US2802598A - Label dispenser - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 13, 1957 T H, PETTERsoN 2,802,598

LABEL DISPENSER Filed Aug. 25, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 1 46 INVENTOR.

fi/om E/F H. P57 TERSON BY ATTORNEYS INVENTOR T. H. PETTERSON LABEL DISPENSER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 THo/uE/F H PETTERSON Filed Aug. 25, 1953 I BY Arron/yes:

T. H. PETTERSON Aug. 13, 1957 LABEL DISPENSER 4 5 sheets-sheet 3 Filed Aug. 25. 1955 INVEN TOR.

7710x051; H. PETTERSON ATTORNEVS T. H. PETTERSON LABEL DISPENSER Aug. 13 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 25. 1955 INVENTOR. Moms/F H. PETTERSON A TTORNEYS Aug. 13, 1957 T. H. PETTERSON 2,802,598

LABEL DISPENSER Filed Aug. 25. 1953 I v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Flame/F H. Per ERsau ATTORNKUS United States Patent LABEL DISPENSER Thorleif H. Petterson, Pasadena, Calif., assignor to Avery Adhesive Label Corporation, Monrovia, Califi, a corporation of California Application August 25, 195.3,Serial No. 376,455

6 Claims. Cl. 221-13 This invention relates to label dispensers, and particularly to a device for dispensing pressure sensitive labels carried by a rolled web.

Pressure sensitive labels, that is, labels having a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive for aflixing them to a surface, are necessarily carried on a backing sheet from which they may be readily removed for use, the backing sheet ordinarily being wound into a roll along which the labels are attached in slightly spaced relation. It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a device by which such web may be moved by power actuated means to advance labels successively to a dispensing position from which they may be readily removed for use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power driven dispenser having control means responsive to movement. of the labels to and from dispensing position for operatively connecting and disconnecting the power drive.

Another object is to provide a label dispensing machine in which the labels are separated from a backing sheet along their forward edges, as they are moved into a dispensing position, to facilitate the removal of the labels for use, and in which the removal of a label causes activation of a driving means for advancing a succeeding label to dispensing position.

Another object is to provide a control mechanism wherein a switch is provided with a trigger-like mechanism responsive to the movement of labels therepast for making and breaking a control circuit.

A further object is to provide a dispensing machine embodying structure adapted to facilitate the introduction of a supply of labels, and the dispensing thereof, and insure a positive and efficient operation.

A still further object is to provide a label dispenser which will accommodate rolls of various size having labels variously arranged upon a rolled backing, and provided with means for adjusting the supply and control mechanism in accordance with the arrangement of the labels, and the size of the supply roll.

The invention has other objects and features of adv-antage, some of which with the foregoing will beexplained in the following description of that form of the invention illustrated in the drawings. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in the drawings, as it may be embodied in other forms within the definition of the appended claims.

Injthe drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a label dispensing device embodying the present invention, parts being broken away for purpose of illustration.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in longitudinal vertical section, of the device shown in Fig. 1, parts being broken away to better illustrate the relationship of various parts.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental sectional view of part of forward end of the dispenser, similar to Fig. 2, butshowing parts 2,802,598 Patented Aug. 13, 1957 2 in a diflerent position, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 3-3 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the circuit control trigger mechanism, parts being broken away.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental sectional view drawn upon an enlarged scale, illustrating the movement of the backing web over a peeling edge for partially separating labels therefrom, and showing the trigger mechanism in its standby position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmental sectional view illustrating the structure of the peeling edge, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 7--7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of somewhat diagrammatic character, illustrating the control trigger foot in enlarged section in its normal starting position, and including a conventional wiring diagram illustrating a preferred control circuit.

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are views similar to Fig. 8, illustrating the trigger foot in different positions which result from the movement of a label thereunder.

