Label Feeding From Strips; E.g., From Rolls (9/18) Patents (Class 156/DIG33)
  • Patent number: 4604154
    Abstract: Apparatus for feeding plastic label stock, regardless of curling, to a label-wrapping station is disclosed. The apparatus and method include a first label guide means including a turning bar that directs the plastic label sheet from a supply roll towards a rotary vacuum drum in the label-wrapping station, knife means for cutting the label sheet into desired lengths to form labels, secondary guide means for guiding the label to the vacuum drum periphery, and final guide means to positively turn the label back into the drum periphery, especially during start-up, and regardless of curl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold R. Fosnaught
  • Patent number: 4602977
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1986
    Assignee: New Jersey Machine, Inc.
    Inventors: Helmut Voltmer, Alfred F. Schwenzer
  • Patent number: 4599129
    Abstract: This invention deals with a machine or method for transferring decalcomania (decals) from a rolled carrier web or strip to a series of articles. The machine supports a supply reel containing the web and transports the web from the supply reel through a photo sensitive indexing assembly, past a decal applying pressure roller assembly, to a take-up tensioning roller powered by a motor for driving the web. The photoelectric or other appropriate device actuates the release of a brake or other holding means from a web clamping position so that a decal on the web is placed in position for transfer to an article. The web tensioning mechanism is provided to hold the web under tension during application of a decal. A photo cell assembly may be operated to adjust the position of the web so that successive decals are precisely at the transfer position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Inventor: Daniel Kerwin
  • Patent number: 4595447
    Abstract: A bell-shaped vacuum foot subtends from a vertically extending tube to receive a printed label in a first orientation from the label dispenser which is located to one side of and at a higher elevation than a conveyor which is transporting articles to be labeled. The label carrying vacuum foot is moved laterally away from the dispenser through a downwardly smoothly curving diagonal path devoid of any abrupt directional changes. If required, the tube is simultaneously operated to rotate the label into a preselected second orientation as it is being lowered upon the article to be labeled. The vacuum foot thus moves through shorter distances and is better enabled to maintain the label in the intended placement orientation. The apparatus of the invention employs a lesser number of parts and performs the intended function in substantially lesser time compared to the mechanisms of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Hi-Speed Checkweigher Co., Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Lindstrom
  • Patent number: 4589945
    Abstract: A labelling machine with three pad head where during labelling of articles every other pad is skipped, each pad having vacuum holddown ports in the periphery to temporarily attach a label during the labelling process, a control valve for controlling admission of vacuum to each pad so that a label is attached to and carried by the pad into labelling relation with an article brought forward by a conveyor belt, and a vacuum distributing valve to limit the vacuum supply to the control valve so that no vacuum can be admitted by the control valve to a skipped pad thereby preventing undesirable loss of vacuum to the atmosphere through the absence of a label to close the pad holddown ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Neil A. Polit
  • Patent number: 4584047
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Vanderpool, James M. Bain
  • Patent number: 4581094
    Abstract: This device relates to a device for suction-sticking display labels, in which display labels without being printed have been stuck contiguously in many number onto a long ground sheet which is wound on a feeding reel, the labels are peeled by a peeling metal fitting after they are printed, the ground sheet only is wound on a winding reel, the display labels are adsorbed by a suction bracket which is provided in front of the peeling metal fitting being drawn by the air intaken by the intake/exhaust duct of the sticking device, and the display labels are stuck by the blow of air onto predetermined positions of package trays that come beneath the sticking device. In particular, this device relates to a device for suction-sticking display labels, in which the label which is peeled off from the ground sheet being adsorbed by the intake/exhaust bracket but which is still adhered at its rear end to the ground sheet, is forcibly peeled off by a proceed/rectract device together with the intake/exhaust bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Ishida Koki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hirokazu Sato
  • Patent number: 4578138
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul H. Hamisch, Jr., James L. Vanderpool, James M. Bain
  • Patent number: 4561921
    Abstract: A label applicator device receives a label from a label printer and applies the label to a package by means of a pressure-sensitive adhesive which coats one side of the label. The applicator device includes a label support means which receives a label with the adhesive coated side facing upward. The label support means includes a pair of fingers upon which the label rests. A label transfer nozzle is pivoted about a horizontal axis beneath the label support means into a first position in which it is received between the pair of fingers and engages the printed side of the label by means of a partial vacuum supplied through a vacuum port in the transfer nozzle. The transfer nozzle is then pivoted into a second position in which the adhesive coated side of the label is facing generally downward. The applicator device includes an applicator head which moves downward, removing the label from the transfer nozzle and pressing it into contact with the surface of a package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Hobart Corporation
