US2822912A - Container feeding mechanism for labeling machines - Google Patents

Description

Feb., 11, 1958 Filed Sept. 172-1953 FIGA.

E; w.wEHM1L| ER ETAL 25822912 CONTAINER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LABELING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 v Feb. 11, 1958 F. w. WEHMILLER Erm. 2,822,912

CONTAINER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LABELING- MACHINES Filed Sept. 1'7. 1953 FIG.;

'7 Sheets-Sheei'l 2v Feb. il, 1958 F. W. WEHMILLER I'AL CONTAINER FEEDING. MECHANISM AFOR LABEL1NG MACHINES Filed sept.f17. 195s 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 F.w. WEHMILLER ETAL 2,822,912

Feb. M, 1958 CONTAINER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LABELING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept 17. 1953 MN NN ,am AK11/75.

Feb. il, 1958 F. W. WEHMILLER ETAL .CONTAIER FEEDING MECHANISM' FOR LABELING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 17, A1953 vBy Feb. 11, 1958 F. w. wEHMlLLER ET Al. 2,822,912

CONTAINER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LABELING MACHINES Filed Sept. 17. v195.53

'7 Sheets-Shea?I 6 v F. w.wEHM1LLER ETAL Feb.-11, 195s CONTAINER FEEDING lMECHANISM FOR LABELING MACHINES '7 SheetseSheet '7 Filed Sept. 1'?, 1953 :e MM n ra z man.. vmw Ma M( MMM mu, MV y m United States Patent CONTAINER FEEDING MECHANISM FOR LABELING MACHINES Frederick W. Wehmiller, Ladue, andV William I. Nekola,

Normandy, Mo., assignors to Barry-Wehmiiler Machinery Company, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application September 17, 1953, Serial No. 392,923

9 Claims. (Cl. 198-30) (Filed under Rule 47(a) and 35 U. S. C. 116) This invention relates to a method of feeding objects to a multiple labeler in such a way that the labelercan operate at its optimum speed and the objects can be handled in rapid succession without damage orrsubstantial pounding, jostling, and the like; and the invention is also particularly concerned with novel mechanism for carrying out the steps in the operation of the method.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide means for effecting the crowd feeding of objects in a haphazard order to a machine adapted to apply labels to a plurality of objects simultaneously taken into the machine in an orderly manner from the haphazard crowd.

l Another object hereof is to provide continuously operating means for delivering containers in a haphazard and crowding type of container movement into a multiple labeling machine, and other means for arranging the objects in an orderly condition to be taken into the labeling machine in successive groups. V j

A further object is to provide means for protecting both the containers and the labeling machine, the first from hard rough handling and the second from operation in the event of non-delivery of an object to any of the label applying means within the labeling machine.

Other objects are to be found in the combination of parts and mechanisms, and in the individual parts and mechanism hereinafter disclosed and claimed.

Broadly, this improvement consists in providing a multiple labeler having aisles for the objects with power driven feed conveyor means for each aisle, a delivery conveyor for bringing a crowd of objects into all of the feed conveyor means for haphazard crowd feeding thereof into the several aisles of the labeling machine, and means in the nature of safety expedients located in each of the aisles for protecting the machine against unnecessary operation and for releasing the objects in an orderly way to be picked up in the labeling machine for labeling thereof. Y

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a multiple labeling machine showing the preferred embodiment of the invention adapted for the characteristics of the machine, certain portions of the assembly being broken away to reveal details of the mechanism and only so much of the machine being dis-closed as will serve to understand the principles of the improvements;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary and partly broken away topV tions of the labeling machine to show'the association of parts, the view being taken at line 5-5 in Fig. 4;

2,822,9l2 Patented Feb. 1l, 1958 IQS Fig. 6 is a top plane view of the `fragmentary portions shown at line 6-6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary detail in plan of the partition adjusting means for the feed conveyor aisles;

Fig-8 is a fragmentary elevational View of the illustration in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view of a typical container transfer means showing the container engaging ngers;

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail at line 10-10 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a further sectional detail at line 11-11 in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a typical container transfer means showing the periodic operating cycle thereof relative to a container in each of two adjacent rows thereof;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of the control system for stopping the machine under certain operating conditions; Y

Fig. 14 is an'elevational View of the control system shown in Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is an enlarged and schematic elevational view of a typical group of cooperating parts in the control system shown in Fig. 14.

