CA1329921C - Support element for the followers of a cam drive of a drive mechanism and a labelling station equipped with a support element - Google Patents

Abstract

VIBRATION DAMPING SLUGS IN A SOUND TRANSMISSION ENHANCED CAM CONTROLLED LABELLING MACHINE Support element for followers of a cam drive mechanism which is used to drive extracting elements in a labelling station. The support element comprises an outer body designed for the insertion of followers, and an inner body located within the outer body and out of direct contact with it. The outer body has radially inwardly-directed claws and the inner body has radially outwardly directed claws which lie between the inwardly-directed claws. The space between the two bodies is filled with an insert of elastic material. The outer body is decoupled from the inner body by the elastic insert.

Description

` 1 329921 NHL-HOL-07 Canada VIBRATION DAMPING SLUGS IN A SOUND TRANSMISSION
ENHANCED CAM CONTROLLED LABELLING MACHINE

CROSS REF~RENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application discloses embodiments claimed in related Canadian Patent Application Nos. 596,125 and 596,127.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of_the Invention:
This invention relates to a labelling machine for objects, in particular bottles, with several operating stations located behind one another along a track. The operating stations include an adhesive application apparatus, a label supply box and a label transfer cylinder. The machine includes at least one extracting element for the labels which is mounted so that it can rotate on a rotating support and move past the stations during each rotation of the support. The extracting element has an outwardly-curved receptacle surface for the label which rolls along the stations.
The drive for each extracting element is a cam drive, which com-prises common, stationary double cam discs for all the extracting elements. The cams are located on one side in two planes with one above and at some distance from the other. Two sets of followers are mounted on an extracting element drive shaft or on a bearing shaft coupled with it by means of a support element. The followers cooperate with the two cams to produce positive movement of each extracting element over its entire revolution when the support rotates.
The invention also relates to a support element for the followers of a cam drive mechanism and, more particularly, to a drive mechanism for a label extracting element in a labelling machine.
Still further, the invention relates to a labelling station of a labelling machine or containers, such as bottles, with a support table which can be driven b~ a central drive shaft. The table support has at least one extracting element which has a curved receptacle and i8 mounted so that it can rotate in the machine frame. When the table rotates, the extracting element rotates or .. - , 1 .

32 9q 21 NHL-~OL-07 Canada pivots around its own aYis and is moved along a closed track past stations for the application of adhesive to the receptacle surface and for the storage or transfer of the labels. Each extracting element is rotated or pivoted by a cam transmission which, in turn, is moved by a cam disc which is mounted on the machine frame and which is common for all of the extracting elements.

2. Description of the Prior Art:
The prior art includes various cam-controlled drive mechanisms to turn the extracting elements in labelling machines at the vari~
ous stations in the same direction over their entire orbit. The extracting elements may turn at different angular velocities at different locations during the turning thereof.
In one drive system of the prior art as disclosed in German Patent No. 24 36 003 P2, the extracting elements are always driven by a pair of lever arms, which are guided with a follower in a closed grooved cam. The partly-overlapping grooved cams are in different planes for a clear guidance of the lever arms. Because of the guidance of each follower on two flanks of the corresponding grooved cam, each follower is clearly guided. The grooved cams are configured so that the one follower is under torque when the other follower is in an idle position. It does not appear that such a dri~e mechanism, however, has been realized in actual practice.
Nor, it seems, has it been possible to realize in actual practice another drive mechanism for a labelling machine of the type described in German Patent Publication Published for Opposi-tion Purposes No. 27 09 521 Al. In this latter drive ~echanism, there are two cam discs with cams having outside surfaces which are located in two planes, one above the other. For each cam, there is a set of two followers. The two pairs of followers are offset on the upper and lower side of a disc by 90 degrees in relation to one another. The disc is supported by a bearing shaft which extends to the plane between the cam discs. It cannot be determined from the FA

~ NHI.-HOL-07 Canada 1 32q921 teaching of this pr:ior art: de~/i(e whether precauti~nsc-, have been taken to ensl1re a collislon-free passa~e of the bearing shaft in the outside rcadial areas of the cam ~ls~ ce11t to the bearing shaft. Still further, the two pfl;rs of followers are located at the same radial distance (samf lever arm length) from the bearing shaft of the support element. It also cannot he determined whether particular prec~lltions have been taken for a cornpact design of the drive mechanism iTI which there is the most iavorable ~oc.s;.hle distribution o-f the load on the drive system at the various .sta-tions.
A labelling machine of the general type described above h~s been disclosed in United States P~1t~nt No. 4,298,422 an~ c~lt1-.~s anotller ~Iri~re m~hanism, how~ver, ~hi.cl1 nI)pears ~o have been used in actual practice. In ~hi.s labelling ma.chin~, the cam drive mechanism is designed n.s ~ ntern ge~r transmiss-i-)t1 I.ncllldirlg two sets o~ lantern gear teeth whi.ch ~re located on the inside of the double cam disc deslgned as a rlng-sha~ed body. A support elem~nt supports one set of the ~o1lowe1:s designed as lantern wheels on its two si~es and is located between the two lantern ge~.rs on the end of the ~own~7ar~.l'y extending drive shaft of the extracting ~lement.
So that a collision-free passage of the drive sha~t along t:he lal1tern gear on the sha~t side i~ pos~ille, the points of the teeth of the lantern gear are cut off.
With such a drive mechanism, of course, a non-11niform rotation of the extracti11g elements can be achieved, but t11~ cost and complexity of the lantern gear transmission would be signiflciln~.
~ further disadvantage includes the radicll diameter of the l~ntern gears not being very compact becallse of the minimum width of the in~ividual teeth.
Existing l~hel1.ing machines comprise a series of in~erc~onrlec~e~]
parts which employ a thin insert oi' elastlc material at the junc-tl~n of the part,s to rec11lce mec11anical rloise. Such machines 1 3 2 9 9 2 1 NHL-HOL-07 Canada include a labelling station in which an extracting element is employed to apply adhesive to the labels and transfer the labels to containers. The extracting element is driven by means of a lantern gear transmission which includes an annular body having two internal lantern gears and two lantern wheels engaged with the lantern gears which are located on the opposite side of a support and act as followers to damp noise and compensate for part tolerance. See, for example, United States Patent No. 4,298,422.
Each follower is equipped with an insert designed to allow for the damping of noise and compensation of tolerances. The insert is in the form of a bushing interposed between the inner bearing and the outer running surface of a roller, with which each lantern wheel is equipped. The employment of such an insert in a cam drive mechanism is not practical, because of the high load exerted on the rollers, which are mounted on the followers, due to the small surface area of the insert. This is especially true if only a few rollers, for example, two, are employed.
Since the insert is constructed as thin as possible to achieve a precise guidance, large loads can reduce or entirely eliminate the damping action, because the bearing and the running surface come in direct contact with one another. Moreover, any eccentric-ity which occurs due to load will reduce the desired precise rotational movement of the extracting element.
~ t is not uncommon for prior art labelling stations, in which the extracting elements are located above a support table and are mounted on a shaft in bearings in the support table, to employ a hollow central shaft through which a central drive shaft runs and on which the table is mounted. The hollow drive shaft and a tension element running through it extend through an opening located in the base plate of the machine frame to below the base ~A

NHL-HOL-07 Canada 1 32~921 plate, where the coupling between the drive and the drive shaft is located. By activating the tension element, the coupling can be axially retracted, so that the drive shaft can be uncoupled from the drive. When uncoupled, the support table can then be realigned by rotating it. Such a realignment is used during format changes of containers or labels to center the labels on the containers.
See, for example, German Patent No. 2,435,540 B2.
Such labelling stations have the disadvantage that a great deal of space is required for the mounting of the table on the hollow shaft of the machine fra~e. An additional disadvantage is that access to the coupling is located underneath the base plate of the machine frame and is extremely difficult to reach. When adjusting the degree of rotation during realignment it is useful to be able to check the degree of rotation if the service personnel can get to the coupling without a great deal of effort.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a labelling machine of the type generally described above, in which the extract-ing elements are generally turned in the same direction throughout their orbits by the various operating stations.
It is another object to provide such a labelling machine which includes a simpler drive mechanism.
It is a further object to provide such a labelling machine including features which also make possible a compact structure.
It is an object in a more detailed form of this invention to provide a labelling machine of the type generally described above with a simple and compact drive mechanism, in which the favorable `. h 1 32qq21 NHL-HOL-07 Canada loading of the drive mechanism is possible, taking into considera-tion the different angular velocities at the individual stations.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a support element for a cam follower with improved damping action and preci-sion of guidance.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a label-ling station which has a compact construction and on which it is possible to rotate and realign the support table without a great deal of effort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects of the invention are provided by a preferred labelling machine of the type described above, in which the drive or bearing shaft ends prior to reaching the plane in which the first, upper cam lies. The followers, which correspond to the other, second cam, are mounted on a bridge element disposed between the two cams. The bridge element is supported by spacer elements mounted on the support element, which lie outside the area being covered by the motion of the first cam. It is particularly advantageous if the followers, which are already present, also comprise the spacer elements.
The preferred labelling statlon in accordance with the inven-tion can be executed in a compact structure and with a simple configuration of the cams, because both cams with their actuators can extend into the area of the drive or bearing shaft of the followers. To be able to execute a full revolution, there is no longer any need to have a lantern gear with a plurality of teeth.
Instead, a comparatively simple pair of cam discs and corresponding sets of followers will suffice. For example, it is sufficient for each set to include two followers which are located opposite one another in relation to the axis of the drive or bearing shaft. The followers of the other set are rotationally offset by 90 degrees.
The cam discs required in this case for the rotation of the ' A

1 3 2 9 ~ 2 1 NHI,-HOL-07 Canada extraction elemf?nt during its movement along the three stations have a continuous contour ~hich i.s c~pproximate.ly in the shape c,f an ellipse indented in thf? t~entel- region of bo-th sides. Such a contour is significantly less cornpllcrltet1 tha,n that of a lrlntern gear.
The free space Lor the first cam extendir1g.in.t,t- the v;.cinity of the axis of tlLe drive or bearing shaf:t i.5 realized i.n one emhodi,ment of the invention whictl incl~ldes the use of a bridge element. The follo~7ers are pivotr~lly supportetl. The br,dge element is supportt?tl on it.s one side by ~the pivotal sup7ports ior the followers correspondi.ng to the flrst cam and, on its other side, supports tlle pivotal supT)ol~s .~or the followers correcpt)n(l:ing to the second cam. Prf?fercah].y, t:ht.~ ,.ollowers are rollers whic11 ar~
mounted on pivots so that they can rotrltc.
To damp noises on the one h.~ntl and to compensate for toler-'an'ces on tI~e othf.?r hr~ntl1 for labelling machi.rLt?sc~ of the type describ- ed above, tht,? prior art device di.scussed ahove includes an insert made of elastic damping materj.al in the rollers of t.he lanterrl wheels. Such a damping i.s nor or)tirQal for the ca1n drive mechanism in accordance with the present'inventlon 7r)ecal1se the load of the follower roltt?rs mounted on pivots would be too great bt?crttlst? of the small sur:~r1ce area of the elastic insert. 1~hile'ir1 ~he prior art, at least two rollers are simt1ltaneollsly engaged, in the present invention, if there are only four followers, there are phases in whlch only one follower of each se.t is engc,Lgt?tl wi~h a cam. The load on the one follt~wer is correspon~-:ngly large.
Because of the very thi.n insert., r.ecessary ror reasons of precise guldance, such a high load could mean that the tlampl.ng action ls entirely lost. In addition, with the damping exerted indlvi(ll1Allv Otl each follo~er, an eccentricity of the indivi(lunl fol.ltwer ~7hl.ch coult~ tccur urlder load would have a negative t!fl-C?('t Ot- t'h-? dt?S;.red precise rotationAl movement of the extraction elernen~.
;7 NHI.-HOL-07 Canada ` 1 329921 To ~?liminate these disadvclrltagt.~s on on- hflnd and to sti]].
provlde a tlamping on the other h;-1nd, in an ad~!i.tional configuration of the invenL-ion, the pr:in1ary support element of t-he two stt. of followers consists of an outer hodY supporting 1-he followers and an inner body connected to it by mean.s of ?n insert mclde of elastic damping material. The two bodi.~.~s are ~ositivelY connecte.tl to one another in the vlcinitv of the insel^t by means of radially oriented claws or fin~ers. In this embodiment of the ln~rention, the geomet-ric orientatit)n of the followers in relation to one~ another i.s rigid. As a result, they can only be displaced ec-e-ntrlca11y on the shaft together, as a unit.' ~ or a precise rotational mov(r.lerlt, ~hi.~ ~ype of displacement is less detrimental than w-i1Jl(1 b~: L:h~ indiviclua'l t~isplclcer~ ; o.r the follower~, 4ince the engagement. r(~l.atiotlshirs het.~!een the followers flnd the cams remain essentially constc1nt and 1mchanged. ~.
Instead of decoupling the ~o'l'lowers from each other, it l.
also possible for the support elcment .snppt.~rting the followers ~o consist of an outside body supportln~ a ~1rive pinion for the drive shaft and an inner bod~J which i.s connected wl-th tht~ outsl~1t? bo~y by means o-F an lnsert ma~1t~ of elastlc damplng mattrj.al. T11t-` two bodie.s are engaged with c?re anot:her in a positive manner in the ViCillity of the insert by means of radi.~lJ.v-oriented claws or finger.s.
- In accordance with an additional ermbot1i~t.~nt of the invention, the double cam ~lsc h~ving outslde cam surfaces is lc.ca~e.tl insi-1e the orbit of the ~ollowers and is rigidly connecte(l bv me~.rs of suppor~ bri~e located in the machine frame below the foIlowers.
~ he special design of the c~m drlve mechaDism makes possible a geometry which results not only in a eompact construction, b11t also in an optim~ istribution of the lofld on t1~e cams. In t'hls sçnse, and in accor~1ance wlth one embodiment of the lnventlon, t~o extreme points of the two car1s guidi.n~ the followers li.e ;.n the secLor NHI,-HOL-07 Canada between the gripper c~llinder and the adhesive application roller.
Each of another extreme point in the sector lie.s ~etween the gri.pper cylinder and the label bo~ and between the label box ancl the adhesive application roller. Preferabl~7~ at least one of the extreme poi.nts lies outside the midpoint track of the sul~port element of the followers.
In accordance with another geometric embodiment of the i,nven tion, when there is a transmission mechanism in the form of the cam located between the drive shaft of the extrnct~on element and the support element, when the axis of the drive shaft of the e~tracting element is out~ide the path of the midpoint of the support element, and when the center position of the extractor e],ement is ali~ned with and in front of the l~hel ho~, one pair of fo'llower~ has bot}-~followers engaged with the carn. In thi~ embodiment, both fo'J,lowerG
o the ollower pair already have a load-bearing function, even though one of the two followers is about to lo~e its load-beariIlg function.
It is an addlti,onal advantage for the compact cons-truction if the ratio of the ~adius of the track of the midpoint of the support element to the radius of the orblt oi the followers on the support element is approximately 3 to 1.
Finallv, it also turns out to be advantageous if the non-load-bearing cam tracks described by the ollowers lie, for tlle most part, inside the track of the midpoint of the drive ~shaft Gf the extracting element.
The requlrements for a compact structure, smooth operation and long service life, taking into consideration the deceleration and acceleration of the extracting elements imparted b~J the outside sur~aces of the cams, can be opti~i7e~! b~J additional geometric relationships o~ the çaln drive mechanism and the po.sition o~ the individual component~;.

1 3 2 q 9 2 1 NHI-HOL-07 Canada For this purpose, the ertreme points on one of the two cams respectively lie on a rsy or line which emanates f~om the support midpoint. The two rays or lines enclose an obtuse angle. Teeth or junctions formed in ~he overla~ring ~reas of the two out.side cam~"
with which the followers of both 9e~s interact simultaneously, include a pair of narrower teeth which lie wlthin the obtuse angle.
Preferab].v this obtuse angle is between about 120 degree.s an~
about 160 degrees and, in particular, could be about 140 degrees.
Moreover, the extreme points of ~he other cam preferably lie at least approximately on a stralgllt l.i.ne which runs generally throllgl or near the mid-point of the s~lrrort.
Wi.th a labelling machine desiy,lled a.t; (:le.scrihed above, it i~s guaranteed thflt., ;~n ad(lit::io1l ~o a compact struct:ure or the extrac-tion elementc" i-~ h~9 an optimal drive mechanism, becatlse the followers are optimally guided by the outside cam.s over the entire eircumference in order to p~oduc~ the required rotational movement.
The outside sur~aces of the cams are conigured so that thev are distribllted as optimallv a~, poss~.hle for the forces required for acceleration which is needed for the rotational nlovements re~luired at the indivislucll ststlons. Thus it is poss;ble in the context of the invention to configure each c~m so ths.t the angular velocity of each extraction element rea~.hes a maximum only in the roll-of~ area o the stations and a minimllm onlv in tll~ intermediate areas between them. The maxima and minima shoul-l preferably lie in the middl.e of fl ~oll-off area or an intermediate area The minir.lum angular velocity in t~le intermediate areas should bf' less then one-half the maximum angular velocity in the roll-off area~. If the angular velocity is at a maxirlum in the vicinity of the gripper cylinder, a motion can be nchieved whlch avors ~h~ loo~;ening of the label from the ~hesi.ve surface of the extraction element.
Preferahly, the outside surfaces of the cams are designed so thcl~ in the intermedia~e areas, the rotational movement wh:ich ].0 NHL-HOL-07 Canada ' 1 32qq21 begins in the roll-off areas is continued, but with a different angular velocity. As a result, the extraction element arrives at the next station in the correct angular position without the need for extreme accelerations or decelerations in this intermediate area. As a result it is possible to reduce the velocity to 0 or even beyond 0 to produce a reverse rotfltion.
In accordance with an additional embodiment of the invention, the distance between the contact points of the followers on the flanks of one of the narrow teeth or junction formed by the over-lapping regions of the two cams is about 30% to about 40% less than the corresponding distance for one of the wide teeth or junctions.
In such a situation, the connecting line running through the mid-point of the followers in contact with the tooth or junction is perpendicular to the radial ray or line emanating from the mid-point of the support and running through the point of the tooth or junction.
Additional characteristics to optimize the geometr~ can in-clude the fact that the extreme points of the outside surfaces of the two cams generally lie on a circle around the center of the support. Still further, the points of the teeth or junctions formed by the overlapping areas of the cams lie inside the circle for the extreme points and are located at different radial dis-tances from the mid-point of the circle or the support. The radial distances between the mid-point and the points of the narrow teeth are approximately equal to each other while the radial distances between the mid-point and the points of the wide teeth are approxi-mately equal to each other. However, the radial distance between the mid-point and each of the points of the narrow teeth is greater than the distance between the mid-point and each of the points of the wide teeth.
The objects of the more detailed orrn of the invention are provided in a preferred labelling machine in which the axes of all A

NHI.-HOL-07 Canada ~ t329921 the ~ollowers lie inside a moving eq~livalent cam surface of the cam drive mechanism and at lenst one fo].lower, and preferably all the followers. include portions whicll lie partly outside a moving equivalent c~m surface. With regard to the comp~ct structure of the drive un~er load, it is particularly favorable if SOlQe of the followers are offset from one anothér by an an~le whic?;l .s not equal to 90 degrees and have l~ver arms of. lifferent lengths. With this configuration, it is adv~ntag~ous for a favorable distriblltion of the load on the individual followers, taking into cons.i.deration the different lengths of their lever arms if two followers with large lever arms or if two followers with small lever arm~ and one followers witl-l a l~rgc lever arm are en~aged with the cams.
Taking into acco~m~ t,he difreretlt requirements set for the individual stations, the geoTnetric rel~ltionshi??.r. of th.e followers should be selecte-l itl r~articular SO that the fo'llowing engagement alternatives are available:
a) With the adhesive applioati,on roller, two fo].lowers with small lever arms are er.gagcd for transmitting torque and one follower with a large lever arm is supporting from the other side.
b) With the label box, one follower with a large ].ever arm is engaged for transmitting torqtle and one follower with a large lever arm is supporting from the other side.
c) With the label transTnission cy]i.nder, one follower with a large lever arm is eng~,ged ~or t:rdIIsmitting torque and two follow-ers with small lever arms are supporting fr.om the o~her si.de.
The coniguratiorls guarantee that witll a compact esign of the labelling machine, the extracting element is not only precisely guided at each point, but ~bove nll, the load is distributed as favorably as poqsible over all the elements bei.ng driven. If there is only one follower transmitting torque, it is preferably one with a large lever Arm~ Tf there ~re two followerr, transl!lit:ting torque, they are preferablv followers with the small lever arms. It i.s oE

