Abstract: In a label feed control system, a label separated from the base ribbon is fed for a predetermined amount after the front edge thereof has been detected, so that the label can be positioned accurately irrespective of the light transmissivity of the base ribbon and labels.

Abstract: A manual label applicator is provided for use in a commodity weighing and labeling station. As a preprinted label is advanced from a printing station in a cantilever fashion, a label applicator having a roll with knife edges thereon causes said label to be creased in the direction of travel. Creasing of the label tends to keep it rigid and reliably hold it in a orientation suitable for manual application either through impact or by physically removing the label by hand. The knife edges or ridges on the roll further cooperate with fluting provided in a sliding surface for facilitating the partial creasing of the label as it advances through the label applicator.

Abstract: A label dispenser for applying labels to containers transported via a conveyor includes a supply of labels carried by a web, a head for transferring the labels from the web to the containers, and a guide assembly which joins the head to the supply station. The length of the guide assembly is selected to space the supply station away from the head and from the conveyor thereby to provide space for other equipment alongside the conveyor. Web delivering labels to the head and spent web are both carried within the guide assembly in close proximity to each other to minimize the cross-sectional dimensions of the guide assembly. A set of rails is angled relative to the path of travel, the web making slidable contact with the rails and being folded thereabout to provide for a bending of the path, thereby to accommodate an angling of the head relative to the guide assembly for alignment with the conveyor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler which uses labels releasably adhered to a carrier web. The labeler has a body with a pair of identical body sections. The body mounts first, second and third feed rolls. The first and third feed rolls project beyond the body and cooperate respectively with the second feed roll. The body has a delaminator and a guideway for the carrier web. The carrier web can be threaded through the guideway and about the delaminator in either direction. In either event, the first, second and third feed rolls cooperate with the carrier web to advance it and effect label delamination. Depending on the direction of threading, either the first or the third feed roll is used to advance the carrier web by rolling that feed roll along the surface to be labeled. A label roll is held captive in a holder having two identical body sections. In an alternative embodiment, a label strip winding feature enables a strip of labels to be wound into a roll for subsequent use in the labeler.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved for dispensing solid members, such as electrical connectors, having extended rigid projections inserted in a penetrable flexible substrate sheet material. The apparatus for dispensing the solid members includes a rotatable drum having a solid surface. The sheet material containing the solid members is pulled across the drum surface by a frictional drive roller, thereby pulling the sheet material radially inwardly past the solid projections, creating a gap between the solid members and the sheet material. Wedge-like finger members are inserted in the gap, to complete removal of solid projections from the sheet material, thereby releasing the solid members for slideable movement along the finger members to a remote work station.

Abstract: A hand-held labeler, particularly a labeler employing a thermographic print head, utilizes improved control circuitry for accurately sensing the position of the web and controlling the operation of the print head in order accurately to control the position of the imprints on the web. When a motor is used to advance the web, the control system is operative to control the operation and speed of the web advancing motor.

Abstract: A web positioning system, particularly usable for use in a hand-held labeler employing a thermographic print head, utilizes a circular indexing member having a plurality of position defining indices for providing indications representative of the position of the web. The circular, and relative rotation between the circular member and the shaft is prevented by a plurality of key slots or the like disposed on said circular member and engaging a key, and slot or the like on the shaft. The angular spacing between the key slots is unequal and is substantially greater than the spacing between the position-defining indices; but the position of the position defining indices relative to the shaft may be adjusted by a distance less than the distance between the position defining indices by bringing a different one of the key slots into engagement with the shaft.

Abstract: A dispensing device for perfumes or deodorants comprises a housing for a reel of mounting tape with tabs adhesively mounted thereon. The mounting tape extends to a member impregnated with the perfume or deodorant and is passed against the member for coating the upper tab surface. The mounting tape extends to and around a discharge member for redirecting the mounting tape through a sharp angle and to dispense the coated tabs through a discharge opening in the housing. A take-up reel is provided for winding the mounting tape. A thumb wheel moves the take-up reel and operates the dispenser.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved device for dispensing individual labels slightly adherent to a roll of tape in end-to-end relation. The tape issues from a one piece container via a passage underlying the container cover and through a tubular passage extending through a guard flange along the container sidewall beneath the cover flange whereby manipulation of the tape in dispensing a label cannot open the cover. Before entering the tubular passage the tape makes a sharp bend over a protruding lip on the top edge of the container sidewall which initiates and peels the leading label from the tape and presents the advance end for grasping between the operator's fingers.

