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| United States Patent |
3,619,326 |
|
Burbidge
|
November 9, 1971
|
DISPENSERS FOR TAPE-CONVEYED ARTICLES SUCH AS LABELS
Abstract
In a label dispenser of the kind in which self-adhering labels are lightly
adhered to a roll of tape which is drawn step-by-step over an edge member
to cause the labels to become partly peeled, one after the other, from the
tape, there is incorporated means acting automatically to compensate for
any slackness that may develop in the tape as a result of a label being
plucked therefrom, thus ensuring accuracy of delivery.
| Inventors: |
Burbidge; Kenneth (Manakau, NZ) |
| Appl. No.:
|
04/721,856 |
| Filed:
|
April 16, 1968 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Current U.S. Class: |
156/384 ; 156/577; 221/73 |
| Current International Class: |
B65C 11/00 (20060101); B65C 11/02 (20060101); B65C 9/08 (20060101); B65C 9/18 (20060101); B32b (); B41m () |
| Field of Search: |
156/384,385,344,584,577 221/73
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Feinberg; Samuel
Claims
I claim:
1. A label dispenser comprising a support for a supply of backing tape to which self-adhering labels are lightly adhered, an edge member, means for guiding the tape in bent condition
over the said edge member, gripping means including a reciprocatable drawing clamp for frictionally gripping the tape, means for causing the gripping means to draw the tape in one direction and in bent condition over the said edge member by a distance
causing a label to become partly peeled from the tape under the action of the said edge member, means including a checking clamp for holding the tape against movement in the opposite direction, means on a body portion of the dispenser for guiding the
drawing clamp in its reciprocating movements, an actuating member including a plunger assembly having a stop for engagement with the guided drawing clamp, means for guiding the plunger assembly in slidable association with the said body portion, and
drawing means acting automatically to compensate for any slackness produced in the tape as a consequence of the partly peeled label being plucked from the tape.
2. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 1, comprising an actuating rod having a stop for engagement with the guided drawing clamp and also having an end connected to an operating device.
3. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 2, comprising a rotatable driving eccentric connected to the said actuating rod.
4. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 3, comprising a pivoted operating arm carrying an eccentric drivingly connected to the said actuating rod and to the drawing clamp.
5. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 4, comprising manually engageable means for applying movement to the drivingly connected drawing clamp and to thereby move the gripped tape relatively to the edge member.
6. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 3, comprising a tractive roller with an eccentric connection to the said actuating rod, to thereby engage drivingly the dispenser in tractive contact with a moving article and to move the drawing
clamp and the gripped tape relatively to the edge member, there also being provided means causing the said tractive roller to bear with pressure upon the moving article.
7. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 6, comprising supports enabling the dispenser to be positioned in working position adjacent to an independently moving article, and bearing means enabling the said tractive roller to be brought into
bearing contact with the moving article, whereby the tractive roller drivingly connected to the drawing clamp is rotated and the eccentric means carried by the tractive roller moves the said clamp and gripped tape relatively to the edge member.
8. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 7, comprising means, such as a spring, to cause a returning or reverse movement of the drivingly connected members after completion of the drawing movement, and thereby ensure a complete cycle of
actuation, whereby the drawing clamp is released from the tape and is brought to a relatively new position thereon.
9. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 7, comprising means providing that the drawing clamp shall be returned to a new position on the tape at the end of each actuation cycle, by being drivingly returned with the actuating rod, by the
continued forward rotation of the said eccentric on the tractive roller, means providing for disengagement of tractive contact of the said tractive roller with the moving article, by the provision of a hollow segment in the surface of the tractive roller
and providing means for the said hollow segment to occupy a position adjacent to the moving article at the end of each actuating cycle, halting means providing that the tractive roller shall be halted in its position with the hollow segment adjacent to
the moving article, thereby ensuring that the moving article escapes freely from the dispenser without participating in further tractive engagement, by means comprising protruding arresting arms pivoted to the roller, whereby the circular movement of the
free end of the arms around the roller shaft is arrested by the surface of the moving article to subsequently check the movement of the said roller by eccentric stop means thereon; the said halting means cooperating to provide engaging levers bringing
the tractive roller into tractive contract with a following moving article, whereby the said arresting arms depend into the path of the said following article and are impelled thereby to engage a second eccentric stop means provided on the tractive
roller and rotate the hollow segment out of its disengaging position.
10. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 9, comprising a multiplicity of drawing clamps and cooperating disengaging means associated with the one tractive roller, whereby the said means are duplicated, the carried eccentrics are
accordingly spaced angularly around the tractive roller and segmented disengaging means and the escapement means accordingly spaced in working relationship thereto, the multiple drawing clamps and actuating means cooperating to ensure that, during
actuation, always one drawing clamp will be in drawing movement.
11. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 10, when modified to comprise means providing for an independently driven shaft or roller to be engageable in tractive contact with the said tractive roller, and means providing that the respective
hollow disengaging segment of the tractive roller is halted adjacent to the independently driven roller when arrested by the arresting arms coming into contact with the moving article.
12. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 6, comprising supports enabling the dispenser to be positioned in working vicinity to an independantly moving procession of articles, and means providing that the said pivoted arm, by protruding
into the path of movement of the articles, will be pivotally displaced by the body of each moving article, whereby the relative pivoting eccentric drivingly connected to the drawing clamp moves the clamp and gripped tape relatively to the edge member.
13. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 12, comprising means for providing that the compensating drawing movement affecting the slackened tape shall be influenced by a deformable but resilient tire provided on a jockey roller disposed on
the said pivoted arm.
14. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 6, comprising supports enabling the dispenser to be positioned in working vicinity to a moving article, means providing that the pivoted guide means of the drawing clamp, by protruding into the path
of the moving article, will be pivotally displaced by the body of the moving article in relation to the edge member, and means providing a separate pivoted guide means for the edge member and the said tractive roller which likewise protrudes, but
slightly, into the path of the moving article, whereby displacement of the drawing clamp guide in relation to the tractive roller and edge member guide means is constant in each repeating single actuation.
15. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 4, comprising supports enabling the dispenser to be positioned in working vicinity to a moving article, a multiplicity of means to provide that the said lever arms are pivoted to the shaft carrying
the driving eccentrics and in turn depend into the path of a moving article, means providing that the said arms shall have a limited but free angular movement between eccentric stop means connected to the eccentric-carrying shaft when being impelled by a
moving article to thereby drivingly move the connected drawing clamp and whereby the said arms, having circular motion, move clear of the article at the end of each actuating cycle and whereby the following arm, by being arrested against the passing
article, halts the drawing movement and subsequently, as the article passes, then depends into the path of a following article, and means providing that the drawing clamp is drivingly connected to the rotating eccentric whereby the drawing clamp is moved
forwardly and the gripped tape moved relatively to the edge member, and subsequently released from the tap and drivingly returned to its new position on the tape, by the continued forward rotation of the carried eccentric.
16. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 2, comprising means providing for engagement of a thrusting article against an actuating member, whereby the actuating movement tensions a drawing spring and moves the drawing clamp to a new
position on the tape, means providing for the depositing and application of a label from the tape on the said article by providing guiding means for the tape leading from the edge member and directing the tape reversely into a reversely drawing clamp,
and means providing for a variable setting of the edge member and application means to thereby ensure that the label will be deposited consistently to a desired site upon the article, the edge member and application means being slidably mounted on a body
portion of the dispenser.
17. A label dispenser comprising a support for a supply of backing tape to which self-adhering labels are lightly adhered, an edge member, means for guiding the tape in bent condition over the said edge member, drawing means including a drawing
roller and a pressure roller between which the tape is led and drawn as the rollers rotate in drawing relation to each other, means to effect the drawing movement by providing a drawing spring and a pivoted operating arm and providing engaging means,
such as a roller-clutch or pawl and ratchet, whereby, during movement in a direction opposed by the drawing spring, the said operating arm is disengaged from the drawing roller and, in opposite movement, is drivingly engaged therewith and drawn by the
said drawing spring which is connected to the operating arm and a body portion of the dispenser and presses the arm in a drawing direction whereby the pivoted operating arm on being disengaged from the drawing roller, is swung to tension the drawing
spring, and is released to engage and drivingly rotate the two rollers by the influence of the spring, thereby providing a spring-influenced main drawing movement and a spring-influenced compensating drawing movement affecting the slackened tape and
operatively related to the waned influence of the said drawing spring.
18. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 1, comprising a hydrostatic ram mounted on the body portion of the dispenser, means to provide that the thrusting member of the ram serves as a plunger member for the dispenser, and pressure supply
passages and a control valve whereby the ram can be connected to a suitable pressure supply and actuated and controlled.
19. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 18, comprising means permitting of manual engagement and control of the ram.
20. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 18, comprising supports enabling the dispenser to be arranged in working vicinity to an independently moving article, and means providing that the control valve will be actuated by an actuating
lever protruding into the path of the moving article, whereby pressure is delivered to the said ram when the actuating lever is pivotally displaced from the said path to open the valve in the supply passage leading to a forward moving chamber of the ram,
while the valve will be returned to its original position when the lever is not displaced, to thereby open the supply passage leading to a returning chamber of the ram and close the passage leading to the forward moving chamber thereof.
21. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 6, and wherein the tractive roller is caused to bear with pressure on the surface of the moving article by the provision of a pivotal mounting and a bearing spring, and wherein means are provided
whereby the edge member is disposed to deposit the peeled label onto the passing article.
22. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 3, comprising means for adjusting the length of drawing movement, including an adjustably mounted eccentric shaft adapted to be set at an appropriate distance from the concentric center.
23. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 1, comprising drawing mechanism including a drawing roller and a pressure roller and closing and opening means whereby the rollers are pressed towards each other during drawing rotation and are
parted for counterwise rotation of the drawing roller, and means for applying the compensating drawing movement to affect a slackened tape, including a spring opposing limited angular movement of a driving pinion with respect to the drawing roller, which
spring, upon the tape becoming slackened ahead of the drawing mechanism, rotates the drawing roller relatively to the pinion when stationary.
24. A label dispenser in accordance with claim 1, including means to enable a printing or similar process to be applied to the labels prior to their being dispensed by the dispenser, the said means comprising an impression form arranged adjacent
to the edge member, a pivoted poisable buffetting hammer adapted to buffet the underside of the tape and label thereon against the impression form, a latch whereby after the buffetting hammer has been poised, it is latched in the poised position
preparatory to subsequent tripping, a lever adapted to move this buffetting hammer into a poised position, an ink-carrying ribbon adapted to supply ink to the impression form, means enabling the said ribbon to have a movable relationship to the
impression form by being wound upon reels at each end, one of these reels being a winding reel in driving engagement with a rotatable core of a supply roll of the tape, while the other reel is an unwinding disengaged reel, means for reversing the
movement of the reels to thereby rewind the ribbon in an opposite direction, said reversing means including a pivoted throwing lever and a rotatably mounted driving pinion drivingly connected to the supply roll core to thereby cause driving engagement of
either one of the ribbon reels to be established, means providing that the latch of the buffetting hammer will be tripped by engagement with the said lever drivingly connected to the mechanism during return movement, and a set screw provided on the
buffetting hammer to permit of adjustment of the striking face of the hammer.
Description
This invention relates to manually operated or automatic dispensers or dispenser-applicators or
printing-dispenser-applicators of the kind that are used in the carrying out of labelling or like processes employing self-adhering labels or similar articles which, by being lightly adhered to a backing tape or strip, can be conveyed step-by-step by the
tape, the conveying movement of the tape causing it to become bent and drawn around an edge, or sharp corner whereby the labels or similar articles become, in succession, partly peeled from the tape and thus poised for complete removal from the tape and
application to the desired object.
For convenience and avoidance of undue repetition, the devices to which the invention relates will, where convenient, be referred to hereinafter by use of the simple term "dispensers."
While dispensers embodying the invention are primarily intended for use in the process of applying labels to goods, they are also applicable to the dispensing of other articles which have been treated to provide them with a self-adhering surface. Among these other articles may be mentioned such things as for instance eyelet reinforcements and postage stamps. For simplicity, however, I will, in what follows, set out may invention in its application to labelling, although I wish it to be clearly
understood that the invention is not confined to this particular application.
In the normal process of manufacture of self-adhering labels, in combination with their initially associated backing tape, a long sheet of backing tape material has one surface treated with a bond-inhibiting substance. It is then laminated to a
sheet of label stock paper of similar size by the use of a pressure-sensitive adhesive which becomes firmly bonded to and virtually forms part of the label paper but which, owing to the tape material having been treated with a bond-inhibiting substance,
has only enough affinity for the tape material to hold the label paper lightly in place.
In order to produce plain labels with the greatest economy, the next stage of the process is to incise the label sheet only, in a transverse manner, at regularly spaced intervals.
Both sheets, in their laminated condition, are then taken and cut lengthwise into strips to complete the process of manufacture. Labels formed by this method are of the same width exactly as the supporting backing tape and are separated one from
the other along the length of the tape by the transverse incisions.