    Inventor: Fritz F. Treiber
  • Patent number: 4560087
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sato
    Inventors: Yo Sato, Tadao Kashiwaba, Masaru Sakurai, Yasuhiko Matsuda, Koichi Kondo
  • Patent number: 4549454
    Abstract: A strip of tape is cut at intervals into precise cut lengths equal in length to that of a desired label of non-rectangular shape. The cut lengths of tape are positioned in exact alignment with a punch of a punch cutting assembly for punching out the label and the punched label is separated from waste about the rim of the label for delivery free of the waste. The cut lengths are transferred to a transfer drum periphery and held momentarily under vacuum pressure which vacuum pressure is released to allow the cut lengths to shift circumferentially about the periphery of the transfer drum against a stop to accurately locate the cut lengths prior to further transfer to the punch cutting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Koyo Jidoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyouichi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 4547250
    Abstract: A defect on a moving web such as a printed sheet of paper is detected visually or automatically, and the type of defect thus detected is marked by means of a stamping unit on a label of a label tape consisting of a base strip and a number of labels removably secured to the base strip. Thereafter, the base strip of the label tape is advanced and reversed abruptly in its moving direction, whereby the label is partially separated from the base strip. The label thus partially separated is then pressed against the moving web by means of a pressure roller. At the instant of pressing of the label against the web, abrupt variation in tension of the label tape occurs, which variation or shock is absorbed by movement of a swing roller on a swing arm in the direction of movement of the web. The label tape is passed around the swing roller and then directed downwardly. The swing arm is supported by means of a spring, and when the swing roller is moved, the spring is extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Insatsu Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kosho Murayama
  • Patent number: 4547252
    Abstract: A label applying apparatus for use in an automatic labeling system for transferring labels sequentially supplied on an elongated carrier strip to articles conveyed therepast. The carrier strip is fed by a strip transport means past a separation station which separates the labels from the strip. The label applying means comprises a bellows and a control means for alternately pressurizing and evacuating the bellows to respectively extend and contract it. The bellows is mounted for movement from a first location to a second location in synchronism with the carrier strip. When contracted, the bellows engages a label at said first location up-path from the separation station and holds it by vacuum as it moves through the separation station toward said second location. The bellows is then extended at said second location beyond the separation station to thrust the label against an article conveyed therepast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1985
    Inventor: Herbert LaMers
  • Patent number: 4539063
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transferring a print design under action of heat from a carrier band (20) onto an object (24), in which the carrier band (20) is transported from a tape dispensing roll (1) past a scanning arrangement (5) and a preheating arrangement (6) by a drive roller (9) driven by a band drive motor (10) through a transfer zone to a band take-up reel (12). The object, in each case, to be provided with the print design is conveyed by a transport device (18) provided with holding members, a surface of the object receiving the print design as it passes into the transfer zone.The particular print design is transferred under pressure and heat from the moved carrier band (20) onto the moving surface of the object (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Akerlund & Rausing Verpackung GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Cue, Alfred Hagemann
  • Patent number: 4525237
    Abstract: A low-cost disposable tab applicator and method of applying reinforcing tabs to the margin area of a sheet in a loose-leaf binder between a hole in the sheet through which a binder ring passes and an adjacent edge of the sheet, without the necessity of removing the sheet from the binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1985
    Assignee: Leonard S. Blondes
    Inventor: Milton Clar
  • Patent number: 4522672
    Abstract: There is disclosed a composite label web and method of making and method of applying labels. The composite label web comprises a longitudinally extending carrier web and label material releasably adhered by pressure sensitive adhesive to the carrier web. There are cuts extending across the label material at longitudinally spaced intervals to provide adjacent labels having complementary leading and trailing edges defining a forwardly projecting portion and a rearwardly projecting portion. In dispensing the label from the carrier web, the forwardly projecting portion is gradually delaminated. It is preferred that only a part of the rearwardly projecting portion of the leading label which has been dispensed to a label applying position remain adhered to the carrier web and that only a part of the forwardly projecting portion of the next successive label be delaminated from the carrier web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Assignee: Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eneas E. Brister, Frederick P. Williams