Abstract: A dispenser for pressure-sensitive adhesive labels on a web of release material in which a label-bearing web is withdrawn from a supply coil past a peel edge at which the direction of travel of the web reverses so that the labels separate from the web and advance towards the surface to be labelled, wherein the spent web is taken up by a take-up spool, and a friction roller rotatably mounted in the dispenser for contact with the surface to be labelled rotates as the dispenser is moved over the surface, the friction roller being operatively connected to the take-up spool so that both rotate at substantially the same surface speed and the labels are dispensed at substantially the same speed as the dispenser is moved but in the opposite direction.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a label peeling device for use with a label issuing machine, such as a hand labeler or a measuring printer. There is a feed unit for feeding a label web, which web comprises a plurality of labels temporarily adhered in series to a web of backing paper. A peeling unit turns and deflects the backing paper web rearwardly, as it is being fed by the feed unit, and the labels peel one by one from the backing paper at the line of deflection due to the rigidity of the labels. An auxiliary label peeling member is arranged in the vicinity of that portion of the peeling unit at which the backing paper and the labels separate. In some embodiments, the auxiliary peeling member has a label abutment portion so placed, shaped and sized that any label which might fail to peel from the backing paper merely by the reverse turning of the backing paper web is moved to abut the label abutment portion until it is forcibly peeled from the backing paper.

Abstract: A band carrying a series of labels separated by gaps is transported step by step past a location at which individual labels are removed and automatically applied to boxes, etc. Along the path of the band, at a scanning station, a backing plate is provided on the empty side of the band, while the side with the labels is scanned by a device which consists of a feeler roller eccentrically mounted on an angle lever. As the roller drops into the gap between labels, the lever pivots, carrying along with it a bar whose opposite end normally interrupts the flow of air in an air cell. The rotation frees the air cell causing generation of a signal designed to stop the transport of the band. To allow for the relatively long response time of the cell, the bar is rotatably mounted on the lever and continues its motion due to inertia after the lever itself has stopped and even after it has reversed direction as the roller moves onto the next label.

Abstract: Units of currency are assembled and packed on a transport medium which is secured within a housing and which is incrementally unpacked under security control to dispense the desired amount of currency. The units of currency are removably attached to the transport medium by isolated, discontinuous adhesive regions on the transport medium that attach the currency thereto in substantially coplanar array with the forward edge unattached to facilitate selective unpacking by non-coplanar manipulation of the transport medium that separates the forward edge of the currency from the transport medium.

Abstract: A label dispenser which utilizes an infrared radiator and sensor which is phased and modulated so as to discriminate from ambient light and which has a movable peel bar which can be adjusted for labels of different lengths such that as the labels are removed the machine will automatically advance the next label. The machine is capable of taking labels of varying widths.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held labeler which uses labels releasably adhered to a carrier web. The labeler has a body with a pair of identical body sections. The body mounts first, second and third feed rolls. The first and third feed rolls project beyond the body and cooperate respectively with the second feed roll. The body has a delaminator and a guideway for the carrier web. The carrier web can be threaded through the guideway and about the delaminator in either direction. In either event, the first, second and third feed rolls cooperate with the carrier web to advance it and effect label delamination. Depending on the direction of threading, either the first or the third feed roll is used to advance the carrier web by rolling that feed roll along the surface to be labeled. A label roll is held captive in a holder having two identical body sections. In an alternative embodiment, a label strip winding feature enables a strip of labels to be wound into a roll for subsequent use in the labeler.

