided with a lobe which removes tension from the label as it is severed from the strip of labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Associated Packaging Equipment Corp. Ltd.
    Inventors: Martin D. Malthouse, Heinz K. Groeger
  • Patent number: 4518450
    Abstract: An automatic label dispensing apparatus for dispensing a label on an article to be marked is disclosed. The apparatus includes provisions for the mounting of a conventional label ejector mechanism adapted to eject in serial format adhesive-backed labels on articles as the same are positioned thereunder. A horizontal support member is provided for positioning the ejector mechanism in a selected radial position and includes a pivot arm attached thereto which supports the ejector mechanism in position for operation. A pneumatic system is provided for arming the ejector mechanism, and in time relation the arm carrying the mechanism is rotated to bring the ejector label carried by the ejector mechanism in contact with the article to be marked and then return the ejector mechanism to its initial position to recycle the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Inventor: Bruno D. Warmann
  • Patent number: 4505771
    Abstract: An arrangement, apparatus, and method for alternately stacking material, such as copper, glass, etc. to form a stack of uncured laminates in a laminating press line. A material sheet pick-up and depositing head has at least one compartment which receives negative air pressure for a pick-up mode, and positive air pressure for a material sheet depositing mode. A slightly curved convexed surface on the underside of this head may cooperate with the positive pressure in first forcing the center of the sheet downwardly and then outwardly onto the build-up station, whereby air is dispelled from between the sheet and the already uncured stacked laminates, resulting in the sheet being placed smoothly onto the stacked laminates. A conveyor belt system mounted on the head cooperates with the negative air pressure to uncoil a sheet of material from a let-off unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Wean United, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. George
  • Patent number: 4502910
    Abstract: A system for the dispensing of literature to objects, such as containers carried by a conveyor, includes a tape for the application of adhesive to literature, and a device for the separation of the literature from the tape to permit the securing of the literature, adhesively, to the containers. A drive mechanism is provided for advancing the tape through successive increments of distance, each incremental distance being equal to the size of one piece of literature. A hopper dispenses the literature to the tape, one piece at a time. Application of the pieces of literature to the objects is accomplished by a roller or brush. The literature separation device includes a bar having an edge about which the tape is bent to free the literature from the tape as the tape advances around the edge. The adhesive is retained by the literature during the separation from the tape so as to permit the adhesive attachment of the pieces of literature to the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: NJM, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmut Voltmer, Alfred F. Schwenzer, Edward J. Mazur
  • Patent number: 4498949
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for splicing together successive sections of single facer corrugated board having planar and corrugated fibrous layers, which sections are initially conveyed colinearly in spaced relation at uniform speed with the flutes extending in the direction of travel of the sections, characterized by the provision of a reciprocatory vacuum bar feed member operable initially to accelerate a subsequent section relative to a preceding section to a position in which a protruding layer portion at the trailing end of the preceding section is in superposed relation relative to a protruding layer portion at the leading end of the subsequent section, and subsequently to displace the section at the lower uniform speed at the moment at which the adjacent ends of the sections are in overlapping relation, whereupon the superposed portions may be bonded together to connect the sections to form a continuous web having longitudinally extending flutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Inventor: Rolf Soennichsen
  • Patent number: 4473425
    Abstract: A set of sheets delivered seriatim from a copier/duplicator or other source are advanced along a sheet path leading from an input station to an assembly station where a booklet is formed. As a sheet is moved along the path a line of adhesive is applied to one surface of the sheet adjacent to one side edge of the sheet. In the assembly station the sheets are jogged to align the sheets of the set and then pressure is applied to the sheets over the line of adhesive. When the entire set has been bound together into a booklet, the booklet is removed from the assembly station and delivered to an output station, such as a tote tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard C. Baughman, David S. Bump, Charles R. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 4468912