  • Patent number: 4498950
    Abstract: A portable label applying machine for applying labels to articles, especially accurate labels previously printed with distinct and accurate indications such as bar codes. The label applying machine carries a label cassette. The label cassette is removable and replaceable as a unit in the label applying machine. The label cassette is a complete unit with a supporting section for supporting a rolled label strip, a peeling section to peel labels and a guide section along one side to guide a backing paper of the label strip. The label applying machine detachably holds the label cassette and is provided with a self-contained feeding mechanism to shift the backing paper along the guide section and an applying section for applying peeled labels to articles. A plurality of cassettes with pre-printed bar code labels may be used interchangeably with a single label applying machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sato
    Inventors: Yo Sato, Tadao Kashiwaba
  • Patent number: 4497420
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 5, 1985
    Assignee: Kinetronics Corporation
    Inventors: William N. Stelcher, Michael J. Murdock
  • Patent number: 4483733
    Abstract: The disclosed rolled label strip cassette may be used in a portable type label applying apparatus for delaminating printed labels, which are temporarily adhered in series to a web of backing paper and for applying them to articles. The rolled label strip cassette includes a label rolling core for rolling up thereon the composite label web printed, a label delaminating turning pin for turning back only the backing paper web to delaminate the labels therefrom, and a guide groove for guiding the turned back backing paper web. The label rolling cassette may be removably attached to a label applier which includes a feed roller that is manually operated for feeding the turned back backing paper web to delaminate the labels. The cassette also includes a bail for sharply turning the label strip around the delaminating turning pin. A printer may be used to print the labels and send them to the label rolling core on the cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sato
    Inventors: Yo Sato, Tadao Kashiwaba
  • Patent number: 4454180
    Abstract: An elongated label strip suitable for use with motor driven first and second sprocket rollers for sequentially delivering labels to a mechanism operable to apply each delivered label to an object conveyed therepast. The label strip includes first and second elongated carrier strip portions positioned parallel to and closely spaced from one another to define a separation line between adjacent edges. Each carrier strip portion defines a plurality of uniformly spaced cuts therein aligned parallel to the separation line for cooperatively receiving the sprockets of one of said rollers. A multiplicity of labels is carried by and spaced along the carrier strip portions with each label being releasably adhered to both the first and second carrier strip portions so as to bridge the separation line therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Inventor: Herbert La Mers
  • Patent number: 4453999
    Abstract: The invention resides in the field of intermittently transporting of tapes, especially the transporting of tapes bearing adhesive labels in an apparatus by means of which the adhesive labels can be dispensed individually in succession and applied on an article. The device (14) used for transporting the tape includes a tape clamp movable forward and backward along the tape with a clamping member (31) movable between a tape clamping position and a tape releasing position and a counterclamp member (32); the tape (9) is passed between the clamping member (31) and the counterclamp member (32). The tape (9) is provided with control recesses (25) and the transporting device (14) comprises a control sensor (39) bringing the clamping member (31) into the tape clamping position when said sensor drops into a control recess (25). The control sensor (39) is movable relative to the clamping member (31) and is designed so that, when dropping into a control recess (25) it comes into positive engagement with the tape (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Assignee: Esselte Pendaflex Corporation
    Inventor: Gunter Holland-Letz
  • Patent number: 4451323
    Abstract: A portable label applying machine comprises a label cassette having a supporting section for supporting a roll of a label strip, a separating section for inverting the backing paper strip alone so as to cause the labels to separate from the backing paper strip and a guide section for guiding the backing paper strip. It also comprises an applier having a feeding mechanism and an applying section. The feeding mechanism has the label cassette detachably mounted thereon and transfers the backing paper strip in cooperation with a manual lever, so as to cause separation of the labels from the backing paper strip at the separating section. The applying section applies the separated labels to goods. An auxiliary separating member is mounted at a position in front of the labels along their feeding direction and in front of the separating section, whereby a label which might not separate from the backing paper strip is lifted off that strip by the auxiliary separating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sato
    Inventors: Yo Sato, Tadao Kashiwaba
  • Patent number: 4450035
    Abstract: A hand-held label printing and applying apparatus includes a platen and a movable printer for successively printing pressure sensitive labels advanced across the platen by a carrier web. Each label is separated from the web by pulling the web around a delaminator with a web engaging feed wheel rotatably indexed in response to release of a finger actuator. When the apparatus is assembled for printing relatively short labels, each separated label engages applicator rollers rotatably supported by a pair of non-rotating adaptor hub members. The hub members have aligned eccentric holes for receiving a support shaft which is used without the hub members for supporting larger applicator rollers when the apparatus is assembled for printing longer labels. The carrier web is directed into engagement with the feed wheel by a form roller supported for rotation by a U-shaped adaptor which is used when the apparatus is assembled for printing shorter labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul H. Hamisch, Jr., James A. Makley
  • Patent number: 4440592
    Abstract: Herein disclosed is a portable type label applying apparatus for delaminating printed labels, which are temporarily adhered in series to a web of backing paper and for applying them to articles. The label applying apparatus comprises a label rolling cassette removably attached to a printer which is adapted to print the unprinted labels of the composite label web. The label rolling cassette includes a label rolling core for rolling up thereon the composite label web printed, a label delaminating turning pin for turning back only the backing paper web to delaminate the labels therefrom, and a guide groove for guiding the turned back backing paper web. There is a label applier to which the label rolling cassette is removably attached. The label applier includes a feed roller that is manually operated for feeding the turned back backing paper web to delaminate the labels, and includes a label applying element for applying the delaminated labels to the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sato
    Inventors: Yo Sato, Tadao Kashiwaba
  • Patent number: 4439257
    Abstract: The invention concerns a label printing and applying apparatus. A separate label printer and label applier are provided. A label holder, separably attachable to the printer and to the applier, receives a web of labels after they are printed while the label holder is attached to the printer. The label holder is separated from the printer and is attached to the applier and then the holder delivers labels to the applier for being applied. When a roll of labels has been wound upon the label holder, a cutting knife cuts the label web, thereafter permitting separation of the label holder from the label printer. Printing of the labels is done on a rotary platen on the label printer. A drive transmission connects the rotary platen with the label winding roll for rotating the roll when the label holder is on the label printer. Instructions to the printer for printing particular indicia are inputted. A memory circuit on the label holder stores the inputted instructions for each label.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1984
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sato
    Inventors: Yo Sato, Tadao Kashiwaba, Yasuhiko Matsuda
  • Patent number: 4436573
    Abstract: A portable label applying machine for applying labels to articles, especially accurate labels previously printed with distinct and accurate indications such as bar codes. The label applying machine carries a label cassette. The label cassette is removable and replaceable as a unit in the label applying machine. The label cassette is a complete unit with a supporting section for supporting a rolled label strip, a peeling section to peel labels and a guide section to guide a backing paper of the label strip; and an applying device which detachably holds the label cassette and is provided with a self-contained feeding mechanism to shift the backing paper and an applying section for applying peeled labels to articles. A plurality of cassettes with pre-printed bar code labels may be used interchangeably with a single label applying machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sato
    Inventors: Yo Sato, Tadao Kashiwaba
  • Patent number: 4435245
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for imprinting and dispensing pressure-sensitive labels adhering to a carrier tape. The apparatus comprises an operating lever for controlling a printing mechanism and for controlling a feed means for stepwise drawing of the carrier tape over a platen and around a peel edge at which the pressure-sensitive labels detach from the carrier tape and move into a dispensing position. In the rest position of the operating lever the carrier tape is clamped by a braking means where the braking means is biased against the carrier tape by a spring. By means of a cam gearing arranged between the brake actuating member and the operating lever the brake actuating member can be pivoted against the bias of the spring from the carrier tape clamping position into a carrier tape release position when the operating lever has covered a part of its travel from the rest position into the operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: Esselte Pendaflex Corporation
    Inventor: Gunter Holland-Letz
  • Patent number: 4432830
    Abstract: In a label printer, nonspooling and self-strip paths of label stock movement are accommodated by a single mechanism that includes a drive capstan 46 and associated pinch roller 48, a shaft 40, a pair of mechanically intercoupled discs 68 and 52 respectively secured to the shaft and the drive capstan for causing them to rotate in opposite directions, a label stripping pin 44, a drive roller 38 rotatable about the shaft, a clutch 78 locking the drive roller to the shaft whenever the shaft is rotated in a given direction and permitting the drive roller to freely rotate about the shaft whenever the shaft is rotated in an opposite direction, and a thermal print head 28 including a thermal print element 30 yieldably engaging the drive roller. In the nonspooling path, the free end of the label stock is passed between the thermal print head and the drive roller and the drive capstan is rotated in a given direction by a drive motor 54 so that the label stock exits the label printer without label separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Intermec Corporation
    Inventor: Clifford T. Jue
  • Patent number: 4414054
    Abstract: The machine is intended for the printing of selected characters on self-adhesive labels (5) forming a continuous series borne by a support strip (8).The inner circuit of this strip passes via a loop defined by an edge (11) at the level of which each label (5), after printing, is advanced by a step corresponding to its length, is separated from the support strip, and is directed below a pressure roller (12) in order to be glued by pressure onto an article to be labeled.In order to prevent the falling of the printed label before its gluing and in order to present it flat below the pressure roller (12) there are provided a cambering device which comprises two guides (20, 21) between which the label is stiffened by cambering in the direction of its displacement and the pressure roller itself, under which the edges of the label which have been raised by the cambering are brought downward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Esselte Pendaflex Corporation
    Inventors: Werner Becker, Heinz Kistner
  • Patent number: 4390386
    Abstract: A method of labeling articles, including moving articles in a row through a labeling station, dispensing the label onto a labeling head and advancing the labeling head into the path of movement of the articles at the labeling station. The label is transferred from the labeling head to the forward face of the article at the labeling station while the labeling head is in the path of movement of the articles. The labeling head is then retracted from the path of movement of the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1983
    Assignee: Label-Aire Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Bartl
  • Patent number: 4367118
    Abstract: A label applicator is described for seizing a printed, adhesive backed label and for applying the label to a commodity. The applicator includes a pick-up head for vacuum-seizing a portion of the label by its non-adhesive side and for swinging the label to a label transfer station. At the latter station, the pick-up head releases its grip on the label and an applicator head vacuum-seizes another portion of the non-adhesive side of the label and then applies the label to the commodity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1983
    Assignee: Sanitary Scale Co.
    Inventor: Edward C. Karp
  • Patent number: 4351690
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Assignee: Hobart Corporation
    Inventor: Mark S. George
  • Patent number: 4347094
    Abstract: Labels are separated from a strip and charged with static electricity upon separation. The labels are supplied to articles by utilizing static electricity and label adhesion while the adhesive layer surface of the label is directed outwardly. By application of the labels to the articles, the indications printed on the adhesive layer surface of the label or the surface of the articles to be labelled are protected by the label. Thus the layer of printing is prevented from stain and fabrication and indelibility thereof may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1982
    Assignees: Sawara Mfg. Works Co., Ltd., Fukushima Printing Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shinichiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4333409
    Abstract: A fabric label feeding apparatus for use in a stitching process including a roll of continuous labels in strip form, a feeding cylinder for engaging a raised stitch incorporated in each individual label and cut-off means for separating individual labels from the label strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1982
    Assignee: Cluett, Peabody & Co., Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Rockerath
  • Patent number: 4323416
    Abstract: Labelling equipment is provided for applying wrap-around labels to cylindrical containers. The equipment includes a label carrier having a wheel rotatable about its axis, a vacuum system coupled to the wheel to retain labels on the wheel, a feeder for directing containers individually to the wheel adjacent the periphery of the wheel to receive a label, and a drive system for receiving containers from the bottle feeder and for rolling the containers upon receiving the label from the label carrier. The drive system includes at least one belt engaged about the wheel in slipping relationship therewith to permit the belt to move faster than the periphery of the wheel and including a portion for moving in contact with the container immediately after the container leaves the feeder to both carry the label off the wheel and to engage it on the container. A cutter arrangement is provided with a lobe which removes tension from the label as it is severed from the strip of labels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Inventors: Martin D. Malthouse, Heinz K. Groeger
  • Patent number: 4321103
    Abstract: There is disclosed, in combination with a conveyor for moving packages or other objects of different sizes and shapes from an input station via a customer charge-calculating and labeling station, an improved printed label transport system carrying the labels to the applicator. The label transport and applying system is of a swinging "elbow" type and is of such geometry as to obviate previous problems concerning labeling of articles of varying sizes and shapes as they are being transported on a continuously delivering high speed product line conveyor. The label print system applies all pertinent data on a single label, and the mechanism provides an improved "final touch" pressure against each label incidental to the applying operation. The label transport system includes a sidewise label scanning device which monitors for correctness the indicia printed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: Hi-Speed Checkweigher Co., Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Lindstrom, Walter A. Boyd, Victor Del Rosso
  • Patent number: 4320158
    Abstract: There is disclosed a composite web roll of pressure sensitive labels especially suited for use with a label dispensing apparatus. The composite web includes a carrier web for a series of pressure sensitive labels. The carrier web includes longitudinally spaced groups of cuts arranged to provide entry of a toothed driver with only minimal force and yet the carrier web is not readily susceptible to tearing as the carrier web is pulled about a delaminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Assignee: Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Seeley
  • Patent number: 4316759
    Abstract: A hand appliance for issuing or applying self-adhering labels which are stuck on a carrier strip is disclosed. The appliance has a feeding mechanism which withdraws the carrier strip to feed one label at a time. The feeding mechanism has a winding core on to which the carrier strip is wound and which is rotatable about a journal fixed at one end to a housing wall. The winding core is held for axial displacement on a boss which drives the winding core by means of a projection engaging a groove extending obliquely of a surface line of the boss such that the boss shifts the winding core under the tension of the carrier strip in the direction of the wall of the housing on which the journal is fixed to thereby maintain said winding core within the appliance when in operation and facilitate its removal when desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1982
    Assignee: Esselte Pendaflex Corporation
    Inventors: Werner Becker, Richard Schwobel
  • Patent number: 4315795
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the decoration of bottles and the like at high speeds. Bottles are delivered by an input conveyor to a star wheel, which deposits them sequentially into a continuously rotating turret. The turret carries the bottles past a labelling site, where a label carrier strip is pressed into contact with a bottle surface and a label thereby transferred. The shape of the bottle is maintained during labelling by means of inflation of the bottles through an inserted nozzle. The raising and lowering of the inflating nozzle and the flow of inflating air is controlled by special valving apparatus. The motion of the label carrier strip past the labelling site is regulated by the use of rolls on a shuttle slide, which in turn is reciprocated by a second slide driven by a conjugate cam. This results in an increase of the local velocity of the carrier strip during most of the cycle, and a slowing of the strip during the balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1982
    Assignee: Dennison Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert M. Jodrey, Kenneth Young
  • Patent number: 4303461
    Abstract: Apparatus for automatically sequentially applying labels to objects characterized by a plate having an edge defining a V shaped region. A strip transport means moves a label strip comprised of first and second parallel carrier strip portions, having labels adhered thereto bridging said portions, along the upper surface of the plate toward the apex of the V shaped region. The strip transport means then pulls the two carrier strip portions in diverging directions around the edge portions of the V shaped region to thus release the label bridging the carrier strip portions at that point. The label strip has index marks therealong which cooperate with the strip transport means to prevent any cumulative differential linear movement between the carrier strip portions. The index marks comprise points on the strip whose physical characteristics, such as optical, magnetic, electrical or structural enable the marks to be readily distinguished by a sensor from other areas on the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Assignee: Gar Doc, Incorporated
    Inventor: Herbert La Mers
  • Patent number: 4288280
    Abstract: A machine for applying a reinforcing tape to a workpiece positioned on a support. A unidirectional feeder advances a set length of tape onto a pad pivotable between a loading position adjacent a cutter and a tape applying position over the workpiece. The cutter, provided with a self-cleaning blade, severs the tape so that the set length remains on the pad. The pad has a roughened surface and a retainer. A driver pivots the pad so that the tape, which is immobilized thereon by the roughened surface and the retainer, is pressed onto the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Assignee: Boston Machine Works Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Morin