NHl.-HOL-07 Canada ~l 1 329921 particular advantage, there~ore, for the two fo~ lowers with small lever arms ~o ~ransmit ~or~ue to the adhesive appliccl~iorl roller, where, because of the required high acce]eration itl the rotation of the extracting elernent, t:h- ~reatest torque must be applied.
With regard to a minim-~.atloJ- of the forces involved, it i.
also advantageolls if the follower with a large lever flrm transmitt-in~ tor~ue to ~he l~bel box corresponds to -the cam lying closer to the drive or benrlnx sha~t. -~
In accordance with another conf gllration, each set of follow ers should include one follower with a long lever arm and an opposite follower wi~h a short lever arm.
Other geometr:Lc :~efltures of the invention include the fact that the radiu~ o tlle orhit o~ ~he b~arin~ shaft i9 less ~han l:he radius of the orbit of the ~lrive sha.t o~ ~he extrac~ing element, ancl that the axes of the followers or drive elements lie within the movin~ e~u~valent cam surface of the cam drive mechanism.
The compact design achievecl by means of the invention can be realized with a transmission ~ranslat:ion ratio between the dri~7e shaft an~ the bearing shaft together with a sturdy construction of the drive mechanism in one embodiment, in which .at least one ~f the outer periphery of the followers with a long lever arm is tangent to or proje:cts beyond the arc of the gear wheel located on the bearing shaft. If the followers inclu~e rollers mounted on hearing pins, as in the prior art, the bearing pins located closest to the bearing shaft should be integrally cormected to ~he suppor~ ele-ment, which sl1pports the gear wheel on a radially recessed projec-tion. The re.sult in this configuration, even for t.he foll.o~?ers with a large lever arm, is a sturdy connection with the support element.
One object is accomplished ill accordance with the invention in that the support element include~s ~n outer bod:y and an in~er body located withi.n, but not directly touching -the ou~er body. The 1 3 2 ~ 9 2 1 NH~-H0L-07 Canada outer body has claws whic~l project, rfldially inwardly and the inner body has claws which pro,ject radi.~lly outwardly and lie between the inwardly-directed claw~s of the outer body. The spacf,~ bftweell the inner and outer b~die~s is filled with an insert madc of elastic material. One or more cam follower~c flre positiorted on the claws of the outer body.
The support element ic, able to transmit high torques without precise guidance being adverselv affccte(l since the claws of the inner and outer bodies are form fitted. ~he claws of the out~r body provide ]arge radial support surfaces. The large support`
surfaces allow the insert to be constructed relativelv thin without the loss of the damping action due to overloadlng. .Since the support element, itself, employs ~I danlping insert made of elcls~ ie material, the individual ollowcrr, no longer need to have ~leh a~n insert. This provides the advantage that all of t~e followers may be rigidly mounted on the outer bodv. Consequently, the followers can be moved only ns a unit, eccentricallY ~n a shaft, which aids in the precise guidance of the support e,lemfnt dllring the rotation-al movement.
In one embodiment of the invention, the spaces adjacent the claws of the outer body are cl~sed by an end wall and the elastic insert is positioned between this end wall and the end suraces ~f the claws of the inner body. The result is not only a good support in the axial direction, but also,an improvement o, the angular rigidity.
To improve the level of precision of guidance in the ra~;al direction, annular surfaces may be provided to ~xtend between the two bodies and the elastic'insert may be positioned between th~se surfaces. Preferably, two rlnnular surfaces ma:y be f~rmed by sleeve-shaped pro,jections which are relatively coaxially posi-tioned. Prefernl)l~y, the annular sllr~acecs ~al;e the transition gradually in~o ~he surEaces o the outer body and the spaces 'l,vjllg l4 NH~-HO~-07 Canada between the claws of the inner body. As a result of this embodi-ment, there is continuous support in the vicinity of the followers which extends over the entire axial length of the outer and inner bodies and the sleeve-shaped projections, including the elastic insert.
There may be several radial recesses in the inner and outer bodies which are filled with slugs of elas~ic material connected with the elastic insert to improve axial security. Preferably, the recesses are located on the outside circumference of the support elements. It is also advantageous if the recesses are aligned with one another in pairs.
The support element can transmit torque to the extracting element in various ways. It is p4ssible, for example, to transmit the torque from the support element directly to the drive shaft of the extracting element on which the support element i~ positioned.
However, it is also possible to have the support element positioned on a bearing shaft, and to transmit the torque by means of a 'i transmission attached to the shaft of the extracting element. In this case, the outer body can support a drive pinion. In this embodi~ent, therefore, the drive pinion is also decoupled from the bearing shaft mounted in the machine frame.
rhe support element is suitable not only for followers engaged with it by means of a short lever arm, but al~o for followers which are eDgaged with it by means of a long lever arm, due to the precise guidance and good damping action provided. Therefore, it is possible to, optionally, equip the support element with follow-ers located in one or two planes.
In another embodimer.t, the invention is suitable ~or use in a labelling station for objects such as bottles. Several stations may be positioned serially along a track. Such stations may include adhesive appli~ation apparatus and label transfer appara-tus. ~ least one extracting element for the labels would be 1 3299~1 NHL-HOL-07 Canada mounted so that it can rotate on a rotating support and be moved past the stations during each rotation of the support. The ex-tracting element, preferably, has an outwardly-curved receptacle surface which rolls over the top label in the label feed station and over the other stations. The drive for each extracting element is, preferably, a cam drive, which comprises common, stationary double cams for all the extracting elements and one or more inter-acting followers. The followers are mounted, preferably on a bear-ing shaft through the employment of a support element although they might also be positioned on other members such as the drive shaft.
This provides the rotational movement of each extracting element when the support rotates.
In such a labelling machine, the drive shaft ends in front of the plane of the followers and the support element is equipped with a single follower which is engaged in a double cam such as a groove. Alternatively, it can be equipped with two followers which are approximately diametrically opposite one another in relation to the axis of the drive shaft. A support bridge element, preferably, is located between the first cam and a second cam and supports followers which interact with the second cam. The followers of the second cam are offset by approximately 90 degrees from the follow-ers of the first cam.
Such labelling stations, which in one embodiment employ a grooved cam for a pivoting motion of the extracting elements and in another embodiment employs two one-sided cams for rotation of the extracting element, guarantee a precise guidance since ? even with long lever arms, high torques can be absorbed on account of the thin elastic insert and large support surface, without having the ou~er body exert any undesirable high pressure against the inner body.
Also provided is a support element for a cam fo]lower which includes an outer body member having a plurality of radially 1 t~?

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~H~-HOL-07 Canada ', ~ 1 3~q~1 inwardly projecting claws for the mounting of a cam follower thereon, an inner body member for being operatively associated with the outer body member with the inner body member having a plurality of radially inwardly projecting claws for the mounting of a cam follower thereon, an inner body member for being operatively associated with outer body member with the inner body member having a plurality of radially outwardly projecting claws corresponding to the radially inwardly projecting claws of the outer body member "with the inner body member and the outer body member being out of direct contact with one another. Dampening apparatus is provided for being interposed between and being in direct contact with the outer body member and the inner body member, whereby noise applied to the outer body member wil'l be dampened before reflching the inner body member.
Further provided is a machine for applying a label to an object which includes a camming surface defining a closed path with three sequentially arranged locations positioned adjacent the perimeter of the path, adhesive supply apparatus positioned at a first of the sequentially arranged locations for supplying adhesive for the label, a label supply appflratus positioned at a second of the sequentially arranged locations for supplying the label, applicator apparatus positioned at a third of the sequentially arranged locations for receiving the label and applying it to the object and extracting apparatus adapted to move about the closed path for sequentially receiving adhesive from the adhesive supply means, simultaneously applying the adhesive to the label and removing the label from the label supply apparatus, and'supplying the label to the applicator apparatus. Support apparatus'is provided,having at least one mechanically attached cam follower which is adapted to follow the camming surface about the closed' path and which is attached to the extracting appara-tus for moving the extracting apparatus about ~he closed path. Drive flpparatus is ~Hl-HOL-~7 Canada ''` 1 329q21 connected to the support apparatus for moving the extracting apparatus about the path. The support apparatus includes an outer body member having a plurality of radially inwardly projecting claws for the mounting of the cam follower thereon, an inner body member connected to the drive apparatus for being operatively associated with the outer body member with the inner body member having a plurality of radially ou~wardly projecting claws corre-sponding to the radially inwardly projecting claws of the outer body member with the inner body member ancl the outer body member being out of direct contact with one another. Dampening apparatus is provided for being interposed between and in direct contact with the outer body member and tlle inner body member.
~ urther provided is a support element for a cam ollower which includes a first member for the mounting o~ a cam follower thereon and a second member for being operatively and out of direct contact with the firs~ member. Dampening apparatus is positioned between and in direct contact with the first member and the second member, whereby noise applied to thè first member from the cam follower will be dampened before reaching the second member.
Another object is accomplished in accordance with the inven-tion by means of a labelling station, similar to the type described above, in which the mounting of the support in the machine frame is located exclusively on the outer edge of the support table.
With this design, a central hollow shaft for the machine ~rame is no longer necessary, because the mounting is exclusively on the outer edge of the support table. This allows the entire radial space up to the central drive shaft to be used for the installation of the transmission and, particularly, for the transmission parts which are engaged. This results in a compactly designed labelling station. The mounting, which is exclusively on the outslde of the table, results in a very rigid mounting in contrast to the recom-mendations o~ the prior art whereby, in addition to a central NHL-HOL-07 Canada 1 3~q~l mounting, there were also external auxiliary bearings in the form of supports. Play, which occurs with the external mounting, has a less pronounced effect than corresponding play in those machines which provide support by the central axis. Finally, the present invention provides a labelling st~tion with drives which can be completely installed when the cover plate and housing are removed.
That represents an increase in serviceability.
The advantage of eliminating the central bearing axis and the hollow shaft of the support also creates free space for the instal-lation of the coupling immediately underneath the cover plate. In one embodiment of the invention, the coupling is positioned around the drive shaft and the support is inside a central space, de-scribed by the orbit of the transmission between the cover plate and the parts of the transmission.
In another embodiment of the invention, a bumper extends through a hollow drive shaft and is connected to the drive shaft so that it can be displaced axially but not rotationally.
A spring-loaded aY~ially retractable coupling half is fastened to the bumper, with one end which projects out of the support table and which, together with the adjacent portion of the support table, has alignment marks.
In this embodi~ent o the invention and in contrast to the prior art, the coupling which remains in connection with the drive is raised up above the support table. A second coupling half is connected to the table and engages the first coupling half. The degree of misalignment of the support table in relation to the drive, thereby, can be read. The spring loading of the coupling guarantees that, after adjustment, the two coupling halves engage automatically.
It is advantageous for alignment if, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the coupling halves are NHL-HOL-07 Canada " 1 32q~2~
engaged with one another by means of spur gear teeth, the spacing of which coincides wlth the spacing of the alignment marks on the upper cover plate.
Also provided is a mounting for the support table of the labelling machine which includes a frame~ a support table which is rotatably attached to the frame, a drive shaft coupled to the support table and a label extractor movably positioned adjacent the support table which includes support table mounting apparatus attached to the frame and positioned adjacent to and in movable contac~ exclusively with the perimeter of the support table for supporting the support table and allowing relative rotational movement of the support table with respect to the frame.
One aspect of the invention resides broadly in a support element for cam followers comprising: an outer body member having at least one radially inwardly projecting claw; said outer body member for the mounting of a cam follower thereon; an inner body member for being operatively associated with said outer body member;
said inner body member having first and second radially outwardly projecting claws corresponding to said at least one radially in-wardly projecting claw of said outer body member; said inner body member and said outer body member being out of direct contact with one another; dampening means for being interposed between and in direct contact with said outer body ~ember and said inner body member; said dampening means being an elastic material; said first .
and second radially outwardly projecting claws of said inner body member being relatively positioned to define a cavity therebetween;
said at least one radially inwardly projecting claw of said outer body member being positioned within said cavity and between said first and second radially outwardly projecting claws of said inner body member; said elastic material for absorbing at least radial forces between said inner body member and said outer body member to dampen noise applied to said o~ter body member before the noise NHL-HO~-07 Canada 1` 1 329~21 reaches said inner body member; and said outer body member and said inner body member defining a plurali~y of radial recesses which are filled with a slug of elastic material.
Another aspec~ of the invention resides broadly in a machine for applying a label to an object comprising: camming surface means defining a closed path with three sequentially arranged locations positioned adjacent the perimeter of said path; adhesive supply means positioned at a first of said sequentially arranged locations for supplying adhesive for the label; label supply means positioned at a second of said sequentially arranged locations for supplying the label; applicator means positioned at a third of said sequentially arranged locations for receiving the label and applying it to the object; extracting means adapted to move about said closed path for sequentially receiving adhesive from said adhesive supply means, simultaneously applying the adhesive to the label and remov-ing the label from said label supply means, and supplying the label to the applicator means, support means having at least one mechan ically attached cam follower which is adapted to follow said camming surface about said closed path and which is attached to said extracting means for moving said extracting means about said closed path; and drive means connected to said support means for moving said extracting means about said path; said support means comprising: an outer body member having at least one radially inwardly projecting claw; said outer body member for the mounting of said cam follower thereon; an inner body member for being connected to said drive means and for being operatively associated with said outer body member; said inner body member having first and second radially outwardly projecting claws corresponding to said at least one radially inwardly projecting claw of said outer body member; said inner body member and said outer body member being out of direct contact with one another; dampening means for being interposed between and in direct contact with said outer body .~

1 32q 9 2l NHL-HOL-07 Canada member and said inner body member; said dampening means being an elastic material; said first and second radially outwardly pro-jecting claws of said inner body member being relatively positioned to define a cavity therebetween; said at least one radially in-wardly projecting claw of said outer body member being positioned within said cavity and between said first and second radially out-wardly projecting claws of said inner body member; said elastic material for absorbing at least radial forces between said inner body member and said outer body member to dampen noise applied to said outer body member before the noise reaches said inner body member; and said outer body member and said inner body member defining a plurality of radial recesses which are filled with a slug of elastic material.
Yet another aspect of the invention resides broadly in a support element for a cam follower comprising: a first member for the mounting of a cam follower thereon; a second member for being 21a ~r - '"

NHL-HOL-07 Canada 1 32q921 operatively associated with and out of direct contact with said first member; dampening means positioned between and in direct contact with said first member and said second member; said dampen-ing means being elastic material means; said irst member comprising first and second radially inwardly projecting claws; said second member comprising first and second radially outwardly projecting claws; said first and second radially inwardly projecting claws of said first member defining a first cavity therebetween; said irst and second radially outwardly projecting claws of said second member defining a second cavity therebetween; wherein one of said first and second radially inwardly projecting claws of said first member is positioned within said second cavity and between said first and second radially outwardly projecting claws of said second member;
wherein one of said first and second radially outwardly projecting claws of said second member is positioned within said first cavity and between said first and second radially inwardly projecting claws of said first member; said elastic materlal means for absorb-ing at least radial forces between said first body member and said second body member to dampen noise applied to said first member before the noise reaches said second member; and said outer body member and said inner body member defining a plurality of radial recesses which are filled with a slug of elastic material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a schematic overhead view of a preferred labelllng machine including various features of the invention.
Figure 2 is a fragmentary overhead schematic view of one of the cam drive mechanisms for one of the extraction elements in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross section of the cam drive mechanism shown in Figure 2 as generally seen along Line I-I in Figure 2.
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NHL-HOL-07 Canada r 1 3 2 9 9 2 1 Figures 4 through 6 are overhead and smaller scale views of the labelling machine shown in Figure 1 including specific rela-tionships and features of the invention.
Figure 7 is a schematic top view of the cams of the labelling machine illustrated in Figure 1 including the teeth or junctions formed at the overlapping areas of the cams.
Figure 8 is a view similar to tha~ of Figure 5 of an alterna-tive labelling machine.
Figure 9 is a view similar to that of Figure 7 of cams of the labelling station of Figure 8 including the teeth or junctions formed at the overlapping of the cams.
Figure 10 is a diagram for the angular velocity and angular acceleration of one of the extraction elements of the labelling station illustrated in Figure 1 including three extracting elements and three transfer regions on the gripper cylinder.
Figure 11 is a schematic overhead view of another preferred labelling machine.
Figure l~ is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a preferred cam transmission mechanism of the labelling machine as seen along the line I-I of Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a schematic overhead view, on a smaller scale, of the labelling machine illustrated in Figure 11, with the outside cams shown raised.
Figures 14 and 15 are schematic, fragmentary views of the labelling machine shown in Figure 11 in two phases of the rolling of an extracting element past an adhesive application roller.
Figures 16 and 17 are schematic, fragmentary views of the labelling machine shown in Figure 11 in two phases of the rolling of an extracting element past a label box.
Flgures 18 and 19 are schematic, fragmentary views of the labelling machine shown in Figure 11 in two phases of the rolling of an extracting element past the gripper cylinder.
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NHL-HOL-07 Canada 1 329q21 Figure 20 is an end view of a support element for the follow-ers of a cam drive designed as a lantern gear mechanism.
Figure 21 is a cross-section of the support element of Figure 20 taken along line A-B.
Figure 22 is a cross-section of the support element of Figure 21 taken along line C-D.
Figure 23 is an end view of a different support element for followers of a conventional cam drive mechanism.

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~ 3 2 ~ q 2 1 NHL-HOL-07 Canada Figure 24 is a cross-section of the support element of Figure 23 taken along line E-F.
Figure 25 is a top view of a labelling station with a follower guided in a grooved cam.
Figure 26 is a cross-section of the labelling machine of Figure 25 taken along line I-I.
Figure 27 is a top view of a labelling machine with followers guided on two one-sided outside cams.
Figure 28 is a cross-section of the labelling machine of Figure 27 taken along line II-II.
Figure 29 is a schematic plan view of a labelling machine.
Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view of a support of the labélling machine of Figure 29 which employs different drives for the extracting elements than that of Figure 29.
Figure 31 is a top view of the central portion of the support illustrated in Figure 30.
Figure 32 is a cross sectional view of a support of the labelling machine illustrated in Figure 29.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFEP~RED EMBODIMENTS
The labelling station illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 consists of a plate-shaped support 1, on which three extracting elements 2,

3, 4 are located at equal angles. Each extracting elemen~ 2, 3, 4 has a cylindrically curved receptacle surface 2', 3', 4' for a label and is mounted between the latter and the center point of its curve on a respective drive shaft 6, 7 9 8 in the support 1. ~en the support 1 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 9, the extraction elements 2, 3, 4 are forced to rotate by a drive mecha-nism (described below) in the direction of the arrow 10, which is opposite to the directional rotation of the support 1.
During this rotation of the support l, the extraction elements 2, 3, l~ move past various stations, as best shown in Figure 1. The stations include a glue roller 1~ rotating in the direction of the , NHL-HOL-07 Canada 1 32q921 arrow ll, a stationary label box 13 with a stack of labels inside, and a gripper cvlinder 14 rotating in the direction of the arrow 15. Each of the extraction elements 2, 3, 4 executes a roll-off movement at the individual stations. First, adhesive is applied to the receptacle surface 2', 3l, 4~ of each extraction element 2, 3,

4 by the adhesive roller 12. While rolling past the front label of the stack of labels in the label box 13, t'he front label is extracted from the label stack as a result of the adhesive action of the adhesive on the receptacle surface 2', 3' 4'. As the support 1 continues to rotate, the label is conducted to the gripper cylinder 14, which removes the label from the receptacle surface 2', 3'', 4'' and transfers it in a manner not shown herein to objects, such as bottles, moving past the gripper cylinder 14.
In order for the receptacle surface 2', 3', 4' to roll past the variously configured stations 12, 13, 14j it is necessary for the rotation of each extraction element 2, 3, 4 in the direction of the arrow 9 to be accelerated and decelerated. For this purpose, the extracting elements 2, 3, 4 respectively include pinions 17, 18, 13 which are respectively mounted on the drive shafts 6, 7, 8.
The pinions 17, 18, l9 are respectively connected with larger gear wheels 20, 21, 22, which are mounted in the direction of rotation behind the corresponding extracting element 2, 3, 4 by means of bearing shafts shown in Figures 2 and 3 in the support 1.
Each Larger gear wheel 20, 21, 22 is part of a cam drive mechanism. Each of these cam mechanisms has the same structure, so that the following description can be limited to a single cam drive mechanism but is equally applicable for the others.
As shown in particular in Figures 2 and 3, the larger gear wheel 20 preferably consists of two gear wheels which can be rotated and fixed in relation to one another to remove play therebetween.
The gear wheel 20 is part of a support element 51, which sits on the lower end of the bearing shat 50 mounted in the support 1.
' 23 NHL-HOL~07 Canada - ` 1 329q21 The support element 51 consists of an outside body 51a and an inside body 51b. The two bodies 51a, 51b have radially oriented claws, which are engaged with one another. Between the claws is inserted a thin elastic insert 51c made of damping material.
The gear wheel 20 is rigidly connected to the upper part of the outside body 51a. On the underside of the outside body 51a are fastened two diagonally-opposite followers respectively consisting of a bearing neck 25a, 26a and a roller 25b, 26b rotatably mounted thereon. Because of the elastic insert 51c between the outside body 51a and the inside body 51b 9 there is thus a decoupling for the gear wheel 20 and the followers 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b.
The bearing necks 25a, 26a support, on their underside, a bridge element 52 in the shape of a ring. On the underside of the bridge element 52 are fastened two follnwers geometrically opposite one another and offset by 90 degrees from the followers 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b. These followers also respectively consist of a bearing neck 23a, 24a and rollers 23b, 24b located thereon.
The two sets of followers 23a, 23b, 24a, 2~b, 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b correspond to a double cam disc 53 having two cams 27, 28 with outside camming surfaces. This double cam disc 53 is rigidly connected via a support bridge 5l~ with the machine frame 55 of the labelling station. The cams 27, 28 have the shape of ovals indent-ed on both long sides~ and are oriented crossways to one another.
As shown in Figure 3 and as indicated by dashed lines in Figure 2, partial segments of the outside regions of the cams 27, 28 lie in the vicinity of the path of the axis of the bearing shaft 50. However, because of the design with the bridge element 52 lying between the outside portion of the cams 27, 28, in the vicinity of the outside portion of the upper cam 28 in the center between the followers 25a, 25b, 26a, 26b, a shaft-free space 56 is created. In the vicinity of the outside portion of the lower cam 27, the drive or bearing shaft 50 is terminated and does not e~tend into the level lower cam 27. As a result, the outside portion of the cams 27, 28 can be optimally configured over their entire length so that the entire drive mechanism can be compactly designed with economical components. At each point of the outside portion of the cams, at least one follower i9 under torque and at least one follower is providing counter support, so that there is always a defined rotational position for the extract:ion element.
As shown in Figures 4-6, the arrangement of the three sta-tions, which include the adhesive roller 12, the label box 13 and the gripper cylinder 14, divides the support 1 into three sectors.
In the drawing, these sectors are limited by the dotted lines running through the center of the stations 12, 13, 14. In the sector between the adhesive roller 12 and the gripper cylinder 14 there are two extreme points 30, 31 respectively of the outside regions of the cams 27, 28. In each of the sectors between the adhesive roller 12 and the label box 13, on the one hand, and between the label box 13 and the gripper cvlinder, on the other hand, there is always one extreme point 32, 33 of the outside regions of the cams 27, 28. All the extreme points 30, 31, 32, 33 lie practically on the track or path 34 of the mid-point or center of the bearing shaft (not shown) with its support elements for the followers 23, 24, 25, 26 mounted thereon. Only the extreme point 33 lies somewhat outside this track or path 34 of the mid-point or center. The radius a of the track or path 34 of the mid-point preferably has a radius of about 3 to about 1 to the radius b of the orbit o the followers 23, 24, 25, 26. The translation ratio between the pinions 17, 18, 19 and the larger gear whe.els 20, 21, 22 engaged therewith is preferably about 1 to about 3.
As also shown in Figures 4-6, the extreme points 30, 31, 32, 33 of~the outside regions of the cams 27, 28 are determined by the fact that each cam 27, 28 is comprised of two overlapping cams.
While the cam segments formed are illustrated in dashed lines, the :

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along one another over the entire region, but are only following one another.
The labelling station in accordance with Figures 8 and 9 differs from that illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 only in ~hat the support element with the followers precedes the extracting element and that the gripper cylinder has a larger diameter. The illus-tratlons in Figures 8 and 9 are similar to those in Figures 5 and 7 of the labelling station shown in Figure 1. Since the relation-ships with regard to the design of the cams 27, 28 are the same in principle, additional explanations in terms of Figures 1, 2, 3, 4,

