US3425346A

US3425346A - Label dispenser

Info

Publication number: US3425346A
Application number: US347601A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wilhelm Voigt; Oscar Kind
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-02-27
Filing date: 1964-02-26
Publication date: 1969-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 1986-02-04
Also published as: GB1048744A; AT249547B; NL6401794A; DK113977B; DE1205888B; CH444744A; FR1392730A; BE644350A

Description

Feb. 4, 1969 w. v0 ET AL 3,425,346

LABEL DISPENSER Sheet '1 of 4 Filed Feb. 26, 19

8 a B m kw v, Q Mm NN R R w mi INVENTORS WILHELM VOIGT OSCAR KIND BY 7 mm! f fin Q, their ATTORNEY Feb. 4, 1969 w. VOIGT ET AL 3,425,346

LABEL DISPENSER Filed Feb. 26, 1964 Sheet 2 of 4 INVENTORS WILHELM VOIGT OSCAR KIND Q'daa! their ATTCRNEY Feb. 4, 1969 w. VOIGT ET AL LABEL DISPENSER Sheet Filed Feb. 26, 1964 INVENTORS WILHELM VOIGT OSCAR KIND BY fiwzabz /9 their ATTORNEY Sheet W. VOIGT ET AL LABEL DISPENSER Feb. 4, 1969 Filed Feb. 26, 1964 INVENTORS WILHELM VOIGT OSCAR KIND BY figdad ffii er their ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 4, 1969 M 55,912 US. (:1. 101-292 25 Claims Int. Cl. B41f 15/24,- B65h 25/02 The present invention relates to dispensers in general, and more particularly to an improved apparatus for dispensing comparatively stiff adhesive-coated labels which adhere to one side of a flexible carrier strip and which are automatically separated in response to flexing of the strip around a sharp edge, a small roller or a similar defiector. Still more particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus which, in addition to dispensing adhesive-coated labels, also serves to provide such labels with printed matter representing the date, the price or other information pertaining to the objects or articles to which the labels are applied.

It is an important object of this invention to provide an apparatus of the above outlined characteristics which is constructed and assembled in such a way that each of a series of consecutive labels may be imprinted at exactly the same spot as all other labels and that such uniform application of printed matter or imprints may be effected even if the length of or the spacing between the labels is not uniform.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined dispensing and imprinting apparatus for adhesivecoated labels wherein the application of printed matter to consecutive labels takes place while the labels are held against any movement with reference to the imprinting device and wherein the application of printed matter takes place sufliciently ahead of the dispensing station so that, and provided the printed matter requires some time to dry, it will have ample time for drying prior to actual separation -from the carrier strip.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel arresting device which may be used in a dispensing apparatus of the above outlined characteristics and which is capable of automatically arresting the carrier strip and the labels at the exact time when a label is in accurate registry with the imprinting device.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved web consisting of a flexible carrier strip and of a row of labels adhesively applied to one side of the strip, this web being produced for use in the apparatus of the present invention so as to enable the arresting device to insure that the web will intermittently advance through such distances as are necessary to move consecutive labels in accurate registry with the imprinting device.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide a novel actuating mechanism for use in an apparatus of the above outlined characteristics and to construct the actuating mechanism in such a way that a single manipulation thereof suffices to initiate and to complete a series of operations in requisite timed relationship with reference to each other.

With the above objects in view, one feature of our invention resides in the provision of an apparatus for imprinting and dispensing a comparatively stiff adhesivecoated tape forming or about to yield a row of labels carried by one side of a flexible carrier strip and constituting with such strip an elongated web having unevennesses spaced from each other longitudinally of the strip by distances at least approximating the length of a label. The apparatus comprises advancing means operative to effect intermittent advances of the web lengthwise through distances exceeding the distance between consecutive unevennesses and including a slip clutch which yields in response to a predetermined resistance against further advance of the strip, a deflector adjacent to the other side of the strip at a point ahead of the advancing means and arranged to deflect the strip sufficiently to effect at least partial separation of the tape or of consecutive labels from the one side of the strip, an imprinting device including a pair of normally spaced printing members located ahead of the deflector at the opposite sides of the Web whereby one of these printing members may move toward the other printing member to provide impressions in or to apply printed matter on the exposed side of the tape or on the exposed side of a given label, an arresting device including a sensing member arranged to detect consecutive unevennesses in the web and means for arresting the web in response to detection of such unevennesses so as to produce the aforementioned predetermined resistance to further advance of the strip, and actuating means arranged to move the one printing member toward the other printing member in synchronism with the arresting device and to simultaneously operate the advancing means so that the printing members imprint the tape or a label while the arresting device is effective to hold the strip against movement.

Thus, while the advancing means is capable of advancing the web through distances which exceed the length of a label, it cannot advance the web when the printing members cooperate to imprint a label because the sensing member initiates a clamping action upon the web whereby the slip clutch allows the advancing means to continue its movement in response to movement of the actuating means but without effecting further advance of the strip. Such operation insures that each label, regardless of its length and regardless of the distance between consecutive labels, is imprinted at exactly the same spot as all other labels.

