Apparatus for affixing labels to moving web

Claim 2

Apparatus for affixing labels to a moving web, comprising: (a) means for supplying a label tape, said label tape comprising a base strip and a multiplicity of labels removably adhered to said base strip; (b) a resiliently supported movable roller being movable from a normal position to a shifted position, said label tape being passed from said supplying means around said movable roller; (c) label separating means, said label tape being passed from said movable roller through said label separating means, said label separating means abruptly reversing the direction of said base strip causing said labels to be partially separated from said base strip; (d) drive roller means, said drive roller means causing said base strip to pass through said label separating means; (e) stamping means adapted to apply a marking on said labels, said stamping means being disposed adjacent the path of movement of said label tape from said movable roller to said label separating means; (f) web guide means disposed adjacent said label separating means, said web guide means causing a web to pass adjacent said partially separated labels; (g) a pressure roller disposed adjacent said label separating means at the opposite side of said partially separated labels from said web guide means, (h) actuating means causing said pressure roller to press against said web guide means causing a marked and partially separated label to be affixed to said web, said movable roller moving from said normal position toward said label separating means to said shifted position to absorb an abrupt variation in tension of said label tape caused by the affixing of said marked and partially separated label to said web; and (i) means for braking said supplying means, said braking means being released when said movable roller moves from said shifted position to said normal position.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said movable roller comprises a swing roller mounted on a free end of a swing arm which is pivotally supported at its proximal end, said swing arm being attached to spring means which resiliently resist the shifting movement of said movable roller toward said label separating means.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said label separating means comprises a separating plate having an edge and a side surface, said label tape passing along said side surface and the direction of said base strip being reversed at said edge.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said stamping means is disposed opposite said side surface of said separating plate.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said supplying means, said movable roller, said label separating means, said drive roller means, said stamping means, said pressure roller, said actuating means and said braking means are carried on a vertical supporting plate, said vertical supporting plate being horizontally adjustable relative to said web guide means and transversely adjustable relative to said web.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for supplying a label tape comprises a label tape supply roll supported on a shaft and said means for braking said supplying means comprises a braking device provided on said shaft.

Claim 8

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for supplying a label tape comprises a label tape supply roll and said means for braking said supplying means comprises inertia roller means disposed between said supply roll and said movable roller to impart braking force to said label tape.

Claim 9

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for supplying a label tape comprises a label tape supply roll and said means for braking said supplying means comprises brake roller means disposed between said supply roll and said movable roller to impart braking force to said label tape.

Claim 10

Apparatus for affixing labels to a moving web, comprising: (a) means for supplying a label tape, said label tape comprising a base strip and a multiplicity of labels removably adhered to said base strip; (b) a resiliently supported movable roller being movable from a normal position to a shifted position, said label tape being passed from said supplying means around said movable roller. (c) a substantially vertical lever pivotally supported at an intermediate part having engagement means at an upper end adapted to engage said movable roller; (d) label separating means, said label tape being passed from said movable roller through said label separating means, said label separating means abruptly reversing the direction of said base strip causing said labels to be partially separated from said base strip; (e) drive roller means, said drive roller means causing said base strip to pass through said label separating means; (f) stamping means adapted to apply a marking on said labels, said stamping means being disposed adjacent the path of movement of said label tape from said movable roller to said label separating means; (g) web guide means disposed adjacent said label separating means, said web guide means causing a web to pass adjacent said partially separated labels; (h) a pressure roller mounted on a lower end of said substantially vertical lever being disposed adjacent said label separating means at the opposite side of said partially separated labels from said web guide means; and (i) actuating means connected to said substantially vertical lever causing a pivotal movement of said lever from a normal position to an actuated position causing said pressure roller to press against said web guide means causing a marked and partially separated label to be affixed to said web, said engagement means engaging said movable roller when said substantially vertical lever is in its normal position and said pressure roller is separated from the web guide means preventing said movable roller from shifting toward said label separating means, said engagement means being disengaged from said movable roller when said substantially vertical lever is in its actuated position allowing said movable roller to shift toward said label separating means to absorb an abrupt variation in tension of said label tape caused by the affixing of said marked and partially separated label to said web.

Claim 11

Apparatus for affixing labels to a moving web, comprising: (a) means for supplying a label tape, said label tape comprising a base strip and a multiplicity of labels removably adhered to said base strip; (b) a resiliently supported movable roller being movable from a normal position to a shifted position, said label tape being passed from said supplying means around said movable roller. (c) a substantially vertical lever pivotally supported at an intermediate part having engagement means at an upper end adapted to engage said movable roller; (d) label separating means, said label tape being passed from said movable roller through said label separating means, said label separating means abruptly reversing the direction of said base strip causing said labels to be partially separated from said base strip; (e) drive roller means, said drive roller means causing said base strip to pass through said label separating means; (f) stamping means adapted to apply a marking on said labels, said stamping means being disposed adjacent the path of movement of said label tape from said movable roller to said label separating means; (g) web guide means disposed adjacent said label separating means, said web guide means causing a web to pass adjacent said partially separated labels; (h) a pressure roller mounted on a lower end of said substantially vertical lever being disposed adjacent said label separating means at the opposite side of said partially separated labels from said web guide means; and (i) actuating means connected to said substantially vertical lever causing a pivotal movement of said lever from a normal position to an actuated position causing said pressure roller to press against said web guide means causing a marked and partially separated label to be affixed to said web, said engagement means engaging said movable roller when said substantially vertical lever is in its normal position and said pressure roller is separated from the web guide means preventing said movable roller from shifting toward said label separating means, said engagement means being disengaged from said movable roller when said substantially vertical lever is in its actuated position allowing said movable roller to shift toward said label separating means to absorb an abrupt variation in tension of said label tape caused by the affixing of said marked and partially separated label to said web.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said movable roller comprises a swing roller mounted on a free end of a swing arm pivotally supported at its proximal end, said swing arm being attached to spring means which resiliently resist the shifting movement of said movable roller toward said label separating means.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said engagement means comprises a roller.

Claim 14

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said actuating means comprises fluid cylinder means.