US3886032A

US3886032A - Addressing machine label transport

Info

Publication number: US3886032A
Application number: US270387A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Herbert C Artelt
Original assignee: Xerox Corp
Current assignee: Videojet Technologies Inc
Priority date: 1970-05-13
Filing date: 1972-07-10
Publication date: 1975-05-27
Anticipated expiration: 1992-05-27

Abstract

An article addressing machine for use with a continuous strip label supply, the addressing machine having a labeling head including a label transfer wheel; transport means for supplying articles to the transfer wheel for addressing thereof, means adapted when actuated to cut one label at a time from said label supply strip; and means for transporting the labels from the cutting means to the label transfer wheel including an endless vacuum conveyor belt operating in timed relationship with said transfer wheel whereby to assure timely feed of labels to said transfer wheel and consequent proper positioning of addresses on the articles.

Description

United States Patent Artelt, Jr.

[ ADDRESSING MACHINE LABEL TRANSPORT [75] Inventor: Herbert C. Artelt, Jr., Wildwood,

Ill.

[73] Assignee: Xerox Corporation, Stamford,

Conn

[22] Filed: July 10, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 270,387

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 36,888, May 13. I970.

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 156/521; l56/566 [51] Int. Cl B32b 31/00 [58] Field of Search 156/52], 264. 250, 566, 156/520 519 [561 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.367 822 2/l968 Hoffler l56/264 1 51 May 27, 1975 3,556,909 l/l97l Stegman 156/521 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,075,668 9/1965 11611611 Kingdom 156/521 Primary Examiner-Douglas J. Drummond {57] ABSTRACT An article addressing machine for use with a continuous strip label supply, the addressing machine having a labeling head including a label transfer wheel; transport means for supplying articles to the transfer wheel for addressing thereof means adapted when actuated to cut one label at a time from said label supply strip; and means for transporting the labels from the cutting means to the label transfer wheel including an endless vacuum conveyor belt operating in timed relationship with said transfer wheel whereby to assure timely feed of labels to said transfer wheel and consequent proper positioning of addresses on the articles.

6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures WWII! ||lfllllillmllillillllllllllIIIIHFHIHIIIHJIW| Illlllj I NV TOR T C. ART

TTORNE Y PATENTEU MAY 2 7 I975 SHEET PATENTEDMAY 2 7 I975 SHEET SHEET PATENTEB NAT 2? ms ADDRESSING MACHINE LABEL TRANSPORT This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 36,888, filed May I3, 1970, now abandoned.

This invention relates to article addressing machines, and more particularly to article addressing machines incorporating improved means for transporting labels from the label supply to the machine address transfer means.

In machines for addressing articles such as envelopes, newspapers and the like, the supply of labels is conveniently in the form of an endless strip or length of uncut labels, normally four or five abreast. Typically, these labels are generated by a computer. As can be appreciated, addressing machines in these applications include means such as knives to separate the strip into individual labels prior to use. Following separation, the individual labels are transported or carried to the machine label transfer means where the address information or the label itself is transferred to the articles.

It is a principal object of the present invention to pro vide a new and improved article addressing machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an article addressing machine incorporating improved means for transporting individual labels to the addressing machine label transfer mechanism.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved vacuum transport belt for feeding labels from the label source to the label transfer means of an addressing machine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a label transport belt with vacuum means for temporarily tacking labels to the belt.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an article addressing machine having a label transfer wheel, a scissors-like label cutter, and movable conveyor belt means at the label cutter discharge to receive the labels one by one as they are discharged from the cutter, the operating speeds of the label cutter and conveyor belt being integrated with that of the transfer wheel to provide labels to the transfer wheel in predetermined timed order.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved vacuum transport mechanism for supplying labels to the label transfer mechanism of an addressing machine incorporating means to control vacuum admission to the transport mechanism in accordance with movement of the labels.

This invention relates to an article addressing machine adapted for use with uncut labels in the form of a continuous strip, comprising in combination; addressing means for bringing individual labels into physical contact with the articles; means for feeding articles to the addressing means for addressing thereof; means for separating the strip into individual labels for use by the addressing means; and transport means for carrying the labels from the separating means to the article addressing means, the transport means including a movable belt-like conveyor operatively arranged adjacent the discharge side of the separating means so as to receive the labels as they are discharged by the separating means, and vacuum means for releasably tacking the labels to the conveyor belt.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the ensuing description and drawings in which:

FIG. I is an elevational view showing the addressing machine of the present invention coupled with a discharge conveyor;

FIG. 2 is a side view with parts broken away showing the addressing machine labeling head of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the labeling head shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing details of the label form feeding and separating mechanism together with the label transport means;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing details of the labeling head guillotine;

FIG. 6 is an end view partially in section of the labeling head shown in FIG. 2 showing details of the label strip drive mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a side view with parts broken away showing a modified labeling head incorporating vacuum supply arrangement for the cut label transport belt; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views taken along lines 8-8 and 99 respectively in FIG. 7 showing details of the vacuum control valve port arrangement.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown the labeling or addressing machine, designated generally by the numeral 10, of the present invention. As will appear more fully hereafter, addressing machine 10 serves to transfer labels 11, or the information thereon, onto articles 13. Labels 11 are supplied to the labeling head portion 16 of addressing machine 10 in the form of a continuous sheet 20 which usually consists of label rows 64 four or five abreast. As will appear, label sheet 20 is cut into individual labels 1] which are carried by transport belt 35 to transfer wheel 17. Wheel 17 then transfers the label itself or the information thereon to articles 13.

As is understood by those skilled in the addressing or labeling art, labels 11 may be physically transferred to articles 13 as by gluing. Alternately, the label information only may be tranferred to the articles. In this latter instance, wax impressions on the label are transferred with the aid of heat and pressure to the articles, the used labels preferably being collected in a suitable storage tray (not shown) for possible reuse as glued labels or simply destroyed. In this latter type of application, transfer shoe 30 of wheel 17 incorporates suitable heating means (not shown) to facilitate transfer of the label information.

Articles 13, which may comprise envelopes, cards, newspapers, and the like, are stored in hopper l2. Article transport 14 carries the articles 13 one at a time past transfer wheel 17 where the articles are labeled. The labeled articles may be then carried to a suitable take away conveyor 18 by transport 14.

Addressing machine 10 has a table-like base 15 on which article hopper l2 and article transport 14 are operatively supported, the feeding surface of transport 14 being substantially level with the surface of base 15. In this arrangement, articles 13 rest partially on the surface of base 15 as they are carried past transfer wheel 17 by transport 14.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, transfer wheel .17 is supported by drive shaft 17'. Shaft 17' is rotatably journaled in the frame member 26 of labeling head 16. Frame member 26 is in turn mounted on base 15 adjacent transport 14. Transfer wheel I7 has a curved label transfer shoe 30 mounted on the periphery thereof and extending partially about the circumference of wheel 17. Wheel 17 is supported on frame member 26 opposite a suitable pressure roll (not shown) carried by base and between which articles 13 are carried by transport 14. Suitable adjusting means (not shown) may be provided to enable the spacing between transfer wheel shoe 30 and the surface of the pressure roll to be varied to accommodate different thickness articles and different pressure requirements.

Vacuum holddown ports 31 (shown in FIG. 6) open to the periphery of shoe 30. Ports 31 communicate via suitable control valve means (not shown) with a vacuum source to provide vacuum to the periphery of label transfer shoe 30 for temporarily attaching labels 11 to shoe 30 during the labeling process.

In applications where labels 11 are physically attached to articles 13 as by gluing, vacuum holddown ports 31 of transfer shoe 30 are opened to the vacuum source as shoe 30 moves from a point opposite lower drive pulley 38 of label transport 35 to the area opposite article transport 14. In applications where the label information only is transferred, the vacuum control valve means in transfer wheel 17 may be altered to sustain vacuum to ports 31 of shoe 30 until shoe 30 is past the label transfer point. This facilitates removal of the used labels from the transfer area and deposit in a used label storage tray when used.

It is understood that in applications where labels 11 are physically attached to articles 13, a suitable glue dispenser or applicator, such as a dispensing roller (not shown), is provided to coat the underside of the label with adhesive prior to contact of the label with the article being addressed. In this application, the glue dispensing roller is normally disposed above article transport 14 and to the left of transfer wheel 17 as seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings.