The unevennesses may consist of circular or roof shaped protuberances, of cutouts provided in the labels and/ or in the carrier strip, or such unevennesses may take the form of slightly separated marginal portions of consecutive labels which will be separated from the strip in response to deflection of the web around a suitable guide roll or the like.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved dispensing apparatus itself, however, both as to its construction and the mode of operating the same, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic fragmentary longitudinal vertical section through the housing of a combined dispensing and imprinting apparatus which embodies one form of our invention, the apparatus being shown in idle position when the actuating means is ready to advance a web so as to effect partial separation of an imprinted label from the carrier strip and simultaneous printing of another label;

FIG. 2 is a similar fragmentary longitudinal vertical section and illustrates the apparatus in operative position at the time a fresh label is in registry with the imprinting device and while the web is clamped by an arresting member which is constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through a web which may be utilized in the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4a is a fragmentary longitudinal section through a modified web with roof shaped unevennesses;

FIG. 4b is a transverse section as sen in the direction 3 of arrows from the line IVIV of FIG. 4a;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical section through a second dispensing apparatus which comprises a modified arresting member for a different web wherein the unevennesses take the form of longitudinally spaced cutouts;

FIG. 6 is a similar longitudinal vertical section through the second apparatus and illustrates the modified arresting member in operative position;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a web which may be used in the apparatus of FIGS. 5 and 6; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary schematic side elevational view of a portion of a third dispensing apparatus wherein the web develops unevennesses in a fully automatic way in response to deflection of its strip around a guide roll.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a combined dispensing and imprinting apparatus including a housing having a base plate A and supporting two vertically spaced

guide rolls

9, 9 which are rotatable about horizontal axes. A web W is trained around the

guide rolls

9, 9 in such a way that it may travel in an elongated path including a substantially horizontal portion adjacent to the upper side of the base plate A and a substantially vertical portion tangential to the

guide rolls

9, 9. The web W is then led around a small deflector roller 3 which is located at a level above and to the left of the guide roll 9 and which is mounted on an adjustable supporting arm 31:.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the web W comprises a flexible carrier strip 1 preferably consisting of synthetic plastic material and a row of closely adjacent adhesivecoated labels 2 which are rather stiff (in comparison with the stiffness of the strip 1) and which adhere to one side of the strip. The labels together form an elongated tape which has been severed to yield a row of sections so that each section constitutes a label. The length l of a label 2 approximates the distance a between the centers of consecutive unevennesses 25 provided in the web W for the purpose to be described later. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3, the unevennesses 25 take the form of substantially circular hollow protuberances which are provided in the strip 1 and in each of the labels 2 at points substantially midway between the longitudinal ends 38 of the labels. For example, the labels may consist of paper whose stiffness exceeds the stiffness of the strip 1, and one side of each label is coated with suitable paste to cause its adherence to the upper side of the strip. The ditference in stiffness of the labels 2 and strip 1 is such that, while travelling around the deflector roll 3, the labels are automatically separated from (Le, peeled off) the strip in a manner shown in FIG. 1 which illustrates an imprinted label 2' in a state of partial separation from the strip. This label may be grasped by two fingers to be applied to a piece of merchandise or, alternatively, the apparatus may be combined with a suitable applicator roller which is closely adjacent to the roll 3 and which automatically transfers the label 2' onto a wrapper or directly onto an article of merchandise or the like. Such applicator rollers are known in the art of label dispensers and need not be described here.

The means for intermittently advancing the web W in the aforementioned path comprising a pair of cooperating advancing rollers including a driven roller 7 of larger diameter and an idler roller 8 of smaller diameter. These advancing rollers are positioned at the opposite sides of the strip 1 and are located past the deflector roll 3, as seen in the direction in which the web W advances. Their peripheral surfaces may be milled, knurled or otherwise roughened to make sure that the strip 1 is advanced without undue slippage when the driven roller 7 is rotated by a one-way clutch 12. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, this one-way clutch 12 comprises an annular outer clutch element 12a, an annular inner clutch element 12b which is rigidly secured to a horizontal shaft 120, a radial arm 11a which is fixed to the shaft 120 or to the inner clutch element 12b, and a follower roller 11 which is mounted on the arm 11a to extend in the path of a block-shaped motion transmitting portion 10a provided on a reciprocable actuating lever 10. Suitable sprags (not shown) are provided between the clutch elements 12a, 12b to make sure that the element 12a rotates only when the element 12b rotates in a clockwise direction. The arm 11a is biased by a spring 11b so as to maintain the follower roller 11 in permanent abutment with the motion transmitting portion 10a. The lever 10 is reciprocable in directions indicated by a doubleheaded arrow 10b and may move between the full-line position of FIG. 1 and the phantom-line position 10' to rotate the outer clutch element 12a in a clockwise direction and through an angle which is greater than necessary to advance the web W by a distance a or I.

The advancing means further comprises a slip clutch 13 which connects the outer clutch element 12a with the advancing roller 7 and which is constructed in such a way that it yields in response to a predetermined resistance to further advance of the strip 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the slip clutch 13 comprises a coupling member 16 which is reciprocable in a radial bore 7a of the advancing roller 7, a helical spring 15 which biases the coupling member 16 radially inwardly, an adjusting screw 14 which is received in the open outer end of the bore 7a and which serves to regulate the bias of the spring 15, and a substantially conical tip 16 provided at the inner end of the coupling member 16 and adapted to enter one of a series of circularly arranged recesses 18 provided in a ring 19 surrounding the bottom surface of a peripheral groove machined in the outer coupling element 12a. FlG. 1 illustrates a single recess 18 but there are actually several such recesses properly distributed about the axis of the shaft 12c.

The imprinting device of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a plate-like fixed printing memher 5 which is adjacent to the exposed side of the strip 1 at a point between the

guide rolls

9, 9 and a reciprocable printing member here shown as an angularly adjustable cylinder 6 which is mounted on a second motion transmitting portion or bracket of the actuating lever 10. The printing member 6 is reciprocable with the lever 10 and takes the phantom-line position 6' when the lever 19 is caused to assume the position 10 whereby the

printing members

5, 6 cooperate to apply printed matter to the exposed side of a label 2" which is temporarily arrested between the printing members in a predetermined position in which the printed matter is applied to a selected portion thereof. For example, the printing member 6 may be a cylindrical dater which comprises several rings provided with numbers indicating hours, days, months and years so that each label may be dated prior to its transfer to a piece of merchandise, such as a box containing a roll of unexposed film or the like. Also, the printing member 6 may serve as a means for imprinting the labels with the price of articles to which the labels are applied at a point past the deflector roll 3. All that counts is to provide an imprinting device which may be actuated by the lever 10 in such a way that each consecutive label received one or more lines of printed matter or other suitable indicia in response to each movement of the lever to the phantom-line position 10'.

The apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 further comprises a specially constructed arresting device which serves to disconnect the one-way clutch 12 from the driven advancing roller 7 at the very moment when a fresh label 2" is properly aligned with the printing member 6. This arresting device comprises a sensing element here shown as a rockable pin 20 which is closely adjacent to the exposed sides of the labels 2 and which is normally positioned at such a distance from the horizontal portion of the web W that it extends into the path of protuberances 25. In FIG. 1, the sensing pin 20 is illustrated in idle (detecting) position in which it is out of contact with the nearest protuberance 25' and is substantially perpendicular to the web. This pin extends radially from a rockable supporting member here shown as a horizontal cylinder 26 which is rotatable about the axis of a shaft 22 and carries a second radial pin 23 serving as an arresting member in that its tip 24 may clamp the web W against a backing plate 24a provided on the base A. In the position of FIG. 1, the tip 24 is sufficiently spaced from the web W to allow for advance of this web in a direction toward the guide roller 9. In other words, the tip 24 is located at such a level that it is slightly above the protuberances 25 and is maintained in such position by a resilient element here shown as a helical spring 21 acting against a plunger 23 which is reciprocable in a short cylinder 27. The outer end of the plunger 29 carries a small locking roll 30 which extends into a peripheral cutout of the supporting member 26. The ends of this cutout are bounded by two angularly spaced stop faces 32, 33, and the cylinder 27 is rockable about the axis of a horizontal shaft 28 which is parallel to the shaft 22. The supporting member 26 is connected With an upwardly extending locator stud 36 which is rockable between two

horizontal abutment members

35, 35a secured to the housing of the apparatus. The cylinder 27 is connected with an upwardly extending rocking arm 37 which is located in the path of the motion transmitting portion c.

The dot-dash line 31 indicates the common plane of the axes of the

shafts

22, 28, and the position of this plane may be adjusted by two adjusting members in the form of

eccentrics

34, 34a which are respectively connected to the

shafts

22, 28 and are rotatably journalled in the side walls of the housing, not shown. In other words, by rotating the

eccentrics

34, 34a, the operator may change the distance between the tips of the rockable pins 20, 24 and the upper side of the web W. The

shafts

22, 28 are perpendicular to that portion of the web which is adjacent to the arresting station, and the pin 23 is located ahead of the pin as seen in the direction in which the web advances past the arresting device.

The apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 operates as follows:

When the apparatus is idle (see FIG. 1), the stud 36 engages the abutment member 35a and the locking roll 30 abuts against the lower stop face 32 whereby the tip of the sensing pin 20 is located at a level below the uppermost point of the protuberance but the tip 24 of the arresting pin 23 is located above the uppermost point of the protuberance 25'. The rocking arm 37 abuts against the motion transmitting portion 100 which is held in such position by a return spring 10d connected with the actuating lever 10. The tip 16' of the coupling member 16 extends into one of the recesses 18 so that the one-way clutch 12 is connected with and may drive the advancing roller 7. The printing member 6 is spaced from the printing member 5 and a portion of the'label 2' is partially separated from the strip 1 or, alternatively, this label 2 has been removed from the strip and has been applied to a box, wrapper or directly to an article, as the case may be.

If the operator thereupon desires to dispense the next label 2", the actuating lever 10 is shifted in a direction to the right, as viewed in FIG. 1, to initiate a series of operations including rocking the radial arm 11:: through an angle which is large enough to rotate the clutch elements 12a, 12b to the extent necessary to advance the web W through a distance exceeding the distance a or I. When the actuating lever 10 has been moved to the phantom-line position 10', the

parts

10a, 11, 11a, 100, 6 respectively take the phantom-

line positions

10a, 11, 11a, 100, 6' which means that the

printing members

5, 6 cooperate to imprint a label 2" at a point adjacent to the leading portion of this label and spaced from the protuberance 25".

As the actuating lever 10 moves toward the phantomline position 10', its motion transmitting portion 10c moves away from the rocking arm 37 so that the cylinder 27 is free to rock in a clockwise direction. As the advancing rollers 7, 8 entrain the strip 1, the web W advances toward the deflector roll 3 and the protuberance 25' engages the tip of the sensing pin 20 to rock the supporting member 26 in a counterclockwise direction whereby the tip 24 of the arresting pin 23 engages the nearest label 2 and clamps the web W against the backing plate 24a. The member 23 is then substantially perpendic ular to the web. Such clamping action takes place before the motion transmitting portion 10a reaches the position 10a, i.e., before the follower roller 11 reaches the position 11'. The clamping action of the arresting pin 23 is assisted by the spring 21 which causes the locking roll 30 to abut against the stop face 33 (see FIG. 2) and to move the stud 36 against the abutment member 35. The arresting pin 23 is then substantially vertical and the tip of the sensing pin 20 is located at a level slightly above the protuberance 25'. The rocking arm 37 is moved to the position of FIG. 2 and is spaced from the motion transmitting portion 100.

As soon as the tip 24 of the arresting pin 23 prevents further advance of the web W (and of the strip 1), the clutch element 12a overcomes the bias of the spring 15 and expels the tip 16' of the coupling member 16 from the recess 18 so that the clutch element 12a continues to rotate but the advancing roller 7 remains idle, Such slippage of the clutch element 12a with reference to the advancing roller 7 will take 'place at the exact moment when the leading portion of the label 2' is in registry with the printing member 6 so that the

members

5, 6 imprint this label while the web W is idle. The resistance which the strip 1 offers to further rotation of the roller 7 may be adjusted by the screw 14, by the eccentric 34, and by proper selection of the arresting pin 23, i.e., by selection of a pin 23 which is long enough to engage and to clamp the web W against the plate 24a in a given position of the actuating lever 10.