In terms of broad inclusion, the dispensing device of the present invention comprises a housing having a recessed top adapted to receive a roll of labels of the pressure sensitive type, separably attached to a web such as a strip of wax paper or similar material. Motor driven means mounted within the housing serve to feed the web past a control mechanism and over a peeling edge which operates to separate the labels from the web along their forward edge as they approach a dispensing position. The control mechanism is responsive to movement of the labels to and from the dispensing position, and operates to connect and disconnect the driving force to automatically advance the labels successively to dispensing position and to interrupt the operation until labels so advanced are removed from the machine. The machine contemplates the provision of a control gate on which the control mechanism is mounted, the gate being movable from a normal operating position to a standby position for. maintaining the feed and control in an inactive state while the machine remains idle, and also being movable to a fully open position to facilitate the threading of a roll of labels into operative relation to the feeding mechanism and control means therefor. The invention also contemplates the provision of means for accommodating the machine to rolls of labels of different size, and to rolls bearing labels variously arranged in rows upon the web, the control mechanism being adjustable to respond to the movement of the labels in any selected position across the width of the Web in accordance with the size and arrangement of the labels. Preferably, the device includes the provision of heating means, over which the web is moved just prior to reaching the peeling edge, to facilitate separation of labels from the web, and the provision of spring fingers for maintaining effective contact of the label carrying web with the heating means and feed means of the dispenser.

In terms of greater detail, the dispensing device of the present invention comprises a housing, designated in general by the numeral 1, comprising side walls 2, a rear wall 3, and an inner front partition 4. An outer front closure gate 5 is pivotally mounted across the front of the housing upon pivot pins 6 extending laterally inwardly from the side walls 2 of the housing. An inner frame designated in general by the numeral 7 is mounted within the housing to provide support for working parts of the device as hereinafter more fully described. The side walls of the inner frame 7 are supported in spaced relation to the side walls 2 of the housing proper, by the pivot pins 6, and corresponding mounting pins 8 at the rearward end of the housing 1. Spacers 10 are provided on the pins 6 and 8. The housing is provided with a top plate 9 extending between the side portions of the inner frame 7.

The top housing plate 9 is shaped with a concave portion providing a receptacle for supporting a roll of labels, designated in general by the letter R. The roll comprises a web of fibrous sheet material, designated in general by the letter W, providing a backing for a plurality of labels, designated by the letter L. The labels are coated upon one side with a pressure sensitive coating, and are separably attached to the web by the coating. The roll R formed by the web W and labels L is of the character commonly produced and used in commercial practice, and requires no detailed description. The labels L may be of desired size and shape, and maybe placed singly or in transverse rows in spaced. relation along'the length of the web W. In the drawings I have illustrated a roll in which the labels L are arranged in rows of five extending across the width of the Web W in spaced parallel relation along the length of the roll.

The roll R is placed loosely in the receptacle formed by the concave top plate 9, so that the web may be unrolled and fed over the top plate 9 toward front of the machine, as best illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The top plate 9 is preferably perforated to permit circulation of air through the housing. An abutment plate 11, shaped to conform to the receptacle in which the roll R rests, is adjustably positioned therein to abut against the end of the roll and thereby limit axial movementof the roll and prevent lateral shifting thereof as labels are being withdrawn therefrom. The abutment plate is carried by a mounting sleeve 12 slidably mounted upon a rod 13 extending between the side walls of the inner frame 7 adjacent the rearward end of the housing 1. Frictional resistance to movement of the sleeve 12 along the rod 13 should be sufficient to hold the abutment plate in an adjusted position, but additional securing means of any desired character may be supplied if desired.

A delivery plate 14 is mounted across the inner frame 7 adjacent the forward end of the housing 1 to provide a support over which the web W and labels L are moved to dispensing position. The plate 14 extends forwardly from the forward edge of the top housing plate 9, and in effect forms a continuation thereof in substantially the plane of the top of the housing 1 and inner frame 7. Preferably, a heating unit 15 of any conventional character, capable of delivering a low degree of heat, is secured upon the under side of the plate 14 and electrically connected to a source of energy in conventional manner. The heating element 15 is arranged to be energized, when the machine is in operation, to supply a gentle heat to soften the pressure sensitive coating of the labels L and facilitate removal from the web W, and to improve adherence to surfaces to which the labels are applied after being dispensed from the machine.

The forward edge of the delivery plate 14 is formed and positioned to provide a peeling edge 16 over which the web W is moved as the labels are dispensed from the machine. The peeling edge 16 is positioned near the forward end of the housing 1. As the web W is moved over the edge, it is extended rearwardly and downwardly therefrom at an acute angle. Preferably the peeling edge is of irregular form, so as to cause a corrugating action as the Web is moved thereover. For this purpose, a plurality of roller balls 17 may be set in recesses 18 in the edge of the plate, as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings. Rotation of the balls within the recesses minimizes frictional resistance to the movement of the web, and causes a distortion of the web as indicated in Fig. 7 of the drawings, thereby insuring separation of labels from the web as it is moved over the peeling edge.

The web W is unrolled from the roll R and advanced over the peeling edge 16 of the plate 14 by means of a feed roller 21 journaled upon the inner frame 7 at a point spaced downwardly and rearwardly from the peeling edge. The feed roller 21 is rotated by a motor 22 mounted upon a platform 23 within the housing 1, and connected to the feed roller by a belt or chain 24 operating over a pulley or sprocket 25 secured to the feed roller. The belt 24 is driven by the motor 22 through a suitable speed reduction gearing, not illustrated; and the motor itself is preferably of a low speed synchronous type having substantially no overrun when the energizing circuit is broken. The motor 22 is connected to a source of electrical energy in a conventional manner, a suitable transformer 26 or other current regulating means being provided if desired. A manual control switch 28 is connected into the circuit in conventional manner for connecting and disconnecting the machine to a source of energy. If desired, a signal light 29 may also be connected into the circuit in conventional manner for indicating whether or not the machine is plugged in and connected into the source of energy.

The web W is held in driving engagement with the feed roller 21 by means of a pressure roller 31, preferably surfaced with rubber of other suitable material for frictionally engaging the web W and yieldably pressing the web against the feed roller 28. The roller 31 is preferably mounted upon relatively stiff springs 32 secured to the 'pivotally' movable front closure gate 5. The pressure roller 31 is movable with the gate 5 to press the web W against the feed roller 21 when the gate 5 is moved to its normal operative closed position, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The closure gate 5 is held in that position by means of a pair of latch arms 33 recessed upon their underside, as at 34, to effect retaining engagement with eccentric latch cams 36 secured upon a latch shaft 37. The shaft exten'ds transversely through the housing 1 and inner frame 7, and is provided with an actuating lever 38 upon one end thereof. The latch arms 33 are normally held in seated engagement with the latch cams 36 by stiff springs 39 secured to the gate 5. Latch displacing projections 41 provided upon the latch cams 36 are arranged to lift the latch arms 33 out of engagement with the latch earns 36 when it is desired to swing the front closure gate 5 to a fully open position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The latch earns 36 are of substantially circular shape, eccentrically mounted upon the cam shaft 37 The cams are arranged to move the closure gate 5 between its normal operative position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings and a half-latch or standby position, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 3. In its standby position, the gate 5 is swung slightly outwardly about the pivot pins 6 sufficiently to cause the pressure roll 31 to relieve the driving pressure against the feed roller 28. This permits the feed roller 28 to continue to rotate freely without moving the web W which rests against the pressure roller 31. The frictional resistance offered by the rubber surfacing of the pressure roller 31 holds the web against movement, and prevents any'creeping action which might result from light engagement with the feed roller 28.

The latch earns 36 are positioned on the shaft 37 between the inner frame 7 and the side walls of housing 1. The free inner ends of the latch arms 33 are pointed, and each i provided with an inclined face 42 arranged to permit the arms to be forced over the cams, against the resistance of the stiff mounting springs 39, as the gate 5 is swung from its fully open position to a closed position. The gate 5 is first engaged and held in its half-latch or standby position; and then may be moved on into the operating position, in which the feed roller 21 advances the web, by rotating the shaft 37 through an angle of to degrees by means of the lever 38. The gate 5 is released to its fully open position only when it is desired to replace the supply roll. When the gate 5 is fully open, the backing web of the replacement roll may be freely extendt 'd Over the peeling edge 16 and between the feed roller 21 and pressure. roller 31. The bottom of the housing 1 is open at its forward end to permit the web W to pass freely downwardly therethrough after the labels have been removed. In the standby position, the machine may be plugged into a supply of electrical energy, but no power will be delivered to advance the web W and labels L unless the gate 5 has been fully closed and the pressure roller 31 moved to its driving position by turning the cam shaft actuating lever to the operating position. This permits the machine to be plugged in, but remain inactive, during idle periods when labels are not being withdrawn from the machine.

During active periods, the operation of the motor 21 is controlled automatically by the movement of the labels L to and from dispensing position by a control mechanism sensitive to the thickness of a label carried by the web, and responsive to movement of a label therepast by the web. As illustrated, the control mechanism comprises a control switch mounted within a switch casing, designated in general by the numeral 45, secured to the front closure gate 5 and movable therewith from open position to standby and drive positions as above explained. The casing comprises a bottom plate 46 arranged to overlie the delivery plate 14 when the gate 5 is in its closed position. In the operative position of the gate 5, the bottom plate 46 is disposed substantially parallel to the delivery plate 14, and in slightly spaced relation thereto. Spring fingers 47 secured upon the under side of the plate 46 serve to hold the web W against the delivery plate 14. The casing includes a U-shaped hood member 48 and a top plate 49 forming a substantially closed casing in which the switch mechanism is enclosed, and which prevents unauthorized or unskilled tampering with the switch mechanism after the initial assembly and adjustment thereof. A stiffening member 50 provides seats against which the bottom and top plates are secured in their assembled relation upon the hood member 48. The casing 45 is rigidly secured to upwardly projecting extensions 51 formed upon inwardly turned flange portions 52 upon the sides of the pivoted closure gate 5.

The control switch comprises a fixed contact 55 carried upon the end of an adjustable arm 56 secured to a switch block 57 mounted for transverse adjustment in the casing 45. The switch block 57 is supported upon shafts 58 and 59 extending transversely acros the casing 45 in spaced parallel relation. The shaft 58 is slidably engaged by the switch block 57 and is adjustably movable therealong by the shaft 59, which is threaded through the switch block 57 and provided with knobs 61 on its outer ends, whereby the shaft 59 may be rotated to move the switch block to a desired position. Stops 60 may be threaded on to the shaft 59 to limit the movement of the switch block therealong and prevent possible damage to the switch by forced movement beyond its normal range. The contact arm 56 is secured to the switch block 57 by a rivet or other suitable securing means 62, which may also provide a binding post to receive an electric terminal 63 by which the contact arm is connected into a control circuit. An adjusting screw 64 is threaded through the contact arm 56 and a lug or nut 65 secured thereto for adjusting the arm to exactly position the contact 55 within the switch casing.

A movable contact 67 is carried by a spring contact arm 68 to which is attached a terminal 69 for connecting the contact 67 into the control circuit. The spring contact arm 68 is supported by a bracket arm 71 secured to the under side of the switch block 57, and extending forwardly therefrom toward the peeling edge of the delivery plate 14. The spring contact arm 68 is secured to an actuating arm 72 tiltable upon a pair of sensing elements 73, such as a pair of ball bearings, movable within sockets formed in the bracket arm 71 near its outer end, and positioned over the peeling edge 16 of the delivery plate 14. The actuating arm 72 is held lightly in seated engagement with the ball bearings 73 by means of a spring 76 secured at one end to the bracket arm 71 and at the other end to the actuating arm 72. The ball bearing sensing elements 73 are spaced in the direction of travel of the web W and normally seat against the upper surface thereof as the web moves over the peeling edge 16.

The bracket arm 71 projects forwardly from the switch block 57 and is provided with a downwardly offset foot portion 74 shaped to extend into a notch 77 formed in the forward edge of the bottom plate 46 of the switch casing. The ball bearing sensing elements 73 are loosely mounted within the bracket arm 71 so as to have an effective though limited amount of movement in a direction substantially normal to the foot portion of the bracket arm 71 and the plane of the delivery plate 14 over which the web W and labels L are moved as they approach the peeling edge 16. The actuating arm 72 extends laterally from the bracket arm 71 and is provided at its outer end with a downwardly turned supporting tip 78 which rests upon a lateral extension 79 secured to the bracket arm 71 in spaced parallel relation thereto, as best indicated in Fig. 7 of the drawings. The bracket extension 79 and the spring 76 may be secured to the bracket arm 71 by a single securing screw 80, as illustrated. The supporting tip 78 is preferably centered upon an axis extending midway between the sensing balls 73, and combines with the sensing balls to provide a three point support for tiltably supporting the actuating arm 72 relative to the bracket arm 71.

The spring arm 68 is preferably made in two sections joined by a block of insulating material 81 positioned between the terminal 69 and the actuating arm 72 to prevent grounding of the electric circuit through the arm. The portion secured to the actuating arm 72 is of relatively heavy rigid construction capable of carrying an ordinary load without distortion. The outer end of the spring arm 68 is of a resilience sensitive to a slight tilting of the actuating arm 72 for moving the contact 67 into and out of engagement with the fixed contact 55. The length of the spring arm 68 serves to multiply a very slight tilting movement of the actuating arm 72 so as to provide a substantial degree of movement at the point of engagement of the contacts 67 and 55. The resilience of the outer portion of the arm 68 permits distortion of the arm when the actuating arm 72 is tilted in one direction, and to separate the contacts when the actuating arm is tilted in the opposite direction. The downwardly offset foot of the bracket arm 74, with the sensing balls 73 and the actuating arm 72 carried thereby, operates as a trigger mechanism responsive to the movement of labels L thereunder by the web W for making and breaking a control circuit by which the delivery of driving power through the feed roll 21 to the web W is controlled.

As herein illustrated, the trigger foot 74 extends downwardly through the notch 77 in the bottom plate 46, so as to seat upon the delivery plate 14, or the web W and labels L delivered thereover, adjacent the peeling edge 16. In the absence of a Web W, the balls 73 seat upon the upper surface of the delivery plate 14, and the actuating arm 72 is held lightly thereon in a substantially level position by the spring 76. The same condition obtains when the web W is extended between the delivery plate 14 and the trigger feet. In that case, the two sensing balls 73 rest on the upper surface of the web W and the actuating arm 72 is supported in a level position as illustrated in Fig. 8 of the drawings. In this condition, the spring arm 68 holds the movable contact 67 in circuit closing engagement with the fixed contact 55 to close the control circuit by which the delivery of energy from the motor 22 to the feed roller 21 is controlled.

The. control circuit includes a relay 83 arranged to.

operate ,a main circuit switch 84. The control circuit is ordinarily operated at low voltage through asuitable transformer .85 connected into the main electric supply circuit. As illustrated, the terminals 63 and 69 are connected to the relay.83 and the low voltage side of the transformer 85. The main supply circuit is connected to the source of energy through the manual switch 28 by which the main circuit to the machine may be connected and disconnected as desired. When the switch 23 is closed, the delivery of power to the feed roll 28 will be controlled by the relay switch 84 which in turn is controlled by making and breaking of the control circuit through the contacts 55 and 67. The signal light 2.9 is preferably connected into the main supply circuit to indicate whether or not the machine is connected to the source of energy.

So long as the two sensing balls 73 are supported in the same plane, Whether upon the delivery plate 14, the web W, or a label L, the spring contact arm 655 presses the movable contact -67 against the fixed contact 55 with sufficient pressure to close the control circuit and thereby energize the relay 83 to close the main supply circuit. Assuming that the trigger foot is resting upon the upper surface of the web W in advance of the foremost label L carried thereby, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the circuits will be closed, as indicated, and energy will be delivered to the feed roll Zll. Assuming again that the front closure gate occupies its normal operative position indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the web W will be held in driving engagement with the feed roller 21 by the pressure roller 31, and rotation of the feed roller will cause the web W and labels L carried thereby to be advanced over the delivery plate 14.

As the leading edge of the foremost label L is advanced over the rearward sensing ball 73, that ball will be raised a distance equal to the thickness of the label and the actuating arm 72 will be tilted on the three point support provided by the sensing balls '73 and the point 78, as illustrated in Fig. 9 of the drawings. This causes added tension to be produced in the spring arm 68, which is bent sufficiently to accommodate the tilting movement of the actuating arm and maintains engagement of the movable contact 67 with the fixed contact 55. As the web is moved to further advance the label L, the second ball 73 is raised to the same level as the first ball, and the actuating arm is returned to its level position, with the contacts 67 and 55 still in engagement, as illustrated in Fig. 10 of the drawings. Further movement of the web W causes the trailing edge of the foremost label L to pass from under the rearward sensing ball 73. This permits the rearward ball to drop to the level of the web itself, while the forward ball is supported at the higher position upon the trailing edge of the label, and causes the actuating arm 72 to tip in the direction indicated in Fig. 11 of the drawings and thereby move the contact 67 out of engagement with the fixed contact 55. As the control circuit is thus broken, the relay switch 84 is moved to break the circuit through the motor 22. This, of course, interrupts the operation of the feed roll 21, and stops the advance movement of the web W and labels.

As a label is moved under the trigger foot, its forward edge passes beyond the peeling edge 16 over which the web is bent. The inherent stiffness of the label material is such that, as the web is bent downwardly and rearwardly over the peeling edge, the labels resist bending and separate from the web. As the labels are advanced, their leading edges project forwardly in substantially the plane along which the labels are moved over the delivery plate. The peeling edge 14 and trigger foot 74 are so positioned that the control circuit is broken, and advance movement of the web is halted, While the trailing edge of the label is still engaged by the forward sensing hall 73, and with the forward edge of the label projecting outwardly from between the switch casing and the upper edge of the front closure door 5, as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. So long as the label L remains in this position, the circuit will be broken between the contacts 67 and 55 and 'by the relay actuated switch 84. This position of the label is referred to as the dispensing position, and from .this position the label may be readily removed manually for application as desired.

When a label is removed from the dispensing position, the forward sensing ball 73 drops to the level of the rearward ball 73, and the actuating arm 72 is tilted back to its normal level position with the movable contact engaging the fixed .contact and again closing the circuit. This, of course, energizes the main circuit and causes the feed roll 21 to advance the web and move the next succeeding label to dispensing position. The removal of each successive label from under the trigger foot activates the mechanism to automatically advance the next succeeding label to dispensing position; and the operation may be continued indefinitely, until the roll of labels is exhausted.

Where, as illustrated, a plurality of labels are arranged in rows across the width of the web W, the trigger foot is centered over a desired line of labels. This is accomplished by rotating the nobs 61 and threaded shaft 59 to move the switch block 57 transversely to a desired position in alignment with the selected line of labels. As a row of labels is moved to dispensing position, the labels may be withdrawn in any desired order, with the label engaged by the trigger foot, being the last removed so that its removal will cause a succeeding row of labels to be moved to the dispensing position.

In practice, periods often occur when the machine Will be temporarily idle. During such periods, the latch cams 36 are turned to the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings to move the gate 5 outwardly to its standby position. This movement of the gate 5 causes the pressure roller 31 to relieve the driving pressure against the web, and permits the feed roll 21 to rotate freely without advancing the web. At the same time, the trigger foot is tipped bodily to a position such as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. In this position, the arm 71 is tilted to hold the sensing balls 73 out of the path of the labels, and maintains the control circuit in closed condition, in readiness to renew operation when the lever 33 is moved to return the gate to its normal operative position.

When it is desired to place a roll of labels in operative dispensing position upon the machine, the front gate 5 is swung to a fully open position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The switch casing, with its control switch mechanism, is carried with the gate, and the pressure roll 31 is swung entirely away from the feed roll 21. The roll R of labels is placed in the recessed top of the housing, and the abutment plate 11 is moved to hold the roll against the opposite side wall of the housing. The leading end of the web is carried over the dispensing plate 14 and downwardly through the open forward end of the bottom of the housing 1. When the gate 5 is returned to its closed position, the latch arms 33 are raised to clear the cams 36, which will then hold the gate in its standby or its operative position according to the setting of the cams by the lever 38. The closing movement of the gate causes the pressure roller to engage the outer side of the web W, and returns the control switch and trigger foot to position for operation as above explained.