5, 6, 7 and 10 should be unnecessary. The equivalent components of Figures 8 and 9 relative to the components of Figures 5 and,7 are identified by the same reference numbers plus an apostrophe.
Although the specific velocities and accelerations of the extract-ing elements for the machine of Figures 8 and 9 would be different from those shown in Figure 10 for the machine of Figure 1, the same rotational principals would still exist.
As generallv described above, and as shown in Figures 1 through 9, and as shown in particular in Figures 1, 8 and 9, the preferred labelling machine for obiects, such as bottles or the like, includes several stations located behind one another along a track. The stations include an adhesive application apparatus 12', a label feed station 13' and a label transer station 14'. The machine includes at least one extracting element 2, 3, 4 (shown in Figure 1) for the labels, mounted so that it can rota~e on a rotating support 1 (shown in Figure 1) and be moved past the stations 12', 13',, 14' during each rotation of the support 1. The extracting element has an outwardly-curved receptacle surface 2', 3', 4' (shown in Figure 1) for the label which rolls along the stations 12', 13', 14'. The drive for each extracting element 2, 3, 4 is a cam drive, which comprises common, stationary double cam discs 53 (shown in Figure 3) for all the extracting elements 2, 3, 4 with cams 27', 28' located in two planes with one above and at some distance from the other. In some embodiments, the two sets of followers 23, 24, 25, 26 may be mounted on each of the drive shafts 1 3 2 ~ q 2 1 NHL-HOL-07 Canada

6, 7, 8 of the extracting elements 2, 3, 4. Preferably, the two sets of followers 23, 24, 25, 26 are mounted on each of the bearing shafts 50, which is coupled with each of the drive shafts, by means of a support element 51, as best shown in Figures 2 and 3. By means of a form-fit with the two cams 27', 28', the followers pro-duce positive movement of each extracting element 2, 3, 4 over its entire revolution when the support 1 rotates. The labelling machine is characterized by the fact that each bearing shaft 50 ends in front of the plane in which the first cam 28' closer to the shaft 50 lies. The followers 23, 24 which correspond to the other second cam 27' are mounted on a bridge element 52, as best shown in Figure 3, lying between the two cams 27', 28'. The bridge element 52 is supported b~ spacer elements 25a, 26a on the support element 51.
The spacer elements 25a, 26a lie outside the area 56, as best shown in Figure 3, covered by the relative movement of the first cam 28'.
The labelling machine can include the followers 25, 26 of the first cam 28' encompassing the spacer elements 25a, 26a. The two followers 23, 24, 25, 26 which correspond to each set are located opposite one another in relation to the axis of the drive or bearing shaft 50, and the followers 23, 24 of the one set are radially offset by 90 degrees from the followers 25, 26 of the other set. The followers 25, 26 may have pivots 25a, 26a, as the bridge element 52 is supported on its one side by the pivots 25a, 26a corresponding to the first cam 2~', and on its other side supports the pivots 23a, 24a corresponding to the second cam 27'.
The followers 23, 24, 25, 26 preferably include rollers 23b, 24b, 25b, 26b which are mounted on the pivots 23a, 24a, 25a, 26a, as best shown in Figures 2 and 3.
According to Figures 1 through 9 but shown in particular in Figures 3, 8 and 9, the labelling machine may also be characterized by the fact that the double cam disc 53 which has cams 27l, 28' is located inside the orbit with the followers 23, 24, 25, 26, and is connected by means of a support bridge 54 located under the followers 23, 24, 25, 26 with the machine frame 55. Additionally, the support element 51 of rhe followers 23, 24, 25, 26 may consist NHL-HOL-07 Canada 1 32~921 of an external body 51a supporting the followers 23, 24, 25, 26 and an internal body 51b connected with it by means of an insert 51c made of elastic damping material. The two bodies 51a, 51b are positively engaged with one another in the vicinity of the insert 51c by means of radially oriented claws. The body 51a supporting the followers 23, 24, 25, 26 may support a drive pinion 20.
Still further, as shown in Figures 1-9 and in particular Figures 8 and 9, the labelling machine may be characteriged by the fact that of the radial extreme points 30', 31', 32', 33' of the outside surfaces of the two cams 27', 28', two extreme points 30l, 31' lie in the sector between the gripper cylinder 14' and the adhesive roller 12'. The other two extreme points 32', 33' respectively lie in the other two sectors formed between the label transfer station designed as a gripper cylinder 14', the label supply station designed as a label box 13', and the adhesive application apparatus designed as the adhesive roller 12'. At least one of the extreme points 30', 31', 32', 33' of the two outside cams 27', 28' may lie outside the path 34' of the mid-point of the support element 51 of the followers 23, 24, 25, 26.
According to Figures 1 through 9, but shown in particular in Figures 1, 3, 8 and 9, the preferred labelling machine may be char-acterized by the fact that with a transmission located between the drive shaft 6 of the extracting element 2 and the support element 51, a translation ratio may be about 1 to about 3. When the aæis of the drive shaft 6 of the extracting element 2 is outside the path 34' of the mid-point of the support element 51, and the central position of the extracting element is in front of the labelling supply station designed as a label box 13', a pair of followers 23, 24 is engaged by means of both followers 23, 24 with the outside cam 27'. As best shown in Figure 4, the ratio of the radius a of the path of the mid-point 34' of the support element 51 to the radius b of the orbit of the followers 23, 24, 25, 26 on the support element 51 may be about 3 to about 1.
The labelling machine may be further characterized by the fact that the non-load-bearing cam path segments of the cams 27', 28' NHL-HOL-~7 Canada ~ 32q921 described by the followers 23, 24, 25, 26 lie for the most part outside the path 35 of the mid-point of the drive shaft 6 of the extracting element 2.
According to Figures 1 through 9, and shown in particular in Figures 8 and 9, the preferred labelling machine may include the following features:
The extreme points 31', 33' of one of the two outer cams 27', 28' may lie on rays Sl', S2' emanating radially outward from the center point T' of the support to enclose an obtuse angle a ' therebetween.
Of the teeth or junctions 36', 37', 38', 39' which are formed in the overlapping areas of the two outer cams 27', 28' and with which simultaneously the followers 23, 24, 25, 26 of both sets interact, the narrower teeth 36~, 37' l.ie inside the obtuse angle ~'. .
The obtuse angle a' is 120 degrees to 160 degrees, in particular 140 degrees.
The extreme points 30', 32' on the other outside cam 27' lie on a straight line G' running near or approximately through the mid-point of the support T'.
The distance c, d (shown in Figure 6) between the contact points of the followers 23, 24, 25, 26 on the flanks of one of the narrow teeth or junctions 36', 37' formed ~y the overlapping regions of the two cams 27', 28' is about 30% to about 40% less than the corresponding distance e, f (shown in Figure 6) for a corresponding wide tooth or junction 38', 39', when the connecting liné running through the mid-point of the followers 23, 24, 25, 26 in contact with the tooth or junction 36', 37' is perpendicular to the radial ray or line Rl, R2 emanating from the mid-point T' of the support and running through the point of the tooth 36', 37'.
The extreme points 30', 31', 32', 33' tend to lie on a circle 34' around the mid-point of the support T'.
The points of the teeth 36', 37', 38', 39' fo~med by the overlapping areas of the outside cams 27', 28' lie inside the ., .. ~

~ 3 2 ~ q 2 1 NHL-HOL-07 Canada circle 34' for the extreme points 30', 31', 32', 33' and are at a different radial distance from the circle or mid-point T
of the support.
The radial distances of the peaks of the narrow teeth 36', 37' formed by the overlapping areas of the two outer cams 27', 28' from the mid-point T' of the support are substantially equal.
The radial distances between the peaks of the wide teeth 38', 39' formed by the overlapping areas of the two outside cams 27', 28' and the support midpoint T' are substantially equal.
The radial distance between the points of the narrow teeth 36', 37' formed by the overlapping areas of the two outside cams 27', 28' is greater than the radial distance of the wide teeth 38', 39'.
According to Figures 1 through 9, and shown in particular in Figures 1, 8 and 9, the labelling station may be further character-ized by the fact that, because of the outside curve of the two cams 27', 28', the angular velocity of each individual extracting element 2, 3, 4 in the roll-off area of the stations 12', 13', 14' reaches only a maximum, and in the intermediate areas in between, it reaches only a minimum.
The maxima and minima of the angular velocity always lie approx imately in the center of ~he roll-off area or of the intermediate area. The minimum angular velocity in the intermediate areas is less than one-half the maximum angular velocity in the roll-off areas. The angular velocity is preferably greatest in the vicinity of the gripper cylinder 14'. The rotational motion of each indivi-dual extracting element 2, 3, 4 is decelerated to at least zero in at least one intermediate region and is then accelerated once again up to the roll-off velocity.
As generally seen in Figure 11, the preferred labelling machine comprises a plate-shaped support 1 , on which there are four extracting elements 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 at equal angles to one ,. ~ .

- - ` 1 3 2 9 9 21 NHI,-~IOL-07 Canada , another. Each extracting element 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 has a cylindrical-ly curved receptacle surface 2' , 3' , 4' , 5' for a label and is mounted between the surface and the midpoint of its curvature by ~eans of a drive shaft 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 in the support 1 . When the support 1 rotates in the direction of the arrow 10 , the extract-* * * *ing elements 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 are respectively rotated by Tneans of a drive mechanism, as to be described below, in the same direction, in the direction of the arrows 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , which is in the direction opposite to that of the support l .
During the rotation of the support l , the extracting elements 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 are rolled past various stations including an aclhesive application roller 15 rotàting in the direction o:E the arrow as shown thereon, a stationary label box 16 with a stack o:E
labels inside it, and a label trans~er cylinder or gripper cylinder 18 rotating in the direction of the arrow 17 . Each extracting elernent executes a rolling motion as it rolls past the individual stations. Initially, adhesive is applied to the receptacle sur-., * * ~ * ,~ * *
faces 2' , 3l , 4~ , 5' of each extracting element 2 , 3 , 4 , 5by the adhesive application roller 15 . As the extracting element rolls past the outer labeL of the s~ack of labels in the label box 16 , the outer label is extracted from the label stack as a result of the adhesive action of the adhesive on the receptacle surface ~,; * * * *
2' , 3' , 4' , 5' . As the support 1 continues to rotate, the extracting element is conducted to the gripper cylinder 18 , which takes the label ~rom the receptacle surface 2' , 3' , 4' , 5' and for subsequent transfer of the label to objects being moved past the gripper cYlinder 15 , such as bottles or the like (not shown).
In order for the receptacle surface 2' , 3' , 4' , 5' to roll * * *
past the variously-configured stations 15 , 16 , 18 , it is neces-sary to accelerate and decelerate the rotation of each extracting element 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 in the direction of the arrow 11 , 12 , 13 , ... * * -~- *
l4 . For this purpose, each extracting elemen-~ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 is 1 3 ~ q 9 ~ 1 NHL-HOL-07 Canada respectively connected by means of a pinion 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 sitting on its respective drive shaft 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 with a larger gear wheel 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 . Each gear wheel is mounted in the direction of rotation behind its corresponding extracting * * ~` *
element 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 by means of a bearing shaft (not shown) in *
the support 1 .
Each of the larger gear wheels 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 is part of a cam transmission mechanism. Each of the cam transmission mechanisms has the same design, so that the following description is directed to the cam transmission mechanism corresponding to the extracting element 2 as illustrated in detail in Figure 12.
According to Figures 11 and 12, on the lower end of the bearing shaft 25 of the cam transmission mechanism for the larger gear * * *
wheel 125 mounted in the support 1 is a support element 24 with-out any relative rotation therebetween. The support element 24 consists of an outside body 24a and an inside body 24b . The outside bod~ 24a has claws or fingers pointing inward, and the ~L . ~ . . .:, inside body 24b has claws or fingers pointing outward and l~ing between the claws pointing inward. Between the two bodies 24a and 24b , and thus also between the engaged claws or fingers thereof, there is an insert 24c made of elastic material.
As best shown by Figure 12, the outer body 24a , on a radially recessed upper projection thereof, supports the larger gear wheel 125 , which consists of two gear wheels 23a , 23b which can be rotated to eliminate any play therebetween them. The wheels 23a and 23b are fastened to the outer body 24a by means of threaded fasteners.
On the underside of the support element 24 are fastened two opposite followers 26 , 27 respectively consisting o~ a bearing pin 26a , 27a and a roller 26b , 27b mounted for rotation thereon.
The bearing pins 26a , 27a are integrally connected to the non-recessed lower part of the support element 24 . As can be seen in Figure 12, and also in Figure 11, the roller 26b with its outer ~"~