When the web W is brought to a halt, the deflector roll 3 has caused partial separation of the label 2" so that this label may be grasped by fingers or by an app icator to be automatically applied to a box or the like. The intervals between consecutive rotations of the advancing roller 7 are normally long enough to insure that printed matter applied by the member 6 is sufficiently dry prior to separation of such label from the strip 1.

As soon as the operator releases the lever 10, the spring 10d contracts and returns the lever to the position of FIG. 1 which means that the printing member 6 moves away from the printing member 5, that the rocking arm 37 returns to the position of FIG. 1 to turn the supporting member 26 in a clockwise direction, that the locking roll 30 abuts against the stop face 32, and that the stud 36 engages the abutment member 35a. The tip of the sensing pin 20 is now located in the path of the next following protuberance and will initiate a clamping action as soon as the actuating lever 10 is again displaced against the bias of the return spring 10d.

The mounting of the cylinder 29 is preferably such that the spring 21 automatically snaps over a dead-center position when the cylinder 29 is rocked by the stop face 32 or by the motion transmitting portion 10c so that the supporting member 26 is automatically compelled to take the position of FIG. 1 or 2 but cannot remain in an intermediate position.

The tip 24 of the arresting pin 23 is more distant from the periphery of the supporting member 26 than the tip of the sensing pin 20, and each of these pins may be provide-d with threads to extend into tapped bores of the supporting cylinder. The scale of FIGS. 1 and 2 is too small to show the threads on the

pins

20, 23. The stop faces 32, 33 are respectively located below and above the common plane 31 of the axes of

shafts

22, 28. Thus, when the tip 24 of the arresting pin 23 clamps the web W,

7 the axis of the locking roll 30 is located below the plane 31.

The guide roller 9 is adjustable in direction indicated by a double-headed arrow 9a. Such adjustments are necessary when the operator desires to apply printed matter to different portions of consecutive labels. The same result can be achieved by changing the position of the printing member 6 with reference to the motion transmitting portion 100 and by effecting corresponding changes in the position of printing member 5. By changing the position of the guide roller 9, the operator changes the length of that portion of the web W which extends between the printing member and the arresting pin 23.

A very important advantage of unevennesses in the form of hollow circular protuberances 25 is that they do not detract from the eye-pleasing appearance of the labels and that they may be formed without Waste, i.e., without necessitating actual separation of material from the labels or from the strip 1. As a rule, such protuberances may be formed simultaneously with the severing of labels 2 from each other. Thus, the labels 2 are normally cut from an elongated tape one side of which is coated with adhesive to adhere to the carrier strip 1, and such tape is severed at regular intervals (as indicated at 38 in FIG. 3) to yield the labels 2. The severing step may be performed by cutters of known design and may be accompanied by simultaneous formation of protuberances 25 so that the labels are severed from the tape and the web W is provided with protuberances in a single operation. The housing of the dispensing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 preferably accommodates a reel of convoluted web W which is located to the left of the arresting pin 23 and which pays out the web at a rate at which the strip 1 is advanced between the rollers 7, 8.

In many instances, the web may be provided with unevennesses in the form of substantially roof-shaped protuberances 125 which are illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b. The web W again comprises a flexible carrier strip 101 and a series of adhesive-coated labels 102 whose material is somewhat stiffer than the material of the strip. Each protuberance 125 comprises a strongly inclined flat leading face 125a, a slightly inclined flat trailing face 126 and two rather slightly inclined flat lateral faces 127. The angle alpha between the plane of the leading face 125a and the general plane of the web W is about 60 degrees, and the angle beta between the plane of the trailing face 126 and the general plane of the web W is about degrees. The web W advances in a direction to the left, as viewed in FIGS. 4a and 412, so that the sensing pin 20 (not shown) engages the strongly inclined leading face 125a and thereupon turns the arresting pin 23 into strong clamping engagement with the respective label 102. The

faces

125a, 126 extend transversely of the web W, and the area of each protuberance 125 is rather large which is of advantage because the web is less likely to tear when the protuberances are formed therein. Also, such roof-shaped protuberances are not likely to undergo substantial deformation (flattening) when the web W is rolled to form a reel which is inserted in the housing of the dispensing apparatus.

It goes without saying that the

unevennesses

25 or 125 need not always be provided in both layers of the web W or W. Thus, it would suffice to form such unevennesses only in the

labels

2 or 102 so that the

carrier strip

1 or 101 remains free of depressions and may be reused as often as desired. On the other hand, it is often desirable to form registering unevennesses in both layers of the web W or W, particularly if the material of the labels is rather thin and is readily deformable, i.e., when the protuberances in the labels are too weak to effect turning of the supporting member 26 and subsequent clamping of the web. As stated before, the

strip

1 or 101 may consist of synthetic plastic material, preferably a thermoplastic substance which is deformed at elevated temperatures so that the unevennesses are actually frozen in its material when the plastic is allowed to set. Also, and as already explained in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, the unevennesses are preferably provided in such portions of the

labels

2 or 102 which are not aligned with the printing member 6 when the web is arrested by the pin 23. In other words, it is preferred to apply printed matter to a non-deformed portion of each label.

A web W with following dimensions has been found to be quite satisfactory for many purposes: The width of the web W may be about 25 mm., the thickness of the strip 191 about 0.05 mm., the thickness of the labels 102 about 0.1 mm., the length l of the labels 102 about 20 mm., the width B of the protuberances (between the outer ends of the lateral faces 127) about 3 mm., the height H of the protuberances 125 about 0.2 mm., and the overall length L of the protuberances 125 about 1.3 mm.

The

protuberances

25 or 125 may be replaced by substantially conical protuberances, particularly if the material of the labels is rather thin and readily deformable, and it is equally possible to provide protuberances only in the

strip

1 or 101, particularly if the sensing pin is located at the exposed side of the strip. Such mounting of the sensing pin would necessitate slight alterations of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 but would not constitute a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The protuberances 125 may be formed simultaneously with severing of a paper tape along transverse lines 138 (see FIG. 4a) to yield a row of separate but closely adjacent labels 102.

