Label scanner assembly for labelling machines

Claim 1

In a labelling machine for processing an endless multi-row label form, said machine including a frame member and label transport means on said frame member for advancing said label form along a predetermined path, the combination of: a cross shaft rotatably mounted on said frame member, the axis of said cross shaft being substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of said label form along said path, said cross shaft being spaced from said label transport means; plural label support arms, there being one label support arm for each label row, each of said support arms being enlarged at one end to provide a label guiding surface; mounting means for mounting the opposite ends of said support arms on said cross shaft in predetermined spaced axial relation to one another so that said support arms project radially outwardly from said cross shaft with said support arm label guiding surfaces positioned to engage individual ones of said label rows as said label form is advanced along said path by said transport means, said mounting means coupling said plural support arms with said cross shaft for concurrent rotation; a sensor on each of said support arms in predetermined spaced relation to the support arm label guiding surface for scanning the labels in the label row engaged by the label guiding surfaces of said support arms as said label form is advanced along said path and across said label guiding surfaces; and means to rotate said cross shaft together with said plural support arms in unison to move said sensors along an axis parallel to the direction of advance of said label form by said transport means and adjust the point where said sensors scan the labels in the label row engaged by the label guiding surfaces of said support arms, rotation of said cross shaft moving the label guiding surfaces of said support arms in a predetermined arc about the axis of said cross shaft whereby the point where said sensors scan said labels may be adjusted without changing the gap between the labels and said sensors or the predetermined axial distance between adjoining support arms.