The process just described is the simplest and there is no waste of label paper as the labels on the backing tape are square or rectangular and an end edge of one comes immediately next to an end edge of the succeeding label without there being
any waste label paper between them.
To prepare the composite strips for application to dispensers, the strips are usually wound into rolls of convenient size.
To produce labels of a more intricate or useful shape, the label sheet of the laminate is incised as before but in this instance in such a manner as to produce the more complex shape of label desired. The continuous web or matrix of waste label
paper surrounding the incisions is then peeled away and discarded, leaving rows of separate labels on the sheet of backing tape material. The backing tape sheet is then cut lengthwise between the rows of labels to form composite strips, thus completing
the process of manufacture, each such strip being then wound into a roll of convenient size for application to a dispenser.
By the two processes of manufacture described in the foregoing, the widest possible range of label shapes is achieved and can be catered for.
The two types of label composite strips made by the processes in question can always be made available, but in the case of the most economic form are only available on the plain kind of backing tape which, incidentally, conforms to the most
common standard.
Certain known types of dispensers are provided with a draw mechanism so constructed as to correctly locate itself by reason of a particular shaping of the longitudinal edges of the backing tape or the labels thereon. These dispensers have the
advantage that every full delivery stroke of the draw mechanism ensures that a label will be brought precisely to a position in which it becomes partly or wholly peeled from the backing tape under the action of the edge around which the tape is bent.
Use of such dispensers is, however, limited to the particular size and pattern of label and the particular shaping of the tape edges which, among the various manufacturers, often fails to conform to a common standard of design.
In cases where the more common form of backing tape, with plain longitudinal edges, is normally used, the problem of ensuring correct register of each label relative to the aforesaid edge at the conclusion of each delivery stroke of the dispenser
is not so easy to solve as the tape being plain, offers nothing from which the dispenser can sense the exact distance between one label and the next or the exact location of a label relative to the edge around which the tape is bent.
It will be understood that is is desirable that the amount of backing tape moved through the dispenser as a result of a complete cycle of operations should correspond to the center-to-center spacings of the labels on the tape. Ideally this
function would result in the consistent and regular peeling or partial peeling of a label from the backing tape at the desired identical juncture from each operating cycle of the dispenser. The ideal in question is, however, not easy to achieve and
maintain, but unless it is achieved the dispenser will err in its function.
Several factors operate adversely to attainment of the ideal. One factor is the tendency for the spacing of the labels on the backing tape to vary. These are not variations that would, over a sufficient length of tape, cancel each other out,
but are variations resulting from the winding of the label-loaded tape, that is to say, the composite strip, into rolls after manufacture, the shaft or core onto which each roll is wound, being driven by a friction clutch in order that its rotating speed
will diminish accordingly as the diameter of the roll which it is driving increases. This results in a variation of tension exerted on the tape during winding, and a corresponding variation in the degree of stretching of the tape as it is more tightly
wound at the center of the roll than at the outside. This stretching becomes settled and permanent in the tape and as a result, there is a slight but serious variation of center-to-center spacing between the labels along the tape, this variation being
most pronounced at the two ends of each roll.
Another factor is that slight variations of thickness and texture of the tape cause unequal stretching of the tape as it is being wound and again as it is drawn through the dispenser. Temperature, moisture and humidity also affect the stretching
of the tape.
Then again, even if it be supposed that the labels could be evenly spaced along the tape, the surface texture of the tape may vary from place to place along its length, being more smooth in one place than in another, and this may result in a
varying degree of skidding or slipping before the devices embodied in the dispenser for gripping and moving the tape for feed-out, establish a firm and positive hold on the tape and thereby effect the desired draw movement.
Even without such variable factors as have been described above, it would be a task of greatest delicacy to adjust and set the machine to obtain the exact amount of draw movement required, even if minor factors such as continuous wear of
mechanical parts or unequal coefficient of expansion in various parts affected by temperature changes, are discounted. Feed-out devices that are used in the dispenser and are normally dry and clean, may become inadvertently fouled by lubricant and cause
an increase of skidding or slipping, or surfaces forming part of such devices may become contaminated with a deposit of adhesive transferred from the tape, thus adversely affecting the length of the draw movement.
With hand operated machines, a vigorous thrust applied to the machine may flex an important member more so than a gentle pressure would, or if there is play or looseness in the mechanism, a vigorous thrust may result in overshooting through a
member being carried by impetus past a point beyond which, by gentle pressure, it would not have been forced.
The adverse and detrimental effect of consistent discrepancy of draw movement in relation to the center spacings of the labels along the backing tape, is due to the errors being cumulative. If there is a deficiency of draw movement, the point at
which labels become partly or fully peeled from the tape becomes progressively retarded with each cycle of operation of the machine and eventually results in a label failing to be dispensed during one cycle. Conversely, if there is an excess of draw
movement, the peeling juncture becomes progressively advanced, and eventually results in two labels, instead of one, being delivered in one cycle.
In previous known automatic machines for dispensing and applying labels from common, standard backing tapes, the problem of eliminating detrimental cumulative error has been overcome by the provision of electronic sensing devices. Briefly, these
devices consist of a photoelectric cell and associated activating light beam mounted in the vicinity of the part of the tape lying between the supply roll and the peeling edge, the arrangement being such that the light beam will pass through the
semitransparent backing tape, where gaps between the labels occur, to thereby activate the cell, while when the light beam is broken or interrupted by the greater opacity of the labels and backing tape together, the cell will be deactivated.
Another and similar combination of photoelectric cell and associated light beam is mounted in the vicinity of the procession of articles or packages that are being fed to the machine for labelling, this cell being activated as the beam passes
freely across the gap between one article or package and the next.
The draw mechanism in the automatic machines referred to is driven by an electric motor, supply of electric current to the motor being controlled by the two sensing devices and the draw movement being accordingly regulated. Alternatively, the
draw movement may be regulated by an electromagnet which acts to render operative and inoperative the devices used for gripping the tape for feedout purposes.
In either case, draw movement is signalled to commence when the article to labelled approaches the correct position and is signalled to end when the appropriate length of backing tape has been drawn past the peeling edge.
Besides being dependent on electric power supply and specialized maintenance, the automatic machines referred to are unsuitable for use with the more economic plain type of composite strip in which the labels are separated from one another along
the backing tape by narrow incisions only. The incorporation of cumbersome and expensive electronic devices into hand machines is somewhat impractical and defeats the object of portability.
In previous hand operated label dispensers utilizing common, standard, plain backing tapes the possibility of buildup of cumulative error is inherent, and it is merely fortuitous if no buildup occurs. Such excessive buildup of cumulative error
as occurs in these dispensers can usually be corrected by the person who uses the machine making an incomplete actuating stroke if the peeling juncture is becoming advanced, or an additional incomplete actuating stroke if it is becoming retarded.
However, as the possibility of buildup of cumulative error is inherent in these dispensers, constant attention of the operator must be paid to the process of operation of the dispenser in order that the appropriate remedial action may be taken when
cumulative error is about to cause a malfunctioning of the delivery action.
The aim contemplated by the present invention is to reduce the manufacturing cost of label dispensers, to improve existing forms of such devices, and to provide further novel forms. More particularly the invention aims to eliminate the
undesirable buildup of cumulative error in automatic dispensers without recourse to sensing devices, and to remove the need for disconcerting attention of the operator to be paid to this aspect in the operation of hand-actuated dispensers.
Broadly speaking, a label dispenser of the kind hereinbefore referred to, when constructed in accordance with the invention, comprises means for frictionally gripping the tape, means enabling the gripping means to draw the tape over an edge
member by a distance causing a label to become partly peeled from the tape under the action of the said edge member thereon, and drawing means acting to compensate for slackness produced in the tape as a consequence of the partly peeled label being
plucked from the tape.
To enable the invention to be carried into practical effect, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate different forms, with certain modifications, of dispensers embodying the invention.
FIGS. 1 to 6 relate to the first form of dispenser, including a modification, and in these:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the dispenser;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view;
FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view;
FIG. 4 is an inverted plan view;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 5--5 in FIG. 3, and
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view to an enlarged scale, illustrating the modification.
FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 relate to the second form of dispenser, and in these:
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the dispenser in unopened condition;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8--8 in FIG. 7, and
FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7 but showing the dispenser in an open condition ready for loading.
FIGS. 10 to 16 relate to the third form of dispenser, including a modification, and in these:
FIG. 10 is an elevational view from one side of the dispenser;
FIG. 11 is an elevational view from the opposite side;
FIG. 12 is an inverted plan view;
FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the forward end portion of the dispenser, with a typesetting subunit removed to show the otherwise obscured parts in their relative positions prior to actuation;
FIG. 14 is a view similar to that of FIG. 13 but showing the relative position of parts at the end of actuating movement prior to return movement;
FIG. 15 is a view again similar to that of FIG. 13 but illustrating a modification, and
FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the supply roll taken on the line 9--9 in FIG. 10.
FIGS. 17 to 19 relate to the fourth form of dispenser and in these:
FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of the dispenser, a driving roller forming part thereof being shown in broken lines for convenience of illustration;
FIG. 18 is a plan view of the dispenser, and
FIG. 19 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing details of a roller clutch forming part of the dispenser.
FIG. 20 and 21 relate to the fifth form of dispenser, and in these:
FIG. 20 is a plan view of the dispenser, and
FIG. 21 is a side elevational view corresponding to FIG. 20.
FIGS. 22, 23, 24 and 25 relate to the sixth form of dispenser and in these:
FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the dispenser, with a roll of label tape in position;
FIG. 23 is a plan view in the absence of the roll;
FIG. 24 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating a modification, and
FIG. 25 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating a further modification.
FIGS. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 relate to the seventh form of dispenser, including certain modifications, and in these:
FIG. 26 is a side elevational view of the dispenser;
FIG. 27 is an inverted plan view corresponding to FIG. 26;
FIG. 28 is a view similar to that of FIG. 26 but showing modification of the draw mechanism.
FIG. 29 is an inverted plan view corresponding to FIG. 28;
FIG. 30 is a fragmentary inverted plan view illustrating a further modification of the draw mechanism of FIG. 26.
FIG. 31 is an elevational view illustrating a part of the dispenser in a modified form, and
FIG. 32 is a view similar to that of FIG. 31 but illustrating another modified form of the part in question.
FIGS. 33 and 34 relate to the eighth form of dispenser, and in these:
FIG. 33 is a side elevational view of the dispenser, and
FIG. 34 is an inverted plan view corresponding to FIG. 33.
FIGS. 35 and 36 relate to the ninth form of dispenser in which there are incorporated special provisions for a long drawing movement to suit relatively along labels. Here:
FIG. 35 is a plan view showing the position of parts at the end of a drawing movement, and
FIG. 36 is a side elevational view showing the position assumed by parts at the commencement of a drawing movement.
FIGS. 37, 38 and 39 relate to the tenth form of dispenser, and in these:
FIG. 37 is a side elevational view showing the dispenser in tensioned condition ready for a drawing and application movement.
FIG. 38 is a plan view showing the dispenser with the drawing mechanism in a position of rest prior to actuation, and
FIG. 39 is a rear end view of the dispenser.
FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the eleventh form of dispenser.
FIGS. 41 and 42 relate to the twelfth form of dispenser, and in these:
FIG. 41 is a side elevation view of the dispenser, and
FIG. 42 is an end view looking from the left in FIG. 41.
FIGS. 43, 44, 45 and 46 relate to two modified forms of clamps, either one of which may be embodied in the drawing mechanism, and in these:
FIG. 43 is a side elevational view of one of the modified clamps;
FIG. 44 is an end view corresponding to FIG. 43;
FIG. 45 is a side elevational view of the other modified form of clamp, and
FIG. 46 is an end view corresponding to FIG. 45.
FIG. 47 relates to the thirteenth form of dispenser in which the drawing mechanism is actuated by compressed air, the FIG. being a longitudinal sectional view illustrating, more or less diagrammatically, valve mechanism for controlling such
actuation.
FIGS. 48, 49, 50, 51, 52 and 53 relate to four modified forms of compensating means for use in association with drawing mechanism of roller form. In these:
FIG. 48 is a side elevational view illustrating the first of these modifications;
FIG. 49 is a side elevational view illustrating the second of these modifications;
FIG. 50 is a side elevational view partly in section illustrating the third of these modifications;
FIG. 51 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 50;
FIG. 52 is a fragmentary elevational view taken on the line 2--2 in FIG. 50, and
FIG. 53 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the fourth of the modifications in question.
FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, of the accompanying drawings, show a simple hand-operated label dispenser-applicator with a reciprocating clamp
form of draw mechanism and a provisions for compensating draw movement.
As illustrated, the dispenser-applicator is suitable for use in dispensing labels from a plain tape of common standard type. The dispenser comprises a body portion 10 to which is rigidly secured upper and lower guide rods 11 which extend from
the front to the rear of the dispenser and, at their rearward ends, are embedded in a spacer 44 while, at their for ward ends, they are embedded in a connecting block 24.
