Abstract: An outsert application system is disclosed that includes a vacuum assembly and a pivot arm. The vacuum assembly is for accommodating passage of a vacuum to an engagement surface at a first end thereof for engaging an outsert. The pivot arm is rotatably coupled at a first end thereof to a second end of the vacuum assembly, and the vacuum assembly is adapted to rotate with respect to the pivot arm about a first axis. A second end of the pivot arm is adapted for rotation about a second axis that is substantially parallel with the first axis. The system further includes a translation device that causes the first axis to move with respect to the second axis as the vacuum assembly rotates about the first axis.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of orienting a container in a labeling system.

Abstract: An incorrect label removal system is disclosed for removing unwanted labels from a web of labels in a labeling machine. The incorrect label removal system includes a label peel assembly positioned between two fixed points along the direction of travel of the web of labels. The label peel assembly provides a first orientation in which labels remain on the web as the web passes the label peel assembly, and selectively provides a second orientation in which labels are removed from the web. The label peel assembly provides that a length of the web between the two fixed points is substantially the same when the label peel assembly is in each of the first orientation and the second orientation.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to transport systems for cutting articles from a blank of material, and is well suited for use in, though not limited to, transporting and cutting labels from a web material and applying them to items. Specifically, an article transfer system is disclosed for transporting articles cut from a blank of material traveling in a first direction. The system comprises a support member including first and second surfaces and a plurality of openings extending between the first and second surfaces. The support member is movable along the first direction adjacent to the blank of material. The system also includes in one embodiment, a vacuum for generating a lower pressure adjacent to the second surface of the support member than the pressure adjacent to the first surface thereof such that the blank is urged to maintain contact with the first surface of the support member.

Abstract: A labeling machine in which pressure sensitive adhesively backed labels are releasably adhered to a backing strip moving along a path from a dispensing roll to a take-up roll. The labels are removed from the backing strip onto a rotating applicator drum at a first station along said path, and the thus removed labels are transferred from the applicator drum to articles being successively presented at a second station. The improvement comprises a scanning unit, a comparator unit, and a removal unit. The scanning unit is positioned in advance of the first station for reading indicia appearing on the labels adhered to said backing strip. The comparator unit is associated with the scanning unit for comparing the indicia on the labels with a preselected standard and for generating a control signal in the event of a mismatch between the standard and the indicia appearing on an incorrect label.

Abstract: A continuously moving web pressure-sensitive labeler applies pressure-sensitive labels to articles moving in a given direction past a label applying station. The labels are initially carried by the moving web and the labeler includes a label applying mechanism such as a peel plate and a vacuum drum for stripping labels from the moving web and delivering the stripped labels in the given direction onto articles as they pass the label applying station in the given direction. The labeler also has mechanism which generates a timing signal for timing the placing of labels in register on the label applying mechanism. In a first embodiment, the timing signal generating mechanism includes an encoder driven by the drum and also includes a rotary vacuum valve.

Abstract: An infeed mechanism for delivering vials to be labeled to an infeed conveyor of a labeling machine and then to a timing screw of the labeling machine includes a vial separating screw having a vial exit end, a vial infeed belt for supporting and moving vials along a relatively wide path toward the vial separating screw and placing the vials in engagement with the vial separating screw. A pair of spaced vial guides define a relatively narrow vial path therebetween and aligned with the vial exit end of the vial separating screw which is rotated to deliver vials single file into the relatively narrow path between the vial guides and then onto the infeed conveyor of the labeling machine and on into engagement with the labeling machine timing screw.

Abstract: A rewind spindle has a bearing defining a rotation axis and a main rod supported on the bearing for rotation about the axis and having an outer face forming a part-cylindrical outer surface centered on the axis and extending angularly at most about 180.degree. of the axis and an inner face lying wholly within an imaginary cylinder centered on the axis and coextensive with the outer surface. This inner face has a lower end forming an axially directed seat and an upper end. A filler rod has a lower end complementarily interfittable with the seat, an axially opposite upper end, a part-cylindrical outer surface of the same radius of curvature as the imaginary cylinder and outer surface of the main rod, and an inner face.

