US4032388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transfer mechanism
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-11-19
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Granted: 1977-06-28
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Expires: 1995-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A labelling device having a main body member mounted on its frame for rotation about a central axis. The device includes a labelling station, a glue applicator station and a label applicator station circumferentially spaced about a central axis. At least one arm member is slidably mounted on the main body member and projects radially from the central axis. A head is pivotally mounted on each arm for movement about a secondary axis parallel to the central axis. The head has an outer surface which is curved in the plane of rotation of the head about the central axis and is rotatable with the main body with the outer surface disposed in a path passing through the label storage, glue applicator and label applicator stations. The outer surface of the head has a leading edge disposed in the direction of rotation of the main body and a trailing edge disposed in the opposite direction. First guide means is provided for guiding the head to pivot about the second axis to angularly incline the head to a first position as it approaches the label storage station in which the trailing edge of the head is disposed radially outwardly of the leading edge whereby the trailing edge is the first portion of the head to engage the label in the storage station, the first guide means being adapted to cause the head to pivot about the second axis from the first position to a second position in which the leading edge is disposed radially outwardly of the trailing edge whereby the outer surface is rocked about the second axis during movement of the head through the label storage station. Suction means is provided for securing the label to the outer surface of the head as it moves through the label storage station to be transferred thereby to the labelling station.
Inventors
- 👤 Leon Tucker Dunning
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:54
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65C; B65C9/00; B65C9/20; B65C9/22; B65C9/2247; B65C9/2256; B65C9/08; B65C9/12; B65C9/14; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/17; Y10T156/1702; Y10T156/1744; Y10T156/1768; Y10T156/1771; Y10T156/1773; Y10T156/1776; Y10T156/1778; Y10T156/178
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
396 words
In a labelling device having a frame, a label storage station, a glue applicator station, and a label applicator station circumferentially spaced from one another about a central axis of said frame, said label storage station having a label storage magazine opening inwardly thereof for storing a plurality of labels in a face-to-face relationship, a label transfer device comprising, (a) a main body member mounted on said frame for rotation about said central axis, (b) at least one arm member slidably mounted on said main body member and projecting radially from said main body member, each said arm member having a longitudinal axis projecting radially from said central axis of said main body member, and each said arm member being slidable with respect to said main body member in a direction along said longitudinal axis, (c) a head pivotably mounted on each arm member for movement about a secondary axis parallel to said central axis, said secondary axis being located on said logitudinal axis of said arm member, said head having an outer surface which is curved in the plane of rotation of said head about said central axis, said head being rotatable with said main body member with said outer surface disposed in a path passing through said label storage, glue applicator and label applicator stations, said outer face having a leading edge disposed in the direction of rotation of said main body member and a trailing edge disposed in the opposite direction, (d) first guide means for guiding said head to pivot about said secondary axis to angularly incline said head to a first position as it approaches said label storage station in which said trailing edge of said head is disposed radially outwardly of said leading edge whereby said trailing edge is the first portion of said head to engage a label in said storage station, said first guide means being adapted to cause said head to pivot about said secondary axis from said first position to a second position in which said leading edge is disposed radially outwardly of said trailing edge whereby said outer surface is rocked about said secondary axis during movement of said head through said label storage station, and (e) means for securing said label to said outer surface of said head as it moves through said label storage station to be transferred thereby to said labelling station.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
396 words
In a labelling device having a frame, a label storage station, a glue applicator station, and a label applicator station circumferentially spaced from one another about a central axis of said frame, said label storage station having a label storage magazine opening inwardly thereof for storing a plurality of labels in a face-to-face relationship, a label transfer device comprising, (a) a main body member mounted on said frame for rotation about said central axis, (b) at least one arm member slidably mounted on said main body member and projecting radially from said main body member, each said arm member having a longitudinal axis projecting radially from said central axis of said main body member, and each said arm member being slidable with respect to said main body member in a direction along said longitudinal axis, (c) a head pivotably mounted on each arm member for movement about a secondary axis parallel to said central axis, said secondary axis being located on said logitudinal axis of said arm member, said head having an outer surface which is curved in the plane of rotation of said head about said central axis, said head being rotatable with said main body member with said outer surface disposed in a path passing through said label storage, glue applicator and label applicator stations, said outer face having a leading edge disposed in the direction of rotation of said main body member and a trailing edge disposed in the opposite direction, (d) first guide means for guiding said head to pivot about said secondary axis to angularly incline said head to a first position as it approaches said label storage station in which said trailing edge of said head is disposed radially outwardly of said leading edge whereby said trailing edge is the first portion of said head to engage a label in said storage station, said first guide means being adapted to cause said head to pivot about said secondary axis from said first position to a second position in which said leading edge is disposed radially outwardly of said trailing edge whereby said outer surface is rocked about said secondary axis during movement of said head through said label storage station, and (e) means for securing said label to said outer surface of said head as it moves through said label storage station to be transferred thereby to said labelling station.