While I have illustrated an arrangement in which the drive motor 22 is directly connected to the feed roller 21, and in which control depends upon the making and the breaking of an energizing circuit through the motor, the delivery of power to the feed roller 21 may be controlled in other Ways. For example, the control circuit may be connected to energize clutch actuating means by which the motor may be connected and disconnected from the feed roller 21 instead of making and breaking the circuit through the motor itself. In either event, it is, of course, essential that the feed roller stop instantly upon the breaking of the control circuit between the contacts 67 and 55.

The size and position of labels along the backing web W may, of course, be varied widely to meet the varying requirements. The width of the web W and the number of labels included in each roll will vary with the size and intended use of the labels. The labels should, of course, be arranged in rows transversely across the width of the web W, and the rows should be spaced sufliciently along the length of the web to accommodate one of the sensing balls 73 between successive labels to insure operation of the trigger foot as above explained.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for dispensing labels from a movable web to which the labels are separably attached, driving means engaging a web to advance labels successively to dispensing position, and control means responsive to the removal of a label from the dispensing position for activating the driving means to automatically advance a succeeding label to the dispensing position, said control means comprising a control arm, a drive control circuit arranged to be opened and closed by inclining movement of the arm. and a pair of rollers spaced longitudinally from each other a distance slightly greater than the length of one label in the direction of movement of said Web, said rollers being interposed between the outer end portion of said control arm and said web, whereby relative displacement of one of the rollers relative to the other by movement of a label thereunder will cause inclining movement of the arm to open or close said drive control circuit.

2. In a machine for dispensing labels from a movable web to which they are separably attached, driving means engaging a web to advance labels successively to dispensing position, a peeling edge over which the web is moved as the labels approach the dispensing position, and rollers spaced laterally from each other along the peeling edge, whereby said web will be corrugated as it passes said peeling edge to aid in breaking the bond between said labels and said web.

3. A trigger mechanism for label dispensing machines in which labels carried by a web are moved successively to a dispensing position comprising drive means including an electric control circuit, a switch for making and breaking the control circuit, a tiltable trigger foot connected to the switch for actuating the same, and ball bearing means spaced from each other in the direction of movement of said web and interposed between the labels and the trigger foot, whereby movement of the labels therepast will tilt the trigger foot to open or close said circuit.

4. A trigger mechanism for label dispensing machines in which labels carried by a web are moved successively to a dispensing position comprising drive means including an electric control circuit, a switch for making and breaking the control circuit, a tiltable trigger foot connected to the switch for actuating the same, and a three point support for the foot including two ball bearings spaced longitudinally of the labels and positioned between the labels and the trigger foot on the labels approach a dis pensing position, whereby movement of the labels thereunder will tilt the trigger foot to actuate said switch.

5. A control switch responsive to differences in elevation of areas on a traveling web, a surface underlying the web, a bearing plate overlying the web, a pair of bearings spaced along the path of movement of the web and having limited movement normal thereto, a tiltable trigger seated upon the bearings and tiltable about an axis positioned transversely to the path of movement of the web and spaced thereabove, means yieldably holding the trigger seated upon the bearings, a contact arm actuated by the trigger, and a contact upon the arm for making and breaking a control circuit, said arm being arranged to magnify the movement of the trigger as transmitted by the arm to the contact.

6. In a device for dispensing labels from a web to which the labels are separately attached, drive means for advancing the web to advance the labels successively to dispensing position, a switch in the energizing circuit of said drive means, a control rod responsive to tilting movement thereof to control the opening and closing of said switch, said control rod terminating in a trigger foot generally parallel to said web along the line of movement thereof, a pair of supporting elements interposed between said trigger foot and said web adjacent the front and rear ends respectively of said trigger foot, whereby a label passing under either of said means will tilt said control rod to actuate said switch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 398,276 Pierce Feb. 19, 1889 1,355,488 McKenney Oct. 12, 1920 2,090,178 Brickner Aug. 17, 1937 2,312,340 Kilpatrick Mar. 2, 1943 2,484,880 Flood Oct. 18, 1949 2,504,535 Kilpan'ick Apr. 18, 1950 2,571,450 Hughes Oct. 16, 1951 2,602,719 Thiene July 8, 1952 2,637,611 Tandler May 5, 1953

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