Abstract: An improved electrically operated labelling machine is disclosed. The improved labelling machine comprises a frame for receiving and supporting a labelling gun adjacent its forward position. The mounting means is detachably connected to the frame for positioning the labelling gun. A solenoid is secured to the frame adjacent its rear portion. An arm mounted for horizontal reciprocal movement is connected to the solenoid and detachably linked to the gun trigger. Means are provided for energizing the solenoid for operation through a complete cycle including an advance stroke and a return stroke thereby actuating the labelling gun for accomplishing printing and cutting of labels.

Abstract: A label feed control system for separating labels sequentially from the base ribbon. The base ribbon is transported for a certain length after the front edge of each label has been detected. The feed amount of the label after its front edge has been detected is substantially constant even if the front edge detector is interfered by a finger or the like and a label detection signal is erroneously generated.

Abstract: A machine for individually dispensing die cut pressure-sensitive labels from the carrier web of a label train. An AC synchronous stepping motor rotates a pair of drive rolls for a predetermined time period sufficient to move the label train from a supply roll past an infrared detecting member to a discharge end of the machine. The web moves downwardly over the discharge end of the machine and partially discharges an individual label. A microswitch is actuated upon complete dispensing of a label, which sends a pulse through appropriate control circuitry to reactuate the stepping drive motor which advances the label train to partially dispense the next label. The infrared detecting member senses the density difference of the label gap between adjacent labels on the moving web and sends a stop signal to a timer of the control circuitry which will deactivate the motor at the end of the predetermined preset time period.

Abstract: A label cassette is described in which labels releasably adhered to a support strip are stored in a cassette. The cassette is generally rectangular with one corner formed at approximately a 45.degree. angle. A reflective surface is placed on the angular corner to permit a light beam to be reflected from the cassette through holes in the support strip between each label to control the advance of the support strip into the label printer. With this arrangement the proper positioning of the label cassette as well as that of the support strip are simultaneously detected.

Abstract: A printer system for printing upon labels mounted on a web of release material, includes a stationary reel support upon which a supply reel and a take up reel are mounted for free rotation thereon. A printer is mounted adjacent a supply path extending from the supply reel to the take up reel, and a web drive arrangement is provided for engaging the web and transporting the web past the printer. A reel actuating arrangement, such as an inertial arm, is provided for applying a web unreeling force to the web of material adjacent the supply roll, which force is dependent upon and varies with the radius of the supply roll. A clutch is interposed between the supply reel and the take up reel for rotating the take up reel as the web is unreeled from the supply roll mounted on the supply reel such that substantially the same amount of web of release material is wound onto a take up roll on the take up reel as is unreeled from the supply roll.

Abstract: A label applicator comprising a supporting structure, a label receiver mounted on the supporting structure for oscillatory movement about a pivot axis between a retracted position and an extended position, and a label dispenser for supplying labels to the label receiver when the label receiver is in the retracted position. The label receiver releasably retains the labels supplied to the label receiver in the retracted position. The label receiver is moved in one direction about the pivot axis to the extended position and in that position, applies the label to an article. The label receiver is then pivoted about the pivot axis in the other direction to return it to the retracted position.

Abstract: A banknote packaging element, process, and separating apparatus utilize a plurality of envelopes for receiving sheet material. The envelopes are arranged in succession and have their undersides separately attached to an auxiliary belt. The auxiliary belt is formed of a continuous tear-off strip formed as an integral part of the envelope and adapted to be separated along perforated lines.

Abstract: An appliance for adhering a sensing marker on a medium for recording information, such as a magnetic tape, comprising a case, removing rotor, and a guide way. The case has a cavity formed therein where the removing rotor is pivotally supported. The removing rotor also has a cavity therein where a marker roll is accommodated which is commercially available and which includes a backing liner and a plurality of pre-cut sensing markers adhered on the backing liner. The removing rotor has a station which is formed in a flat surface for receiving the backing liner withdrawn from the marker roll. An arc surface and a radial step are also provided with the removing roller. A location is formed on the case so that the magnetic tape is positioned there. A transfer block which has a rectangular shape is formed at the bottom thereof. Soft material which has a tendency to stick to the sensing marker is positioned on the block.