Mounted in a slidable and guidable manner on the rearward portion of the guide rods 11, is a movable clamp 42 which is provided to effect the draw movements. Mounted on, or integral with the body portion 10, is a fixed stationary clamp 43, which
is provided to prevent feedback movement of the tape.
In order that detrimental crumpling of the tape does not occur during actuation of the machine, both clamps 42 and 43 are designed to warp the tape lengthwise into a more rigid shape. To this end and in order to ensure that the clamps effect the
required grip and release at the appropriate junctures, the clamps comprise an apertured member 12, and a spherical plug or wedge member 13. In reference to the drawn illustration and the composite wedging arrangement herein exemplified, the aperture in
the member 12 is provided with a projecting, transversely curved and inclined surface or ramp 35, by which the spherical plug member 13, as it is drawn by the tape into the diminishing opening, is directed to the opposite side of the aperture and grips
the tape 20, leading therebetween.
To facilitate initial threading of the tape, a slot 40 is provided through the apertured member 12, of each clamp 42 and 43.
A guide bar 41, attached to a magazine 17, directs the tape into stationary clamp 43.
On the forward part of the guide rods 11 a push plate 14 is mounted in a slidable and guidable manner and is rigidly connected to a rod 15 and stop member 16 (see FIG. 4) from which stops 16A and 16B protrude, all forming a corporate plunger
assembly.
Mounted on the body portion 10 is the magazine 17 which is adapted to hold the supply roll of labels and tape, the magazine 17 being provided with a lid or cover 18. In FIG. 1 the lid or cover 18 is represented by a broken line. Also
represented by broken lines are the supply roll 19 and the tape 20 leading therefrom.
Conveniently integral with the magazine 17 there is provided an edge member 21, which is appropriately located so that the direction in which the label being peeled moves, is towards the underside surface of an application roller 22. This
application roller 22 is rotatably mounted on a headed shaft 23, in a suitable location and at a suitable distance from the peeling edge 21, which location varies according to the length of labels being dispensed, so that at the completion of the main
drawing movement of the dispenser, the leading edge of the partly peeled label is in suitable proximity to the application roller 22, whereby the leading edge of the label may be affixed to its site by the application roller 22 being brought to bear
thereon and to allow the application roller subsequently to be rolled across the label in the direction of the trailing edge of the latter, thus to pluck the remaining unpeeled portion of the label from the tape and complete the affixing operation.
The shaft 23 of the application roller 22, is supported from the drawn actuating end portion of the guide rods 11, the guide rod ends and the shaft being connected together by the connecting block 24.
Also mounted on the body portion 19 is a looplike handle or grip 25 which, together with the push plate 14, forms a corporate gripping and operating arrangement for hand usage in which, normally, the fingers of the hand are passed downwards
through the opening formed by the handle 25, the thumb being free to apply the required thrusts to the push plate 14, by which method the initial draw-actuating movement of the plunger assembly is effected.
The return movement is influenced by tension of a return spring 26 which is obscurely shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, but more fully illustrated in FIG. 5. One end of this spring is anchored to the movable plunger assembly and the other to the
stationary body a portion 10. More specifically, one end of the spring 26 is anchored to the stop member 16B of the plunger assembly by a loop 27, and the other end to the body member by a loop 28. The spring 26 is thereby appropriately tensioned
during the initial draw-actuating movement in order that upon release of pressure against the push plate 14 (or the plunger assembly), the desired return movement will ensue.
Provision is made for the length of draw movement to be regulated and set by adjustment to a set screw 29, the shank of which is threaded into the body portion 10 in a suitable position to oppose a stop face 30 on the plunger assembly.
Provision is also made for imposing a light frictional drag upon the tape as it leads to the peeling edge 21 from the supply roll 19, and further to provide that the degree of drag can be adjusted.
Illustrated by broken lines in FIGS. 1 and by full lines in FIG. 4, is a spring leaf 31 which depends from an anchorage member 32 on the inside of the magazine lid 18. Through this anchorage member 32 there is threaded a setting screw 33 the end
of which bears upon the spring leaf 31. By adjustment of this setting screw 33, variable degrees of drag may be imposed upon the tape.
By imposing a light frictional drag upon the tape as described, not only is the tape caused to be more sharply bent around the peeling edge, but it is possible to use a stronger and less sensitive compensator referred to below spring.
In the type of compensating draw movement exemplified in the present embodiment, the appropriate draw movement is influenced by a compensator spring 34 which is shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 1 and 4 but in full lines in FIG. 5. This spring 34,
encircles the return spring 26, and is interposed between the inward face of stop 16A, and the clamp 42. The clamp 42 is in permanent engagement with the stop 16 of the plunger assembly, but limited movement of the plunger assembly (according to the
desired length of compensating draw movement) before the forward stop 16A thrusts against the clamp 42 is possible, by which movement the compensator spring 34 is compressed.
The compensator spring 34 must be of sufficient strength to accomplish the compensating draw movement (which is merely to take up slack in the tape), but at the same time of such weakness as not to overcome any drag on the tape once the tape has
become taut.
The actuating cycle of the dispenser as described is as follows:
A thrust is applied to the push plate 14 and causes movement of the plunger assembly, this movement besides commencing to tension the return spring 26, immediately commences to compress the compensator spring 34 and to move the clamp 42 slightly
along the tape leading therethrough, and to cause the plug or wedge member 13 to be drawn into gripping position and to establish a grip upon the tape. The compensator spring 34, being too weak to effect any main draw movement to the tape, becomes fully
compressed as movement of the plunger assembly continues and engages the stop member 16A against the clamp 42. Thus far, no draw movement has taken place, but a grip on the tape has been established by the clamp 42, and the compensator spring 34 has
been fully compressed.
With continued movement of the plunger assembly, the main draw movement now commences and continues to its desired limit, drawing a corresponding length of tape over the peeling edge and thereby partly peeling a label from the tape.
The application operation now follows (before any return movement of the moving clamp 42, is permitted) and the label is plucked from the tape as the movement of the application roller towards the trailing edge of the label affixes the label to
its site. At the same time as the label is plucked from the tape a further portion of tape, which is identical in length to the difference between the length of draw movement so far effected by the dispenser and the desired and essential length of draw
movement, is drawn from the magazine 17. This amount of extra length of tape draw is now manifest as slack and is taken up by the further (compensating) movement of the clamp 42, which further movement is influenced by exertion of the compressed
compensating spring 34 as or after the slack in the tape becomes manifest. Pressure on the push plate 14 is then removed and, by the influence of the return spring 26, the return movement completes the cycle of operations of the dispenser.
The present embodiment of compensating draw movement is significantly characterized by occurring during a phase of forward movement, immediately following the main draw movement, prior to the main return movement, the compensating movement being
influenced and rendered commensurable by the exertion of a suitably compressed spring, and the compensating draw movement and main draw movement being effected by the same clamp.
A modification to this form of dispenser, not affecting the operation of the compensating draw movement, is illustrated in FIG. 6
The object of this modification is to provide that an increased length of main draw movement may be obtained in relation to the amount of movement applied to the push plate 14.
In this modification, a series of teeth are provided on the upper one of the guide rods 11, to thereby form a toothed rack 38. The plunger rod 15 is extended forwardly of and made slidable within the block 24, and is likewise formed with a
toothed rack 39.
The push plate 14, instead of being rigidly connected to the plunger rod 15, is slidably connected to this rod and is rigidly connected to an additional guide rod 36 extending into and slidable within the body portion. A toothed idler pinion
gear 37 shown in dotted lines, engages with each toothed rack 38 and 39 and is rotatably mounted on the push plate 14. When pressure is applied to the push plate 14, the pinion gear 37 is carried along and revolves to effect a movement of the rod 15,
such movement being double that of the push plate 14.
FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate another simple form of hand-operated dispenser-applicator having a clamp form of drawing mechanism similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, but in which an alternative hand-gripping operating arrangement
is provided.
Incorporated into this different form, is the preferred embodiment of compensating draw mechanism.
In FIGS. 7 to 9 there is shown a hand-operated dispenser-applicator with a reciprocating clamp form of draw mechanism which is provided with compensating draw movement comprising a blanked upper arm 50 to which is pivotally connected, by means of
a shaft 52, a lower arm member 51.
A magazine 17 is formed in the upper arm 50 to encase the supply roll 19 (shown in broken lines). The two arms 50 and 51 provide a hand grip and operating arrangement. A movable clamp 42 (shown in broken lines in FIG. 7), is mounted, in a
slidable and guidable manner, on a bed or track formed by a web 55 and the flanking sides of the lower arm 51, and is retained on this track by protruding flanges 58 extending from the movable clamp 42 and running in slotted tracks 59 formed in the
flanks of the lower arm. A stationary clamp 43 is rigidly connected to the rearward end of the lower arm 51.
Rotatably mounted on the movable clamp 42, are an inner pair of rollers 56, and an outer pair of rollers 57. The inner rollers 56, are so located as to be in contact with the upper edges of the lower arm 51. A groove 60 is provided in each of
the inner faces of the flanks of the upper arm 50, and in each groove there is anchored a flexible leaf spring member 64 to form a guide or track. Within the guides the outer pair of rollers 57 are compelled to move obliquely with the closing and
opening of the arms 50 and 51, thereby applying the desired movement to the clamp 42 along its track.
A dragging spring leaf 31, depending from the magazine 17, is provided to exert a slight drag upon the portion of the tape 20 leading from the supply roll 19 to the peeling edge 21, this edge being located between the flanks of the lower arm 51
which acts to support and cradle the supply roll 19.
An application roller 22 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 52 between the flanks of the pivoting arms 50 and 51.
A return spring 26 is located between the flanks of the upper arm 50 and is anchored by a screw or rivet 65 to the central web of the upper arm 50. The unsupported end of the return spring 26 is located on a pin 66 and platform 68, the platform
68 being attached to or supported by, the flanks of the arm 51.
The tape 20, leading from the supply roll 19, after being bent around the peeling edge 21, leads backwards beneath the extension of the peeling edge 21, over a guide bar 41 which directs the tape 20 into the movable clamp 42 and thence into the
fixed clamp 43. A nib 56 on each leaf spring member 64, effects a light clip onto the rollers 57 and holds the arms 50 and 51 together during normal use, but permits the arms to be prised apart for the loading of supply rolls.
The mode of actuation is by application of hand pressure to cause arms 50 and 51, to be brought together, compelling the moving clamp 42 to first grip the tape 20 and, in such continued movement, to compel the outer rollers 57, on the moving
clamp 42, to move obliquely along the inclined surface of the leaf spring 54, to their weaker unsupported extremities and to cause the compensator leaf spring member 64 to be flexed at these extremities.
At this stage the main draw movement is completed, the compensator leaf spring 64 are suitably flexed, and a label is partly peeled from the backing tape at the peeling edge 21. This label is now affixed to its site by the actuation of the
application roller 22 and, in being plucked from the tape, draws a length of tape equal to the discrepancy of main draw movement. This discrepancy of main draw movement is now manifest as slack in the tape. By the influence of the flexed compensator
leaf springs 64 bearing upon the rollers 57, a compensating draw movement must now ensue, and continue until the tape is drawn taut. After that, the hand pressure on the arms 50 and 51 is removed to permit, under the influence of the tensioned return
spring 26, the respective components to return to their original positions and complete the cycle of operation of the dispenser.
The dispenser just described is characterized by the mode in which the moving clamp is driven, by being compelled to track in an obliquely inclined traversing guide. This form of compensating draw movement, significantly characterized by the
movement being influenced and rendered commensurable by the exertion of suitable springs, is distinctly characterized by the compensator springs being tensioned during the main draw movement, and by the leaf form of these springs.
Another aspect of the invention provides a label dispenser applicator not only with compensator means, but also with printing or encoding attachments.
A related consequence of the attribute of the present invention to eliminate cumulative error and to ensure a correct presentation of a label at an identical juncture during each cycle of movement of the dispenser is for the labels along the
position of the tape from the supply roll to the peeling edge, to always be in step, and for each label, during its approach to the peeling edge, to be halted in a sequence of identical and fixed positions relative to the dispenser. Thus the present
invention provides an essential condition for each label, in some way, to be processed, and for that process to be synchronous and coincidental to the actuation of the machine in its function of dispensing and applying labels.
FIGS. 10 to 16 illustrate an embodiment which serves to show how the considerations in question can be given effect to. The FIGS. in question illustrate a form of label dispenser-applicator with a clamp form of draw mechanism and with
compensating draw movement, and in which is incorporated printing or typing attachments.
The dispenser comprises a moving clamp 42 which is connected, in a slidable and guidable manner, to the guide rods 11, and is also connected to an actuation rod 81. This actuation rod is in turn connected to a lever 82 which is formed with or
attached to a push plate 14.
A hand or palm grip 25 is attached to the main body 10 of the dispenser to form a composite hand-gripping operating arrangement with the push plate 14, whereby the dispenser can normally be operated by a thrust applied to the push plate by the
thumb, thereby moving the clamp 42 to effect the main drawing movement and effecting the compressing of the compensator spring 34. A return spring 26 effects the return movement of the lever 82 and connected parts.