The apparatus of our invention may be used to dispense labels of different lengths as long as the length of a label does not exceed the maximum distance which a point on the periphery of the advancing roller 7 may cover in response to movement of the lever 10 from the full-line position to the phantom-line position 10. When the web W or W is replaced by a web with labels of dilferent length, the apparatus will continue to apply printed matter to the same spot on each consecutive label because the selection of such spots depends on the position of protuberances. In other words, the apparatus automatically detects the presence of a different web because its operation is not dependent on the exact length of or spacing between the labels but solely on the distance between consecutive unevennesses. Consequently, the dimensions of the labels may be reduced to such an extent that each label is just large enough to accommodate all printed matter, i.e., there is no need for margins around the printed matter because the likelihood of misprinting is very remote, this being due to the fact that each of a series of labels receives printed matter at exactly the same spot as all other labels.

The apparatus is also useful for dispensing and imprinting of partially printed labels such as may be provided with the name, address and/or trademark of the manufacturer, distributor or retailer prior to insertion of a web into the dispenser. Thus, the printed matter applied to the labels prior to insertion of a web into the apparatus of our invention may cover a smaller or larger area of each label as long as the remaining blank space is just large enough to accommodate the imprints produced by the

numbers

5 and 6.

Still further, the labels need not be separated from each other prior to dispensing from the apparatus. Thus, the row of

labels

2 or 102 may be replaced by a continuous tape which is peeled off the strip, while the latter travels around the roll 3, and such tape is thereupon severed to yield a series of labels. For example, such a tape may be severed automatically by a cutter located past the roll 3 and actuated by the lever 10 when the latter performs a working stroke.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate portions of a modified dispensing apparatus which differentiates from the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 in the construction of the arresting device and in that it utilizes a different web W" having a flexible carrier strip 1 and a series of adhesive-coated labels 202 which are applied to one side of the strip. The unevennesses take the form of substantially elliptical cutouts 39, best shown in FIG. 7, which are formed in the edge portions of the labels and in the strip 1 so that each cutout 39 is formed partially in the trailing edge portion of a preceding label and partially in the leading edge portion of the next following label. Of course, each label 202 may be provided with one or more cutouts at a point other than immediately adjacent to one of its edge portions; however, the structure shown in FIG. 7 is preferred because the same cutter which severs a tape to yield consecutive labels 202 may be used to remove material from the spots which are to form the cutouts 39. In other words, the cuts 238 and the cutouts 39 may be formed not only in a simultaneous operation but also with the same cutting tool to reduce the overall cost of the web W".

Referring again to FIGS. and 6, the modified arresting device comprises a rockable supporting member 43 which is turnable about a horizontal shaft 45 and which carries a pin 58 extending between the prongs 56 of a bifurcated rocking member here shown as a two-armed lever 55. This rocking member is turnable about a horizontal shaft 57 and is adjacent to the motion transmitting portion 10c of the actuating lever 10. The supporting member 43 carries a horizontal pivot 42 for a sensing member 40 which is biased by a helical expansion spring 41 provided in a bore of the member 43. The spring 41 normally maintains the sensing member 40 in abutment with a stop shoulder 43a of the supporting member 43 and in contact with the web W". The member 43 is provided with a wedge shaped extension 44 which constitutes an arresting member and which is slightly spaced from the labels 202 when the actuating lever 10 is in the retracted position of FIG. 5. The wedge-shaped tip of the sensing member 40 then slides along the upper side of the web W".

It will be noted that the shafts 45, 57 (which are supported by one or both side walls of the housing, not shown) are located at the opposite sides of the pin 58 so that, when the lever 10 moves in a direction to the right, as viewed in FIG. 5, and moves the motion transmitting portion 100 away from the rocking member 55, the supporting member 43 may be turned in a counterclockwise direction as soon as the tip of the sensing member 40 enters the next following cutout 39. The walls bounding the cutout 39 entrain the sensing member so that this sensing member pivots about the pin 42 (in a counterclockwise direction, as viewedin FIG. 5) and descends along a shoulder 51 provided in the upper side of a backing plate 50 which is fixed to the base plate A. Such movement of the sensing member 40 causes the arresting member 44 to move nearer to the backing plate 50 and to clamp the web W" whereby the slip clutch 13 disconnects the advancing roller 7 from the one-way clutch 12 and a selected portion of a label 202 is locate-d in exact registry with the printing member 6. When the supporting member 43 rocks about the shaft 45, the pin 58 moves to a lower level and causes the rocking member 55 to rotate in a clockwise direction so that its upwardly extending arm projects into the path of the motion transmitting portion 100. The exact position of the shaft 45 with reference to the backing plate 50 and web W" may be adjusted by an adjusting device including an eccentric 54.

When the actuating lever 10 is caused or permitted to return to the position of FIG. 5, the motion transmitting portion 100 engages the rocking member 55 and the pin 58 moves in an are about the shaft 57 (in a counterwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 6) so as to lift the arresting member away from the web W and to retract the tip of the sensing member 40 from the cutout 39. The dispensing apparatus is now ready for the next operation. The label 202' shown in the upper part of FIG. 5 is ready to be fully separated from the strip 1 which latter is deflected around the roll 3 in the same way as described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. The construction of the advancingrollers, 7, 8, of the one-way clutch 12, and of the slip clutch 13 is the same as described hereinbefore.

The clamping action of the arresting member 44 takes place suddenly as soon as the tip of the sensing member descends along the shoulder 51 of the backing plate 50. This is important because, by suddenly arresting the web W", the apparatus of FIGS. 5 and 6 insures that printed matter is applied to exactly the same spot on each of the labels 202 because the clutch 13 begins to slip at the very moment when the strip 1 has been advanced by a distance corresponding to that between the centers of two consecutive cutouts 39.

It will be noted that the sensing member 40 is located ahead of the arresting member 44, as seen in the direction in which the Web W" advances past the arresting device, and that the pin 58 provides an articulate connection between the supporting member 43 and rocking member 55.