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A labelling device as claimed in claim 1 including second guide means for effecting reciprocal movement of said arm member with respect to said main body member during movement of said head between said first and second positions to move said head radially into and out of said label storage station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A labelling device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said first guide means includes a cam track means extending about said central axis and a cam follower means mounted on said head, said cam track means including a node disposed in advance of said label storage station and said cam follower means including a trailing cam follower arm projecting from said head for engaging said node as said head approaches, passes through and withdraws from said label storage station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A labelling device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said second guide means includes a second cam track extending about said central axis and a second cam follower mounted on said arm member, said second cam track having a node radially aligned with said label storage station for guiding said second cam follower towards said label storage station during movement of said head between said first and second positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A labelling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for securing a label to said outer surface of said head includes first and second suction passage means, said first suction passage means opening at said outer surface of said head adjacent trailing edge thereof and said second suction passage means opening at said outer surface of said head adjacent said leading edge thereof, and means for independently connecting said first and second suction passage means to a source of vacuum.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A labelling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of arm members are slidably mounted on said main body member at circumferentially spaced intervals whereby a plurality of labels are transferred in response to each rotation of said main body member about said central axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A labelling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said outer surface of said head has an arc of curvature generated from said central axis of a radius equal to the distance from said outer surface of said head to said central axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
A labelling device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said glue applicator station includes roller applicator means mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to said central axis, said roller having an applicator surface disposed substantially tangentially with respect to the path of travel of said head through said glue applicator station whereby said roller is rotatably driven by engagement with said head as it passes through said applicator station to apply glue to said label.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
283 words
A transfer device for withdrawing and transferring an item from a dispenser station containing a plurality of items to a receiving station comprising, (a) a frame, (b) rotor means mounted on said frame for rotation about a first axis, (c) at least one arm member mounted on said rotor means and projecting radially from said first axis, (d) a head pivotably mounted on each arm for movement about a secondary axis parallel to said first axis, said head having an outwardly directed transfer surface having a leading edge disposed in the direction of rotation thereof about said first axis and a trailing edge disposed in the opposite direction, said secondary axis being radially movable relative to said first axis in response to movement of said head between an extended position and a retracted position as said head moves past said dispenser station, (e) first guide means for causing said head to pivot about said secondary axis to angularly incline said head to a first position as it approaches said dispenser station in which the trailing edge is disposed radially outwardly of the leading edge whereby the trailing edge is the first portion of the head to engage the leading item at the dispenser station, said head being mounted to pivot about said secondary axis during its traverse through said dispenser station such that said outer surface is rocked about said secondary axis to bring said leading edge into engagement with the item to be transferred from said dispenser station, (f) means for securing an item to said outer surface of said head as it moves through said dispenser station to transfer the item by means of said head to said item receiving station.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
283 words
A transfer device for withdrawing and transferring an item from a dispenser station containing a plurality of items to a receiving station comprising, (a) a frame, (b) rotor means mounted on said frame for rotation about a first axis, (c) at least one arm member mounted on said rotor means and projecting radially from said first axis, (d) a head pivotably mounted on each arm for movement about a secondary axis parallel to said first axis, said head having an outwardly directed transfer surface having a leading edge disposed in the direction of rotation thereof about said first axis and a trailing edge disposed in the opposite direction, said secondary axis being radially movable relative to said first axis in response to movement of said head between an extended position and a retracted position as said head moves past said dispenser station, (e) first guide means for causing said head to pivot about said secondary axis to angularly incline said head to a first position as it approaches said dispenser station in which the trailing edge is disposed radially outwardly of the leading edge whereby the trailing edge is the first portion of the head to engage the leading item at the dispenser station, said head being mounted to pivot about said secondary axis during its traverse through said dispenser station such that said outer surface is rocked about said secondary axis to bring said leading edge into engagement with the item to be transferred from said dispenser station, (f) means for securing an item to said outer surface of said head as it moves through said dispenser station to transfer the item by means of said head to said item receiving station.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-27 | 1980-12-27 | 1981-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-27 | 1984-12-27 | 1985-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-27 | 1988-12-27 | 1989-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |