Responsive To Presence, Absence, Or Condition Of Article To Which Applied Patents (Class 156/363)
  • Patent number: 4676859
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying pressure sensitive labels to products on a product line peels the labels from a web of release paper and applies them to the products, when the latter are detected to be in a predetermined position, by action of a pneumatic applicator head. The head favorably includes an exhaust blower which vents to the atmosphere thereby keeping slitting dust out of the machinery cabinet, and is arranged to rock to an open, service position to expose compressed air hoses therewithin. These hoses are coupled to apertures in a base plate of the applicator head by venturi nozzles which serve to increase the pressure of compressed air pulses carried by the hoses for applying the labels to products. The web can be advanced over a peeling arrangement by a drive system including a drive roller powered by a two stage chain drive, with a clutch disposed between the two stages and a brake disposed directly with the drive roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Labeling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Cleary, Jr., Theodore N. Zaccheo
  • Patent number: 4657622
    Abstract: A machine and a method for precision labeling of containers such as cans for labeling top, bottom or sides, including labeling sides of containers with lids; side labels may have secondary labels, e.g., tax stamps, placed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: United States Tobacco Company
    Inventor: Eugene H. Paules
  • Patent number: 4657197
    Abstract: A magnetic storage indicator (40) is disclosed for use on a recording tape processing apparatus, such as a cassette winder (10). Magnetic storage indicator (40) comprises a recording head (50) and a downstream playback head (51). Signals received at the playback head (51) are transmitted to a pre-amplifier (60), an equalization circuit (70) and a record amplifier (80) and then back to the recording head (50) where the amplified signal is recorded onto the moving tape. If the oxide layer is on the side of the tape in contact with the record head (50) and the playback head (51) a feedback loop is completed, causing the circuit to oscillate. This condition is transmitted to a light emitting diode (48) indicating that the tape is properly wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1987
    Assignee: American Multimedia, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert I. Farrow
  • Patent number: 4620887
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of applying a preformed conical heat-shrinkable plastic label to a container as disclosed to provide a tamper-resistant cover, the label being applied by a transfer arm and head that rapidly supplies labels to the containers with a woodpecker-like action. There is also disclosed the novel container and cover therefor--the conical label being efficiently applied to the container and easily heat shrunk thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Kontz, Gary L. Moore
  • Patent number: 4615757
    Abstract: Labels are positioned within selected labeling regions on packages processed by a packaging system or carried by a package conveyor by means of horizontally shifting a package labeler relative to packages to be labeled in response to package dimensions which define the edges of the packages. Label positioning is illustrated in an integrated packaging machine wherein packages are weighed, wrapped and labeled. Packages are weighed at an input tray of the machine and at least one horizontal package dimension is measured and represented by package signals as a package is transported to an elevator, which raises the package into a section of wrapping material which is then wrapped about the package as one or more labels are applied. A price labeler positioned over the elevator generates price labels for the packages in response to weight signals. A label applicator also positioned over the elevator receives and applies labels to the packages as they are being wrapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Hobart Corporation
    Inventor: Fritz F. Treiber
  • Patent number: 4585505
    Abstract: This invention relates to a pressure sensitive label application device. The device is designed to strip a pressure sensitive label off a continuous line of labels temporarily adhered to the surface of a web of supporting or backing material and to adhere each stripped-off label to an article to which the label is to be adhered. The device includes an input unit, a fixed label detector and a control means. The input unit is adapted to input a set value thereinto required for setting a label pitch. The label detector detects the presence of the labels temporarily adhered to the backing material and sends a label detection signal to the control means. Upon receipt of the set value and the label detection signal, the control ascertains the position of the label and controls the label application device to permit the correct application of the label to the article. The device may include a detector for detecting the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Osaka Sealing Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Matsuguchi
  • Patent number: 4585506
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure sensitive adhesive label affixing device.This device is designed to release adhesive labels from a continuous line of labels prepared by temporarily sticking them to the surface of a web of supporting or backing material one after another, and to affix each thereof to an article to be labelled. The device includes an input unit, a label detector, an article detector and a control means.The input unit is used in inputting set values required for setting a label pitch.The label detector detects the presence of each label temporarily stuck to the backing material and sends a label detection signal to the control means.The article detector detects each article and sends an article detection signal to the control means.On the basis of the set value, label detection signal and article detection signal received, the control means controls the label affixing device so that the label is affixed precisely in place on the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Osaka Sealing Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yutaka Matsuguchi
  • Patent number: 4584046
    Abstract: A device for attaching articles (11) to packages (12) which are passed to the applicator device (10) at irregular intervals. When this is done the articles (for example, drinking straws (11)), are thrust against the package (12) by means of rotatable applicator arms (41). The applicator arm (41) is tilted against the action of a pull-off spring (51) by a burst of compressed air that acts on the arm (41) for a brief period so that it moves back into its initial position immediately after pressing against the package (12).The applicator device (10) can be tilted about two perpendicular directions and can be secured in order that the drinking straws (11) can be secured in different directions and on variously inclined surfaces of the package (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Inventor: Jurgen Geyssel
  • Patent number: 4581083
    Abstract: A system for securing the unaffixed tail of a roll product to a convolution thereof underlying the tail with a flexible sealing element wherein a predetermined physical characteristic of the roll product is sensed and an appropriate sealing element such as a label is delivered to the roll product and applied thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Crown Zellerbach Corporation
    Inventors: Rudolph W. Schutz, Rudolf R. Weis
  • Patent number: 4574029
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for forming concave tape wrapped composite structures. The apparatus utilizes a mold having a cylindrical concave surface with a mounting plate mounted for rotation at each end thereof about a point on a longitudinal axis of the concave surface. A longitudinal shaft is mounted to each mounting plate a selected distance from the longitudinal axis and extends parallel thereto. A tape dispenser carriage is mounted to the longitudinal shaft and is movable along the length thereof. A radial shaft is mounted through the tape dispenser carriage such that the longitudinal axis of the radial shaft passes through the longitudinal axis of the concave surface and along a radius of the concave surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: LTV Aerospace and Defense Company
    Inventor: William J. Murray
  • Patent number: 4547249
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Inventors: Joachim Dudzik, Winfried Dudzik
  • 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: 4537648
    Abstract: An automatic specimen sealing system which provides totally automated sealing of glass slides. Slides are ejected sequentially at predetermined intervals onto a conveyor at a predetermined orientation. The size of the specimens held on the slides is detected, and liquid adhesive is supplied onto the slides in an amount determined in accordance with the thus-detected specimen sizes. Glass covers are then placed over the specimens, with the size of the glass covers being also selected in accordance with the specimen size. The slides with the covers placed thereon are next fed to a binding device where the covers and slides are bound together. Finally, the slides are assembled in trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Assignees: Sankyo Company Limited, Fuji Electric Company Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouji Shiino, Nobuo Hashimoto, Shozo Wada, Keijiro Nakamura, Akio Izumi, Toshio Sato, Takashi Matsui
  • Patent number: 4526646
    Abstract: An inner lead bonder for bonding dies to leads of carrier tape with improved positional accuracy and improved work efficiency. In the inner lead bonder, dies are fed to a die positioning spot one at a time and positioned. Then, said positioned die is carried to a bonding position. On the other hand, leads of a carrier tape are fed to the bonding position and positioned at the spot above the aforesaid die. Thereafter, the leads of the carrier tape are pressed onto the die and bonded by using a bonding tool. This inner lead bonder is characterized in that it includes a rotary table with the size covering the die positioning point and the bonding position, and after positioning the die on the rotary table, the rotary table is rotated in order to bring the die positioned as mentioned above to the bonding position to place the die at a proper position for bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1985
    Assignee: Shinkawa Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunobu Suzuki, Seiichi Chiba, Akihiro Nishimura
  • Patent number: 4519962
    Abstract: A system for sealing the edges of assembled sandwiches of two sheets and a peripheral spacer has a first and a second conveyor extending parallel to each other through respective sides of a sealing station for displacing respective successions of the sandwiches therethrough. Respective first and second stops in the sides of the station position the sandwiches of the respective sides longitudinally and transversely therein. A transverse support extends across the two sides and is displaceable longitudinally in the station. A sealing device displaceable transversely along the support is engageable with the edges of the sandwiches in the sides of the stations for sealing same. This system is operated by displacing the device on the support and the support in the station to move the sealing device first around a sandwich in the one side of the station and then around the sandwich in the other side of the station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1985
    Assignee: Szabo Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hubert Schlienkamp
  • Patent number: 4504336
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for affixing index tabs to book pages include accurately embossing indicia along a continuous first strip of plastic-coated paper, adhering cardboard reinforcing strips to the first strip and slitting and scoring the resulting assembly to provide tab strip stock. The tab strip stock is severed into successive tabs and carried by vacuum-operated clamping means to an adhesive-activating station and then a tab application station. Successive pages of a book are fed past the tab application location; those to be provided with tabs are stopped at various positions relative to the tab application locations and the clamping means folds tabs around the edges of selected pages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Inventor: Anselm Talalay