In the embodiment illustrated, a standard form of twin typesetting unit with registration dial 86 and impression forms 87, is provided. The impression forms 87 are rigidly mounted on the main body in a suitable position and in close proximity
to, and facing, the labels on the portion of the tape leading from the supply roll 19 to the peeling edge 21.
A continuous ink supply is maintained by an ink impregnated, or an ink coated, ribbon 90 which is led between the face of the impression forms 87 and the surface of the labels on the tape, the ribbon being caused to move to a new position after
each printing impression is made.
The ends of the inked ribbon 90 are anchored and wound onto drums or reels 91. A rim on each reel is provided with a toothed periphery 92, and provision is made for either one of the two reels to wind, or unwind, by engagement with or
disengagement from a toothed gear wheel 93 which, by means of a belt 105 and pulley 106 (or alternatively by idling gear wheels), is driven by the unwinding rotational movement of a drum 115 to which the supply roll 19 of label tape is centrally
attached. The object of this arrangement is to enable the linked ribbon 90 to rewind in a reverse direction after being unwound from either one of the two reels 91, thus maintaining the ink supply from the ribbon to the type face. A movable gear lever
108 is pivoting on a pin 107, and on the gear lever there is rotatably mounted a gearwheel 93 enabling an easy change of engagement of drive from one ribbon reel 91 to the other, to be made.
A locating projection 113 on the gear lever 108, and recesses 114 in the body portion 10, provide means for lightly holding and retaining the gear wheel 93 in the desired engaging position.
The printing impression is made by a buffer pad or pads 95 mounted on a pivoting arm 96 and buffeting the underside of the tape 20 leading from the supply roll 19, the pad or pads being adapted to press the labels on the tape against the
impression form 87 with the inked ribbon 90 in between.
In order that the arm 96 may be suitably poised ready for buffeting the tape when a label is stationary, the arm is held in poised position during the actuating movement of the machine by a spur 97 on the lever 82, the spur bearing upon the
roller 98 which is rotatably mounted on a headed shaft attached to the arm 96, and compelling movement of the arm 96 at the appropriate time. This movement, which is opposed by spring 99 connecting the arm 96 to the main body portion 10, results in the
spring 99 being tensioned. Coincidental with this movement, a pawl 100 moves by influence of a spring 101, or is compelled by a peg tooth 102 on the lever 82, to apply itself against the roller 98, and thus prevent return movement of the arm 96 which
movement would otherwise follow when the operating pressure transmitted by lever 82 is removed. In this way the arm 96 is poised ready for the impression blow.
Thumb pressure on the push plate 14 is now removed and the return spring 26 causes the return movement of the lever 82 and connected parts. During this return movement, and near its completion, the peg tooth 102 engages with a suitable spur 103
extending from the pawl 100, and trips and dislodges this pawl from its interposed position in which it was holding arm 96 in a poised position. Thus, the impression blow is triggered and occurs during the return movement of the machine while the tape,
and the label to be printed, are stationary.
The preferred embodiment of the compensating draw means for this dispenser is basically similar in form and action to a form hereinbefore described.
The compensator spring 34 is interposed in the line of transmitted movement between the moving clamp 42 and the stop 16A on the connecting rod 81, and is compressed prior to the commencement of the main drawing movement.
The compensating draw movement is effected after the main draw movement, prior to the return movement of the dispenser, and immediately follows the plucking of a label from the tape by the action of the application roller before hand pressure is
released.
Details of the draw movement, the path by which the tape is led, the opening and closing of the clamps and the forming of the tape are similar to a form previously described.
The fixed clamp 43 is rigidly mounted and connected to guides 11.
A spring arm 118, pivoted to the body member 10, and locating in a slot in the head of the supply drum shaft 119, retains the turns of tape of the supply roll 19.
A reasonably firm grip of the core of the supply roll 19 upon the drum 115 is effected by a spring 120. This spring is looped around the drum shaft 119, the outermost portion of two larger outer loops being so located as to pass through slots
131 in the supply roll drum 115, thereby exerting pressure outwardly against the inside of the supply roll core 94. The loop of the spring 120 around the drum shaft 119, thrusts slightly against the underside of the shaft head, to thereby effect a
frictional drag on the face of a pulley 106 which is arranged, concentrically to the drum, against the body member 10. A cover is provided to encase the ink supply ribbon mechanism.
Provision is made for obtaining an even depth or weight of printing impression, this being conveniently done by the provision of adjustable taper-ended set screws 124. By adjusting the screws, the ends of the bed 125 may be raised or lowered.
The guide bar 41, which is an extended portion of the shaft of the roller 98, is suitably bent to hold the tape in check against the underside of the arm 96.
A simple modification envisages replacement of the impression form 87 and the buffer pad 95 by mating matrices, thus enabling an embossing process to be carried out.
In order to cater for a relatively long form of label, FIG. 15 illustrates an arrangement whereby the peeling edge 21, instead of being located on the extremity of the pivoting arm 96, is located at a greater distance from the impression forms.
The application roller 22, instead of being mounted on the shaft 23, is located on an additional shaft 112, and the tape leading from the peeling edge 21 into the stationary clamp 43, is directed by the relocated guide bar 41.
Another variant, illustrated on FIG. 15, is the provision of an alternative form of return spring 26, this alternative spring being anchored, at one end, to the body portion 10 and at the other end, to the spur 97 on lever 82.
A further variation is provided in an alternative form of impression depth adjustment, whereby the set screw 129, by appropriate adjustment, exerts the required bowing influence on the slender portion 130 of the arm 96.
The dispenser just described is significantly characterized by a thrusting lever as a mode of operation, and by related attachments.
FIGS. 17 to 19 illustrate a dispenser-applicator, the particular object of which is to provide means for applying labels in an automatic manner to articles moving in a continuous stream or procession.
In basic principle, the clamp form of drawing mechanism and the incorporated type of compensating device are similar to those previously described.
The particular faculty distinguishing the present embodiment is the mode of operation, which is by means of a driving roller. This roller is driven by traction along the surface of a passing article or package to thereby actuate the draw
mechanism. As the draw mechanism has already been described with reference to previous examples, only the mode of actuation distinguishing the present embodiment from the earlier ones need be explained, thus avoiding unnecessary repetition.
The dispenser according to the present embodiment comprises a driving roller 140 which is engagably connected to a driving toothed pinion 144 on a main shaft 141, by means of a wedging roller clutch arrangement 142 located in the hub of the
driving roller 140.
A toothed rack 145, secured to or formed on a plunger rod 146, is engaged with the toothed pinion 144 by being arranged transversely to the axis of the main shaft 141 which is journaled in a bearing block 147.
The apparatus is suitably mounted or poised (in the embodiment illustrated, by being mounted astride a moving belt 148), in the path of procession of moving articles or packages 149, in such a way that the driving roller 140 is compelled to bear
upon the surface of each of the said articles or packages successively. The mode of actuation, therefore, is for the driving roller 140, in tractive contact with a moving surface, to drive and rotate the toothed pinion gear 144 which, by being in
engagement with the toothed rack 145, effects movement of the plunger rod 146 to effect a drawing movement.
To ensure that the driving roller 140 shall bear with sufficient pressure upon the moving surface to be rotated thereby, the arrangement includes a main body or carriage 150 which is pivoted to main mounts 151 by secured shaft 152. A loading
spring, 153, bearing, at one end, on the pivoting main body or carriage 150, and secured at its other end to a fixed anchorage, causes the driving roller 140 to exert the required pressure against a moving article or package 149. To avoid detrimental
skidding of the driving roller 140 on the surface of the moving package or article, which may adversely affect the amount of draw movement, the roller is provided with a treaded tire 154 (see FIG. 19).
Roller dogs of the wedging roller clutch arrangement 142 are retained endwise within the hub of the driving roller 140, by a flange 155 on the main shaft 141, and by a locking washer 156 and nut 157, by which means the driving roller is also
retained on the main shaft.
In order that the apparatus may be correctly poised so that the driving roller 140 will correctly and easily mount and ride across the surface of the moving article 149, such movement being in the direction indicated by the arrow 174 in FIG. 17,
stops 158 are provided 40 limit the pivotal movement of the main body or carriage 150 in the direction of the pressure exerted by the loading spring 153.
A set screw 29 is provided to enable the length of draw movement to be adjusted. Other parts, having the same common function as in previously described embodiments, are designated by the same reference symbols.
The object of providing a wedging roller clutch engagement for the driving roller 140, for coupling it to the main shaft 141, is to ensure that the driving roller will be locked to the main shaft 141 during forward driving rotational movement,
but will be free spinning on the main shaft during counterwise rotation. In this way unnecessary stress and damage to the gear teeth will be avoided when the counterwise rotating roller is abruptly halted at the end of the spring influenced return
stroke of the dispenser, which must take place prior to the next actuation cycle. An alternative would be the replacement of the roller clutch arrangement by a pawl and ratchet.
A further variation would be to mount the tire 154 on driving roller 140 in slipping or dragging association with the rim of the roller so that in the event of the articles being labelled having a length greater than is needed to revolve the
driving roller to required amount, the consequent wear resulting from the dragging of the halted roller across the surface of the article, would not always occur in one place.
In the embodiment now being described the driving roller 140 is suitably located to serve as an application roller. It is envisaged that a separate application roller could be provided.
As a result of the main draw movement and the accompanying peeling action, the leading end of the label is directed into the nip between the application roller and the article being labeled, causing the label to be grabbed and plucked from the
tape. The timing of the plucking juncture is not critical providing it is not too advanced, causing the creation of an excessively large loop of backing tape which may be drawn into the nip between the application roller and the article being labelled.
The next form of dispenser to be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21, is a dispenser-applicator which, as in the dispenser just previously described, has the faculty for applying labels in an automatic manner to articles or packages
moving in a continuous procession past the machine.
In basic principle the clamp form of drawing mechanism and the incorporated type of compensating device are similar to the preceding embodiments.
The mode of actuation distinguishing the present form of dispenser from that in which actuation movement results from contact of a roller with a moving surface, is that this mode of actuation does not rely on this form of drive, but on movement
of articles in a guided procession against a plunger member or pivoting arm member forming part of the dispenser.
As the embodiment now to be described incorporates a form of draw mechanism already dealt with, the description in this respect need not be repeated.
The form of dispenser illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21 incorporates an arrangement to effect the desired mode of actuation, by means comprising a pivotable and displaceable body member which in this embodiment includes arms 170 in the form of two
spaced plates.
At its supported end, the arm 170 is pivoted on a central pivot 171 connected to a fixed bed 172, and the unsupported end is suitably shaped so that when the dispenser is correctly positioned, this end protrudes into hollows or depressions of the
articles 149 which are being fed past the dispenser in the direction of the arrow 174. A jockey roller 173 is mounted in a rotatable manner on a shaft 191 provided at the protruding extremity of the shaped unsupported end of the arm 170, the jockey
roller facilitating the ability of the dispenser to follow the undulating surfaces of the articles 149. In such an arrangement, the bulk movement of a suitably guided article must displace the arm 170. The broken lines in FIG. 20 shows this displaced
position.
The draw movement of the clamp 42 along its guides 11 is influenced by the thrust of actuating rods 81 which are pivotally connected, at one end, to the clamp stop engagement member 16, by pins 175 and at the other end to a fixed eccentrically
located thrusting pivot pin 176. It is provided that the return movement be influenced by a return spring 26, anchored to the bed and exerting pressure against the arm 170, to thus oppose the displacement thrust. The return spring 26 is loaded by
compression and is located on a rod 177 which at one end, is pivotally connected by a bearing collar 179, to the arm 170 and, at the other end, is slidably engaged in a pivoting collar 180 mounted on a pivot pin 181. A stop 186 checks return movement.
A peeling edge 21 is located on a spring bearing arm 182 which is pivotally mounted on a pin 183 connected to the body arm 170, and on which is mounted an application roller 22 by means of a shaft 23. Excessive pivotal movement of the arm 182 is checked
by a pin 184 connected to the arm 182 and engaging in a suitable slot 185 in the arm 170.
An application roller arm spring 193 loops around the main central pivot pin 171 and an encircling body collar 192. One end of the spring is anchored to the stationary clamp 43, while the other end bears against the spring bearing arm 182 and
cooperates to form a dragging leaf 31 as the tape leading from the magazine 17 passing therebetween.
The tape is directed and guided on its path from the supply roll by a deflecting plate 189 connected to the bed 172.
The object of mounting the application roller 22 on the spring arm 182, is to ensure an even application of pressure across an uneven article surface. The engaging stop 16A and 16B of the members 16 for the moving clamp are shown in a slightly
modified form compared with the previously shown form, this being done to make them more suitable for the present embodiment. The compensator spring 34 is more centrally located. The moving clamp guides 11 are rigidly connected at one end, to the body
arm 170, conveniently by a supporting pillar 190, and to the stationary clamp 43 body member at the other end.
A further modification shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 provides that the ramp protrusion into the aperture member of the clamps 42 and 43, is formed by the end of a set screw 187 which is threaded into the aperture member and is preferably secured by a
locking nut 188. This dispenser is distinctly characterized by being driven by pivotal displacement and the thrust from a fixed eccentric.
The invention further provides a label dispensing-applicator in which the mode of actuation is by the tractive or impelling influence of a moving article in a mechanical procession or otherwise, but in which any mean return movement is effected
without recourse to a return spring. With dispensers of this character, wherein the only driving movement is the movement derived from a moving package or article, it is desirable to have a form of drawing mechanism requiring the minimum motivating
force. From a practical point of view, any return spring fitted to a dispenser of this character must be stronger than is necessary to suit minimum requirements. Thus the force required to overcome always, the load imposed becomes unavoidably greater
than is necessary. The object of the present provision is to replace the form of spring influenced return movement by a more preferably form.
The dispenser now being dealt with is a dispenser-applicator which has the faculty for supplying labels in an automatic manner to articles or packages moving in a continuous procession past the machine, it being immaterial whether the articles
are being fed past the dispenser in an evenly spaced manner or otherwise. The apparatus is mounted in a fixed position in suitable proximity to the moving procession of articles. This dispenser differs from those previously described in a number of
important respects.
In basic principle the preferred form of compensating device is the same as in previously described forms. The drawing mechanism, of clamp form, is however slightly but significantly modified. One mode of actuation to be described is by
traction of a concentric roller, with a rotatable eccentric connection to the moving clamp (or clamps) across the moving surface of the article.
The object of a variation to be described is to provide a moving surface, other than the surface of a passing article, to provide the tractive contact. Such alternative moving surface is provided in the preferred and convenient form by a
continuously rotating roller independently driven. This independent driving roller constantly rotates in one direction only and the draw clamp return movement is effected without recourse to a return spring. Essential to this mode of actuation with the
modified drawing mechanism, is the provision of an interrupting escapement device, which must ensure that only one actuation cycle of the machine per article is effected by traction of the driving roller in contact with the moving surface, regardless of
the size relationship of the driving roller to the length of the moving article, or the peripheral speed of the independently driven roller.
This interrupting escapement device ensures that the driving roller is isolated from tractive contact with the moving surface at the end of each actuating cycle, by providing a hollowed out segment on the driving roller, which is arranged to be
opposite the moving surface of the article at the end of each cycle.
This interrupting escapement device further ensures that the driving roller is not permitted to rotate beyond the desired terminal position at the end of each cycle, this effect being produced by means of a radial checking and escapement arm,
preferably connected to the roller shaft with a flailing or swinging movement that, in relation to the driving roller, is limited by means of suitable stops on the driving roller, and of suitable length for the arm to extend, at its unsupported end,
beyond the tractive surface of the driving roller.
The rotation of the driving roller is halted at the position when tractive contact has ended, and coincides with the check arm being checked against the surface of the moving article and in turn checking against the trailing stop on the driving
roller.
This mode of actuation is subject to variations. For instance, the number of escapements per revolution of the driving roller may be as desired or the driving roller and associated interrupting escapement device may be mounted on an independent
and additional shaft.
Another mode of actuation, simple in form and suited to articles not possessing a suitable tractive surface, is provided by the provision of radial driving arms connecting to a rotatable concentric shaft which is, in turn, connected in a
rotatable and eccentric manner to the moving clamp. In such an arrangement a radial arm protruding into the path of an article moving in procession is impelled rotationally by the article as it passes the dispenser.
This mode of actuation is the subject of many optional variations. For instance, in the number of radial arms employed or in the mounting of the radial arms, or the provision of an additional and independent shaft which engages with the shaft
driving the eccentric by means of toothed gears.
In the several embodiments previously described, the clamp form of drawing mechanism comprises a moving clamp and a fixed clamp. In the present embodiment and its modified forms, a modified form of drawing mechanism is preferred which comprises
a minimum of two moving guidably mounted clamps, each of which is moved or driven by a separate eccentric moving about a concentric shaft and is so arranged, by suitable angular spacing of the eccentrics, as to provide that, during actuation, at least
one of the clamps will be effecting forward drawing movement.
In a process of applying labels to articles or packages which are being guided in a moving procession, the following arrangement is possible with the dispenser according to the present embodiment. A series of dispensers, may be ganged together
and positioned and set to apply a label to for instance every alternate article or package in the procession, or to every third or fourth and so on as may be desired. Each dispenser will be partly operated by engagement with each passing article or
package and its cycle would only be fully completed by the alternate, or third or fourth article depending on the number of dispensers in the gang. In this manner is is possible to avoid braking the movement of articles or packages in the procession to
an adverse degree as may otherwise occur if the packages were very light, or of short length, or conversely if the labels to be applied were long.
In conjunction with FIGS. 22, 23, 24 and 25 there is now described a dispenser particularly suitable for the automatic application of labels to passing articles in a moving procession, with a modified form of draw mechanism in which draw movement
is effected by more than one clamp, and the main return clamp movement is effected without recourse to springs. Compensating draw mechanism is incorporated and as this is similar in basic principle to those embodied in previously described forms,
further description in this respect becomes unnecessary.
Also described is a preferred construction of interrupting escapement device suited to the tractive roller and article-contact mode of actuation.
There is also disclosed a modification whereby an independent driving mode of actuation is provided for. Besides this, there is disclosed a further modification whereby the mode of actuation is by the impulsion of radial escapement arms.
In conformity with the foregoing remarks there is shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 a dispenser incorporating an arrangement effecting actuation to the drawing clamp by tractive contact of a driving roller with a moving article, with a cycling escapement
preferably comprising a segment compounded roller made up of a central portion 203A, which forms two symmetrical segments of the whole roller, and a pair of outer flanking portions 203B, forming two further symmetrical segments which, by their angular
position in relation to the central portion, compound two larger segments of circular surface 203, with hollow vacant segments 204 between.
The driving roller components are rigidly mounted on a central shaft 200. The radial-checking and escapement arms 201 are in pairs located and retained on the central shaft 200 between the outer components 203B and inner components 203A of the
roller.
The swinging or flailing movement of radial check arms 201 is limited by suitably positioned leading and driving check stops 205, and trailing check stops 206, provided in the end faces of the driving roller.
The driving roller components are preferably provided with a treaded tire shown in FIG. 22.
Also mounted on the driving roller shaft 200 is a pair of free spinning rollers 207 arranged one on either side of the driving roller and of lesser diameter than the driving roller but of sufficient diameter to protrude into the vacant segment
and be in rolling contact with the surface of a moving article.
The shaft 200, of the driving roller is rotatably mounted at either end in bearing collars held in protruding portions of a bearing arm 208 which is pivotally connected to a fixed shaft 209 in order that even driving pressure may be exerted by
the driving roller upon the surface of the moving article by the influence of a spring 210.
In the preferred form as shown in the FIGS. now being described, the central portion 203A of the driving roller serves also as an application roller. It is, however, envisaged that, if desired, a separate bearing arm and application roller may
be provided.
The peeling edge 21 is suitable located at the end of a depending arm 215 connected to the bearing arm 208 to direct the leading edge of the peeling label into the nip formed between the application part 203A of the driving roller and the surface
of the moving article. A dragging leaf 31, guides the tape leading from the supply roll 20, to the peeling edge.
The dispenser is driven by the rotation of the driving roller in tractive contact with the moving surface of the article. The transmitted driving thrust of the revolving eccentric bearing shafts 211, rigidly connected to the roller by crank arms
213 against connecting rods 212, is transmitted to moving clamps 42, to thus effect the main drawing movement and the compensating draw movement to the tape. Connecting rods 212 are rotatably connected to the eccentric bearing shafts 211 by means of
bearing collars 214.
The applicator now being described performs two drawing cycles for each revolution of the drawing roller. It is envisaged that provision may be made for the eccentric radius to be adjustable by means of a slotted connection to the driving shaft
or rollers, by which means the length of draw movement may be varied. It is also envisaged that the connecting rods 212, may be made of a resilient material with the cranked portion of slender and flexible sectional dimensions to provide an alternative
form of compensator spring. The stops 16A on the connecting rods 212, will then be rearranged accordingly. The basic principle of the compensating mechanism remains the same.
The escapement function of the radial check arms 201, is similar to that described with reference to FIG. 24.
FIG. 24 illustrates a further embodiment whereby the dispenser may be driven by an independently rotating roller in tractive contact with a segmented roller and provided with an interrupting escapement device which ensures the labelling of one
article per actuation cycle.
As shown in this FIG. there is provided a continuously rotating and independently driven roller 220, and an eccentric driving roller with hollow or vacant segment 222. A radial checking arm 201 protruding beyond the surface of the segmented
roller is located on the shaft 200, in a pivotable manner, the pivotal movement being limited by a leading stop 205 and a trailing stop 206.
An eccentric bearing shaft 211 is rigidly connected to the segmented driving roller and there is provided a connecting rod 212, with a bearing collar which is rotatably mounted on the eccentric at one end and on the moving clamp (not shown) at
the other end.
An application roller 22, mounted on the bearing arm 208, is pivotally connected to a fixed pin 225.
The FIG. shows the drawing mechanism at rest at the end of an actuation cycle, movement having been checked by the radial check arm 201 being arrested against the moving surface of an article 149 and, in turn, arresting the movement of the
segmented driving roller by engagement of the arm 201 against the stop 206.
After the article has passed the dispenser, the check arm 201 will depend freely from the shaft 200 and its unsupported end will protrude into the processional path of the following article which will then lightly impel the check arm 201 to cause
it to thrust against the leading stop 205, and slightly rotate the segmented driving roller into tractive drive with the continuously turning roller 220. It is preferred to provide one or both of these rollers with a soft but resilient treaded tire.
In the embodiment shown, the appertaining drawing mechanism requires a fixed stationary clamp, and the principle of draw movement and associated compensating draw movement is similar to those previously described. Other parts shown in FIG. 24
but not specifically mentioned are allotted reference symbols according to previous descriptions.
FIG. 25 illustrates a further arrangement whereby the mode of actuation is by impulsion of radial arms which protrude into the path of procession of passing articles, the preferred number of eccentrics and moving clamps being two. As shown in
FIG. 25, the distinguishing and essential features of this form of dispenser comprising a centrally suspended main bearing collar block 230, depending from the main body (not shown). Rotatable within the main collar block 230, is a main shaft 231 which
protrudes at both ends through the block. On the shaft ends on both sides of the main collar block 230 there are pivotally mounted a pair of angularly opposed radial arms 232. Preferably, rotatably mounted on the outer unsupported ends of the radial
arms 232, are free-spinning rollers 233. End plates or discs 234 act to secure the radial arms 232 loosely to the main shaft 231 at each end. Leading stops 205 and trailing stops 206, limiting the pivotal movement of the radial arms 232, are
conveniently and suitably located on the inner faces of the end plates 234.
A rotatable eccentric bearing shaft is rigidly connected to each end plate 234. It is contemplated that the eccentric shaft may be secured by the provision of radial slots in each end plate, to allow for adjustment of the eccentric radius.
Rotatably mounted on these eccentric revolving shafts by bearing collars 214, are connecting rods 212, which are adapted to transmit the driving force to the respective drawing clamps 42 (not shown).
The dispenser is shown in a position near the end of an actuation cycle. The roller 233, will continue to drive until it rides over the moving article 149. As the article passes the radial arm 232, the roller 233, shown resting on the rearward
surface of the article, will freely depend and protrude into the path of a following article.
According to a further embodiment, the invention provides a label dispenser with a clamp form of drawing mechanism suitable, for example, for mounting on a table or pedestal and suitable for one-handed operation, and wherein the label proffered
by the dispenser may conveniently be accepted by the same hand as that which applies the operating thrust.
To this end, the dispenser, in common with others herein described is provided with compensating drawing mechanism.
In previously described embodiments of the invention, the compensating draw movement immediately follows the main drawing movement and is prior to the main return movement, and it is essential that the label be plucked from the tape at this
juncture. Whereas this kind of compensating draw movement is preferred in the forms of dispensers so far described, the preferred kind can be replaced by an acceptable alternative form.
In this alternative form of compensating mechanism, the compensating draw movement is not bound to immediately follow the main draw movement, prior to the main return movement, but is delayed and, in the interval, the return movement may be
permitted to take place without detriment to the desired function of the dispenser. During the interval thus provided, time is given for the hand to be removed from the operating plunger or lever and to accept the label proffered by the dispenser. This
form of compensating movement is therefore distinctly and significantly characterized as delayed.
In previously described embodiments in which a fixed clamp 43 is provided, the moving clamp 42, conveniently effects both main and compensating draw movements. In the present embodiment the main clamp effects the main drawing movement, and a
compensating drawing clamp effects the compensating drawing movement. In this arrangement therefore the provision of a fixed clamp becomes superfluous.
Provisions for delayed compensation are incorporated in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34, a complete dispensing apparatus with an incorporated compensating movement being described with reference to these
FIGS. together with further modified forms of compensating movement. There is shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 a label dispenser with a clamp form of drawing mechanism suitable for table mounting. A guide rack made up of guide rods 11 is rigidly connected
forwardly and rearwardly to the body portion 10. A plunger assembly comprising a plunger rod 15 secured to a plunger push plate 14 at its forward end, and secured to a stop 16B at its rearward end, is slidably engaged in the body portion 10, along its
central portion, and is slidably connected to the guides rods 11 by the stop 16B.