    Abstract: An apparatus for placing coupons, and the like, on cartons includes a supply source of coupons in the form of a web of coupons, a coupon advance drum for moving the coupon web from the supply source to the location of the cartons upon which the coupons are to be deposited, a knife device for cutting the coupons to be deposited from the coupon web, a movable coupon applying device which receives coupons at the knife device as they are cut from the coupon web and moves the coupons to a position above the cartons, and moving means for contemporaneously moving the carton and the coupon away from the applying means so that the coupon is moved out of the applying means and onto the carton as the carton and coupon are being moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1984
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Lewis, Everett N. Finn
  • Patent number: 4468274
    Abstract: A method of bonding a label having a thermosensitive adhesive provided on the under surface thereof which comprises providing a label from a supply roll, severing same therefrom and delivering such to a heat transferrable conveyor, providing heat to said conveyor, both during travel and interruptions thereof, for rendering said label tacky, peelingly removing said tackified label from said conveyor in timed relation to an article or object traveling thereby for disposition thereon. Apparatus for accomplishing the series of operations in the above-described method for rendering a thermosensitive adhesive equipped label tacky and automatically applying same to the object to be labeled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: E.D.M. Corporation
    Inventor: Takato Adachi
  • Patent number: 4460432
    Abstract: A bottle table for a labeling machine is ring-shaped and has an annular surface for receiving bottles and transporting the same in sequence between the stations of a labeling apparatus. The bottle table is supported for rotation by means of a ring bearing and a ring gear is disposed on the table and is engaged by a pinion for rotating the table about a vertical axis. A centering head is mounted on vertically adjustable supports extending upwardly from the table and is rotatably supported by means of a ring bearing on a stationary support. An undercarriage which supports the ring bearings occupies less than the basal plane of a support table and the ring bearing is supported over a radial range of less than 180.degree. between the table and the undercarriage with the remaining portions of the table being self-supporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1984
    Inventor: Norbert Jorss
  • Patent number: 4435246
    Abstract: An apparatus for stripping pressure-sensitive labels from a backing sheet including a label stripping assembly for initially stripping a portion of the labels from the backing sheet, a conveyor for transporting parcels in sequence past the stripping assembly, an elastic belt conveyor for stripping the labels from the backing sheet and transporting the labels to the parcels in timed sequence to the movement of the parcels on the conveyor, and a pair of pivotal roller assemblies for moving a portion of the elastic belt conveyor past the labels on the backing sheet to strip labels from the backing sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: Franchise Mailing Systems
    Inventor: Ronald J. Green
  • Patent number: 4419168
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for handling gasket-forming material. This material is usually supplied in tubular cartridge form and is dispensed to a screen with a porous pattern which shapes the material to the desired gasket-configuration. The material is spread on the screen and forced through to the other side where the gasket pattern is applied to an adjacent transfer surface of a transfer pad. This pad with the pattern on the transfer surface is moved to a mateable surface of a workpiece located on a support spaced from the screen. The gasket-forming material is then transferred to the mateable surface. The gasket-forming material is dispensed from the cartridge with the aid of a cartridge holder having an opening at one end to receive a spout of the cartridge and having a plunger at the other end with a plunger rod extending outwardly therefrom. A fluid-operated cylinder is aligned with the plunger rod and has a piston connected with the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Inventor: William A. Paul
  • Patent number: 4414055
    Abstract: A machine for applying flat-bottomed base cups to round-bottomed plastic bottles. The machine comprises an orbiting conveyor having means for carrying a plurality of bottles and base cups along a predetermined path during which time the base cups are applied to the bottom of the bottles. A bottle loader mechanism is provided for receiving a plurality of bottles directly from a blow-molding machine and transferring the same directly and simultaneously to the conveyor. Means are provided for delivering base cups single file to the conveyor and for removing the bottles from the conveyor after the base cups have been applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: William P. Young Co.