  • 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: 4497681
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods of applying a preformed conical heat-shrinkable plastic label to a container is disclosed to provide a tamper resistant cover, the label being applied by a transfer arm and head that rapidly supplies labels to the containers with a woodpecker-like action. There is also disclosed the novel container and cover therefore, the conical label being efficiently applied to the container and easily heat shrunk thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Kontz, Gary L. Moore
  • Patent number: 4491493
    Abstract: High strength composite tape is prepared for laying in side-by-side strips upon a work surface by precutting the strips to a predetermined length and mounting the strips upon a carrier belt in longitudinally spaced relation to one another, so that the pressure foot of the machine applying the tape to a work surface may press to the end of one tape strip without pressing the end of the following tape strip. Improved laying of the tape is achieved by stretching a strip of tape entirely across the area on which the tape is to be laid before pressing any part of the tape against the work surface, and then pressing the tape against the surface while the tape is stretched across and adjacent the work surface. The tape is held and stretched across the work surface on supply and take up reels on opposite sides of the work surface, so that the reels need not move along the tape with the moving pressure foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Inventor: Homer L. Eaton
  • Patent number: 4455188
    Abstract: Cover-slips are automatically applied to slides carrying specimens by feeding slides from a cassette to a conveyor, severing lengths of cover-slip material from a supply and advancing them in timed relation to the movement of the slides to an application station, depositing on each slide a quantity of solvent for an adhesive carried by the cover-slip material, compressing each slide with a cover-slip superimposed thereon in a nip at the application station, and delivering the finished slides to a removable cassette for storage in stacked relation therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1984
    Inventor: Nils G. I. Stormby
  • Patent number: 4435243
    Abstract: The depositor device is an attachment for and is combined with known ATM-type depositories for banking deposits energized by customer identification bank credit cards which are used for verifying the customer's identity. The depositor prints on an adhesive label stuck after printing onto the deposit-containing envelope entered into the depository, information entered into the ATM control system by the customer concerning the amount of the deposit, the customer's checking and/or savings account numbers, the customer's personal identification number, the time and date of the deposit, etc. Such information is necessary or desirable for the rapid processing by the bank of the deposit transaction. The label is on a label supply carrying strip when printed, and is peeled from the carrying strip and stuck onto the deposit-containing envelope, which may contain coin, as the envelope moves through the depositor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: Diebold, Incorporated
    Inventors: Syed A. Azeez, Paul A. Leipelt, Herbert Morello
  • 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: 4427484
    Abstract: An automatic labeling system is provided for applying an elongate label to a preselected curved surface of each of a plurality of objects which move in succession along a given path of travel past a stationary work station. This system comprises an applying assembly at the work station for applying a label to each of the curved surfaces, a supply and transport assembly for feeding elongate labels to the applying assembly at a controllable speed, a guide roller for positioning the applying assembly relative to each curved surface and a control apparatus for controlling the operation and speed of the transport in a predetermined fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1984
    Assignee: Camtron Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Allan M. Cameron, Jr., Charles G. Middleton
  • Patent number: 4415386
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for assembling and attaching zipper closure means in strip form to open ends of flat sacks fed serratim into an attachment station. Consecutive sections of the closure means must be in proper registration with the sacks in such station. Assembly of the sections with the sack ends is coordinated by monitoring relative orientation of the sections and the sacks and automatically correcting for deviations from the registration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1983
    Assignees: KCL Corporation, Strong-Robinette Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Ferrell, James A. Robinette
  • Patent number: 4397710
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a machine for transferring indicia, preferably decals, from a rolled carrier strip or web to a series of articles. The articles may have straight cylindrical sides like that of root beer mugs, they may have positive tapered sides such as tapered water glasses, or they may have negative tapered sides such as the upper part of stemmed wine glasses. A series of the decals are attached to the elongated web and are spaced a generally constant distance apart in the direction of the length of the web. The configuration of the decals corresponds to a flat layout of the outer surface of the articles being decorated. For a straight mug the decal is generally rectangular; for a glass having a positive taper the decal is curved in one direction; and for a glass having a negative taper the decal is curved in the other direction. The machine includes a mandrel that rotatably supports an article and a pressure mechanism for pressing the web and the decal against the article on the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: The Meyercord Co.
    Inventor: Barney G. Gaylord
  • Patent number: 4380486
    Abstract: A machine installation for the manufacture of a thick-walled insulating pipe of elastic, laminatable foamed synthetic resin sheet material, includes an apparatus for effecting the lamination of a foamed synthetic resin sheet material to form a multilayer insulating pipe having a length corresponding to the sheet width of the sheet of foam material and a finishing unit. The laminating apparatus has an expandable and rotatable mandrel equipped with a pneumatic expanding means and an infinitely variable drive mechanisms for rotating the mandrel to wrap the sheet material thereon, and a pressure roller which can be urged against the mandrel. The roller is movable pneumatically by a telescopic holder, and the mandrel is associated with a pivotably mounted burner and a cutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1983
    Assignee: Dynamit Nobel Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johann Fortsch, Cosmas Lorry, Gustav Schweiger
  • Patent number: 4376670
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying to a surface of a continuous travelling web of paper a regular mesh-like pattern of thermoplastic stripes or strands. The plastic stripes or strands are extruded from nozzles supported a short distance above the travelling web of paper, the nozzles being disposed at the bottom of extrusion heads oscillating transversely to the direction of travel of the web of paper. While the pattern of plastic stripes or strands is applied to a surface of the paper, a vacuum or suction plate disposed against the other surface of the paper draws the plastic through the pores of the paper. The web of paper is subsequently passed through a pair of compression rolls and is air-dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Assignee: Polynovus Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Rodish
  • Patent number: 4366023
    Abstract: The mechanism comprises a pressure sensitive label dispenser for delivering successively pressure sensitive labels from a backing sheet to a label applying station. At the applying station is a mouthpiece having one longitudinal side edge arranged to be transversely disposed across the path of feed of the backing strip and having a lower perforated label carrying surface of less width than the label to be carried thereby. Mounted on the other longitudinal side edge of the mouthpiece is an applying roll. The mouthpiece forms a part of a unit which is fastened to the label dispenser so that a label discharged therefrom moves across the label carrying surface and comes to rest with its advancing edge portion positioned beneath the applying roll. A tubular shaft which also communicates with the mouthpiece to provide suction at its label carrying surface supports the mouthpiece for pivotal movement about its one longitudinal side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: NJM, Inc.
    Inventor: Helmut Voltmer
  • Patent number: 4361454
    Abstract: An automatic ply applying apparatus and method for forming an elastic annular body, such as a vehicle tire, by transporting each ply to a former, retaining a portion of the ply adjacent to the leading end of the former, applying the leading end portion of the ply to the peripheral surface of the former and applying the remaining portion of the ply to the peripheral surface of the former during rotation of the former.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozo Nakahama, Kazuo Kadomaru, Masuzo Okaniwa
  • Patent number: 4358332
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying to a surface of a continuous travelling web of paper a regular mesh-like pattern of thermoplastic stripes or strands. The plastic stripes or strands are extruded from nozzles supported a short distance above the travelling web of paper, the nozzles being disposed at the bottom of extrusion heads oscillating transversely to the direction of travel of the web of paper. While the pattern of plastic stripes or strands is applied to a surface of the paper, a vacuum or suction plate disposed against the other surface of the paper draws the plastic through the pores of the paper. The web of paper is subsequently passed through a pair of compression rolls and is air-dried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1982
    Assignee: Polynovus Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: John Rodish
  • 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: 4349405
    Abstract: Apparatus for sequentially labeling objects differing from each other in size includes a conveyor which defines a path of movement in an approximately horizontal plane for the objects to be labeled. An arresting device arrests each object in a predetermined portion of the path toward which a face portion of a plunger is directed. The label to be applied is supplied to the face portion, and the plunger is moved toward the arrested object until the label is applied to the object by pressure exerted by the plunger. A reversing mechanism responds to the exerted plunger pressure for retracting the plunger from the labeled object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Inventor: Winfried Dudzik
  • 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: 4295915
    Abstract: A label handling apparatus comprises a label issuing machine (2) for weighing an article, printing predetermined data, such as the measured weight, price per unit weight and article price, on a label on the basis of the measured weight, and issuing the printed label, a transfer device (40) for transferring the issued label on a belt conveyor (42), and a label sticking device (9) for sucking and retaining the transferred label at a label retaining port (15) by a negative pressure produced by an air current and producing a positive pressure in the label retaining port (15) by an air current with a predetermined timing to blow off the sucked and retained label so as to stick it to a predetermined place on the article. Such labels are prepared in advance with a viscous adhesive agent applied thereto and temporarily retained on a mount sheet, from which they are stripped during their travel from the label issuing machine (2) to the label transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: Kubota Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Sakaguchi, Masamichi Hino, Setsuo Tsuji, Akiyoshi Hashido, Kazuyoshi Enomoto