Abstract: A label sensor adapted for use with a labeller comprises an emitter, a receiver and a fibre optic bundle for transmitting an emitted beam to the receiver. The labeller is of the type which separates spaced-apart labels from a carrier by passing the carrier around the free end of a label splitter tongue member. An end of the fibre optic bundle is positioned in an opening of the splitter tongue near its free end to detect the leading portion of a label as the carrier passes over the bundle end. The use of a fibre optic bundle and its manner of mounting in the tapered end permits the positioning of the relatively bulky emitter or receiver remote of the compact free end of the splitter tongue member and provides a precise label sensing.

Abstract: A sensing and locking device for controlling the operation of a hand-held label applicator or other mechanism in response to a force generated by an article moved by the mechanism includes a pivotal sensing member disposed in the path of the article, which is disposed by contact with the article. Such displacement serves to activate a wedge-action locking device which then locks the article or one of a series of articles in a required position. The force required to displace the sensing member is very small.

Abstract: In a vending machine using an elongated member to which a plurality of articles to be sold are connected at predetermined intervals, there are provided a draw-up mechanism for drawing up the elongated member and a gate formed with an opening smaller in size than each of the articles. The gate may pass the elongated member into the draw-up mechanism through the opening and block passage of the leading one of the articles to detach it from the elongated member as it is drawn up by the draw-up mechanism.

Abstract: Individual photographic films are removed from a composite film comprising a flexible carrier strip or strips to which the films have been adhesively bonded along one edge or both edges during the production of reprint photographs, by inserting a deflector under the film while bending the carrier strip around a corner to stretch the adhesive, thereby separating the film from the carrier strip.The apparatus employed comprises an elongated frame mounting the composite film, drive means for driving the composite film the length of the frame, guide means including a corner for guiding the movement of the film, and deflector means positioned adjacent the corner for insertion under the film and moving it angularly with respect to the carrier strip as the strip moves around the guide corner, thereby separating the film from the carrier strip.

Abstract: A manually operated label dispensing machine adapted to receive web forming backing material carrying readily detachable, adhesive-coated labels thereon; there being a discharge edge presented for travel thereover of the backing material to effect parting of the material from the supported labels for freeing of the latter. A drive roller is carried upon a drive shaft for cooperating with a driven roller for gripping therebetween the backing material causing pulling of the same about the discharge edge. The drive roller is mounted for rotation by manually applied torque; and the driven roller is supported upon a swing frame for selected disposition in either operative relationship with said drive roller or in inoperative condition.

Abstract: A system for processing and finishing stained glass slides includes a staining rack for receiving stained slides and including a device for discharging the stained slides therefrom, a conveyor for receiving the discharged stained slides from the staining rack, and for transporting the stained slides in a direction away from the staining rack; and a slide finishing station cooperating with the conveyor. The slide finishing station includes a device for depositing glue onto the stained slide; the stained slide carries the glue, and a device is provided for applying a cover glass to the glue-carrying slide.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for vending or otherwise dispensing small items such as food, toys, toilet articles, greeting cards, and the like. According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a "dispensing module" adapted and configured for rapid insertion in, and removal from a vending machine or other dispensing device. The dispensing module includes means for releasably holding a number of items, for example by an outwardly extending portion or tab on each item. In this way, the items may be secured to the dispensing module at a central supply point, and the module, with the attached items, may be transported to and inserted in a vending machine or other dispensing device in the field. Once inserted in the dispensing device, the dispensing module may be actuated to release selected items, one at a time. According to another aspect of the invention the apparatus includes a "dispensing strip" having a plurality of items either permanently or removably attached in succession.

