Flexible Bands (9/34) Patents (Class 156/DIG41)
  • Patent number: 5824183
    Abstract: The inventive labeling device employs a vacuum belt transport having a motor-driven endless belt, for conveying a label from a proximal end to a distal end of the transport. Initially, a chute is disposed between the label dispenser and the vacuum belt transport, which is capable of receiving a label dispensed by the label dispenser and holding it until the vacuum belt transport returns to a label receiving position and can accept the new label. This combination of a vacuum belt transport and a chute allow the labeler to dispense a new label while the previous label is still being applied to an article, thereby greatly increasing the labeling capacity of the labeler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventor: Michael Crankshaw
  • Patent number: 5395478
    Abstract: An improvement in a device for applying heat-transferrable decalcomania to a generally curved container surface such as a mug comprising a multiple segment tightening band surrounding a cushioned blanket surrounding a heating element, the segments being hingedly connected so that the band firmly applies the cushioned blanket heating element against the decalcomania and the contiguous curved container surface to effect transfer of the decalcomania design to the container surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Inventors: David M. Sattler, William C. Cox
  • Patent number: 5296081
    Abstract: An automatic heat transfer press for imprinting sublimation transfers onto mugs and the like by utilizing heat and contact pressure. The press has three vertically stacked, general sections: a heating chamber, a base, and a cooling chamber interconnecting the heater chamber and base. The heating and cooling chambers are enclosed by a casing. The heating chamber contains the press's two heating units, one for heating the external surface of the mug and the other for heating the interior the mug. The press utilizes a stainless steel sheathed, mineral insulated band heater with a multizone, uniplanar heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Geo. Knight & Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Morin, Randolph H. Baker
  • Patent number: 5019193
    Abstract: An arrangement for and method of applying heat-transferrable decalcomania to a generally cylindrical cup portion of a handled mug comprises tightly wrapping a flexible sheet-like heating blanket around at least a major portion of the circumferential surface of the cup portion over which the decalcomania has been laid, thereby pressing the decalcomania against the cup portion. Heat is generated at the blanket in an amount sufficient to transfer the decalcomania to the cup portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Speedy Die, Inc.
    Inventor: Salvatore Aramini
  • Patent number: 4714515
    Abstract: Cylindrical containers are rolled between two parallel belts which travel in opposite directions and engage diametrically opposite sides of the containers. One of the belts carries labels under the rolling containers so that the label is wrapped around it. The other belt moves at a somewhat greater velocity so that the container moves slowly downstream as they roll rapidly about their own axes. From the labeling belt, the drive belt continues to move the containers over a roll-on pad on which the label is pressed firmly in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1987
    Assignee: Shibuya America Corporation
    Inventor: Wolfgang W. Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4670081
    Abstract: A handling machine for deposit envelopes includes a delivery device for carrying inserted deposit envelopes along a delivery path, a printer for printing deposit information on one side of a succession of labels, the other sides of which contain an adhesive, a label feed device for supplying the printed labels at a given place along the delivery path, and members for sandwiching under pressure therebetween the labels fed to the delivery path and the carried deposit envelopes to stick the labels to the deposit envelopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1987
    Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Co.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Takahashi, Kathuhiko Arimoto
  • Patent number: 4643786
    Abstract: To apply automatically a label to an object, particularly a food product, of substantially cylindrical irregular shape, the object is introduced into a loop purposely formed in a conveyor belt, with one end of the label interposed between the object and the belt. The object is enveloped almost entirely with the belt inside the loop together with the label, whereupon the conveyor belt is moved causing the rotation of the object and of the label, the ends of which label are overlapped and then glued together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1987
    Inventor: Gianfranco Cecchi
  • 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: 4316762
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for labelling containers such as bottles and for placing groups of the containers in a crate. A labelling station includes an arm having at least two label-engaging portions separated by resilient neck portions which permit flexing as labels are placed on the container by the label-engaging portions. Also a bottle delivery system is provided having guide elements for grouping in fours. Each group guides a bottle into a pocket of a crate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1982
    Inventor: C. Edward Martin
  • Patent number: 4314869
    Abstract: A method of applying multiple labels to a label receiving surface of an article comprising conveying articles to be labeled to a label applying station, dispensing first and second labels onto a vacuum belt transport, transporting the first and second labels to the label applying station utilizing the vacuum belt transport and wrapping the first and second labels onto different locations on the label-receiving surface of a first of the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1982
    Assignee: Label-Aire
    Inventor: Michael Crankshaw
  • Patent number: 4272311
    Abstract: Fully automated method and apparatus are provided for labelling containers, including supplying and applying labels. A supply provides a web of preprinted labels which may be pre-perforated for easy separation. This web of labels is fed past a sensing device and an adhesive applicator. A clamp temporarily clamps the web in response to signals from the sensor during separation of the leading label from the web. The leading edge of each label is fed to a label-engaging station with the adhesive-coated surface facing the container to which it is to be applied. Conveyor means continually transport a sequence of individual containers to said station where the respective container contacts the adhesive-coated label end. Immediately, the container begins to be rolled in a labelling channel defined between a continuously revolving belt having a friction surface and an opposed stationary wall for wrapping the label firmly around the container rolling along this channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Inventors: Joseph J. D'Angelo, Joseph J. D'Angelo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4124429
    Abstract: A label applicator including a wrap around label applicator, a transport for transporting labels to the wrap around label applicator, and a label dispenser for sequentially supplying labels to the transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1978
    Assignee: Label-Aire Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Crankshaw