A main drawing clamp 42A, and a compensating drawing clamp 43A, are slidably connected to the guide rods 11, and are located between the stop 16B, and the forward body support 10, the main drawing clamp lying against the stop 16B, and the
compensating drawing clamp lying against the forward body portion 10. An engaging stop 16C is suitably located on the plunger rod 15, between both clamps and is adapted to engage with and press against an end face of the compensating drawing clamp 43A,
in one direction, and to be engagable, after limited plunger movement, against the opposing end face of the main drawing clamp 42A in the other direction.
A main return spring 26 is anchored, at one end, to the stop 16B and, at the other end, to the forward body portion 10, the spring being under tension.
A secondary return spring 26A is anchored at one end to the main drawing clamp 42A and at the other end, to the body portion 10. A compensator spring 34 anchored at one end to the compensator drawing clamp 43A and at the other end to a check
stop 240 which is fixed to the guide 11, urges the compensator drawing clamp 43A to move in a drawing direction.
This drawing movement is opposed and checked by the engaging stop 16C, on the plunger rod 15, as a consequence of the opposing force applied to the stop 16C by the more powerful main return spring 26. A cradle 241 with flanking sides supports
the supply roll 19, and a peeling edge 21 is conveniently located at the forward extremity of the cradle. Preferably, a case or cover 17A indicated in broken lines in FIG. 26, is provided and acts to form a magazine. A dragging leaf 31 is conveniently
formed in the forward portion of the cover 17A which, to facilitate reloading of the magazine, is conveniently hinged or pivoted by a pin 242 secured through the rearward body portion 10, the cover being secured, in the closed position as shown, by the
provision of clipping domes 243 at its forward end, which are located in recesses 244 provided in the flanking inner sides of the magazine.
From the position shown in the FIG. 26, an actuation cycle commences. The label proferred for acceptance, is attached by a short trailing portion to the tape, and is adapted to be plucked from the tape, drawing with it a short portion of the
tape to form a slack loop of tape characteristic of this delayed compensating feature.
An actuating thrust is then applied to the push plate 14, whereupon the connected plunger member 15 moves, tensioning the main return spring 26 and disengaging the stop 16C from its opposing position against the compensator drawing clamp 43A.
This movement permits the compensator drawing clamp 43A to move under the exerting influence of the compensator spring 34, and this compensating draw clamp movement continues until the slack in the tape is taken up, thus tightening the tape, whereupon
the feebly influenced compensating movement comes to an end.
Plunger movement continues and the connected stop 16C engages with and impels the main drawing clamp 42A, which grips and draws the tape to the desired limit, thus causing a fresh label to become partly peeled and proffered. At the same time the
secondary return spring 26A is tensioned.
Actuating pressure is gradually removed from the push plate 14, and the spring influenced return movement ensues. During this return movement, the main drawing clamp 42A presses against travelling stop 16C connected to the plunger assembly,
until the main drawing clamp 42A is arrested in its return movement by check stop 240. Plunger return movement continues, and by engagement with travelling stop 16C, the compensator drawing clamp 43A is propelled to its limit and the compensator spring
34 is thereby compressed and the actuation cycle completed.
In this form of dispenser each clamp cooperates to prevent any feedback tendency of the tape that may result from the return movement of the other clamp.
In all the embodiments so far described, the motivating influence of the compensating draw movement has been consequent upon the subsequent influence of a spring. The length of compensating draw movement is rendered commensurable and analagous
with the inherent discrepancy by the force of compensating drawing movement being limited to the action of a suitably feeble spring, adequate for tautening the tape but inadequate for the action of dragging the tape around the peeling edge and causing a
label to be partly peeled from the backing tape as is required for a main drawing action.
Another form of compensating means provides that the length or amount of compensating draw movement is commensurate with and analagous to the inherent discrepancy by a grip and fails wh n the tape has been tightened. This grip may be either
between the compensator drawing clamp and the tape, or between the main drawing clamp and an associated interconnected member such as the plunger.
To illustrate one of these modifications to the compensator draw mechanism, there is shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 a dispenser similar to that of FIG. 26 and FIG. 27, but embodying and exemplifying compensating means comprising a compensator drawing
clamp acting with a failing grip on the tape. Confining this description to significant features only, the dispenser comprises an additional and third compensating failing clamp member 250 which is rigidly connected to the plunger member 15 and
preferably integral with the stop 16B. This failing clamp 250, may be in a wide variety of forms ranging from simple to elaborate, but the essential feature is its inability to exert other than a failing grip on the tape.
In one simple version of a failing clamp shown in FIG. 31, there is provided a solid warping form 251, wherein the tape is interwoven and thereby lightly gripped.
In another simple version shown in FIG. 32 (as applicable to the arrangement shown in FIG. 28), there is provided a composite form of clamp, comprising a pillow member 252, and a suitable spring bearing and mating member 253, conveniently
anchored at one end to the pillow member 252, and held in a slot at the other end.
Other more complex versions of a failing clamp are also envisaged in which the clamp is completely released in response to the return movement. For example, a spring bearing member may be provided in place of the ramp member in the plug and
aperture form of clamp 42A.
In this form of mechanism, distinguished by the addition of a compensator failing clamp 250, the compensator failing clamp 250, together with the plunger assembly 15, is returned in the direction of the forward body portion 10, by a suitably
anchored main return spring 26.
A fixed clamp 43, is provided, this being connected to and preferably integral with, the body portion 10. A main drawing clamp 42A is also provided and is located between the stop 16B and the forward body portion 10, and is pressed in the
direction of the forward body portion by a secondary return spring 26A.
An engaging stop 16C is provided, this being located on plunger rod 15 so that after limited plunger movement, stop 16C is engageable with the end face of the main drawing clamp 42A.
In actuation, the proffered label, having been plucked from the tape and the tape slackened around the edge member, the operating thrust is applied to the plunger member. Initially, only the compensating failing clamp 250 moves and draws the
tape until the tape is tightened. At this juncture, the failing grip of the clamp 250 causes the clamp 250 to slip along the tape, thereby terminating the compensating draw movement.
Continued plunger movement causes the plunger to engage stop 16C against the main drawing clamp 42A, and motivates the main draw movement to its limit, whereby a label becomes peeled and proffered. The return movement follows in sequence.
A complementary object is to achieve the maximum utilization of parts and avoid unnecessary repetition of parts and mechanical complexity. In relation to the clamp form of drawing mechanisms having failing grip compensating means, which drag or
yield their grip on the tape, there is an adverse tendency towards complexity of either multiple clamps or springs, and in general this type of compensating means is not preferred.
A further modification illustrated in FIG. 30, exemplifies a form in which the compensating movement is terminated by the connected grip of the main drawing clamp 42A on the plunger member 15, being broken.
This modification provides a suitably disengageable clip connection between the two members and is shown in the figure as a suitably shaped spring 254 depending from the stop 16B, and latching at its slightly tensioned extremity to a rotatably
mounted roller 255.
A further version of a similar hand operated dispenser provides a modification of the slide guiding feature, a modified version of the clamps and a slightly modified version of the compensating means.
To illustrate these modifications there is shown in FIG. 33 and 34 a hand dispensing apparatus similar in basic principle to the apparatus previously described in conjunction with FIGS. 26 and 27. Confining this description to significant
features only, the dispenser comprises a channel-shaped and slotted body member 260 which replaces the guide rods 11 in previous embodiments. Within this body member 260 there is located, in a slidable manner, an inner channel-shaped and slotted plunger
member 15A which is rigidly connected to the main drawing clamp 42B through the appropriate slot in the body member 260.
The plunger member 15A protrudes from the body member 260 and supports a push plate 14.
A slidable outer channel-shaped and slotted member 263, is located at the forward end of the body member 260, and has connected rigidly to it a compensating draw clamp 43B.
The respective channel members 260, 15A and 263, are slidably connected one to the other by means of locking plates 261 which are connected together through suitable slots in the various members.
The compensating draw movement is motivated by a compensator spring 34 which is tensioned by the thrust of a rod 262 connected by pivotal mounts to the outer channel member 263, and to one end of a pivoting rocking lever arm 264. The arm 264 is
influenced in its movement by the engagement of a roller 267 against a travelling stop 265 which is attached to the plunger 15A to thereby tension the compensating spring during the main drawing movement.
The modified version of the clamps comprises conical plug members 13A which are aligned on a single aligning rod 266, the plug member of the rearward main drawing clamp 42B being slidably connected to the aligning rod, and the plug member of the
forward clamp 43B being rigidly connected to or integral with the rod.
The aperture member 12A of the clamps is formed of a looped wire.
In addition to its general purpose as a hand operated dispenser, this dispenser, and its modified forms (see FIGS. 26 to 34), are significantly characterized by the action of the compensating draw movement being delayed essentially for a mode of
operation requiring the return movement of the mechanism to be completed before the proffered label is plucked from the tape.
A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby a long draw movement is possible, at the same time utilizing the preferred drawing means of a clamp comprising a plug member and aperture member, suitably contrived to warp the tape
lengthwise into a more rigid shape to ensure that the desired long draw movement is possible.
The problem to be overcome in fulfilling this object arises when the length of draw movement and consequent movement between the two clamps is of such magnitude that the length of tape between the clamps tends to revert to its natural flat shape
in which case it would be liable to crumpling and looping, making the functioning of the apparatus unreliable. The aim therefore is to provide additional intermediate formers between the clamps, the formers being shaped and positioned in such a way that
the desired warped form of the tape will be retained along its drawn length regardless of the length of draw or the position of the clamps relative to one another during the actuation cycle.
FIGS. 35 and 36 illustrate a drawing mechanism only, of tape-warping clamp form, with special provisions for a long drawing movement. The dispenser embodying this form of drawing mechanism, is designed for installation on a horizontal surface
and is adapted to apply labels to a vertical surface.
The formers 270 are slidably mounted on the main guide rods 11, between the two clamps 42 and 43, and are suitably shaped in their apertures to conform with and preserve the warped form of the tape imparted by the clamp 43. Compression springs
271 position the formers between the clamps 42 and 43, and between one another, so that the formers 271 maintain a suitable equidistant spacing along the tape during the actuation cycle.
The mechanism shown is of a robust and heavy construction in which the main drawing clamp 42 is mounted on separate guide means 11A provided in the main carriage assembly 272. Motivating thrust is applied to the carriage assembly 272by means of
a rigidly connected bearing shaft pivoting in a bearing collar 273 and connected to a suitable independently driven eccentric revolving shaft. The lighter independently moving clamp member 42 opposes the spring-influenced compensating movement
inertially to a lesser degree than it would if the clamp and robustly constructed main slidable carriage 272, were a more massive and rigid whole.
Twin compensating springs 34 effect the desired compensating movement.
A slight modification is applied to the clamp 43, whereby the closing movement of the plug members 13 is assisted by the provision of a spring member 274 which is interposed between the plug members 13 and the rearward stops 275.
A further attribute of the invention is the provision of a label dispenser-applicator with a clamp form of drawing mechanism and a compensating draw movement, and having a mode of actuation suited to a method of operation whereby an article or
package requiring a label is thrust against the plunger member to actuate the dispenser. At the same time, and with the same motion, the required label is dispensed and applied to the package or article in a suitable location or position on the article. It is preferable in such dispenser to present the article to the forward part of the device so that it is unobscured by the drawing mechanism.
The problem to be overcome is to arrange for the movement of the package to coincide with that of the label that is being dispensed from the backing tape at the peeling edge in the direction of a conveniently placed application roller.
A convenient method is to arrange for the main draw movement to occur as the article is withdrawn from the dispenser, and to this end in the preferred method it is arranged for the main drawing movement to be indirectly spring-influenced instead
of being directly impelled by the plunger member. Various methods of achieving this spring-influenced main drawing movement are possible, including a variation of the rocking lever and connecting rods exemplified in FIGS. 33 and 34, the arrangement
being such that the return spring acts to oppose the forward plunger movement, or a pair of toothed racks engaging with opposing sides of a fixed rotatably mounted toothed pinion, could replace the rocking lever and connecting rod arrangement.
A preferred arrangement is illustrated by and described with reference to FIGS. 37, 38 and 39, and includes the preferred embodiment of compensating means, the desired mode of actuation being effected without recourse to levers or toothed racks
but by the provision of means acting to guide the tape through a reverse turn.
In these Figures there is shown a label dispenser-applicator with a clamp form of drawing mechanism actuated by the pressure of an article requiring a label against a pressure plate at the forward end part of the dispenser, to cause displacement
of a plunger for effecting a tensioning movement, followed by withdrawal or release of pressure which effects the drawing movement and label application. This actuation may be effected either by hand, or by mechanical feeding and pressing of the
articles against the pressure plate.