--`` 1 3 2 9 9 2 1 NHL-HOL-07 Canada periphery projects beyond the arc of the gear wheel 125 , 23a , *
23b . With such a geometry, it would not be possible to achieve a sturdy embodiment with a two-piece construction, in which the corresponding bearing pin 26a would have to be installed in a hole in the support element 24 .
Both of the bearing pins 26a , 27a , at the undersides thereof, support a bridge element 30 in the form of a r:ing, on the under side of which are fastened two opposite followers 28 , 29 .
Although only follower 28 is shown, the followers 28 , 29 are offset from the followers 26 , 27 . The follower 28 also consists of a bearing pin 28a and a roller 28b mounted for rotation thereon. Each of the followers 26 -29 , as shown in Figure 11, are offset from adjacent followers by an angle which is between 70 degrees and 110 degrees and is not necessarily equal to 9~ degrees.
Moreover, the followers 26 -29 are at a different radial distance from the axis of the bearing shaft 25 and, therefore, are engaged by means of different lever arm lengths. In each plane there is one follower with a long lever arm and one follower with a short lever arm. Corresponding to the two sets of followers 26 -29 is a double cam disc 31 with two outside cams 32 , 33 having outside operating surfaces. This double cam disc 31 is rigidly connected by means of a support bridge 34 within the machine frame 35 of the labelling machine. The outside cams 32 , 33 have the basic shape of ovals indented on both long sides, and are oriented crossways to one another.
As shown in Figure 12 and indicated by a dotted line in Figure 11, the outside cams 32 , 33 lie with partial segments thereof in the vicinity of the axis of the bearing shaft 25 . Because of the design with the bridge element 30 lying between the outer cams * *
32 , 33 , a shaft-free space (not shown) has been created in the vicinity of the outside cam 32 in the center between the followers * * *
26 , 27 . Of course, the bearing shaft 25 does not extend into the vicinity of the lower outside cam 33 . As a result, the .t. J_ outside cams 32 , 33 can be optimally and economically configured over their entire length into compact components. At each poin-t of the outside curves of the cams 32 , 33 , there is at least one follower transmitting torque and at least one follower providing support from the other side, so that there is always a defined rotational position for the corresponding extractinK element.
Figure 13 shows, by way of example for a cam transmission mechanism, a fixed equivalent cam surface 36 and the corresponding *

moving equivalent cam surface 37 . The fixed equivalent cam surace 36 and the moving equivalent cam surface 37 represent cams in which there would be relative rolling contact on a point by polnt bas:is between the two cam surfaces thereof. The fixed equivalent cam surface 36 has the same axis as and represents the cams 32 , 33 while the moving equivalent cam surface 37 has the same axis as and represents the same motion about the axis as the followers 26 -29 . As a result, the fixed equivalent cam surface 36 and the movin~ equivalent cam surface 37 would follow the same relative motions as the cam transmission realized with the two outside cams 32 , 33 and the corresponding followers 26 -29 . In other words, the center axis of both the followers 26 -29 and the moving equivalent cam surface 37 would evolve about the center of the cams 32 , 33 or the fixed equivalent cam surface 36 at the same rate. Further 9 the changing relative rotation about the * *
center axis of the followers 26 -29 and the moving equivalent cam surface 37 would be identical in either case.
As seen in Figure 13, the axes of all the followers 26 -29 lie within the movable equivalent cam surface 37 , while portions of their periphery outer surface~s remain outside the movable equivalent cam surface. Figure 13 also shows that the orbit RL of ~he bearing shaft 25 lies inside the orbit RA of the drive shaft Nlll,-IIOL- 07 Canada 1 329~21 6~ oI the extracting element. This geometry also contributes to the compact structure.
Figures 14 and 15 show -the engagement of the followers when one of the extracting elements 2 is being aligned with the ad-hesive application roller 15 . At the beginning of the rolling se-(luence shown therein, the two followers 27 , 28 are engaged and transmitting -torque, and the follower 26 , with a long lever arm, provides support from the other side. In this initial phase, which is particularly important for the application of the adhesive, there is an optimal guidance as a result of the double engagement of the two followers with short lever arms and the supporting follower with a long lever arm. In the rest of the rolling sequence, where the requirements for the guidance of the extracting element 2 are no longer as critical, the engagement of one o~ the follow-ers with a short lever arm can be eliminated. The instant just prior to the loss of engagement with follower 27 is depicted in Figure 15.
In the vicinity of the label box 16 , as seen in Figures 16 and 17, the two followers 26 , 29 with a large lever arm are shown in the engaged state. From the beginning of -the rolling sequence until at least the middle, the follower 26 closest to the bearing shaft transmits torque, while the ~ollower 29 provides support from the other side. Because o the proximity of the follower 26 with a long lever arm to the bearing point, the result is also a very precise guidance.
Of all the stations 15 , 16 , 18 , at the station of the gripper cylinder 18 , the guidance of the extracting element 2 is at its least critical at the beginning of the rolling sequence.
Accordingly, as seen in Figure 18, the follower 29 with a long lever arm, the one which is the farthest from the bearing shaft 25 , transmits torque. However, this guidance, which is not as optimal when compared ~o the torque-transmitting followers on the NHL-HOL-07 Canada other stations, is altogether sufficient. During initial allgnment for gripping the label from the extracting element 2 and for some portion of the rotation beyond the initial alignment, as seen in Figure 19, the two followers 27 , 28 with short lever arms act to provide support from the other side for the follower 29 .
As generally described above, the preferred labelling machine of Figures 11 through 19 is for objects, such as bottles or the like, with several stations located behind one another along a track. The stations include an adhesive application roller 15 , a label box 16 and a label transfer cylinder 18 . The machine .~ * ~,; *
includes at least one extracting element 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 for the labels, mounted so that it can rotate on a rotating support 1 and be moved at a different angular velocity past the stations 15 , 16 , 18 during each rotation of the support 1 . The extracting element has an outwardly-curved receptacle surface 2', 3', 4', 5' * * *
for the label which rolls along the stations 15 , 16 , 18 . The * * ~` *
drlve for each extracting element 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 is a cam drive mechanism, which comprises common, stationary double cam discs 31 for all the extracting elements 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 with cams 32 , 33 located in two planes with one above the other. Two sets of two followers 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , which are angularly offset from one * * * *
another and are mounted on each of the drive shafts 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 .~.
or on a bearing shaft 25 coupled with each of the drive shafts by means of a support element 24 . By means of a form-fit with the ~ *
two cams 32 , 33 , the followers produce positive movement of each * * * ~
extracting element 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 over its entire revolution when ., .
the support 1 rotates. The labelling machine is characterized by the fact that the axes of all the followers 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 is located inside a moving equivalent cam surface of the cam mechanism * *
whi.le at least one of the followers 26 , 29 lies partly outside the moving equivalent cam surface.

,~

NHL-HOL-07 Canada The labelling machine portions of all of the followers 26 , * * *
27 , 28 , 29 lying partly outside the moving equivalent cam * * * *
surface. At least some of the followers 26 , 27 , 28 , 2g may be offset from one another by an angle which is not equal to 90 degrees and have lever arms of different lengths.
Preferably, either two followers 26 , 29 include large lever arms, or two followers 27 , 28 include small lever arms with one follower 26 , 29 having a large lever arm for engagement with the * *
cams 32 , 33 .
According to Figures 11-19, the labelling machine is preferably characterized by the following engagement alternatives:
a) With the adhesive application roller 15 , two followers 27 , 28 with small lever arms are engaged for transmitting torque, and one follower 26 with a large lever arm for supporting from the other side.
b) With the label box 16 , one follower 26 with a large lever arm is engaged for transmitting torque, and one follower 29 with a large lever arm for supporting from the other side.
c) With the label transmission cylinder 18 , one follower 29 with a large lever arm is engaged for transmitting torque, and ~ ` *
two followers 27 , 28 with small lever arms for supporting from the other side.
The labelling"machine may be characterized by the fact t'hat the follower 26 transmitting torque to the label box 16 corre-sponds to the cam 32 closer to the drive or bearing shaft 25 .
Additionally, each set of followers 2~ -29 comprises one follower 26 , 29 with a large lever arm and an opposite follower 27 , 28 with a small lever arm.
As best shown in Figurès 12 and 13, the labelling machine is further characterized by the fact that the orbit RA of the drive shaft 6 of the extracting element 2 is less than the orbit RL of the bearing shaft 25 of the extracting element 2 . Still further, NHL HOL-07 Canada 1 3~9C~2~
when the transmission mechanism 19 -26 lies between the drive shaft 6 and the bearing shaft 25 , at leas~ one follower 26 with a large lever arm is tangent to or projects beyond the arc of the * * ~ *
gear wheel 123 , 23a , 23b located on the bearing shaft 25 .
Finally, the followers 26 , 27 can consist of rollers 26b , 27b mounted on bearing pins 26a , 27a , whereby the bearing pins 26a , 27a located closest to the bearing shaft 25 are connected inte-grally with the support element 24 , which supports the gear wheel * *
123 , 23a , 23b on a radially recessed projection thereof.
The support element illustrated in Figures 20 through 22 includes an inside body 1 and an outside body 2 , which are not in direct contact with one another. Insert 3 , ~lade of elastic ** ` **
material, is positioned in the space between bodies 1 and 2 Inside body 1 is designed to be fastened on a drive shaft of an extracting element for labels. For this purpose, it has a ** ~`~
middle part 4 and a sleeve 5 attached to one end. Middle part ** **
4 supports a number of claws 6 directed radially outwardly along the circumference. The width of the claws 6 is signifi~
cantly less than the distance between claws 6 , as shown in particular in Figure 20.
Outer body 2 has the basic shape of a basin with central ** ~ ~
opening 7 , through which middle part 4 projects by means of sleeve 5 . Outer body 2 has radially inwardly-directed claws 8 , which lie between claws 6 of inner body 1 . In each of ** .. ~
inner claws 8 there is hole 9 , which is used to hold the bearing pivot of a cam follower. A threaded fas~ener (not shown) is provided for insertion within radially threaded hole 11 in the ** ~`*
outer wall 10 of the basin-shaped outer body 2 to axially secure the bearing pivot inserted in hole 9 . End wall 12 **
which covers the spaces between claws 8 is positioned on the end **
side adjacent to outer body 2 There is a space on all sides be~ween inner and outer bodies 1 and 2 . The space is between the engaged claws 6 and 8 .~ .