FIG. 8 illustrates a portion of a third apparatus wherein the sensing member resembles a one-armed lever 60 which is rockable about a horizontal pivot 60a fixed to the housing, not shown. This lever 60 is connected with a suitable arresting member 70 which is caused to clamp the web as soon as the tip of the lever 60 comes in contact with and is rocked by a protuberance 63 provided at the leading edge of each consecutive label 302. These labels are carried by the outer side of a flexible strip 1 which travels around a guide roll 61. The lever 60 may be mounted in such a way that it is engaged by a protuberance 63 at a point 62 which is located on a line connecting the axis of the roll guide 61 with the axis of the pivot 60a. The operative connection between the sensing lever 60 and the arresting member 70 is indicated schematically by a phantom line 71. The

imprinting device

5, 6 is located past the guide roll 61 and adjacent to a horizontal portion of the path in which the web advances toward the deflector roll, not shown.

The protuberances 63 need not be actually machined in the material of the labels 302 and/or strip 1. Thus, and since the labels are comparatively stiff, their front edges will become separated from the outer side of the strip when the latter is flexed around the periphery of the guide roll 61 so that the formation of protuberances is fully automatic. As soon as a protuberance 63 advances beyond the sensing lever 60, the latter descends by gravity and is ready to be engaged by the next protuberance. In other words, unevennesses in the web may be formed on purpose, such as by cutting or stamping, but it is equally possible to convey the web in such a way that the labels will form protuberances by becoming partially separated from the carrier strip. In fact, it is equally possible to provide protuberances on the periphery of the guide roll 61 so that such protuberances deform the strip 1 and cause a portion of each consecutive label to engage the sensing lever 60. One such projection is indicated by phantom lines at 61a in FIG. 8.

The length of the sensing lever 60 is preferably selected in such a way that its tip engages the web at a point slightly beyond the point marked 62 to make sure that this lever is not wedged against the web when the strip 1 is advanced in a direction indicated by the arrow 72. It will be noted that, in the embodiment of FIG. 8, the sensing lever 60 actually detects gaps between the edge portions 338 of adjacent labels, i.e., the unevennesses consist of protuberances 63 and of gaps or cutouts between the labels.

In FIGURE 9 is shown a side view and in FIGURE 10 a top plan view of the web W", which comprises a strip 401 and a continuous length of paper tape 402 with protuberances 425. The paper tape 402 is already printed with framings, firm names, trade marks 405 and/or the like per label. On this printed paper tape 402 prices and other marks will be printed by means of the apparatus as per the invention.

FIG. 11 shows a complete apparatus for imprinting and dispensing labels, in which the arresting mechanism as per FIGURES and 6 is used. This apparatus comprises a hood 500 which is placed on the base plate A. An application roller 501 is located in such position, that it partly projects beyond the outline of the housing and that each label after it has been separated from the carrier strip 1 bears with its non-adhesive .surface against the periphery of the application roller. Behind the application roller 501 there is a contact plate 502. which for each operating period sets the drive for the stamping or printing mechanism 6 in motion, as soon as the object to be labeled is moved over the application roller 501 and the contact plate 502 is pressed down a little. A spool 505 receives the supply roll of the web W.

The web W" will be unrolled from the supply roll.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features which fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for imprinting and dispensing a comparatively stiff adhesive-coated tape carried by one side of a flexible carrier strip and forming therewith an elongated web provided with unevennesses which are spaced from each other longitudinally of the strip, comprising advancing means operative to effect intermittent advances of the web lengthwise through distances exceeding the distance between consecutive unevennesses and including a slip cl utch arranged to yield in response to a predetermined resistance to further advance of the strip; a deflector adjacent to the other side of the strip at a point ahead of said advancing means and arranged to deflect the strip sufficiently to effect at least partial separation of tape from the other side of the strip; an imprinting device including a pair of normally spaced cooperating printing members located at a point ahead of said deflector and at the opposite sides of the Web, one of said printing members being movable toward the other printing member; an arresting device including a sensing member arranged to detect consecutive unevennesses and arresting means for arresting the web in response to detection of an unevenness so as to produce said predetermined resistance to further ad Vance of the strip; and actuating means arranged to move said one printing member toward the other printing member in synchronism with said arresting device and to simul taneously operate said advancing means so that said printing members imprint the tape while the arresting device is effective to hold the strip against movement.

2. An apparatus for imprinting and dispensing comparatively stiff adhesive-coated labels carried by one side of a flexible carrier strip and forming therewith an elongated web provided With unevennesses spaced from each other longitudinally of the strip by distances at least substantially equal to the length of a label, comprising advancing means operative to effect intermittent advances of the web lengthwise through distances exceeding the distance between consecutive unevennesses and including a slip clutch arranged to yield in response to a predetermined resistance against further advance of the strip; a deflector adjacent to the other side of the strip at a point ahead of said advancing means and arranged to deflect the strip sufliciently to effect at least partial separation of labels from the one side of the strip; an imprinting device including a pair of normally spaced printing members located at a point ahead of said deflector at the opposite sides of the web, one of said printing members being movable toward the other printing member; an arresting device including a sensing member arranged to detect consecutive unevennesses in the web and means for arresting the web in response to detection of an unevenness so as to produce said predetermined resistance to (further advance of the strip; and actuating means arranged to move said one printing member toward the other printing member in synchronism with said arresting device and to simultaneously operate said advancing means so that said printing members imprint consecutive labels while the arresting device is effective to hold the strip against movement.