Label transport belt 35 is supported by a pair of

pulleys

38, 39 rotatably jounaled on frame member 26. Lower pulley 38, which as will appear comprises the drive pulley for belt 35, is arranged proximate the path of movement of transfer wheel shoe 30. Pulley 39, which comprises an idler pulley, is supported at the remote end 26' of frame member 26 just beyond the ef fective cutting width of guillotine 40.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 24 of the drawings, transport belt 35 comprises a flexible belt perforated at spaced points along its length. The upper run of label transport belt 35 rides in recess 43 of elongated vacuum distributing member or distributor 44 secured to frame 26 underneath the discharge side of guillotine 40. Vacuum distributing member 44 is sized to extend substantially the full distance between

pulleys

38, 39, ends 44' of member 44 being suitably curved to mate with the curved portions of

pulleys

38, 39 opposite thereto. The label supporting surface 48 of vacuum distributing member 44 is substantially flat with belt recess 43 extending centrally along the length thereof, the depth of recess 43 being such that the upper surface of belt 35 is substantially level with or slightly higher than the surface 48 of member 44. As best seen in FIG. 4, a raised outer lip 50 is provided along the outer edge of label supporting surface 48. The inside edge of label supporting surface 48 is defined by the lower cutting edge 66 of guillotine 40 extending therealong.

Vacuum distributing member 44 has a vacuum chamber 46 therein communicated through distributor hoses 47 with a vacuum source, represented by supply hose 97. A series of vacuum ports 49 are provided along the length of transport belt recess 43 to supply vacuum from chamber 46 to label transport belt 35 as belt 35 moves along recess 43. As can be understood, this arrangement provides, in cooperation with perforations 42 in belt 35, vacuum along the upper run of belt 35 to tack or attach the labels to belt 35 following operation of guillotine 40 and enable belt 35 to transport the labels laterally to transfer wheel 17.

Lower drive pulley 38 has vacuum ports 52 (best seen in FIG. 3) opening to the periphery thereof to provide holddown vacuum for carrying the labels therealong to transfer wheel 17. Suitable vacuum control means (not shown) serve to control vacuum admission to ports 52 so as to provide vacuum to the periphery of pulley 38 in the area extending from vacuum distributing member 44 to a point opposite label transfer wheel 17.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, a pair of shafts 55, 56 are rotatably journaled on rear supports 62 of labeling head frame member 26. A pair of feed sprockets 58 are secured to lower shaft 55, sprockets being arranged to engage perforations 60 in margins 65 of label form 20. In addition, shaft 55 has mounted at spaced points therealong roller anvils 61, the number and position of anvils 61 corresponding to the points where form 20 is to be slit longitudinally into label rows 64 and margins 65 removed. Upper shaft 56 has mounted thereon opposite ends of the roller anvils 61 and in cutting relationship thereto disc-like slitters 63. As can be understood, slitters 63 cooperate with anvils 61 to slit label form 20 in a lengthwise direction to thereby remove margins 65 and separate form 20 into individual rows 64. Label rows 64 are subsequently cut into individual labels 11 by guillotine 40. As will appear, shaft 55 is intermittently rotated to advance label sheet 20 toward guillotine 40, shaft 56 being suitably geared to shaft 55 for concurrent rotation therewith.

To support the slitted label form as the form feeds to ward guillotine 40, frame member 26 is provided with a relatively smooth lower guiding base 68 which extends to vacuum distributing member 44 and forms the lower cutting edge 66 of guillotine 40. Spaced upper guides 67 cooperate with base 68 to guide the label rows 64 to guillotine 40.

In addition to lower cutting edge 66, guillotine 40 includes an upper knife 69. Knife 69 is carried by part 70 slidably supported for up and down movement in vertical grooves 71 in labeling head frame member 26. Upper knife part 70 is reciprocated by means of an eccentric shaft 74 rotatably journaled in frame extensions 62 and connected to part 70 by links 76. Links 76 are journaled on eccentric shaft 74 by suitable bearing means (not shown) and are secured to part 70 by suitable pin means. As will appear, eccentric shaft 74 is driven in unison with vacuum drive pulley 38 from drive belt 78, shown in FIG. 6.

To maintain the slitted label sheet stationary during operation of guillotine 40, collapsible braking members 80 are suspended from the lower surface of knife part 70. Braking members 80, which are slidably received in recesses 81 in part 70, are biased downwardly by springs 82 toward guiding base 68. As can be understood, on movement of part 70 toward base 68, braking members 80 first contact the slitted label sheet 20 to hold sheet 20 stationary during operation of guillotine 40.

To correlate feed of labels 11 with cyclic operation of label transfer wheel 17, the cutting edge 69' of knife 69 is angled so that knife 69, during the cutting stroke thereof, cuts in a scissors-like fashion from right to left as viewed in FlGS. 2 and 5. Labels 11 are accordingly cut off one by one so that there results on label transport belt 35, which is continuously driven, a series of labels 11 spaced a predetermined distance from one another. lt is understood that the relative operating speeds of the several component parts of labeling head 16 including guillotine 40 and transport belt 35 are chosen to provide predetermined spacing between the labels 11 on transport belt 35 as will assure a continuous supply of labels to shoe 30 of transfer wheel 17, each label being positioned on shoe 30 in proper location for transfer of the label itself, or the address information therefrom, onto articles 13 as the articles are brought forward by article transport 14.

Addressing machine is driven by a suitable motor (not shown), there being suitable power transfer means from the machine motor to article transport 14 and to transfer wheel shaft 17' in labeling head 16. Suitable clutch means (not shown) may be provided to interrupt drive to transfer wheel 17 in the event of failure of interruption in the supply of articles being labeled.

Head drive shaft 87 extends laterally along labeling head 16 and is suitably journaled in frame member 26 thereof. Both vacuum drive pulley 38 and shaft 87 are drive from transfer wheel shaft 17' through suitable power transfer means such as gears (not shown) at a speed sufficient to assure a continuous supply of cut labels to transfer wheel 17. Shaft 87 drives eccentric shaft 74 by means of drive belt 78.

Referring particularly to FIG. 6, sprocket shaft 55 has an adjustable ratchet type input clutch 88 supported on the outermost end thereof. Clutch 88 is driven in oscillating fashion by eccentric shaft 74 through link 89 which is pinned off-center to eccentric shaft pulley 90 and to clutch 88. Slitter shaft 56 is geared to rotate in unison with but in a direction opposite to sprocket drive shaft 55.

Clutch 88 includes a suitable adjustable screw 91 to enable one-way driving arc of clutch 88 to be adjusted. As is apparent, on rotation of eccentric shaft 74 by drive belt 78 to operate guillotine 40, eccentric 89 first turns the input member of clutch 88 in a forward or label sheet feeding direction (the direction shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. 6). Clutch 88 accordingly engages to drive sprocket shaft 55, which in turn drives slitter shaft 56 to advance label sheet 20, the duration of engagement of clutch 88 being adjusted to advance label sheet 20 one label width. The continued rotation of eccentric shaft 74 operates guillotine 40 to cut off the label width advanced thereunder, the cut labels dropping onto transport belt 35. While guillotine 40 is operated, drive link 89 reverses the drive to clutch 88 (the direction shown by the dotted line arrow in FIG. 6) to interrupt power to shafts 55, 56 and advance of label sheet 20.

OPERATION During operation of addressing machine 10, a supply of articles 13 to be labeled is provided in hopper 12, it being understood that hopper 12 is adjustable to accommodate the various size articles. Article transport 14 feeds articles 13 singly from hopper 12 to transfer wheel 17 where the articles are labeled, the labeled articles being discharged by transport 14 onto the takeaway conveyor 18.

At the same time, labeling head 16 operates to supply labels 11 from form 20 to transfer wheel 17. Wheel 17 in turn serves to transfer the labels 11 or the address information therefrom, onto articles 13.

With operation of addressing machine 10, clutch 88 of labeling head 16, which is drivingly connected to head drive shaft 87 via drive belt 78 and link 89, serves to index sprocket drive shaft 55 forward once each revolution of shaft 87 to advance label form 20 one label width. As label form 20 advances, slitters 63 on shaft 56 cut form 20 longitudinally to remove margins 65 and separate form 20 in label rows 64. At the same time, the previously slitted leading end of form 20 advances under guillotine 40 and over belt 35 where the label rows 64 are cut in succession by guillotine knife 69 into individual labels 11.

It is understood that vacuum from distributing member 44 serves, through the medium of perforations 42 in belt 35, to temporarily tack labels 11 to the portion of belt 35 moving underneath guillotine 44. As the labels on belt 35 reach drive pulley 38, the vacuum supply to ports 49 in pulley 38 retains the labels on periphery of pulley 38 until the labels come opposite the rotating transfer shoe 30 at which point the vacuum supply to ports 49 of pulley 38 is shut off to permit the labels to be transferred from belt 35 and pulley 38 to transfer wheel shoe 30. It is understood that vacuum holddown ports 31 in shoe 30 are opened to the vacuum source as transfer wheel shoe 30 comes opposite drive pulley 38 by the transfer wheel vacuum control valve means (not shown).