    Inventor: William P. Young
  • Patent number: 4412876
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying tubular labels to containers comprised of structure defining a labeling station, a container directing unit for directing a succession of containers to the labeling station, a label feeding unit for positioning individual labels at a predetermined position with respect to the labeling station, label applying mechanism including a label engaging device cyclically movable along a path of travel for removing a label from the feeding unit and assembling the label about a container at the labeling station, and a drive unit for imparting harmonic motion to the label engaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1983
    Assignee: Automated Packaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard Lerner, Dana J. Liebhart
  • Patent number: 4411727
    Abstract: A hanger rod transfer assembly for transferring hanger rods from a magazine to the edge of a file folder blank, the transfer assembly including a pair of transfer wheels for each edge of the blank, each transfer wheel having a plurality of corresponding grooves for supporting hanger rods, and guide plates covering a portion of the peripheral surface of each of said transfer wheels to retain the hanger rods in the grooves in the transfer wheels and a pad positioned below each edge of the blank to move the edge of the blank into a position to receive a hanger rod as the hanger rod is released from the guide plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1983
    Assignee: The Kempsmith Machine Company
    Inventor: Robert Seiy
  • Patent number: 4393579
    Abstract: A device for mounting leadless chip-type electronic components on a substrate. A mounting head includes a slide which is displaceable in a guide in a single direction between a loading position and an unloading position, and a suction device which is displaceable in a vertical direction only at the area of the unloading position. A component to be mounted, dispensed from a magazine or from a carrier strip, is transported by the slide from the loading position to the unloading position where the component is picked up and then moved down onto the substrate by the suction device. As a result of the controlled displacement of the components in only two directions, accurate and reproduceable positioning of the component is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: U. S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Godwin J. O. G. Van Hooreweder
  • Patent number: 4390390
    Abstract: A label applicator device for applying a label to the surface of a substantially rectangular package in a selected orientation includes a package conveyor for presenting a package at an applicator station, control means for manually selecting a first or a second label orientation, and applicator means. The applicator means is responsive to a control means and receives a label at an output station. The applicator means applies the label to the surface of the package in a first orientation with respect to the package or in a second orientation with respect to the package. The second orientation is rotated approximately 90.degree. with respect to the first orientation. The applicator means includes a cam and cam follower arrangement which provides for rotation of a portion of an applicator head which engages each label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: Hobart Corporation
    Inventors: Dallas A. Margraf, Fritz F. Treiber
  • Patent number: 4389272
    Abstract: Process and relative feeding device to provide small objects on a single plane, according to which in a series of magazines holding the stacked objects of different thicknesses and tolerances a differentiated operation pusher by adjustable stroke is caused to act upon one end of each of the magazines, whereas at the same time the opposite ends or free top openings of the magazines are closed by a stop device, the objects thus moving against the device; then moving the latter away from the openings and contacting the aligned external surface of the objects with the planar surface onto which the objects will be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: Ferco S.p.A.
    Inventors: Beniamino Ferri, Giovanni Caimi
  • Patent number: 4384915
    Abstract: A cam operated gripper driven by an endless chain receives at a feed station a wrapped straw having a heat-bondable portion and carries the straw to a bonding section. The gripper is associated with an electric heater which is in contact with the gripped straw. In the bonding section, an electric power supply rail is provided so that a collector of the heater slides on the rail, energizing the electric heater to heat the heat-bondable portion of the wrapped straw. In the bonding section, the heater is also pressed against the carton travelling in a production line at the same speed as the moving speed of the heater with the heat-bondable portion of the wrapped film therebetween. Thus one film wrapper is heat-bonded to each carton. After the completion of bonding, the cam operated gripper releases the straw allowing the straw to remain attached on the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1983
    Assignee: Tetra Pak International Aktiebolag
    Inventor: Yoshikazu Utsumi
  • Patent number: 4372802
