초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for applying tubular labels to a product container at a labeling station including a reciprocally movable labeling assembly. The assembly is adjustably secured to carriage that is mounted for reciprocating movement at the labeling station. A drive system including a drive cam

An apparatus and method for applying tubular labels to a product container at a labeling station including a reciprocally movable labeling assembly. The assembly is adjustably secured to carriage that is mounted for reciprocating movement at the labeling station. A drive system including a drive cam defining an asymetrical profile is operatively coupled to the carriage by a lever arrangement including a cam follower driven by the drive cam. The profile of the drive cam is configured to have a steep rise and a gradual drop so that the average speed at which the labeling assembly is driven through a label applying strobe is substantially less than the speed at which the assembly is driven through a return stroke thus reducing the stress applied to the label as it is installed. A fluid pressure operated actuator pressurized to a first predetermined pressure exerts a biasing force on the lever to urge the cam follower into contact with the drive cam. A sensor monitors the contact between the follower and cam and de-energizes the drive system and arrests rotation of the drive cam in the event loss of contact between the follower and the cam is sensed. The fluid pressure operated actuator can also be pressurized to a second predetermined pressure in order to drive the carriage to a retracted position. An indexing cam is co-driven with the carriage drive cam and operates a bottle advancing mechanism in synchronization with the labeling assembly.

대표청구항 ▼

A drive system for actuating a labeling assembly forming a part of a labeling machine for applying tubular, flexible lables to product containers, comprising: (a) carriage means mounted for reciprocal movement including means for mounting said labeling assembly; (b) carriage actuating means includin

A drive system for actuating a labeling assembly forming a part of a labeling machine for applying tubular, flexible lables to product containers, comprising: (a) carriage means mounted for reciprocal movement including means for mounting said labeling assembly; (b) carriage actuating means including a drive cam defining an assymetrical profile such that said labeling assembly is driven through a lable applying stroke by said carriage means at an average speed that is less than an average speed at which said labeling assembly is return driven to a starting position by said carriage means; (c) said carriage actuating means furhter including; (i) a pivotally mounted lever; (ii) a cam follower rotatably mounted by said lever and abuttably contacting said drive cam; and, (iii) coupling means, connecting said lever to said carriage means such that arcuate reciprocal movement imparted to said lever by said drive cam produces reciprocal, rectilinear movement in said carriage means; (d) a drive motor for rotating said rivee cam; (e) a bottle advancing mechanism, comrising: (i) an indexing cam driven by said drive motor in unison with said drive cam such that said drive cam and indexing cam are continuously and concurrently rotated during drive system operation so that synchronized movement in said labeling assembly and a bottle advancing mechanism, is achieved. A system for stabilizing a product container at a labeling station in a labeling apparatus for applying tubular, flexible labels to the container, comprising: (a) a pedestal for supporting the container to be labeled in alignment with a label applying assembly; (b) a source of differential pressure including a perforate support plate by which said differential pressure is exerted on a region of said container; (c) valve means actuated in coordination with said labeling assembly for controlling the communication of a differential pressure source with said perforate support plate; (d) control means for closing said valve means after a product container has been labeled and being further operative to reopen said valve means as a product container to be labeled is advanced onto said perforate support plate.