The label supply means, that is, strip feed sprockets 58, guillotine 40 and label transport belt 35 are driven in unison with transfer wheel 17 at speeds chosen to provide an uninterrupted supply of cut labels to transfer wheel 17, such that each label is correctly positioned on transfer wheel shoe 30 for transfer of the label itself, or the information therefrom, onto the articles 13 as they are brought forward by transport 14.

While a five row label form 20 is illustrated herein, it is understood that form 20 may comprise one or more rows. Where a different type and size label form is employed, form feed sprockets 58 and the cooperating anvils and

slitters

61, 63 respectively are adjusted on their respective shafts 55, 56 to correlate their position with the specific label form used. In addition, corresponding adjustments in the relative operating speeds of the various components of labeling head 16 may be contemplated with different types and sizes of label forms to assure a continuous and properly spaced supply of labels to transfer wheel 17.

Referring now to the modified labeling head shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, a modified vacuum distributing member 44' is provided, member 44' being comprised of plural, separate vacuum chambers each communicated with the vacuum supply hose 97 through control valve 102 and individual vacuum lines 103. As will appear more fully, the number of vacuum chambers 100 equal the number of label rows 64. Vacuum ports 49 in recess 43 of distributing member 44' are provided for each chamber 100, the ports for each chamber 100 being arranged in the surface of member 44' substantially in line with the label row associated with that chamber.

Control valve 102 includes a rotatable valve spool 105 driven in unison with labeling head 16 by head drive shaft 87 through gear set 106. Valve spool 105 rides in a cylindrical valve body 107 having vacuum admission port 108 therethrough opposite recess 109. Port 108 communicates with vacuum supply hose 97.

Valve spool 105 includes a lower vacuum supply recess 109 extending completely around the periphery thereof, opposite to and in open communication with supply port 108. Plural

vacuum distributing recesses

110, 111, 112, 113 and 114, each of a predetermined arcuate length as will appear more fully, are provided opposite ports 117 in valve body 107. Ports 117 communicate via distributor lines 103 with the individual vacuum chambers 100 in distributing member 44. Recess 120 in spool 105 communicates supply recess 109 with

recesses

110, 111, 112, 113 and 114.

As can be understood, vacuum from supply hose 97 is continuously admitted to the valve body 107. As spool 105 rotates in operative unison with labeling head 16, vacuum chambers 100 are communicated with the vacuum source for predetermined intervals during each revolution of spool 105 as determined by the arcuate extent of the

several recesses

110, 111, 112, 1 l3 and 114. And, as is apparent, the vacuum supply to member 44 is totally interrupted for a short interval just prior to descent of guillotine knife 69.

As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the individual

vacuum distributing recesses

110, 111, 112, 113 and 114 are of varying arcuate extent, with that of recess 110, which serves the vacuum chamber 100 nearest lower drive pulley 38 being the longest. The arcuate extent of the remaining

recesses

111, 112 113 and 114 progressively decrease. By this construction, the interval during which the vaccum chambers 100 are open to the vacuum source is varied in correspondence with actual label feeding requirements with the result that the chamber 100' farthest from transfer wheel 17 is open to the vacuum source for only a very short interval. The remaining vacuum chambers are open to the vacuum source for progressively greater intervals, the vacuum chamber closest transfer wheel 17 being open to the vacuum source for the longest interval.

it is understood that chambers 100 need only be open to the vacuum source for a period sufficient to feed labels 11 thereover Once the last label has past, the vacuum supply may be interrupted until the next cutting cycle. By terminating the vacuum supply to the various chambers 100 as the labels move therepast, vacuum is conserved and any tendency for the slitted label form to become prematurely tacked to belt 35 as the slitted form 20 is advanced under guillotine knife 69 for the next cutting cycle is obviated.

The operation of the modified labeling head shown in FIGS. 7-9 of addressing machine 10 is the same as that described heretofore except that communication between the chambers 100 of distributing member 44 and the vacuum source (represented by supply hose 97) is progressively interrupted by control valve 102 as the last label generated during each cutting cycle of guillotine 40 moves therepast in the direction of transfer wheel 17. Specifically, during the cutting stroke of guillotine knife 69, the several chambers 100 of vac uum distributing member 44 are open to the vacuum source by valve 102. As the labels are cut by guillotine 40, they drop in succession (from right to left in FIG. 7) onto the moving belt 35 in the predetermined spaced order described heretofore. Vacuum admitted to belt 35 via perforations 42 of belt 35 and ports 49 in distributing member 44 serves to tack the labels to belt 35 and thereby assure positive transport of the labels in predetermined spaced relationship forward to transfer wheel 17 (from left to right in FIG. 7).

As the last label passes beyond each vacuum chamber, valve 102, which is driven in timed relationship with labeling head 16 from gear set 106, terminates the vacuum supply to that chamber. This obviates any tendency for the ends of the slitted label form to become prematurely tacked to the moving conveyor belt 35 as the label form 20 is advanced forward under guillotine knife 69 with possible misaligned cutting of the labels by guillotine 40. At the same time. the vacuum supply is conserved.

It is understood that where different types and size label forms are used, the arrangement and number of vacuum chambers in vacuum distributing member 44 as well as the porting arrangement and timing of control valve 102 would be altered to correspond with the specific form used.

Initial feeding of the slitted label form 20 under knife 69 of guillotine 40 may occur prior to feeding of the last label generated by the previous cutting cycle of guillotine 40 and termination of the vacuum supply to all of the vacuum chambers in distributing member 44'. In that circumstance, the labels remaining on belt 35 from the previous cutting cycle effectively prevent premature tacking of the advancing label form tobelt 35 in those areas where vacuum is still supplied to distributing member 44'. And, as described heretofore, valve 102 terminates the vacuum supply to those chambers with passage of the last label therebeyond.

While the invention has been described with reference to the structure disclosed, it is not confined to the details set forth; but is intended to cover such modifications, or changes as may come within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. in an article addressing machine adapted for use with uncut labels in the form of a continuous strip arranged in at least two longitudinally extending rows, said machine including addressing means for bringing individual labels into physical contact with said articles, with means for feeding said articles to said addressing means for addressing thereof, the combination of:

means for separating said strip into individual labels for use by said addressing means,

transport means for carrying said labels from said separating means to said article addressing means, said transport means including a movable belt-like conveyor operatively arranged adjacent the discharge side of said separating means so as to receive said labels as they are discharged by said separating means, and vacuum means for releasably tacking said labels to said conveyor belt means for feeding said strip forward to said separating means, said separating means including first knife means adapted to cut said strip longitudinally between said label rows as said strip is fed forward to said separating means by said strip feeding means, said spearating means including second knife means downstream of said first knife means for cutting said strip transversely into individual labels, said conveyor belt extending across the discharge side of said second knife means whereby to 9 receive said labels as they are second knife means; and g g k drive means for said addressing machine having means for movingsaid conveyor belt and said separating means in timed relation with said addressing means, said second knife means being adapted to cut in scissors-like fasion transversely across said label form so that said labels are deposited on said moving conveyor belt in predetermined spaced relationship for use by said addressing means.

2. In an article addressing machine adapted for use with uncut labels in the form of a continuous strip, the labels being arranged in at least two longitudinally extending rows, said machine including addressing means for bringing individual labels into physical contact with said articles, with means for feeding said articles to said addressing means for addressing thereof, the combination of:

means for separating said strip into individual labels for use by said addressing means, and

transport means for carrying said labels from said separating means to said article addressing means, said transport means including a movable belt-like conveyor operatively arranged adjacent the discharge side of said separating means so as to receive said labels as they are discharged by said separating means, and vacuum means for releasably tacking said labels to said conveyor belt, said conveyor belt having vacuum holddown perforations therethrough, said vacuum means including a vacuum distributor extending across the discharge side of said separating means over which said conveyor belt runs, said distributor having individual vacuum port means opposite each of said label rows leading to said conveyor belt whereby vacuum is supplied to said belt to enable labels discharged by said separating means to be attached thereto, and valve means for controlling admission of vacuum to said distributor port means.

3. The addressing machine according to claim 2 in which said separating means is cyclicly operated to generate said labels intermittently;

said valve means including means for controlling admission of vacuum to each of said distributor vacuum port means, and means for operating said valve means in timed relationship with said addressing machine whereby said valve means operates to interrupt the supply of vacuum to each of said distributor vacuum port means following movement of the last label in each cycle therepast.

4. In an article addressing machine adapted for use with uncut labels in the form of a continuous strip the labels being arranged in at least two longitudinally extending rows, said machine including addressing means for bringing individual labels into physical contact with said articles, with means for feeding said articles to said addressing means for addressing thereof, the combination of:

means for separating said strip into individual labels for use by said addressing means;

transport means for carrying said labels from said separating means to said article addressing means, said transport means including a movable belt-like conveyor operatively arranged adjacent the discharge side of said separating means so as to receive said lables as they are discharged by said sepdischarged by said arating means, and vacuum means for releasably tacking said labels to said conveyor belt;

means for feeding said strip forward to said separating means, said separating means including first knife means adapted to cut said strip longitudinally between said label rows as said strip is fed forward to said separating means by said strip feeding means, said separating means including second knife means downstream of said first knife means for cutting said strip transversely into individual labels, said conveyor belt extending across the discharge side of said second knife means whereby to receive said labels as they are discharged by said second knife means;

said means to separate said label strip longitudinally comprising second knife means upstream of said first mentioned knife means for cutting said label strip longitudinally between said label rows whereby said first mentioned knife means discharges individual labels onto said conveyor belt operating run for movement toward said transfer row; and

means for driving said conveyor belt and said first mentioned knife in timed relation with one another, said first mentioned knife means being adapted to cut said label strip in scissors-like fasion so that individual labels are deposited on said moving conveyor belt operating run in predetermined spaced relationship for use by said transfer memher.

5. In an article addressing machine adapted for use with an uncut label strip, the labels being arranged on the strip in at least two longitudinally extending rows, said machine including a rotatable transfer member for bringing labels into physical contact with the articles being addressed with means for feeding said articles to said transfer member for addressing thereof, the combination of:

means for separating said label strip into individual labels for use by said transfer member;

means for moving said label strip through said separating means and to said transfer member whereby to provide separated labels to said transfer memher, said separating means including knife means adapted to out said label strip transversely between adjoining labels, said label strip moving means including a movable belt-like conveyor upstream of said transfer member operatively arranged with an operating run of said belt extending along the discharge side of said knife means in a direction generally paralleling the cutting line of said knife means so as to receive label strip cut by said knife means and carry the cut label strip toward said transfer member; and

vacuum means for releasably tacking said cut label strip to said conveyor belt operating run;

said conveyor belt having vacuum hold-down perforations therethrough, said vacuum means including a vacuum distributor extending below the discharge side of said knife means over which said conveyor belt operating run rides, said distributor having individual vacuum port means for each of said label rows whereby to enable vacuum to be supplied to selected areas of said belt run and permit attaching of cut label strip from individual label rows to said belt run to be controlled, and valve to movement of said conveyor belt whereby to interrupt the supply of vacuum to each of said individual distributor vacuum port means as the trailing edge of said cut label strip on said belt operating run moves therebeyond to thereby prevent premature tacking of the next succeeding label strip cut by said knife means to said belt run II i i l

Claims

1. In an article addressing machine adapted for use with uncut labels in the form of a continuous strip arranged in at least two longitudinally extending rows, said machine including addressing means for bringing individual labels into physical contact with said articles, with means for feeding said articles to said addressing means for addressing thereof, the combination of: means for separating said strip into individual labels for use by said addressing means, transport means for carrying said labels from said separating means to said article addressing means, said transport means including a movable belt-like conveyor operatively arranged adjacent the discharge side of said separating means so as to receive said labels as they are discharged by said sepaRating means, and vacuum means for releasably tacking said labels to said conveyor belt means for feeding said strip forward to said separating means, said separating means including first knife means adapted to cut said strip longitudinally between said label rows as said strip is fed forward to said separating means by said strip feeding means, said spearating means including second knife means downstream of said first knife means for cutting said strip transversely into individual labels, said conveyor belt extending across the discharge side of said second knife means whereby to receive said labels as they are discharged by said second knife means; and drive means for said addressing machine having means for moving said conveyor belt and said separating means in timed relation with said addressing means, said second knife means being adapted to cut in scissors-like fasion transversely across said label form so that said labels are deposited on said moving conveyor belt in predetermined spaced relationship for use by said addressing means.

2. In an article addressing machine adapted for use with uncut labels in the form of a continuous strip, the labels being arranged in at least two longitudinally extending rows, said machine including addressing means for bringing individual labels into physical contact with said articles, with means for feeding said articles to said addressing means for addressing thereof, the combination of: means for separating said strip into individual labels for use by said addressing means, and transport means for carrying said labels from said separating means to said article addressing means, said transport means including a movable belt-like conveyor operatively arranged adjacent the discharge side of said separating means so as to receive said labels as they are discharged by said separating means, and vacuum means for releasably tacking said labels to said conveyor belt, said conveyor belt having vacuum holddown perforations therethrough, said vacuum means including a vacuum distributor extending across the discharge side of said separating means over which said conveyor belt runs, said distributor having individual vacuum port means opposite each of said label rows leading to said conveyor belt whereby vacuum is supplied to said belt to enable labels discharged by said separating means to be attached thereto, and valve means for controlling admission of vacuum to said distributor port means.

3. The addressing machine according to claim 2 in which said separating means is cyclicly operated to generate said labels intermittently; said valve means including means for controlling admission of vacuum to each of said distributor vacuum port means, and means for operating said valve means in timed relationship with said addressing machine whereby said valve means operates to interrupt the supply of vacuum to each of said distributor vacuum port means following movement of the last label in each cycle therepast.

4. In an article addressing machine adapted for use with uncut labels in the form of a continuous strip the labels being arranged in at least two longitudinally extending rows, said machine including addressing means for bringing individual labels into physical contact with said articles, with means for feeding said articles to said addressing means for addressing thereof, the combination of: means for separating said strip into individual labels for use by said addressing means; transport means for carrying said labels from said separating means to said article addressing means, said transport means including a movable belt-like conveyor operatively arranged adjacent the discharge side of said separating means so as to receive said lables as they are discharged by said separating means, and vacuum means for releasably tacking said labels to said conveyor belt; means for feeding said strip forward to said separating means, said separating means including first knife means adapted to cuT said strip longitudinally between said label rows as said strip is fed forward to said separating means by said strip feeding means, said separating means including second knife means downstream of said first knife means for cutting said strip transversely into individual labels, said conveyor belt extending across the discharge side of said second knife means whereby to receive said labels as they are discharged by said second knife means; said means to separate said label strip longitudinally comprising second knife means upstream of said first mentioned knife means for cutting said label strip longitudinally between said label rows whereby said first mentioned knife means discharges individual labels onto said conveyor belt operating run for movement toward said transfer row; and means for driving said conveyor belt and said first mentioned knife in timed relation with one another, said first mentioned knife means being adapted to cut said label strip in scissors-like fasion so that individual labels are deposited on said moving conveyor belt operating run in predetermined spaced relationship for use by said transfer member.

5. In an article addressing machine adapted for use with an uncut label strip, the labels being arranged on the strip in at least two longitudinally extending rows, said machine including a rotatable transfer member for bringing labels into physical contact with the articles being addressed with means for feeding said articles to said transfer member for addressing thereof, the combination of: means for separating said label strip into individual labels for use by said transfer member; means for moving said label strip through said separating means and to said transfer member whereby to provide separated labels to said transfer member, said separating means including knife means adapted to cut said label strip transversely between adjoining labels, said label strip moving means including a movable belt-like conveyor upstream of said transfer member operatively arranged with an operating run of said belt extending along the discharge side of said knife means in a direction generally paralleling the cutting line of said knife means so as to receive label strip cut by said knife means and carry the cut label strip toward said transfer member; and vacuum means for releasably tacking said cut label strip to said conveyor belt operating run; said conveyor belt having vacuum hold-down perforations therethrough, said vacuum means including a vacuum distributor extending below the discharge side of said knife means over which said conveyor belt operating run rides, said distributor having individual vacuum port means for each of said label rows whereby to enable vacuum to be supplied to selected areas of said belt run and permit attaching of cut label strip from individual label rows to said belt run to be controlled, and valve means for controlling admission of vacuum to said distribution port means.

6. The addressing machine according to claim 5 in which said separating means and said label strip moving means including said conveyor belt are cyclically operated in timed relationship with said transfer member whereby to supply individual labels to said transfer member; and means for operating said valid means in response to movement of said conveyor belt whereby to interrupt the supply of vacuum to each of said individual distributor vacuum port means as the trailing edge of said cut label strip on said belt operating run moves therebeyond to thereby prevent premature tacking of the next succeeding label strip cut by said knife means to said belt run.