    Abstract: Apparatus for mounting chip type circuit elements on a printed circuit board include a supply unit for supplying chip type circuit elements, a plurality of pallets adapted to be connected intermittently in a longitudinal direction, a sequence head adapted to shift the circuit elements onto the pallets, an X-Y table adapted to receive and support a printed circuit board, a mounting mechanism having mounting heads adapted to mount the chip type circuit elements on the printed circuit board carried by the X-Y table, and a shifting head for shifting the chip type circuit elements from the pallets to the mounting head of the mounting mechanism. The mounting mechanism constitutes a rotatably indexing disc on which a plurality of mounting heads are radially situated, the sequence heads, shifting head and mounting heads each utilizing suction pins to which the chip type circuit elements are fixed during their movement from the supply unit to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kotaro Harigane, Kenichi Takahashi, Hirokazu Shudo, Shuichi Tando
  • Patent number: 4357197
    Abstract: The method of bonding a pocket blank to a garment portion of the present invention comprises the steps of providing a pocket blank at a first station. The pocket blank is conveyed to a second station. The bottom and side margin tabs of the pocket blank are folded over the pocket body. Heat and pressure are utilized to apply a strip of heat fusing adhesive to a top margin tab of the pocket blank. Heat and pressure are also applied to the folded over side and bottom margin tabs to crease the same. Next, the top margin tab bearing the adhesive is folded over and heat and pressure are applied to bond the same to the pocket body. Heat and pressure are applied to fuse strips of the heat fusing adhesive to the side and bottom margin tabs of the pocket blank. The prepared pocket blank is then conveyed along the path of travel to a third station where an overlaid garment portion is heat and pressure bonded to the prepared pocket blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Assignee: General Fabric Fusing, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Wilson
  • Patent number: 4354894
    Abstract: An apparatus for placing a coupon, or the like, on a package as the package moves through the apparatus. The apparatus includes a supply source of coupons in the form of a web of coupons, a coupon web advance drum for pulling the coupon web from the supply source, a scissors device for cutting the coupon web into individual coupons, and a coupon conveyor device for moving individual coupons from the scissors device to the package and depositing the coupon on the package as it continuously moves past.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Assignee: Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Lewis, John H. Sexstone
  • Patent number: 4353775
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for applying a bead of gasket-forming material to a mateable surface of a workpiece. The apparatus includes a source of gasket-forming material and a screen having a predetermined pattern conforming to the desired bead of the gasket-forming material. A spreader applies the gasket-forming material to one side of the screen and the gasket pattern is then formed on an adjacent transfer surface of a transfer pad on the opposite side of the screen. Means are provided for moving the pad with the pattern on the transfer surface and engaging it with the mateable surface of a workpiece mounted on a support spaced from the screen, thereby forming a bead of gasket-forming material on the mateable surface. The transfer surface is moved through an arc of 180.degree. when moving between the screen and the workpiece surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Inventor: William A. Paul
  • Patent number: 4352712
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for applying a bead of gasket-forming material to a mateable surface of a workpiece. The apparatus includes a source of gasket-forming material and a screen having a predetermined pattern conforming to the desired bead of the gasket-forming material. A spreader applies the gasket-forming material to one side of the screen and the gasket pattern is then formed on an adjacent transfer surface of a transfer pad on the opposite side of the screen. Means are provided for moving the pad with the pattern on the transfer surface and engaging it with the mateable surface of a workpiece mounted on a support spaced from the screen, thereby forming a bead of gasket-forming material on the mateable surface. The transfer surface is moved through an arc of 180.degree. when moving between the screen and the workpiece surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Inventor: William A. Paul
  • Patent number: 4351693
    Abstract: A label positioner is provided to finally position tubular labels which have been partially applied to cylindrical containers by conventional label application machines. Incomplete application which may result from tight fitting tubular labels such as heat shrinkable sleeves, is corrected by a pair of rollers mounted parallel above a conveyor which carries the containers from the label application machine. The rollers are mounted horizontally and spaced apart to tangentailly contact the containers conveyed therebetween. The rollers have soft outer surfaces, and when the rollers are driven in opposite rotational directions, they apply a light brushing stroke which slides the labels to the bottom of the containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Assignee: Kerr Glass Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventor: Stuart C. Fuller
  • Patent number: 4328064
    Abstract: A ticket shingling process and an apparatus for performing the process by which tickets are serially stripped from the bottom of a stack of tickets by means of a reciprocating suction means which, in conjunction with rotable feed means, transfers the stripped ticket to a longitudinally extending first conveyor. Suction means is provided above the downstream end of the first conveyor to lift each ticket into engagement with ticket aligning means on a second, laterally extending conveyor where glue is applied to the ticket. The second conveyor is advanced a predetermined increment whereupon a succeeding ticket is mated with the first ticket in adhesive offset or shingled manner. The process is repeated until a predetermined number of tickets comprise the ticket assembly. Means is provided for alternative movement of the second conveyor to accomplish desired ticket placement within a bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Inventors: Rex B. Miller, Jr., Manfred Rudy
  • Patent number: 4323416
    Abstract: Labelling equipment is provided for applying wrap-around labels to cylindrical containers. The equipment includes a label carrier having a wheel rotatable about its axis, a vacuum system coupled to the wheel to retain labels on the wheel, a feeder for directing containers individually to the wheel adjacent the periphery of the wheel to receive a label, and a drive system for receiving containers from the bottle feeder and for rolling the containers upon receiving the label from the label carrier. The drive system includes at least one belt engaged about the wheel in slipping relationship therewith to permit the belt to move faster than the periphery of the wheel and including a portion for moving in contact with the container immediately after the container leaves the feeder to both carry the label off the wheel and to engage it on the container. A cutter arrangement is provided with a lobe which removes tension from the label as it is severed from the strip of labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Inventors: Martin D. Malthouse, Heinz K. Groeger
  • Patent number: 4321103
    Abstract: There is disclosed, in combination with a conveyor for moving packages or other objects of different sizes and shapes from an input station via a customer charge-calculating and labeling station, an improved printed label transport system carrying the labels to the applicator. The label transport and applying system is of a swinging "elbow" type and is of such geometry as to obviate previous problems concerning labeling of articles of varying sizes and shapes as they are being transported on a continuously delivering high speed product line conveyor. The label print system applies all pertinent data on a single label, and the mechanism provides an improved "final touch" pressure against each label incidental to the applying operation. The label transport system includes a sidewise label scanning device which monitors for correctness the indicia printed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: Hi-Speed Checkweigher Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Lindstrom, Walter A. Boyd, Victor Del Rosso
  • Patent number: 4319948
    Abstract: Individualized sequenced sheets are carried along a conveyer to a predetermined location where an adhesive pattern is applied prior to reaching a card-affixing station where a corresponding individualized sequenced card is attached. A reciprocating carriage removes the lowermost card from a stack of cards in a magazine and feeds the card into the nip between a driven squeeze roller and the conveyer whereby the card is affixed via the adhesive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Inventors: Robert B. Volkert, John K. Volkert
  • Patent number: 4293369
    Abstract: A machine for the application of suction tubes to packing containers is disclosed. Portion-sized packages for juice and the like are often equipped with suction tubes to facilitate the emptying thereof. The suction tubes, which for reasons of hygiene are individually wrapped in paper, are very light and therefore difficult to handle and to attach to the outside surface of the packing container by mechanical means.The disclosed machine separates the wrapped tubes from a continuous band, applies an adhesive, orientates each packing container and tube in relation to each other and attaches the tube to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1981
    Assignee: Tetra Pak International AB
    Inventors: Rolf M. Dilot, Jan T. Hakansson
  • Patent number: 4292116
    Abstract: A method whereby chip type circuit elements are mounted at predetermined locations on a printed circuit board by a suction means and apparatus for performing the method are disclosed. The suction means picks up each circuit element from a respective stack supported in a vertical magazine and transfers and positions them above the predetermined locations on the printed circuit board which can have a predetermined pattern of laminar conductors on the upper surface thereof. The circuit elements are then released by termination of the applied suction and adhered to the board by a thermoplastic adhesive setting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuo Takahashi, Yoshinobu Taguchi, Shuichi Tando, Kenichi Saito
  • Patent number: 4289563
    Abstract: A resin bonded glass fiber grating adhesively bonded together in unitary construction to form a lightweight, high strength industrial grating, which may include a non-skid elastomer surface and the capability to be rolled up for storage and a method of constructing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Inventors: Joseph W. Wiechowski, Delmar S. Miller, Richard C. Kostner
  • Patent number: 4287016
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a machine for applying indicia, preferably decalcomanias (decals), to felts that form part of tennis balls. A stack of the felts is placed in the machine, and a destacking mechanism separates each felt from the stack and places them on a conveyor which moves the felts to a decal applicating machine. After a decal is applied to each felt, the conveyor moves the felts to a restacking mechanism which lifts the felts off the conveyor and restacks them. The machine is preferably equipped to handle the felts in pairs in order to double the speed of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Assignee: The Meyercord Co.