3. An apparatus for imprinting and dispensing comparatively stiff adhesive-coated labels carried by one side of a flexible carrier strip and forming therewith an elongated web. provided with unevennesses spaced from each other longitudinally of the strip by distances at least nearly equal to the length of a label, comprising advancing means operative to effect intermittent advances of the web lengthwise and including a pair of cooperating advancing rollers engaging the strip from the opposite sides thereof, one-way clutch means arranged to rotate one of said advancing rollers in a direction to advance the strip by a distance exceeding the distance between consecutive unevennesses, and a slip clutch normally connecting said oneway clutch means with said one advancing roller and arranged to disconnect said one advancing roller from said one-way clutch means in response to a predetermined resistance against frurther advance of the strip; a deflector adjacent to the other side of the strip at a point ahead of said advancing means and arranged to deflect the strip sufficiently to effect at least partial separation of labels from the other side of the strip; and imprinting device including a pair of normally spaced printing members located at a point ahead of said deflector and at the opposite sides of the Web, one of said printing members being movable toward the other printing member; an arresting device including a sensing member arranged to detect consecutive unevennesses in the web and means for arresting the web in response to detection of an unevenness so as to produce said predetermined resistance to further advance of the strip; and actuating means arranged to move said one printing member toward the other printing member in synchronism with said arresting device and to simultaneously operate said one way clutch means through an angle greater than necessary to advance the strip through a distance equal to the distance between consecutive unevennesses so that said slip clutch disconnects said one advancing roller from said one-way clutch means and the strip is held against further movement when said printing members imprint a label.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein the diameter of said one advancing roller exceeds substantially the diameter of said other advancing roller and wherein said other advancing roller is an idler roller.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said actuating means comprises a lever connected with said one printing member and movable between two spaced positions in one of which said one printing member is adjacent to and applies printed matter to a label, said lever comprising a motion transmitting portion engaging and rotating said one-way clutch means when the lever is moved to said one position.

6. An apparatus for imprinting and dispensing a comparatively stiff adhesive-coated tape carried by one side of a flexible carrier strip and forming therewith an elongated web provided with unevennesses which are spaced from each other longitudinally of the strip, comprising advancing means operative to effect intermittent advances of the web lengthwise through distances exceeding the distance between consecutive unevennesses and including a slip clutch arranged to yield in response to a predetermined resistance to further advance of the strip; a deflector adjacent to the other side of the strip at a point ahead of said advancing means and arranged to deflect the strip sufficiently to effect at least partial separation of tape from the other side of the strip; an imprinting device including a pair of normally spaced cooperating printing members located at a point ahead of said deflector and at the opposite sides of the web, one of said printing members being movable toward the other printing member; an arresting device including a rockable sensing member arranged to detect consecutive unevennesses, an arresting member rockable with said sensing member and arranged to arrest the web in response to detection of an unevenness so as to produce said predetermined resistance to further advance of the strip, a shaft rockably supporting said arresting member and said sensing member and extending transversely of the web, and resilient means arranged to oppose rocking of said sensing member in response to engagement with an unevenness when the web is in motion; and actuating means arranged to move said one printing member.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said unevennesses consist of protuberances provided in and extending beyond the exposed side of the tape, said arresting device further comprising a common supporting member rigid with said sensing member and said arresting member and rotatable about the axis of said shaft, said sensing member being substantially perpendicular to the web in detecting position thereof and said arresting member being substantially perpendicular to the web in arresting position thereof.

8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said arresting member is located ahead of said sensing member, as seen in the direction in which the web advances past said arresting device.

9. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said arresting device further comprises a cylinder, a second shaft parallel with said first shaft and rockably supporting said cylinder, a plunger biased by said resilient means and reciprocable in said cylinder, and a pair of stop means provided on said supporting member, one of said stop means being engaged by said plunger when the arresting member engages the web and the other stop means being engaged by said plunger when said sensing member extends into the path of said protuberances.

10. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said resilient means is a helical spring which automatically holds said plunger in engagement with one of said stop means.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, further comprising adjusting means for regulating the distance between said second shaft and the web.

12. An apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said actuating means is arranged to move said one printing member away from the other printing member and wherein said arresting device further comprises a rocking member connected with said cylinder and arranged to be engaged by said actuating means during movement of said one printing member away from the other printing member so as to move said plunger into engagement with said other stop means.

13. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, further comprising adjusting means for regulating the distance between said shaft and the web.

14. An apparatus as set forth in claim 13 further comprising housing means for said advancing means, said adjusting means comprising eccentric means rotatably journalled in said housing means and connected with said shaft so that the distance between said shaft and the web may be regulated by rotation of said eccentric means.

15. An apparatus as set forth in claim 6, further comprising abutment means for limiting rocking movements of said arresting member and said sensing member.

16. An apparatus for imprinting and dispensing comparatively stiff adhesive-coated labels carried by one side of a flexible carrier strip and forming therewith an elongated web provided with cutouts spaced from each other longitudinally of the strip by distances at least substantially equal to the length of a label, comprising advancing means operative to effect intermittent advances of the web lengthwise through distances exceeding the distances between consecutive cutouts and including a slip clutch arranged to yield in response to a predetermined resistance to further advance of the strip; a deflector adjacent to the other side of the strip at a point ahead of said advancing means and arranged to deflect the strip sufiiciently to effect separation of labels from the other side of the strip; an imprinting device including a pair of normally spaced printing members located at a point ahead of said deflector and at the opposite sides of the web, one of said printing members being movable toward the other printing member; an arresting device including a sensing member arranged to detect consecutive cutouts in said web and arresting means for arresting the web in response to detection of a cutout so as to produce said predetermined resistance to further advance of the strip; and actuating means arranged to move said one printing member toward the other printing member in synchronism with said arresting device and to simultaneously operate said advancing means so that said printing members imprint consecutive labels while the arresting device is effective to hold the strip against movement.

17. An apparatus as set forth in claim 16, wherein said arresting device further comprises a shaft extending transversely of the web, a supporting member rockable on said shaft, pivot means connecting said sensing member with said supporting member and located ahead of said shaft as seen in the direction in which the web advances past said arresting device, and resilient means arranged to bias said sensing member against the web so that a portion of the sensing member enters a cutout and rocks said supporting member when the web is advanced past said arresting device, said arresting means comprising an arresting member rigid with said supporting member and located past said sensing member.