Abstract: A dispenser unit comprising or loaded with a supply roll containing sliced cheese, meat or the like, said roll being a rolled up length of a carrier sheet on which the slice material is placed in a strip or row, whereby in the roll the carrier sheet covers the outside of the slice material on the sheet in the underlying winding of the roll, the unit comprising means for rotatably supporting the roll and a guiding edge member enabling the sheet to be drawn off the roll with a substantially sharp bend about the guiding edge so as to cause the slice material to be successively released from the sheet by a pull in the free sheet end downstream of said guiding edge, in which the free sheet end extends from said guiding edge and back to and at least partially about the roll in such a manner that before finally leaving the roll the free sheet end engages and covers the outside of at least a partial length of the slice material constituting the outermost slice material layer of the roll, the unit preferably comprisin

Abstract: Plural printing stations are located wherever convenient within a printing machine for pressure sensitive labels. Each label is individually printed at each station by detaching the label from its release web after each printing operation, advancing the label, and reattaching the label to a different portion of the web prior to the next printing operation.

Abstract: A novel carrier sheet and envelope arrangement comprised of a highly segmented carrier sheet on which envelopes are held in a closed, prefolded condition which allows use of shorter lengths of carrier sheeting for holding comparable qualities of envelopes or other business forms than has heretofore been the case. The carrier sheet and envelope arrangement also allows the envelopes to be removed from the carrier sheet either by hand or automatically by machine.

Abstract: Elements are supplied to a work station with the elements being arranged in a row. The elements are releasably retained at the work station. The articles to which the elements are to be transferred are moved through the work station with the row of elements at the work station extending in the same direction as the direction of article movement. Each of the elements is transferred to an associated article as the articles are moved through the work station. The elements are sequentially transferred with the most downstream element always being the next element to be transferred.

Abstract: A device for dispensing and applying stickers by intermittently engaging and advancing a continuous strip carrying said stickers along a path having an abrupt change of direction which causes the stickers to separate from the strip. A mobile clamp intermittently engages the strip and travels a reciprocal path for incrementally advancing the continuous strip to dispense a sticker.

Abstract: A dispense edge member for detaching a pressure-sensitive label from a backing strip is shaped to impart a transverse curvature to the label during detachment from the backing strip. The curvature increases the rigidity of the label and prevents drooping of the label.

Abstract: A device for removing adhesive labels or the like from a substrate in which a reel of the substrate material is rotatably mounted about an axis in a trough of a housing which also includes a horizontal guide supporting the substrate above the axis. The guide has a bending edge which separates label and substrate. The substrate is driven by rollers mounted below the axis and operated by a motor. A light source and photocell are disposed adjacent the bending edge for disabling the motor when a label is located therebetween.

Abstract: A movable conveyor belt having first and second belt surfaces and an opening extending between the belt surfaces, a mechanism for depositing a label on the first belt surface at a first station, and a pressure source for blowing air under pressure through the opening to transfer the label from the belt at a second station to at least one object.

Abstract: A label printer is disclosed for imprinting characters in succession on label stock comprising an elongated strip of label stock backing having a front surface and a back surface and further comprising a plurality of labels removably adhering to and spaced along the front surface of the elongated strip. The label printer takes the label stock from a supply position, passes it in a first direction by a print station, then passes the label stock with the imprinted labels through a label stripping apparatus which includes a first pin mounted so as to extend transversely to the first direction of label stock travel and bearing against the back surface of the label stock backing. The label printer draws the label stock from the label stripping apparatus in a second direction which is substantially at right angles to the first direction so as to result in separation of individual imprinted labels as the label stock passes around the first pin.

Abstract: Labels are supplied in groups to a labelling station with the labels of each group being arranged in a row. The labels are releasably retained at the labelling station. The articles to be labelled are moved through the labelling station with the row of labels at the labelling station extending in the same direction as the direction of article movement. Each of the labels is transferred to an associated article as the articles are moved through the labelling station. The labels are sequentially transferred with the most downstream label always being the next label to be transferred.

Abstract: A label dispensing machine which is adapted to receive a supply of independent rolls of backing material each carrying readily detachable, adhesive coated labels thereon. A parting or discharge edge is provided for movement thereover of the backing strips to cause withdrawal of the strip from the supported labels for freeing of the latter. A control shaft is presented for supporting keys corresponding to each independent roll, said keys being so engaged upon said shaft as to effect rocking of the same upon depression of any of such keys; there being a prime mover, a normally open control switch therefor, and with a drive shaft operatively engaged to said prime mover. Said control shaft mounts an arm for closing said control switch upon rocking of the shaft pursuant to key depression. Each key is so disposed with respect to the drive shaft that upon depression of each key the same cooperates with the drive shaft to pull the selected backing strip over said discharge edge.