    Inventors: Daniel Kerwin, Victor Trentadue
  • Patent number: 4283245
    Abstract: Container conveying apparatus comprises a conveyor for conveying evenly spaced-apart containers and means for individually engaging containers and shifting containers laterally of the conveyor. Such container conveying apparatus may be used in association with container labelling apparatus where lateral movement of container on conveyor is desired preparatory to the next labelling step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1981
    Inventor: Horst A. Benoit
  • Patent number: 4273607
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for applying a bead of gasket-forming material to a mateable surface of a workpiece. The apparatus includes a source of gasket-forming material and a screen having a predetermined pattern conforming to the desired bead of the gasket-forming material. A spreader applies the gasket-forming material to one side of the screen and the gasket pattern is then formed on an adjacent transfer surface of a transfer pad on the opposite side of the screen. Means are provided for moving the pad with the pattern on the transfer surface and engaging it with the mateable surface of a workpiece mounted on a support spaced from the screen, thereby forming a bead of gasket-forming material on the mateable surface. The transfer surface is moved through an arc of 180.degree. when moving from the screen to the workpiece surface. If desired, two of the transfer surfaces can be positioned on opposite sides of the transfer pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1981
    Inventor: William A. Paul
  • Patent number: 4267003
    Abstract: Solar cells are glassed mechanically to form solar cell stacks, each having a protective coverslide adhesively bonded to the active face of a solar cell, by relative movement of assembly fixtures past a solar cell dispenser which places a solar cell on each fixture, a following adhesive dispenser which applies adhesive to the active face of each cell, and a final coverslide dispenser which applies a coverslide to each cell to form an adhesively bonded cell stack. The preferred adhesive is a liquid adhesive which is applied to a central region only of each active cell face, then spreads over the entire cell face by capillary flow following application of the cell coverslide, and is finally cured by relative movement of the cell stack through an oven or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Hans G. Mesch, Colin H. Debenham, Robert K. Yasui
  • Patent number: 4259132
    Abstract: A device for the pressing of gummed labels or foils against objects which are moved along a straight or curved path, comprises one or more pressing elements disposed one behind the other and movably advanced in synchronism with the objects along a path that is convexly curved with respect to the first path. Each pressing element has a pliable pressure pad disposed at the level of the area which is to be provided with the foil and situated at varying distances from the pressing element. The pressure pad comprises a plurality of elements disposed side by side, which independently of one another exert a point or line pressure during the pressing action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignee: Jagenberg-Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Egon Hoveler
  • Patent number: 4256528
    Abstract: A machine which forms openings in can ends and seals the openings with manually removable lengths of tape. The machine comprises a wheel and a plurality of plates having through passageways across which the can ends are supported. The plates are slidably mounted around the periphery of the wheel and are slid relative to the wheel between a first position at which punches carried by the wheel punch openings in the can ends when the wheel moves the plates along a first portion of the path, and a second position at which taping means mounted on a frame of the machine applies lengths of tape over the openings as the wheel moves the plates along a second portion of the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Richard A. Patterson
  • Patent number: 4253902
    Abstract: An automatic labeler comprising (1) a label peeling-applying unit including a rotary drum provided at its periphery with at least one label-sucking slit, (2) a mounted label feeding unit including a support plate provided at its forward end with a peeling means such as a peeling blade or a guide pin and (3) a conveyor for conveying articles to be labeled, characterized in that a mounted label is bent at the peeling means to peel the tip of the label from the mount, the peeled tip of the label is sucked to the label-sucking slit of the rotary drum while the label-free mount is held at the peeling means provided on the support plate, the rotary drum and support plate are rotated at the same peripheral velocity in the same direction to complete peeling of the label from the mount simultaneously with attraction of the peeled label to the sucking slit under vacuum, and the label so attracted is then applied to an article on the conveyor while the vacuum is released and the rotary drum and conveyor are moved at the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1981
    Assignee: Sansei Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuaki Yada
  • Patent number: 4243466
    Abstract: A semi-automatic machine for applying sleeve labels to the exterior of flexible walled containers in which individual labels are manually loaded into gripper means which hold and maintain the label in open condition while an unlabeled container is inserted into the label. Throughout the labeling operation the container and the label are at all times positively controlled and held by container clamps and/or the label grippers to insure consistent label application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Assignee: Sterling Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott A. Lindee
  • Patent number: 4235661
    Abstract: An article labelling machine, especially for labelling cheeses, comprises a conveying means for conveying the articles to be labelled and a labelling means.The articles to be labelled are fed one-by-one to a stirrup which ensures the automatic centering of the articles with respect to a label-applying head overlying the stirrup. The stirrup and the label-applying head are movable as an assembly, transversely with respect to the direction of advance of the conveying means, from a position in which the label-applying head receives a label to a transversely displaced position in which the label is applied to an article and the labelled article is discharged from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Inventor: Jacques E. M. Evrard
  • Patent number: 4233105
    Abstract: A labelling apparatus for tape cassettes is described in which the cassettes are pushed stepwise out of a magazine on to a guide track and advanced along a guide track by one cassette width at a time. A carrier is disposed above the track and carries at least one set of treatment devices, comprising a device for applying an adhesive or adhesive aid, a label applying device and a pressure stamp. In the intervals between two successive feed steps the carrier together with the devices is lowered and in this manner, as the cassette is advanced, the cassette successively has adhesive, a label and pressure applied thereto. Preferably the carrier carries two sets of treatment devices with a turn-over roll for the cassettes disposed between the sets so that the cassettes can be provided on both sides with a label during a single pass through the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Inventor: Rolf Albinger