~ 3~9921 NHL-HOL-07 Canada **
between end wall 12 , as best shown in Figure 21, and the end side of claw 6 facing it and between the inner annular surface of ** **
central opening 7 in outer body 2 and outer annular surface 7a of inner body 1 . This space is filled by elastic insert *~
3 , which is relatively thin. The result is contact and support over a large area, which can absorb the forces which occur in all axes without danger of overloading, while maintaining the damping action For axial protection, radial holes 13 and blind holes 14 are positioned in the vicinity of claws 6 . Holes 13 and 14 are axially aligned with one another in pairs and are fllled by the elastic material of insert 3 . The elastic material of insert 3 is installed jointly with the material for radial holes 13 and blind holes 14 by injection.
~ he support element illustrated in Figures 23 a~d 2~l has essentially the same structure as the support element illustrated in Figures 20 through 22. Therefore, the following description, primarily, discusses the differences between them.
In the embodiment depicted in Figures 23 and 24 only two .1~ ~` A *
diametrically opposite claws 8a of the outer body 2a are pro-vided for the insertion of cam followers. The number of inwardly directed claws 8a and outwardly directed claws 6a engaged with one another is therefore reduced to four. Moreover, outer body 2a has gear teeth on its periphery, so that the support element can also serve as a drive pinion. Finally, the coaxial ~ .
- annular surfaces above one another of outer body 2a and of inner body la are formed by coaxially overlapping sleeve-shaped pro-* ~` ~
jections 16 and 17 of the outer and inner bodies. Compared to the inner annular surface in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 20 and 22, the annular surfaces of the embodiment of Figures 23 and 24 are significantly larger, which increases ~he angular rigidity of both bodies la and 2a B

-` 1 329921 NHL-HOL-~7 Canada Figures 25 through 28 show a labelling station which may employ either of the support element described above. The label-ling station includes a driven, rotating support 21 , with extract-ing elements 22 through 25 mounted on it so that they can pivot or rotate and stations positioned along the circumference of support 21 . These stations are adhesive application roller 26 label box 27 and gripper cylinder 28 . Extracting elements 22 through 25 are driven by a cam transmission mechanism when support 21 rotates thereby rolling elements 22 through 25 over the surfaces of stations 26 through 28 As shown in particular in Figure 26, each extracting element is mounted by means of bearing shaft 29 on support 21 . Pinion is on bearing shaft 29 and is engaged with two-part gear wheel 15 and lSa . The two-part design is intended to offset the two parts, somewhat, from one another resulting in an adjust-ment o the engage~ent which is free from play. Support element 2a , which includes two-part gear wheel 15 and 15a , is rota-tionally connected to drive shaft 31 which, in turn, is mounted **
in support 1 In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 25 and 26, the **
support element is equipped with single follower 32 , which includes bearing pivot 32a which supports rollers 32b and 32c . Follower 32 is engaged in grooved cam 33 of stationary cam support 34 . Rollers 32b and 32c are unilaterally guided ** **
on opposite flanks 33a and 33b *, ~ .
As best shown in Figur~ 25, when support 21 rotates, the **
support element and thus also extracting element 22 is pivoted corresponding to the path of grooved cam 33 , so that it rolls `~
over the surfaces of the individual stations 26 through 28 This causes element 22 , sequentially, to receive glue from appli-cation roller 26 , apply the adhesive to the top label in label box 27 , remove the top label from box 27 and transfer the label **
to gripper cylinder 28 - NHL-HOL-07 Canada 1 32q921 The embodiment illustrated in Figures 27 and 28 differs from the embodiment illustrated in Figures 25 and 26 in that the support ** **
element is equipped with two followers 35 and 36 , which support ** 7~*
bridge element 37 . Bridge element 37 is also equipped with two *
followers, one of which is 38 (the other not shown), which are offset by approximately 90 degrees from followers 35 and 36 Figure 28 shows only one of the two followers. Corresponding to the two pairs of followers are two overlapping and separate one-sided outer cams 39 and 40 of common stationary cam support 41 . In the space between the two outer cams, 39 and 40 , is bridge ele-ment 37 . Outer cams 39 and 40 have the basic shape of indented ovals and are oriented crossways to one another. When support 21 rotates, the support element and the extracting element are rotated in the same direction causing the extracting element to roll over ** ~,` **
the surface of stations 26 through 28 . Bridge element 37 ** **
allows outer cams 39 and 40 to be completely filled thereby allowing the support element and the extracting element 22 to be clearly guided. Bridge element 37 , thus, allows upper outer cam 39 to extend into vicinity 42 of the axis of the drive shaft Although for purposes of illustration the cam followers shown have been attached through a mounting to a support which is then attached to a drive shaft, it is to be understood that the follow-ers may also be directly connected to the drive shaft. In this embodiment the elastic dampening material would be interposed directly between the mounting for the followers and the drive shaft.
In summary, according to Figures 20 through 29, and as shown in particular in Figures 20-24, what is provided is a support element mounted on a shaft 31 for the followers 32 , 35 , 36 38 of a cam drive mechanism, in particular a mechanism for a label extracting element 22 to 25 and a labelling station, characterized by the fact that the support element comprises an ** ** ~` * *~
outer body 2 , 2a and an inner body 1 , la located inside it .~

- NHL-HOL-07 Canada 1 ~29921 at some distance from it on all sides, ~hereby the outer body 2 *~ ** *~
2a has claws 8 , 8a directed radially inward, and the inner body 1 , la has claws 6 , 6a directed radially outward between the inwardly directed claws and the space between the two bodies ** ** ** ** ** ~`~
1 , la , 2 , 2a is filled with an insert 3 , 3a of elastic ** **
material, and that the inwardly directed claws 8 , 8a of the.
** ~`J~
outer body 2 , 2a are designed for the insertion of followers ** ~` * ** ~*
32 , 35 , 36 , 38 . The support element is characterized by ** **
the fact that the spaces between the claws 8 , 8a of the outer body 2 , 2a are enclosed by an end wall 12 , 12a and that between this end wall 12 , 12a and the end surfaces of the claws 6 , 6a of the inner body 1 , la facing it, elastic insert ** J~*
3 , 3a is located.
According to Figures 20 through 24, the support element is also characterized by the fact that between the two bodies 1 la , 2 , 2a there are annular surfaces which extend axially, between which the elastic insert 3 , 3a is located. Further, the support element is characterized by the fact that the annular surfaces are formed by sleeve-shaped projections 16 , 17 of the ~* *.L ** **
inner and outer bodies 1 , la , 2 , 2a located coaxially above one another. Additionally, the support element is characterlze~ by the fact that the annular surfaces make the transition gradually into the radially inward surfaces of the inwardly-directed claws **
8a of the outer body, in the spaces containing the outwardly-directed claws 6a of the inner body la and containing the claws ** **8a of the outer body 2a According to Figures 20 through 24, the support element is further characterized by the ~act that there are several radial ** ** ~`~` . ~
recesses 13 , 13a , 14 , 14a in the inside and outside body . 1 , la , 2 , 2a , which are filled with a slug of elastic materiai connected with elastic insert 3 , 3a . Also, the support element is characterized by the fact that the recesses ** *~ ** *~
13 , 13a , 14 , 14a with the slug are on the outside ~ 1 329 9 2 1 NHL-HOL-07 Canada circumference of the support element. Further, the support element ** ** **
is characterized by the fact that the recesses 13 , 13a , 14 14a are aligned with one another in pairs. Additionally, the support element is characterized by the fact that the outer body 2 has a drive pinion 15 As shown in particular in Figures 25 through 28, also provided is a labelling station for objects, in particular, bottles with several stations located behind one another along a track, namely an adhesive application apparatus 26 , a label transfer station .
28 , and with at least one e~tracting element 22 to 25 for the labels, mounted so that it can rotate on a rotating support 21 ** ** **
and be moved past the stations 26 , 27 , 28 during each rotation of the support 21 , which extracting element has an outwardly-curved receptacle surface for the label which rolls along the cur-rently foremost label in the label feed station 27 and the other ** **
stations whereby the drive for each extracting element 22 to 25 is a cam drive, which comprises common, stationary double cams 33 , 33a , 33b , 34 , 39 , 40 , 41 for all the extracting elements 22 to 25 and one or more interacting followers 32 , 36 , 38 which are mounted on the drive sha~t.31 or on a bearing shaft 29 coupled with it by means of a support element 1 , 2 , la , 2a (not shown, shown in Figures 20-24) and which ** ** **
by means of the form-fit with the double cam 33 , 33a , 33b ** ** ** **
34 , 39 , 40 , 41 protect the rotational movement of each .** ** **
extracting element 26 to 28 when the support 21 rotates, characterized by the fact that the driver bearing shaft 31 ends ** ** ** **
in.front of the plane of the followers 32 , 35 , 36 , 38 and ** ** ** ~*
the support element 1 , 2 , la , 2a is designed for the optional insertion of a single follower 32 , which is engaged with a double cam 33 , 33a , 33b , 34 designed as a grooved cam, or for the insertion of two followers 35 , 36 diametrically opposite one another in relation to the axis of the drive shaft 31 where the bearing shaft, which interact with a first one-sided B

~ 3~9~ 21 NHL-HOL-~7 Canada cam 39 of the double cam 39 , 40 , 41 and support a bridge element 37 which is located between the first cam 39 and a second cam 40 located at some distance from it and which supports followers 38 off-set from the followers 35 , 36 of the first cam 39 by approximately 90 degrees in interacting with the second **
cam 40 The labelling machine illustrated in Figure 29 through 32 *** ***
includes rotating transport table 1 , which moves containers 2 so that they may be labelled. The containers are moved on a track, in the form of a circular arc, past gripper cylinder 3 , which ***
transfers a label with adhesive to container 2 . Gripper cylin-der 3 takes the glued label from curved receptacle surfaces 4 of extracting elements 5 . Elements can rotate eccentrically to curved receptacle surface 4 on support table 6 , or may be mounted so that they can ro~ate or pivot eccentrically to the support axis.
Each extracting element 5 is driven when support table 6 is in rotation by means of a transmission, which includes cam disc

7 , which is common for all extracting.elements 5 and which :
has two outside cams, 7a and 7b , at different helghts and drive wheel 8 on which are mounted cam followers 8a , 8b *** *** ***
8c and 8d . The driving of extracting elements 5 , as indicated in Figure 29, can be accomplished directly by means of transmission 120 and 121 . The rotational or pivoting move-ment of extracting elements 5 is not uniform, so that their *~*
receptacle surfaces can roll over adhesive application roller 9 stationary label box 10 and gripper cylinder 3 , in the same direction.
With the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 29 and 32, the drive of each extracting element 5 is by means of a cam transmission consisting of two outside cams, 7a and 7b ***
which are positioned at different heights and followers 8a *** *** *** *** ***

8~ , 8c and 8d which ride on cams 7a and 7b , as shown 1 3 2 9 9 2 1 NHL-HOL-07 Canada in particular in Figure 29. The transmission mechanism in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 30 consists of cam disc 19 with grooved cam slot l9a and followers 18 in the form of rollers ***
mounted on a lever arm 17 ***
Support table 6 , as shown in Figure 30, has upper cover *:~* ** ~ , plate lla , housing ll and, underneath it and connected to it, bearing structure 12 which is mounted on the outside circumfer-ence of the table 6 by means of angular roller bearing 13 Bearing structure 12 is also used to mount drive shafts 15 which extend upward through cover plate lla and support extract-ing elements 5 , and to mount bearing shafts 16 which support followers 18 through lever arms 17 . Followers 18 engage closed grooved cam l9a , which is common to all followers 18 of the cam disc 19 . Closed groove cam l9a is similar in construction to grooved cam 33 in Figure 25. Pinions 20 mesh with gear wheel 21 on drive shafts 15 of the extracting elements 5 and are mounted so that they do not rotate on the bearing shafts lS . Gear wheel 21 meshes with a gear wheel of the synchronously driven adhesive application roller 9 ~ ccording to Figure 30, in central space 24 , left open by the drive and transmissions of the extracting elements, between cover plate lla and mounting plate 25 , there is an axially retractable spur gear coupled with one coupling half, 26 , which is fastened to mounting plate 25 and the other coupling half, 27 . Coupling half 27 is biased by coil spring 28 so that it is normally held in direct contact with coupling half 26 when hand lever 39 is lowered. For this purpose, coupling half 27 is in contact with annular disc 29 , which is supported by central drive shaft 30 which is a hollow shaft. Hollow drive shaft extends downward through a central opening in base plate 31 of machine frame 14 , where it is mounted and supports belt wheel 32 whi.ch is normally connected to a drive belt ~hich ex-tends from a drive (not shown).