18. An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, further comprising adjusting means for regulating the distance between said shaft and the Web.

19. An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, wherein said actuating means is arranged to move said one printing member away from said other printing member, said arresting device further comprising rocking means operatively connected with said supporting member and arranged to be rocked by said actuating means to withdraw said sensing member from a cutout in response to movement of said one printing member away from the other printing member.

'20. An apparatus as set forth in claim 19, wherein said rocking means comprises a second shaft parallel with said first shaft, a two-armed lever rockable about said second shaft and including a first arm extending into the path of said actuating means and a second arm articulately connected with said supporting member.

21. An apparatus as set forth in claim 17, further comprising a backing member located opposite said sensing member and said arresting member and arranged to cooperate with said arresting member to clamp the web when said supporting member is rocked by said sensing member.

22. An apparatus as set forth in claim 21, wherein said backing member is provided with a shoulder in the path of said sensing member when the sensing member extends through a cutout so that, on advance of the web past said arresting device, the sensing member descends along said shoulder and moves said arresting member in clamping engagement with the web.

23. An apparatus for imprinting and dispensing comparatively stiff adhesive-coated labels carried by one side of a flexible carrier strip and forming therewith an elongated web provided with unevennesses spaced from each other longitudinally of the strip by distances at least substantially equal to the length of a label, comprising advancing means operative to effect intermittent advances of the Web lengthwise through distances exceeding the distance between consecutive unevennesses and including a slip clutch arranged to yield in response to predetermined resistance to further advance of the strip; a deflector adjacent to the other side of the strip at a point ahead of said advancing means and arranged to deflect the strip sufiiciently to elfect at least partial separation of labels from the other side of the strip; an imprinting device including a pair of normally spaced printing members located at a point ahead of said deflector at the opposite sides of the web, one of said printing members being movable toward the other printing member; an arresting device including a sensing member arranged to detect consecutive unevennesses in the web and arresting means for arresting the Web in response to detection of an unevenness so as to produce said predetermined resistance to further advance of the strip; actuating means arranged to move said one printing member toward the other printing member in synchronism with said arresting device and to simultaneously operate said advancing means so that said printing members imprint consecutive labels While the arresting device is effective to hold the strip against movement; and a guide member located opposite said sensing member for flexing said web so as to separate the leading edge portions of consecutive labels from' the tape and into engagement with said sensing member whereby such leading edge portions constitute the unevennesses in the web.

24. An apparatus as set forth in claim 23, wherein said guide member is a roll and wherein said sensing member is a level rockable by gravity in engagement with that portion of the web which is trained around said roll, the tape of said web being located between the labels and the periphery of said roll so that the labels pass along said lever.

25. An apparatus for imprinting and dispensing comparatively stiff adhesive-coated labels carried by one side of a flexible carrier strip and forming therewith an elongated web provided with unevennesses spaced from each other longitudinally of the strip by distances at least substantially equal to the length of a label, comprising advancing means operative to effect intermittent advances of the web lengthwise through distances exceeding the distance between consecutive unevennesses and including a slip clutch arranged to yield in response to a predetermined resistance to further advance of the strip; 'a deflector adjacent to the other side of the strip at a point ahead of said advancing means and arranged to deflect the strip sufficiently to effect at least partial separation of labels from the other side of the strip; an imprinting device including a pair of normally spaced printing members located at a point ahead of said detector and at the opposite sides of the web, one of said printing members being movable toward the other printing member; an arresting device including a sensing member arranged to detect consecutive unevennesses and arresting means for arresting the web on a detection of an unevenness so as to produce said predetermined resistance to further advance of the strip; actuating means arranged to move said one printing member toward the other printing member in s-ynchronism with said arresting device and to simultaneously operate said advancing means so that said printing members imprint consecutive labels While the arresting device is effective to hold the strip against movement; and an adjustable guide roller provided for the web intermediate said arresting device and said imprinting device.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,522,224 9/1950 Hedinger 101288 2,689,525 9/1954 Anker et a1 101-292 2,696,784 12/1954 Geiler 101-292 DOUGLAS J. DRUMMOND, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. l01233; 156384

Claims

1. AN APPARATUS FOR IMPRINTING AND DISPENSING A COMPARATIVELY STIFF ADHESIVE-COATED TAPE CARRIED BY ONE SIDE OF A FLEXIBLE CARRIER STRIP AND FORMING THEREWITH AN ELONGATED WEB PROVIDED WITH UNEVENNESSES WHICH ARE SPACED FROM EACH OTHER LONGITUDINALLY OF THE STRIP, COMPRISING ADVANCING MEANS OPERATIVE TO EFFECT INTERMITTENT ADVANCES OF THE WEB LENGTHWISE THROUGH DISTANCES EXCEEDING THE DISTANCE BETWEEN CONSECUTIVE UNEVENNESSES AND INCLUDING A SLIP CLUTCH ARRANGED TO YIELD IN RESPONSE TO A PREDETERMINED RESISTANCE TO FURTHER ADVANCE OF THE STRIP; A DEFLECTOR ADJACENT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STRIP AT A POINT AHEAD OF SAID ADVANCING MEANS AND ARRANGED TO DEFLECT THE STRIP SUFFICIENTLY TO EFFECT AT LEAST PARTIAL SEPARATION OF TAPE FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STRIP; AN IMPRINTING DEVICE INCLUDING A PAIR OF NORMALLY SPACED OPERATING PRINTING MEMBERS LOCATED AT A POINT AHEAD OF SAID DEFLECTOR AND AT THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE WEB, ONE OF SAID PRINTING MEMBERS BEING MOVABLE TOWARD THE OTHER PRINTING MEMBER; AN ARRESTING DEVICE INCLUDING A SENSING MEMBER ARRANGED TO DETECT CONSECUTIVE UNEVENNESSES AND ARRESTING MEANS FOR ARRESTING THE WEB IN RESPONSE TO DETECTION OF AN UNEVENNESSES SO AS