  • Patent number: 4294644
    Abstract: The invention resides in utilizing a servo motor to drive the label feed and employing a control system for the servo motor which is responsive to the rate of feed or speed of the surface to be labelled as it is advanced to the labeller. The control system on receiving an instruct-to-label signal accelerates the servo motor smoothly from zero to the desired labelling speed while the surface to be labelled is advanced toward the labeller a predetermined distance and on receiving an end to labelling signal decelerates the servo motor smoothly from labelling speed to zero while the label feed is advanced a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Assignee: Datafile Limited
    Inventor: Dale L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4294646
    Abstract: The invention provides a process and apparatus for manufacturing flat plastic net. Tubular plastic net is made by extruding plastic material through coaxial circular counter-rotating die members to form a net structure having a plurality of crossing strands. The angular displacement of successive longitudinally-aligned junctions of the crossing strands is controlled, preferably by controlling the relative counter-rotation of the extrusion die members, and successive longitudinally aligned junctions are cut longitudinally within each junction. The tubular net so cut is opened out to form flat net.The flat net so produced, the edges of which are characterized by successive longitudinal edge junctions, in which each edge junction is cut longitudinally within the junction, is particularly useful for fencing material, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Assignee: E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventor: Thomas Urquhart
  • Patent number: 4259138
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a correction label applying device for a portable label printing machine, which is used to correct the characters printed on price tags. The correction label applying device is detachably secured to the body of the portable label printing machine. The price tag holding device of the label applying device is provided with adjusting means in which the positions of stoppers which receive the tip edge portion of an inserted price tag and the positions of a pair of guides which guide both the side edges of the inserted price tag can be changed. A leaf spring gives elastic force to the price tag holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1981
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sato Kenkyusho
    Inventor: Yo Sato
  • Patent number: 4248655
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatus for controlling the positions of indicia on a moving web relative to the positions of a series of moving articles. The web has a series of spaced indicia on it, and the position of each indicium is matched or registered with the position of an article. First means is provided for sensing each indicium and generating a first signal indicative of the indicia, and second means is provided for sensing the articles and providing a second signal representative of each article. Third means is provided for generating a series of pulses in response to operation of a drive for the web. Counter means counts any pulses between occurrences of the first and second signals, such a count indicating a separation or disparity between positions of an indicium and an associated article. Speed control means operates in response to any such count to adjust the relative speeds of the articles and the web to obtain proper registration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Assignee: The Meyercord Co.
    Inventor: Daniel Kerwin
  • Patent number: 4243465
    Abstract: An apparatus for joining plywood core strips comprises a feeding conveyor floor for the wood strips to be jointed, a crowding conveyor floor therefore and pressure elements, effective to press the wood strips against the feeding and crowding conveyor floors. Each pressure element includes a rod having its front end bent upwardly and supported by the machine frame through a kinematic train including a pneumatic cylinder urging the rod against the underlying conveyor floor. Alignment means including stop pawls and sensors controlling the actuation of the stop pawls are provided to align the strips perpendicular to the feeding direction, as well as jointing material applying means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1981
    Inventor: Ilia Gozzi
  • 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: 4239570
    Abstract: This disclosure deals with a machine for transferring indicia (such as decalcomanias) from an elongated web or carrier strip to tapered articles, such as tumblers, at a high rate of speed. The articles are moved along a transport path and means is provided to turn the articles as the articles are moved through an indicia transferring portion of the path. The web and the articles are moved in the same direction and in a generally straight line, and the articles are rolled across the web and the indicium, thereby peeling the indicium from the web. Means is provided to tilt the axes of the tapered tumblers relative to the plane of the web in order to place the side of the tumbler, which engages the web, parallel to the web. Hold down means is provided to force the tumblers to move in a straight line while rolling. Decals formed with an initial compensating distortion are used in the machine, to compensate for the distortion of the decals that occurs as the decals are transferred to the tumblers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: The Meyercord Co.