Abstract: A transfer microprocessor is programmed to monitor and control four label dispensers paired two each on either side of a flow of containers, with each side having an upstream and a downstream dispenser. Operation of a transfer function on either side between an on line and a standby mode is timed differently depending upon whether an upstream or a downstream dispenser is on line. A low web sensor is employed to generate signal to the transfer controller to initiate the transfer function. Upon command one of the on line dispensers is deactivated and its standby dispenser is activated to produce a continuous supply of labels to that side of the containers as they move past the label dispensers.

Abstract: A system for applying pressure sensitive labels to articles, such as bottles, includes a vacuum drum having an outer cylindrical surface, a plurality of vacuum passages in open communication with the outer surface and equally spaced around the drum, means for delivering pressure sensitive labels onto the outer surface of the drum at a predetermined speed of advance and means for rotating the drum with a predetermined linear speed of the outer surface which is greater than the speed at which labels are delivered to the outer surface, so that the outer surface slips on each label until vacuum is applied to a vacuum passage at a label pick-up station, whereby the vacuum picks up the front edge of each label, and whereby labels are spaced uniformly on the drum from the label pick-up station to a label applying station.

Abstract: A label imprinting machine has a feed hopper, a stacking hopper, an imprinting station, and a printing head at the imprinting station. Unimprinted labels are transported from the feed hopper to the imprinting station and imprinted labels from then to the stacking hopper. The machine further has a cartridge inking system including a holder for holding an ink cartridge, a pick up ring holding roll, an ink pick up ring on the pick up ring holding roll, an ink distribution roll in driving engagement with the pick up ring holding roll, and a power driven ink transfer roll engaging the printing head and frictionally engaging the ink distribution roll, to regulate the rotational speed of the ink distribution roll and the pick up ring holding roll. The ink distribution roll oscillates back and forth along its axis as it rotates about its axis.

Abstract: A system for applying pressure sensitive labels to articles, such as bottles, includes a vacuum drum having an outer cylindrical surface, a plurality of vacuum passages in open communication with the outer surface and equally spaced around the drum, means for delivering pressure sensitive labels onto the outer surface of the drum at a predetermined speed of advance and means for rotating the drum with a predetermined linear speed of the outer surface which is greater than the speed at which labels are delivered to the outer surface, so that the outer surface slips on each label until vacuum is applied to a vacuum passage at a label pick-up station, whereby the vacuum picks up the front edge of each label, and whereby labels are spaced uniformly on the drum from the label pick-up station to a label applying station.

Abstract: A dispenser of banding material and an applicator of such material are mounted side by side for location alongside a packaging line during the dispensing and application of an adhesive band to the cover and neck of a container or across the flap and sides of a box-shaped package. A set of pulleys and belts is arranged in two parallel rows along the underside of the applicator for contacting the covers and upper portions of containers and other packages. The heights of the belts is adjusted to accommodate undulations in the exterior surface of the package so as to provide for adhesive securing of a band along these undulations. Such securing of the band insures a destruction of the band upon any opening or attempted opening of the container.

Abstract: A banding and labeling system for containers includes a central drum which is heated for activation of adhesive coating provided on bands and labels which are to be secured to containers. The drum is provided with carrying elements employing suction, referred to as mouthpieces, which include pockets for holding literature and support bands in appropriate positions for securing the literature to containers. Dispensers are mounted peripherally around the drum at successive work stations for transference of banding materials, labeling materials, and literature packets to the mouthpieces as the drum rotates. At a final work station, a conveyor transports the containers to the drum whereupon the banding and labeling materials are secured to the containers during rotation of the containers between the drum and pressure pads which engage the adhesive coatings to the outer surfaces of the containers.

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: 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.

Abstract: A banding and labeling system for containers includes a central drum which is heated for activation of adhesive coating provided on bands and labels which are to be secured to containers. The drum is provided with carrying elements employing suction, referred to as mouthpieces, which include pockets for holding literature and support bands in appropriate positions for securing the literature to containers. Dispensers are mounted peripherally around the drum at successive work stations for transference of banding materials, labeling materials, and literature packets to the mouthpieces as the drum rotates. At a final work station, a conveyor transports the containers to the drum whereupon the banding and labeling materials are secured to the containers during rotation of the containers between the drum and pressure pads which engage the adhesive coatings to the outer surfaces of the containers.

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 dipsenses 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.

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 device 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.