A further provision is made to allow for adjustment of the position of the peeling edge and the application roller, in relation to the pressure plate to thereby achieve the desired label siting on the package or article during the coincidental
movement of the article and the peeling label. The desired direction and related movement of the peeling label relative to the receding package is achieved by providing a spring-influenced drawing movement and by directing the tape leading from the
peeling edge through a reverse turn and setting the clamps to draw in a reverse direction accordingly.
In the present embodiment, significant features only are described.
The dispenser comprises a fixed body assembly 10 made up of supports 10A holding the clamp guide rods 11, and supports 10B holding the carriage guides 280.
A carriage body 283 is provided, this being slidably mounted on the carriage guides 280, by means of bushes or collars 281. Suitably located and pivoted on a shaft or pin 282, between supports 284 mounted to the carriage 283, is a bearing arm
182 which extends and depends from the forward end of the dispenser. At the unsupported end of this bearing arm 182 there is formed the peeling edge 21, and rotatably mounted on the arm, between further protruding bearing flanges, is an application
roller 22.
Twin springs 285, anchored at each end between the bearing arm 182 and the carriage 283, exert an appropriate bearing pressure on the arm 182, and thereby effect an appropriate application pressure to the application roller 22. The arc of travel
of the application roller 22, is limited in one direction by the bearing arm 182 engaging against the carriage body 283, and in the other direction by checking pin 286 engaging in slotted flanges 287 formed on the bearing arm 182.
The supply roll (not shown in these Figures) is suitably mounted on a rotating core 115 connected to the longer one of the two carriage mounted supports 284, and is retained there by a pivoting spring arm 118 which engages in a slot provided in
the headed end of the core shaft 119.
A deflecting plate 189, and a dragging leaf 31, impose a drag on the tape 20 leading from the supply roll.
A fixed clamp 43 is connected rigidly to the forward one of the guide supports 10A, and a main drawing clamp 42 is slidably mounted on the guide rods 11 between the guide supports 10A. A plunger rod member 15 passes slidably through the guide
supports 10A, and rigidly supports a push plate 14 at its forward end, the member 15 being rigidly connected to the main drawing clamp 42.
On a support 289 that is connecting to the body assembly 10 at the rear of the drawing mechanism, there is mounted a free spinning roller 290 which is suitably positioned to reverse and guide the tape 20 leading backwards from the peeling edge
21, forwardly and into the clamps 42 and 43.
Preferably, two drawing springs of unequal strength are provided, the stronger one 291 of the two cooperating with the weaker one 292 to effect the main drawing movement, while the weaker spring 292 alone effects the compensating movement. To
positively ensure that the main drawing movement is distinct and separate from the compensating draw movement, the stronger one 291 of the two springs is provided with a loose shackle link 293, and the spring arrangement is contrived with suitably spaced
anchorages of the respective springs to provide that the stronger spring 291 is returned to its normal untensioned condition prior to the commencement of the compensating phase of movement, during which time the feeble spring 292 alone influences the
drawing movement.
For convenience in loading and to facilitate threading the tape into the clamps, and also to allow for necessary cleaning, it is preferred that the lengths of the body assembly 10, and that of the carriage guides 280, be adequate to enable the
carriage assembly to be slid to the rear into the position as indicated in FIG. 38, whereby the application roller 22, and all forward parts of the carriage become clear of the free-spinning roller. Hand screws 294, threaded into the carriage sleeves
281, are provided for the purpose of securing the carriage in its working position. A locating stop 295 (see FIG. 37) is also provided. Draw movement is limited in one direction by the push plate 14 engaging against the forward body support 10A as the
plate moves with the push rod 15. In the other direction, the main drawing clamp 42 checks movement by engagement against the forward body support 10A. Provision is made for the length of the draw movement to be adjusted and set to accord with the
length of label being used, this being done by means of a set screw 296 which allows adjustment of the position of the moving clamp 42 on the plunger rod 15.
In this preferred arrangement the clamps are inverted from the usual position previously described, and in order to assist the closing movement of the plug member, a light spring 274 is provided for appropriately exerting a slight closing
pressure and is secured to the clamp in correct position by means of a headed screw 297 which acts to form a clamp plug stop.
A further object of the invention is to provide an alternative form of hand dispenser with a modified form of the clamp drawing mechanism and an incorporated compensating movement. The aim is to provide a simpler form of hand-operated dispenser
than previously described, with few working parts and of mechanical and constructional simplicity, suitable for the more casual user of labels, who desires something better than a simple dispensing carton but who may feel that the expenditure on a more
sophisticated and durable version of the dispenser is not warranted.
A modified arrangement replaces the slidable means by which the drawing clamp is guided by flexing arms. Provided, in this arrangement, that the length of arcuate movement is suitably proportioned to the radius of the arc of movement, the
drawing function is not too adversely affected.
In principle, compensating movement is a function and not a combination of parts. The compensating drawing movement is capable of detecting and correcting a discrepancy in the main draw movement manifest as a slackness of tape, and thus ensures
that labels continue to be dispensed in an orderly manner as required. This detection and correction is dependent on a sensitivity in the compensating drawing movement which will recognize main drawing movement requirements and will not proceed past
this point. The main drawing movement is not sensitive to this degree. Further, in a general sense, it is desirable to avoid duplication of parts, and this is aimed at wherever possible. To illustrate this further embodiment of the invention there is
shown in FIG. 40 a hand-operated label dispenser incorporating a compensating movement. The dispenser is mechanically very simple and comprises a pair of flexibly connected guiding tongues 300 to which is connected a projecting arm 301 forming a peeling
edge 21 at its unsupported extremity. The embodiment also includes a slightly varied form of clamps.
Suitably shaped to warp the tape rigidly lengthwise, clamping apertures are formed near to the extremity of each guiding tongue 300 between reinforcing flanges 302, these apertures being provided with pivoted mating plug or wedging members 13B.
The swinging end of each plug member is checked and maintained in cooperating working vicinity to its aperture by a latching bar 303 which is located in slots 307 in the reinforcing flanges 302. The provision of a latching arrangement enables the plug
or wedging member 13B to be swung outwardly clear of the aperture to facilitate the threading of the tape.
The outer faces on the extremity of the guiding tongues 304 conveniently provide a composite grip for finger and thumb operation.
A deflecting bar 41 directs the tape toward the clamps. No magazine is provided in the dispenser but, instead, a supply roll packaging cartridge or carton 17C is secured to the peeling edge arm 301 by the tucked-in closing flap 304 of the
cartridge.
A set screw 29 provides a means for adjusting the drawing movement to accord with the desired size of label.
The curved flexible portion of the guiding tongues 305, is composed of a suitable flexible and resilient material, such as polypropylene, and preferably the whole, excluding the setting screw 29, latching bar 303, and pivot pins 306, is formed of
a suitable moulded substance.
A modification, indicated by broken lines in the Figure, provides an extension arm 307 for the rearward guiding tongue.
Actuation is by closing the guiding tongues 300 together, whereby the tongues become tensioned, the forward fixed clamp 43 checks feedback of the tape and the main drawing clamp 42 advances to a new position on the tape. The guiding tongues 300
are then released to revert back to their untensioned state, during which movement the main drawing clamp 42 applies a grip on the tape and the main drawing movement ensues.
As a consequence of the induced tension in a flexed member being related to the degree of deformation, the tensioning influence at the commencement of the return movement is adequate, by design, to overcome the imposed drag of the tape, and draws
the tape over the peeling edge 21, causing a label to become partly peeled. As the tensioned flexed member nears its untensioned condition, the main draw movement ceases as the imposed drag overcomes the waning force of the slightly flexed member. By
this movement a label is proffered. The label is then plucked from the tape and the tape compliably slackened, allowing the compensating movement to commence and continue until the tape is again taut, the weaker diminished exertion of the slightly
flexed member being adequate to effect this tightening up action. The opening and closing action of the clamps is similar to the action of the forms of clamps previously described.
A further object of the invention is to provide a label dispenser-applicator with a compensating draw movement and suitable for labelling articles or packages of irregular dimensions, for example, wrapped loaves of bread or baked goods which may
vary in size. In this dispenser, the mode of actuation is by the moving bulk of an article causing displacement of a guided drawing clamp. The arrangement also provides that the variation in movement resulting from varying dimensions of the articles
and resultant variation of displacement, does not result in an adverse variation of drawing movement.
A modified arrangement provides alternative means by which the drawing clamps are aligned and guided by being pivoted to the pivoting arms.
This further embodiment also exemplifies a simple and modified version of compensating means.
In this arrangement, the problems arising from the irregular height or dimension of the articles is overcome by providing a degree of displacement caused by the moving bulk of the article in relation to the fixed clamp which is in a set position
relative to the peeling edge, so that the amount of main drawing movement is directly related to the difference in the distance that the cooperating clamps are displaced and moved apart.
As shown in FIG. 41 and 42, the dispenser comprises a main drawing clamp guiding arm 310 having a travelling end to which is rigidly connected and correctly aligned a main drawing clamp 42. Also, a secondary drawing clamp guiding arm 311 has a
travelling end to which is secured a rigidly mounted and correctly aligned clamp 43, which is in a fixed relationship with the suitably positioned and connected peeling edge 21 and application roller 22.
The two guiding arms 310 and 311 are pivotally connected together by a pivot pin 314 engaged in a bearing collar 312, on a mounting support 313.
Two large tracing jockey rollers 173 are rotatably mounted on the unsupported end of an extension 315 depending from the unsupported end of the main drawing clamp arm 310, so that the rollers protrude into the path of the articles being guided
past the dispenser.
The application roller 22 is rotatably mounted between the protruding bearing collar flanges 316 depending from the fixed clamp guiding arm 311. The peeling edge 21, arranged in a suitable location relatively to the application roller, is
preferably formed by a connected bar straddling the protruding bearing collar flanges 316 to which also a conveniently located dragging leaf 31, or deflecting plate, is similarly connected.
The extension 315 on which the two tracing rollers 173 are mounted, is a separate member rigidly secured to the main drawing clamp arm 310 by means of a headed bolt 317 and nut 318, the bolt passing through the slotted flanges 319 in the
respective members to permit of adjustment of the position of the tracing jockey rollers 173 in relation to the application roller 22, to thereby suit the required length of draw stroke.
The clamps 42 and 43 are aligned between flanking flanges at the ends of their respective guiding arms 310 and 311, and are rigidly secured to them by means of headed bolts 317A and nuts 317B.
The return movement (after displacement) of the guiding arms is influenced by tensioned springs 26C, which are connected to the respective guide arm and anchored to the mounting support 313.
Movement of the guide arms 310 and 311 in the direction of the spring influence is checked by the opposing mounting support 313.
The dispenser is suitably poised against the path of moving articles or packages requiring labels, in such a position that the application roller 22 slightly protrudes into the path of movement of the advancing articles, and the dispenser is so
set that the large tracing rollers 173 protrude further into the path of movement of the advancing articles than does the application roller 22, by an amount that accords with the desired length of draw movement.
The simple feature that provides this drawing mechanism with a compensating drawing movement, comprises an easily deformable but resilient fire 320 provided on each of the tracing jockey rollers 173, the tire acting in the manner of a
compensating spring by reason of its deformation as a result of its engagement with the surface of the article.
This deformation is greater during the main drawing movement because of the greater imposed drag associated with the label peeling function, than it is after the label has been plucked from the tape by the application roller 22, when the
compensating draw movement merely takes up the slack. Tires 320 of spongy but resilient composition, such as sponge rubber are preferred, although inflated tubes are envisaged as an alternative.
The dispenser is actuated by a passing article bodily displacing, by a constant but unequal amount, the two arms 310 and 311 (as indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 41), thereby causing the clamp 42 and 43 to move apart and effect a main
drawing movement. The label partly peeled from the tape as a result, is directed against the surface of the moving article or package and the leading edge of the label is directed into the nip between the application roller 22 and the article and is
plucked from the tape and applied to the article.
The compensating movement is provided by the tires 320 being flattened or deformed by compression and this compression is partially released when the drawing movement applied to the tape is assisted as a consequence of the label being plucked
therefrom. The compensating draw movement continues until the tape is tightened.
In the clamp form of drawing mechanism, the type of clamp which warps the tape to avoid looping or crumpling, by giving the tape a more rigid shape lengthwise, is preferred, but not essential. This warping type of clamp may be replaced by
clamps that do not form the tape into a rigid shape, but support it lengthwise on both sides. There are several optional variations to this supporting form. FIGS. 43 and 44 illustrate one method whereby looping or crumpling of the tape between the
clamps can be prevented without recourse to warping clamps, an example of a flat clamp with a pivotal plug member 13B being illustrated. The clamps shown are provided with flanking guide surfaces in the form of pairs of fingers 350 extending from one
clamp to the other. Other parts are designated by reference symbols in accordance with previous descriptions.
A further modification of the clamp form provides a drawing clamp with a pivoting or hinged plug or wedging member, whereby the clamp is connected to the plunger member or connecting rod by the plug or wedging member in such a manner that the
actuation thrust must first effect either the closing or opening movement of the clamp.
FIG. 45 and 46 illustrate an example of this modification.