    Inventor: Daniel Kerwin
  • Patent number: 4184305
    Abstract: A machine for automatically applying transfers such as tax stamps to multiple packages contained in a carton is disclosed. The transfer applying machine comprises a conveyor for intermittently and sequentially advancing cartons through an opening station, where the carton is opened to expose the packages therein, through a stamping station, where tax stamps in the form of heat or water transfers or ink printing are applied to each of the packages, and through a closing station where the carton is closed and resealed. The machine is adjustable to accommodate a variety of carton and package sizes and to apply the transfers to each package in the carton accurately while using stock rolls of transfers on which the transfers are mounted with a predetermined spacing that does not necessarily correspond to the spacing of packages within the carton.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventors: Max N. Baker, Julian R. Martin
  • Patent number: 4181558
    Abstract: A method and device for applying heat-activatable adhesive tape to boxes and the like, using sealing tape with adhesive that can be activated through radiant heat or hot air prior to its application to the box surface, where, in contact with a cold surface, the adhesive is instantaneously cured. The device includes a suction-type conveying device for the adhesive tape, either a belt conveyor cooperating with an infra-red heater, or a suction drum with a hot air supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Inventor: Rolf Neubronner
  • Patent number: 4119482
    Abstract: A label printer and applicator including conveyor for continuously moving packages of different sizes and shapes from a loading point to a discharge point. Labels are selectively printed to bear any desired indicia such as pricing information, contents, or quantitites which may be uniquely applicable to any given package moving on the conveyor. Upon arrival of the package at a predetermind point along the conveyor the label, which may be uniquely applicable to that package, is affixed thereto by a novel label applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1978
    Assignee: Marketing Information Systems Incorporated
    Inventor: William F. Bennett
  • Patent number: 4108705
    Abstract: There is disclosed a control device for a sleeve label forming and applying machine of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,496, for labelling bottles, which controls the number of sleeves being fabricated to correspond with the number of bottles going through the machine. The control includes a pivoted switch arm across the bottle path at the outlet from a timing worm loading bottles into the machine. The arm when engaged by a bottle actuates its switch in the control circuit for engaging and disengaging the power drive means operating the supply of the label stock to the sleeve fabricating mechanism of the machine. The first bottle and every bottle into the machine is assured to receive a sleeve label, and the last bottle receives the last sleeve label fabricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: Clyde F. Hadl, Shepard L. Harmon
  • Patent number: 4106972
    Abstract: The velocity compensator disclosed herein measures the velocity of an article being moved toward an apparatus which is to perform a work operation on the article. The velocity compensator then provides an actuation signal to the apparatus at an appropriate instant so that the actuator will have sufficient time to perform the work operation on the article as it is moved along.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Label-Aire Inc.
    Inventor: Donald L. Caudill
  • Patent number: 4094720
    Abstract: The cyclic application of glue to one face of strip elements continuously delivered edge-to-edge into a reciprocating kicker breech to be collimated into a row forming sheet assembly having thickness equal to the width of individual sheets is controlled by a cascaded series of relays whereby the remotely operated glue guns are not actuated by the final triggering event in the cycle unless a trigger safety device is released by a measurable addition to the cumulative sheet product within the preceding kicker cycle. Additionally, growth of the sheet accumulation is continuously monitored with an actual length comparison to a desired, set-point length. When the desired length is reached, glue gun operation is restrained for one cycle to provide an unbonded interface between the final strip of a preceding sheet and the first strip of a successive sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1978
    Assignee: Westvaco Corporation
    Inventor: David F. Talbert
  • Patent number: 4089725
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1978
    Assignee: Label-Aire Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Crankshaw, Leo Kucheck, Donald L. Caudill
  • Patent number: RE30419
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1980
    Assignee: Label-Aire Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Crankshaw, Leo Kucheck, Donald L. Caudill
  • Patent number: RE31726
    Abstract: The disclosure concerns a correction label applying device for a portable label printing machine, which is used to correct the characters printed on price tags. The correction label applying device is detachably secured to the body of the portable label printing machine. The price tag holding device of the label applying device is provided with adjusting means in which the positions of stoppers which receive the tip edge portion of an inserted price tag and the positions of a pair of guides which guide both the side edges of the inserted price tag can be changed. A leaf spring gives elastic force to the price tag holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sato Kenkyusho
    Inventor: Yo Sato