J~

N~ IVL-07 Canada ,. _ ~* ~ 3~9~ J,~**
Bumper 33 runs through hollow drive shaft 30 and has ~tatioIlary crosshead 34 on its upper end, which extends with ***
both legs through axial slits in drive shaft 30 and is connected *~* *~! *
with coupling half 27 . Bumper 33 runs through a central opening of marking disc 35 which, in turn, is inserted in an *** ***
opening of cover plate lla . On its free end, bumper 33 supports rnarking wheel 36 with notch 37 which corresponds to **~ *** ***
marks 38 on marking disc 35 . The spacing of marks 38 coincides with the spur gear teeth of coupling halves 26 and ***

To disengage the two coupling halves 26 and 27 , so that *** *~
support table 6 can be twisted relative to drive shaEt 30 and with the marking ring 36 , bumper 33 is lifted hy means of * ,~ ;**
haIld lever 39 , the lower end oE which supports bumper 33 Figure 30 illustrates the retracted state oE coupling halves 26 and 27 . After uncoupling, the labelling station, as shown in Figure 29, can be rotated independently of the machine drive and can be set up in the desired position for the label to be trans-,~*~ .
ferred. The degree of misalignment can be read from markings 37and 38 The embodiment illustrated in Figure 32 differs, as noted above, from the embodiment illustrated in Figure 30 principally in terms of the transmission. Figure 32, moreover, does not show the coupling. The embodiment in Figure 32 is primarily intended to show the compact construction, because in this embodiment the transmission with the cams extends almost up to drive shaft 130.
For the sake of simplicity, in this embodiment, the same identifica-tion numbers are used as in Figure 30, but are preceded by the number 1.
-*
In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 32, cam disc 119 is *-,; *
designed as a bridge element and supports two outside cams, 7a _b .1. .,1~ `,1' * * * * * * * *
and 7b , in two different planes. FolLowers 8a , 8c , 8b 1 3 2 ~ q 2 1 NHL-HOL-07 Canada and 8d interact with outside cams 7a and 7b and are ***
mounted on drive wheel 8 , which is engaged by drive pinion 120 with pinion 121 positioned on the drive shaft of extract-ing element llS . Bridge element 140 , which is supported by the bearing pivot of the followers 8a and 8c , is provided to support the bearing pivots of the lower followers 8b and 8d In summary, according to Figures 29 through 32, the invention provides a labelling station of a labelling machine for containers, in particular bottles 2 , which have a support 6 , and a support *** *** ***
table 11 . The support 6 can be driven via a coupling 26 27 , by a central drive shaft 30 , supports at least one ex-tracting element 5 and is mounted so that it can rotate in the machine frame 1~1 . When the support 6 rotates, the extracting element 5 which has in particular a curved receptacle surface J~*
4 and i5 mounted on it eccentrically so that it cam rotate or pivot around its own axis and is moved along a closed track pas~
~ ` ~` * *** ***
stations 3 , 9 , 10 for the application of adhesive to the receptacle surface and for the storage and transfer of labels. For each extracting element 5 , for whose rotating or pivoting motion there is a transmission 16 -21 , in particular a cam trans-mission, with a common transmission part, in particular a cam disc lg mounted on the machine frame 14 for all the extracting *** *** ***
elements 5 . The mounting 13 of the support 6 in the machine frame 14 is located exclusively on the outside edge of ***
the support 6 Another aspect of the invention resides in that the coupling *** **~` *** ***
26 , 27 between the drive shaft 30 and the support 6 is located inside a central space inside the orbit described by the transmission 16 -21 , between the cover plate lla of the **~ *** ***
support 6 and the parts 16 -21 of the transmission engaged with one another.
As shown in particular in Figure 30, still another aspect of the invention resides in that a non-rotating bumper 33 extends - NHL-HOL-07 Canada 1 329~21 through the drive shaft 20 designed as a hollow shaft and which can move axially inside it and to each is attached a spring-loaded coupling half 27 of the axially retractable coupling 26 27 , the end of which proJects from the table 11 of the support 6 , together with the adjacent portion 35 of the table 11 *** ***
has alignment marks 37 , 38 A further aspect of the invention resides in that the coupling *** ***
halves 25 , 27 are engaged wi~h one another by means of spur *** ***
gear teeth 26a , 27a , the spacing of which corresponds to the spacing of the alignment marks 3B .
The invention as described hereinabove in the context of the preferred embodiments is not to be taken as limited to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

..'~

Claims (17)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR
PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. Support element for cam followers comprising:
an outer body member having at least one radially inwardly projecting claw;
said outer body member for the mounting of a cam follower thereon;
an inner body member for being operatively associated with said outer body member;
said inner body member having first and second radially outwardly projecting claws corresponding to said at least one radially inwardly projecting claw of said outer body member;
said inner body member and said outer body member being out of direct contact with one another;
dampening means for being interposed between and in direct contact with said outer body member and said inner body member;
said dampening means being an elastic material;
said first and second radially outwardly projecting claws of said inner body member being relatively positioned to define a cavity therebetween;
said at least one radially inwardly projecting claw of said outer body member being positioned within said cavity and between said first and second radially outwardly projecting claws of said inner body member;
said elastic material for absorbing at least radial forces between said inner body member and said outer body member to dampen noise applied to said outer body member before the noise reaches said inner body member; and said outer body member and said inner body member defining a plurality of radial recesses which are filled with a slug of elastic material.

2. The apparatus according Claim 1, wherein said outer body member further includes wall means adjacent said elastic material means.

3. The apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein said outer body member and said inner body member define annular surfaces in at least partially surrounding relationship with respect to said elastic material means.

4. The apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein said annular surfaces are formed by elements which project from said outer body member and said inner body member and are relatively positioned in coaxial relation with respect to one another.

5. The apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein said outer body member includes a drive pinion.

6. A machine for applying a label to an object comprising:
camming surface means defining a closed path with three sequentially arranged locations positioned adjacent the perimeter of said path;
adhesive supply means positioned at a first of said sequen-tially arranged locations for supplying adhesive for the label;
label supply means positioned at a second of said sequen-tially arranged locations for supplying the label;
applicator means positioned at a third of said sequentially arranged locations for receiving the label and applying it to the object;
extracting means adapted to move about said closed path for sequentially receiving adhesive from said adhesive supply means, simultaneously applying the adhesive to the label and removing the label from said label supply means, and supplying the label to the applicator means;
support means having at least one mechanically attached cam follower which is adapted to follow said camming surface about said closed path and which is attached to said extracting means for moving said extracting means about said closed path; and drive means connected to said support means for moving said extracting means about said path;

said support means comprising:
an outer body member having at least one radially in-wardly projecting claw;
said outer body member for the mounting of said cam follower thereon:
an inner body member for being connected to said drive means and for being operatively associated with said outer body member;
said inner body member having first and second radially outwardly projecting claws corresponding to said at least one radially inwardly projecting claw of said outer body member;
said inner body member and said outer body member being out of direct contact with one another;
dampening means for being interposed between and in direct contact with said outer body member and said inner body member;
said dampening means being an elastic material;
said first and second radially outwardly projecting claws of said inner body member being relatively positioned to define a cavity therebetween;
said at least one radially inwardly projecting claw of said outer body member being positioned within said cavity and between said first and second radially outwardly pro-jecting claws of said inner body member;
said elastic material for absorbing at least radial forces between said inner body member and said outer body member to dampen noise applied to said outer body member before the noise reaches said inner body member; and said outer body member and said inner body member defining a plurality of radial recesses which are filled with a slug of elastic material.

7. The apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein said outer body member further includes wall means adjacent said elastic material means.

8. The apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein said outer body member and said inner body member define annular surfaces in at least partially surrounding relationship with respect to said elastic material means.

9. The apparatus according to Claim 8,. wherein said annular surfaces are formed by elements which project from said outer body member and said inner body member and are relatively positioned in coaxial relation with respect to one another.

10. The apparatus according to Claim 9, wherein said outer body member includes a drive pinion.

11. Support element for a cam follower comprising:
a first member for the mounting of a cam follower thereon;
a second member for being operatively associated with and out of direct contact with said first member;
dampening means positioned between and in direct contact with said first member and said second member;
said dampening means being elastic material means;
said first member comprising first and second radially in-wardly projecting claws;
said second member comprising first and second radially outwardly projecting claws;
said first and second radially inwardly projecting claws of said first member defining a first cavity therebetween;
said first and second radially outwardly projecting claws of said second member defining a second cavity therebetween;
wherein one of said first and second radially inwardly pro-jecting claws of said first member is positioned within said second cavity and between said first and second radially outward-ly projecting claws of said second member;

wherein one of said first and second radially outwardly projecting claws of said second member is positioned within said first cavity and between said first and second radially inwardly projecting claws of said first member;
said elastic material means for absorbing at least radial forces between said first body member and said second body member to dampen noise applied to said first member before the noise reaches said second member; and said outer body member and said inner body member defining a plurality of radial recesses which are filled with a slug of elastic material.

12. The apparatus of Claim 11, wherein said first and second members are concentric.

13. The apparatus of Claim 12, wherein said first member further includes wall means adjacent said elastic material means.

14. The apparatus of Claim 13, wherein said first member and said second member define annular surfaces in at least partial surrounding relationship with respect to said elastic material means.

15. The apparatus of Claim 14, wherein said annular surfaces are formed by elements which project from said outer body member and said inner body member.

16. The apparatus according to Claim 15, wherein said second member is drive shaft means.

17. The apparatus according to Claim 5, further including:
said inner body member being separated from said outer body member on all sides;
said dampening means filling the space between said outer body member and said inner body member;
said at least one radially inwardly projecting claw being configured for the insertion of cam followers, an end wall enclosing a space adjacent said at least one radially inwardly projection claw of said outer body member;

a plurality of axially extending annular surfaces between said outer body member and said inner body member;
said dampening means is positioned between said axially extended annular surfaces;
said annular surfaces making a transition gradually into the surface of said at least one radially inwardly projecting claw of said outer body member and the space containing said radially outwardly projecting claws of said inner body member and said at least one radially inwardly projecting claw of said outer body member;
said slug of elastic material being connected with said dampening means;
said radial recesses and said slug of elastic material being positioned on the outside circumference of a support element;
said radial recesses being aligned with one another in pairs; and said outer body member including a drive pinion.