Labeling machine

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Labeling machines typically operate in series with other machines which perform certain container-processing operations in advance of the labeling machine and following the labeling machine. Accordingly, it sometimes happen that the preceding machine does not supply enough containers to fully charge the labeling machine, and it also may happen that a machine following the labeling machine becomes overloaded, thus resulting in a backup of containers tending to jam the output of the labeling machine.

The deficiency of containers at the machine input typically manifests itself by relatively large gaps between successive containers Inasmuch as upright containers in a line rely to some extent for stability on mutual fore-and-aft contact, the gaps result in instability in the upright posture of the containers with danger of the containers falling down. This is particularly serious if the containers are breakable, such as glass bottles. Moreover, the machine continues to run at high speed, the upset containers are introduced into the label-applying mechanism in the wrong posture, and cause difficulties.

Machines are known in which control mechanism stops the machine entirely in the event of a jam. Also, machines are known in which feelers at the machine input are spaced a distance apart which corresponds to an exact multiple of the diameter of the object. These feelers signal a variable speed drive to reduce machine speed when the objects enter the machine in irregular order. These machines have the disadvantage that full capacity will only be reached if the objects enter the machine in regular order. It is difficult to change over to objects having other diameters as the feelers are spaced a distance corresponding to a multiple of object diameter.

In any machine which is stopped entirely when trouble arises, glue will dry on labels and glue transfer parts within the machine. This presents a cleanup problem before the machine can be run again.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, the labeling machine has sensors at both its input conveyor and output conveyor. These sensors are connected in a control circuit with a container stop at the machine input and also with a variable-speed drive for the machine operation. When either a deficiency of containers is sensed at the input (typically there will be a gap in the stream of containers furnished to the machine) or an accumulation of containers at the output, the affected sensor will signal the control apparatus to project the stop in the path of incoming containers to prevent the containers from entering the machine. The sensor will also signal the variable-speed drive to reduce labeling machine speed to its idling or minimum speed.

Mechanism heretofore conventional in machines of this type will interrupt the further supply of labels to the labeling apparatus inasmuch as containers no longer enter the machine. Accordingly, the machine will operate at very low speed. Containers already in the machine will be slowly processed, but no more containers will be admitted.

Accordingly, pasted labels which have already been transferred to applying members of the machine will continue to be transferred to containers already in the machine, even though the machine is running very slowly. This insures that all labels are used up and avoids the problem of glue drying on the labels or on the machine parts which transfer the labels.

The machines embodying the present invention also have mechanism for manually regulating the variable-speed drive, independently of the sensors. Moreover, the automatically actuated bottle stop and variable-speed drive control mechanism can be overridden by a manual control, in the event the operator wishes to resume normal speed labeling operations, independently of the automatic mechanism.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will appear from the following disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a combination schematic and diagrammatic illustration of a labeling machine embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail end view of that part of the machine in the circle x of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. The scope of the invention is defined in the claims appended hereto.

The machine which is shown only diagrammatically includes an input conveyor 5 and an output conveyor 5'. There is the usual infeed screw or worm 7 by which the containers are spaced, once they have entered the machine. The machine is driven by motor 10 through a variable-speed drive which includes an adjustable width pulley 9 on the input shaft of the motor 10 and an adjustable width pulley 15 on the input shaft of the transmission 30 by which the machine is powered. A belt 29 connects the variable width pulleys 9, 15. One side of the variable width pulley 15 is connected through a bearing 31 to the shaft 32 of a fluid motor 18 by which the width of pulley 15 can be varied under power. Bearing 31 also carries a rack 16 which engages sprocket 17 on shaft 26 connected through a clutch or brake 25 to a hand lever 24. Accordingly, the width of the belt pulley 15 can be adjusted either by the hand lever 24 or by the automatic control mechanisms which powers the fluid motor 18.

Ahead of the screw or worm 7 is a container stop 6 which may be projected into the path of containers moving into the machine on the conveyor belt 5. Container stop 6 is actuated by a fluid motor 4.

Ahead of the container stop 6 is a sensor or feeler 2 which detects deficiencies in the number and spacing of containers which are being fed toward the labeling machine by the conveyor 5. Sensor 2 is disposed between side rails 3 which guide and support the containers laterally. If there is a gap between containers, sensor 2 will deflect, thus, to actuate the fluid valve.

The output conveyor 5' is also provided with a sensor or feeler 12 which senses a backup or accumulation of containers between the rails 3'. Sensor 12 will deflect in response to an accumulation of containers to actuate the fluid valve 11.

When there is either a deficiency of containers adjacent sensor 2 or a backup of containers adjacent sensor 12, the respective valves 1, 11 will be actuated to cause fluid flow through a relief valve 14 and a control valve 21 through a pressure regulator or throttle valve 13 to the fluid motor 4 for the container stop 6, thus projecting the stop 6 across the conveyor 5. At the same time, fluid impulse goes through the pressure regulator or throttle valve 8 to the fluid motor 18, thus to actuate the motor 18 to reduce the speed of the variable-speed drive 9,29,15,30 to its lowest or idling speed.

Containers that are already in the machine will continue to be processed but at a very low speed. Labels previously assigned to such containers will continue to be picked from the label magazine and will be transferred by the suitable label-applying devices to the appropriate container. However, the cutoff of flow of fresh containers in to the machine will be sensed by conventional apparatus, not shown, so as to prevent labels from being picked up by the label-applying mechanism for containers which have been stopped by the stop 6.

There is sufficient capacity on the output conveyor 5' so that if the cause of the trouble is accumulation of containers at the machine output there will be ample storage space on output conveyor 5' all of the containers being processed through the machine.

As soon as the jam of containers at the discharge of the machine is relieved, or the deficiency of containers at the input of the machine is made up, the sensor 2 or 12 will react

3,607,547 correspondingly to actuate the control mechanism to withdraw stop 6 from across conveyor 5 and also actuate fluid motor 18 to restore the variable-speed transmission to its maximum speed. Thereupon, containers will reenter the machine as spaced by the worm 7, and the machine will operate at maximum speed.

The hand lever 24 permits the operator to slow down the machine or speed it up, independently of the automatic control. Accordingly, attendant can take remedial action, depending upon his visual inspection of the condition of the machine and regardless of sensors 2, 12. Moreover, if the attendant wishes to actuate the bottle stop 6 and slow the machine, even though the sensors 2, 12 do not require such action, the attendant can actuate a manual switch 20 which will then throw control valve 21 into a position in which the stop 6 and the fluid motor 18 will be actuated to stop container inflow and reduce machine speed to a minimum.

There is also a manual changeover switch 22 by which fluid valve 23 is actuated to disable the sensors entirely. The machine can then be run independently of the automatic control.

The sensors 2, 12 may trigger the stop 6 and the variable speed drive through any medium. In the disclosed embodiment, the valves 1, 11, etc., are air operated from a compressed air source 28. However, hydraulic fluid or electric circuits can also be used to the same purpose.

Because the automatic control reduces the need for human surveillance, more than one machine can be monitored by a single attendant. This effectuates a saving in labor.