  • Patent number: 4274906
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically applying reinforcing tabs to sheets in a loose-leaf binder includes a projecting tab guide sized to fit within a ring of the loose-leaf binder and adapted to apply a reinforcing tab between the edge of the sheet and a hole in the sheet through which the ring passes. Pressure-sensitive adhesive-back reinforcing tabs are separated from the carrier strip as the strip passes around a deflecting edge adjacent to an end of the tab guide. An inclined pressure foot presses the separated tab onto the sheet to attach it thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Assignee: Leonard S. Blondes
    Inventor: Milton Clar
  • Patent number: 4255220
    Abstract: A label applicator comprising a supporting structure and a label receiver mounted on the supporting structure for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. A label dispenser supplies a label to the label receiver when the label receiver is in the retracted position. The label is releasably retained on the label receiver. The label receiver is then moved to the extended position where the label is transferred by an air blast from the label receiver to an article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1981
    Assignee: Label-Aire Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Kucheck, Michael Crankshaw
  • 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: 4235661
    Abstract: An article labelling machine, especially for labelling cheeses, comprises a conveying means for conveying the articles to be labelled and a labelling means.The articles to be labelled are fed one-by-one to a stirrup which ensures the automatic centering of the articles with respect to a label-applying head overlying the stirrup. The stirrup and the label-applying head are movable as an assembly, transversely with respect to the direction of advance of the conveying means, from a position in which the label-applying head receives a label to a transversely displaced position in which the label is applied to an article and the labelled article is discharged from the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1980
    Inventor: Jacques E. M. Evrard
  • Patent number: 4233900
    Abstract: A label strip charging mechanism for use in a hand labeler which is equipped with a feed mechanism having a feeding roller for feeding a continuous label strip: The label strip charging mechanism includes a pressure plate which is made pivotable with respect to the hand labeler and which is formed with a curved surface that follows the profile of the outer periphery of the feeding roller. A coil spring is connected to the pressure plate so as to normally bias the plate away from the feeding roller. A snap connection is used to retain the pressure plate in the vicinity of the feeding roller, against the bias of the coil spring at a position to form a restricted passage for the label strip. An actuating lever of the pressure plate is manually operated to release the snap connection so that the pressure plate can be moved away from the feeding roller by the action of the coil spring to establish an enlarged clearance thereby to facilitate charging of the label strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sato Kenkyusho
    Inventor: Yo Sato
  • Patent number: 4224872
    Abstract: A label strip jam preventing mechanism for use in a hand labeler wherein the labeler is equipped with a feed mechanism having a feeding roller that is rotatably mounted on the frame of the hand labeler for feeding a continuous label strip. A label strip charging mechanism having a pressure plate covering the feeding roller for assuring engagement between the feeding roller and the label strip. A platen which is reciprocally movable toward and away from a printing head for printing the label strip. The label jam preventing mechanism includes a passage plate which is pivotally connected to the frame and to the platen for providing a passage between the pressure plate and the platen, as the platen shifts in position. A first label holding assembly holds both edges of the label strip at the passage plate. A second label holding assembly holds the both edges and the center portion of the label strip at the pressure plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1980
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sato Kenkyusho
    Inventor: Yo Sato
  • Patent number: 4217164
    Abstract: There is provided a new arrangement for pressure sensitive labels mounted along a carrier strip, and also a new method and means for removing these labels from the carrier strip and applying them to a product. The label carrier strip is divided down its middle forming separable halves, with the labels mounted over both halves. The separable halves carrier strip is pulled along a plate towards a V-shaped notch in one edge of said plate. The V is somewhat wider than the carrier strip. At the notch, the two halves of the carrier strip bend and are drawn through the V-shaped notch, each half over a different side of the V. This causes the two carrier strip halves to follow divergent paths from each other, and also from the label, forcibly releasing the label from the carrier strip halves. The label is thereby forced to continue in a straight line over and past the V-shaped notch until it is free of the carrier strip. It cannot follow the carrier strip halves through the V.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1980
    Inventor: Herbert La Mers
  • 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