To illustrate the modification whereby the opening or closing of the clamp with respect to the tape must precede the travelling movement applied to the clamp, there is shown in these Figures the modified form comprising a drawing clamp 43, with a
pivoting form of plug or wedging member 13C to the free extremity of which is connected the plunger or connecting rod member 15. Other parts are designated by the reference symbols used in the previous descriptions.
With the availability of a compressed air supply, a further object of the invention, is to provide a convenient mode of actuating the clamp form of drawing mechanism, particularly the form with a plunger movement, by providing an actuating agent
in the form of a pneumatic ram which is directly connected to the plunger. In such an arrangement the actuating control of the dispenser either by hand or in an automatic manner is effected by the opening and closing of a valve in the pressure supply
passage.
A more or less schematic layout of valves and pressure supply lines in a suitable system, actuated synchronously by the pressure of a moving article upon the control valve lever, is illustrated in FIG. 47.
A common form of pneumatic ram comprising a two-way piston or ram member 330, divides the main compression cylinder into a driving chamber 331, and a returning chamber 332. The pressure supply to these respective chambers is controlled by a
valve 333 which is shown lightly sprung or weighted in a position in which it acts to close the port to the forward driving chamber and valve ports 335 in a reciprocating sleeve 334.
The piston or ram member 330 is connected to the plunger member of the clamp drawing mechanism.
The end of the valve lever 336 conveniently protrudes into the path of the moving articles and is depressed by each article 149 to open the valve to the driving chamber 331, the piston 330 thus being moved into the return chamber 332 which
exhausts through the open exhaust port 337 until the port is closed by the movement of the piston 330 against a rod 338 in the adjacent end of the sleeve 334. At the same time, the inlet port 335 to the driving cylinder is closed and the exhaust port
337 from the driving cylinder is opened, as is the inlet port 335 to the return cylinder 332. When the valve lever 336 is released by the passing article 149, the connected valve 333 returns to its original position and the piston 330, in turn, returns
to its original position completing the cycle and resetting the reciprocating valve 334 by its movement against rod 338A on the corresponding end of the sleeve 334, the ram thus being made ready next operation.
The next form of drawing mechanism now to be described is the roller form with its allied compensating means. For practical reasons, particularly when the object is dispense from wider tapes, the roller form of dispensing apparatus is usually
preferred.
The various forms of compensating movement so far described, in association with the clamp form of drawing mechanism, are, in one way, significantly distinguished by their occurring juncture in the actuating cycle being either immediate or
delayed.
In another way, the movement is significantly distinguished by means whereby the drawing movement compliably terminates when acting on a tightened tape, either by an adequately but limited recoiling action of a tensioned, or a compressed, or a
deformed spring, or by the provision of a failing grip of the clamp on the tape, or between an association in the driving assembly.
Another significant variation of compensating movement, as applicable to the return spring drawing arrangement, is whereby the point at which the main drawing movement ends and the delayed compensating movement begins, is determined by the spring
action waning and becoming enfeebled.
In conjunction with FIGS. 48 to 52 examples of these various forms of compensating means are described in association with the allied roller form of drawing mechanism.
A further object of the invention, is to provide a mating roller form of drawing mechanism with a compensating means, suitable for hand or mechanical operation with a spring-influenced draw movement.
To illustrate this further embodiment, in the form of a roller drawing mechanism and the preferred form of associated compensating means, there is shown in FIG. 48 a hand label dispenser with a spring-influenced main drawing movement, and a
spring-influenced compensating movement. The compensating drawing movement is effected by the waned influence of the main drawing spring, and comprises a drawing roller 340 rotatably mounted at each end in bearing collars on a fixed shaft 341 in
flanking body supports 342, and a free spinning pressure roller 343 mating with the roller 340.
An operating arm 344, provided with a drawing spring 345, is rotatably connected to the shaft 341 of the drawing roller 340 and is provided with a roller clutch 346 which is recessed into the hub operating arm 344 (FIG. 46) in such a manner as to
engage and drive the shaft 341 for the drawing rotation movement when the arm 344 is moving in a spring-influenced direction, (clockwise as shown in FIG. 48) but which disengages when the arm 344 is moving in the other direction (anticlockwise as shown
in the figure) while the spring is being tensioned. A pawl and ratchet may replace this clutch arrangement.
The ends of the spindle of the free-spinning roller 343, are provided with fixed eccentrically positioned pivot pins 348, and the spindle is pivoted by these pins 348 to bearing collars 349 in each of the flanking body supports 342. The end of
one of the eccentrically positioned pivot pins 348 protrudes through the corresponding collar 349 and is suitably slotted and keyed to a flexible lever 350, by which means the pressure roller 343 is pressed against the drawing roller 340 by the otherwise
free end of the lever 350 being strained and secured behind a checking stud 351 connected to the flanking body supports 342.
The drawing spring 345 is connected to the otherwise free end of the operating arm 344, and is suitably anchored to the body support by a stud 352 in such a manner as to essentially provide that as the operating arm 344, during the
spring-influenced drawing movement, (clockwise as shown in FIG. 40) moves through the drawing arc, the drawing spring 345 will be influenced in an increasingly more medial or radial direction to the central pivot 341, and thereby cause the resultant
drawing force to diminish accordingly, thus providing the desired waned draw influence suitable for the compensating draw movement. An adjustable check stop 353 to arrest movement of the operating arm 344, is provided in the form of a headed screw 353
which is secured by a nut in a slotted aperture in one of the flanking supports 342, thus providing means for adjusting and setting the length of draw movement.
A roller clutch 354 is provided, this being suitably recessed into the bearing collar of the drawing roller shaft 341, and acting to check reverse or counterwise movement of the drawing roller 340.
The tape 20 leads from the supply roll 19 around the peeling edge 21, and into the nip between the rollers 340 and 343.
Actuation is by application of a rotative thrust (in an anticlockwise direction as shown in FIG. 48) to bring the operating arm 344 into contact with the check stop 353, the spring 345 thus being tensioned. During this movement of the operating
arm 344, the driving roller shaft 341 is disengaged by means of the roller clutch 346.
The operating arm 344 is then released, the arm then becoming coupled to the driving shaft 341 by the roller clutch 346, thus causing performance of the rotative main drawing movement by which the tape is drawn over the peeling edge.
The rotative force influencing the draw movement diminishes as the draw movement continues until it is inadequate to effect the peeling function further. At this stage the proffered label 20A is plucked from the tape, the tape thereby being
slackened and in a compliable condition for the compensating draw movement. A definite and recognizable loop does not appear, as the compensating draw movement ensues directly, after the plucking of the label. By such means a compensating draw movement
is provided.
In this form of drawing movement, each of the rollers 340 and 345 rotates in one direction only and there is no counterwise return movement of the rollers.
A further object of the invention is to provide a compensating draw means of a form suited to a mating roller type of drawing mechanism, but in which the rollers are arranged to be sprung apart to allow counter rotating return movement of the
drawing roller.
FIG. 49 illustrates this form of roller drawing mechanism, and the associated preferred embodiment of the compensating movement. There is shown in this Figure the significant parts of a known form of drawing mechanism (British Pat. No. 891,106,
and German Auslegeschrift No. 1,195,665), in which the mating rollers are clamped together during the drawing movement, but are prised apart to allow a counterwise return movement of the drawing roller to take place.
This arrangement is facilitated by providing a continuous frictional dragging association of the drawing roller with the mounting, in order that it may be brought to bear upon its companion prior to being rotated by the driving thrust of the
engaging toothed rack, or toothed segment, upon the connecting roller tooth pinion, and to be prised apart by the counter movement.
An aim is to provide this form of drawing mechanism with a compensating movement, whereby the fixed pinion and driven roller are replaced by a free pinion 360 on the roller shaft, the pinion having dogs engageable with a dogged roller 361, the
pinion and roller having, in relation to each other, free, but limited rotary movement between the opposing dogs. Also provided is a looped compensating spring 34 which is located around the roller shaft 362, with its end continuously exerting outward
pressure against the respective dogs 361B, and 360A, compelling the roller 361 to rotate in a drawing direction and the pinion 360 to rotate rearwardly in an opposing direction.
Upon actuation, the roller 361 is first brought to bear upon its mate 363 with the tape 20 lying in the nip between the two. Only the dogged pinion 360 is initially rotated and the opposing compensator spring 34 is tensioned. The dogs 360A and
361B on the pinion and roller then engage one against the other and the roller 361 is thus driven and rotated to the limit of the main drawing movement. A label is thereby partially peeled from the backing tape and when appropriately plucked from the
tape presents the tape in a compliant condition for the torsioned spring-influenced rotary compensating movement of the driven roller to ensue. The strength of the compensating spring 34 must be adequate to drive the roller and tighten the tape, but
inadequate to perform the main drawing function.
By these means a compensating movement of immediate form is provided.
Another object of the invention is to provide a further mating roller form of drawing mechanism with compensating means for delayed action and failing grip form suited for a dispenser that is either hand or mechanically operated. To illustrate
this further embodiment of roller drawing mechanism with compensating drawings means of delayed action and failing grip form, there is shown in FIGS. 50 and 53 a hand dispenser comprising a drawing roller 370 and a mating pressure roller 371. The
drawing roller 370 is rotatably mounted on a pair of arms 372 which are pivoted to flanking body supports 342 by a pin or bolt 373 in such a manner as to cause the drawing roller 370 to move towards to bear against the mating pressure roller 371 which is
rotatably mounted on the flanking body supports 342 in such manner as to allow the rollers to be parted for the threading of the tape.
The pressure roller 371 is formed with a completely encircling ridged surface 375A.
The drawing roller 370 is provided with suitable mating grooved or hollowed segments 374 applied regularly and with even spacing around the periphery, these segments intervening with flat, plain segments 375. When in the position shown for
instance in FIG. 52, the groove segments 374 in the drawing roller 370 mate with the ridges 375A on the pressure roller 371.
The two rollers are permitted to mesh but contact is prevented by the pivotal movement of the mounting arm of the driven roller being checked by engagement with the setting screws 376.
When the flat plain segments 375 of the drawing roller 370 are against the pressure roller 371, the two rollers are in bearing contact.
The tape 20 is led from the peeling edge 21 into the nip between the rollers 370 and 371, and, during rotation, the main drawing movement takes place when the rollers are bearing against each other with the tape gripped firmly between them.
The compensating draw movement follows after a label is plucked from the tape and a slack loop is formed. As the rollers continue to rotate and are enmeshed, the tape 20 is warped transversely between the mesh (see FIG. 52), a feeble or failing
grip thereby being established on the tape, and failing when the tape becomes taut.
Compensating drawing means of delayed action form is thus provided as the drawing roller 370 rotates through one grooved or hollowed segment.
There is no counterwise return rotation; the rollers revolve in one direction only.
Preferably, and as shown in FIGS. 50 and 51, the dispenser is provided with an operating lever 344, comprising a pair of arms and a connecting rod 382, pivoted to the shaft 376 of the drawing roller 370 which rigidly connects the pivoting arms
372, and engages with the roller 370 by means of a pawl and rachet arrangement, whereby conveniently the pawl tooth 377 engages against the ends of the grooved or hollow segments 374 of the drawing roller 370.
To check any inadvertent counterwise movement of the driven roller 370, there may be provided a checking pawl 378, pivoted on the mounting arm 372 of the driven roller 370 which similarly engages in the grooved or hollowed segments 374 of the
driven roller 370. The pawls 377 and 378 are suitably located for mutual cooperation, the disengagement of the pawl 378, effecting the engagement of the other pawl 377.
Springs 26 connected to the free end of the operating 344 and anchored to the pivoting arms 372, effect return movement of the operating arm and conveniently acts to press the rollers 370 and 371 together when an actuating pull is applied to the
arm 344.
A simple modified arrangement shown in FIG. 53 avoids recourse to a ratchet arrangement. Here the drawing roller 370 is provided with fixed operating handles or spokes 379, and a hand check 380. An additional guiding roller 381 directs the tape
20 to the drawing roller.
The dispenser shown in FIGS. 50 and 51 is provided with an angled peeling edge 21, and a dragging leaf 31 which prevents remaining labels from canting and spilling while they are being proffered, when tapes with multiple labels arranged across
the width of the tape are used.
The number of segmented portions provided on the drawing roller is a matter of choice or convenience, but the length of the flat main drawing segments must accord with the length of the labels being dispensed. Moreover, the length of the
compensating drawing portion effecting the warping grip on the tape, must adequately accord to the anticipated length of slackness which is formed as a label is plucked.
This form of roller drawing mechanism, with the associated compensating draw movement, is well suited to the mechanically operated and automatic method of labelling, for the rotative movement of each of the complimentary segments on the drawing
roller is then arranged to coincide with the arrival of an article to be labelled at the labelling position. The mechanism is also suited for arrangements with a forward drive and counter rotating return movement whereby the drawing roller is parted
from its mate for the return movement.
A modification of the fixed peeling edge provides a roller of suitable small diameter which freely rotates in bearing collars and is supported along its midsection by rotatable supports engaged in grooves in the roller to thereby ensure that the
roller will remain rigid in the direction of its length.
* * * * *
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