Abstract: Flat items, such as envelopes, having some degree of inherent resiliency are prepared for dispensing by releasably fastening them to one side of a support tape along the length thereof, in a manner such that successive items are fastened at successive sections along the tape, by then folding the tape to place the items in a single stack, and by placing this stack in a storage shaft with one end of the tape protruding from the shaft, and the items are dispensed by pulling the successive sections of the tape out of the shaft, starting with such one end, deflecting each such successive section of the tape over a guide surface in a manner to deflect the tape away from the item fastened at the point within that section, and guiding the item in a manner to cause the deflection of the tape away from the item to result in release of the item from the tape.

Abstract: A continuous envelope system for attaching generally conventional paper envelopes to a paper carrier sheet with spots of adhesive adjacent the outer edge of the envelope sealing flap and adjacent the upper edge of the envelope back panel and employing a detacher for subsequently detaching the envelopes from the paper carrier sheet as they are conveyed through the detacher by gradually separating the carrier sheet from the envelopes to form connecting tears therebetween and by severing the connecting tears at the envelopes with the teeth of a severance blade to detach the envelopes without forming unacceptable blemishes thereon.

Abstract: A dispenser for self-stick labels removably stuck on one side of a flexible carrier strip in a row extending longitudinally along the strip, has a forwarding device for forwardly moving the strip and a strip deflector on which the forwardly moving strip is deflected away from the labels to peel the strip therefrom for dispensing the labels. The forwarding device is positioned ahead of the deflector so that the strip carrying the labels is pushed to the deflector, the latter having a concave surface and being behind the forwarding device and arranged so that the concave surface is engaged by the side of the strip carrying the labels. When the strip is forwarded, it is deflected by sliding downwardly and backwardly in the concave surface so as to peel from the labels, the latter being pushed over the top of the deflector for dispensing. Every label carried by the strip can be dispensed, including those on the front end of the strip.

Abstract: A device for dispensing and applying stickers by intermittently engaging and advancing a continuous strip carrying said stickers along a path having an abrupt change of direction which causes the stickers to separate from the strip. A mobile clamp intermittently engages the strip and travels a reciprocal path for incrementally advancing the continuous strip to dispense a sticker.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing labels and the like from a backing sheet to which the labels are removably adhered, having side plates with guide rollers extending therebetween for directing the backing sheet through a discharge passage. The end of said discharge passage is provided with a forward leading edge about which the backing sheet is downwardly and rearwardly directed for withdrawing or parting of the sheet from the applied labels. A normally closed microswitch is presented in the path of at least one of such labels for switch opening engagement therewith when such label has projected a preselected distance beyond such leading edge by reason of the parting. A prime mover is in circuit with said switch and is de-energized upon opening of the latter to permit the operator an interval within which to complete the removal of the labels from the sheet, upon which event the switch is restored to closed state and resumption of the backing sheet travel through the machine is effected.

Abstract: A machine for transferring adhesive labels from both sides of a single carrier strip to two separate streams of product items on a continuous basis. A pair of spaced continuously rotating vacuum wheels come in contact with opposite sides of the carrier strip, the carrier strip passing around a loop-forming roller adjacent each vacuum wheel to bring the label in contact with the vacuum wheel. Each vacuum wheel has holes around the periphery thereof, a vacuum being applied through the openings in a stationary sector of the vacuum wheel. As each label comes in contact with the associated vacuum wheel, it is pulled off by the vacuum and transported through the sector angle to a release point, where it is transferred to the surface of a product item.

Abstract: Elements are supplied to a work station with the elements being arranged in a row. The elements are releasably retained at the work station. The articles to which the elements are to be transferred are moved through the work station with the row of elements at the work station extending in the same direction as the direction of article movement. Each of the elements is transferred to an associated article as the articles are moved through the work station. The elements are sequentially transferred with the most downstream element always being the next element to be transferred.