Container supplying means for labeling machines heretofore provided for commercial applications have possessed the defect of failing to supply containers at rates which would permit the full utilization of the capacity of the labeling machines. These means have also possessed the serious drawback of handling the containers with much roughness and knocking about so that excessive loss and breakage has resulted. Moreover, prior container supplying means of the type shown in Fig. l and other views lof the drawing operate on the premise that the containers must be tipped, canted or must undergo a change of position. These prior devices have also been subject to faulty operation with the result that additional loss through breakage, damage and machine idleness has been experienced. l

The .present improvements, as exemplified in and by the preferred embodiment, are adapted to overcome the defects and difficulties heretofore encountered and successful results have been obtained thereby. The mechanism to be described in detail provides an improved system or method of handling the supply of containers for a labeling machine. This system embodies the concept of bringing into a collecting zone near the labeling machine the containers in a continuously flowing stream having a haphazard arrangement so that there is produced a crowding effect among the containers, but the crowding effect is not harsh or damaging due to the conveying means being capable of sliding beneath the containers when obstructions occur. The haphazard crowd of containers under urging from the delivering conveyor is guided gently but positively into a plurality of 4orderly rows or les upon feed conveyor means which urges the container rows toward the machine where labels may be applied. The handling and conveying of the containers is carried out at substantially the same elevation with the elevation of the label applying zone in the machine. With a system of this character the containers may be delivered at a rate in excess of the desired rate of labeling by the machine so that the potential capacity of the machine can be utilized to the fullest extent if desired.

F or example, by the system herein disclosed a labeling machine capable of operating at the rate of 200 containers per minute may be supplied at the rate of 250 containers per minute without jamming the supply means or forcing containers into the machine faster than the selected rate ofv machine operation. Great flexibility in arrangement and choice of labeling machines is obtained with a system of this character, andthe demands of the anomala j canning, bottling and similar industries may be=met in a simple and efficient manner.

A mechanism which will satisfy the foregoing requirements is shown in connection` with a labeling machine A (Fig. l) arranged to apply labels to a plurality of bottles B simultaneously. The labeling machinep er se, forms no part of the present invention,` except as certain portions and parts thereof may become operationally associated with the improved mechanism and 'parts to' be described. The machine has a frame 10 which supports the stationary and moving parts thereof, including the usual motor drive and connected power transmitting means. The label applying means 11i is shown at the front or inlet side of the machine A. f j

A suitable frame 12 (Fig. l) is attached 'to the machine framel somewhat below the horizontally directed track bars 13 (Fig. 3) provided within the-machine. A at the label applying zone L thereof. The frame12 carries supports 14 (Figs. 12 and 3.), one ate-ach'fside of the inlet for the machine A, and these' supports. carry bearing stands 15 and 16 for the front and rear shafts 17 and 1S, respectively, of the feed conveyor system. Shaft 17 carries a plurality of sprockets 19 spaced along its length, shaft 18 also carries a similar number of spaced'sprockets v20, and conveyor means 21 'are con'- nected between the sprockets. Track bars13 extendinto closeV adjacence tothe conveyor means 21 at theoutlet ends thereof (Fig.

Eachl feed conveyor Ymeans 21 is provided with aqpair of partitions-,22 and 23 (Figs. l, 2 and 3) arranged at each longitudinal sideY thereof' to define aisles through which the" containers are moved by the feed conveyor means. The partitions are laterally adjustable (Figs. 2 and 3),-in pairs, one set ofpartitions 23 beingcarried on individual frames 24 attached to a common bar 25 slidable in v theguide channel attachment 26 fixed to 'supports14. The other set of partitions 22 are carried on individual frames 27 attached to a commonbar 28 also slidable in attachment 26. Suitable thrust gear means 29 (Figs. 2, 7 and 8) couple the bars 25 and 28 to a crank 30 so that the turning of crank 30 spreads or draws .the pairs of partitions 22 and, 23 together to vary the width of the aisles to accommodate different size containers.

The inlet end ofeach-feed'conveyorl is defined by guide means acting to directthe containers into the aisle between the partitions 22 andv23 therefor. means includes a curved member. 33 carried on each .par-

tition 23 and a cooperating flexible and curved .member 34 vfixed to the outer end of -each member 33 and movabl'y attached to an anchor35for slidingntotion therein.v An.

anchor 35 is attachedto each of the partitions 22. Thus, an entrance throat is formed between thepairs of mem-v bers 34 and 33and VVthese throats change: as v-thepartitionsfare adjusted byslidingj-action of guide member- 34 -in the associated anchor 35.

A container delivery conveyor 37 of lar-gecapacity Conveyor 37 is of known construction 1and need not `4be. described in greater detail. `Containertguide fence railsV 38 at the outer margin and similar railsf`39 at the iinner margin of the conveyor 37Acoriiine `the delivery ofcontainer's to the collecting "zone 'Ci The containers are brought into this zone in `a lia'phazari c;r'owtl(l;`ig .l 1),'in which Ithe'contain'ers 'arefin contac't'aiid are 'continually sliding Lrelativer thereto 'astlrecnveyor continuesto 'inve through-none C on 'its^'1fe'tu`rnpass. The pressurewithin the crowd'of containers 'forcesthesar'ie toWar'dthe guide means for nach feed eenveyor 2'1V se 'that a ew'is created' into all *of theaisles whereh'eaction ofthefee'd con This guide the machine A are arranged at the same level so that the-containers B do. not'havefto changeelevation or devi'- ate lfrom anormal upright position; In' Fig. 5, the bar 13 in machineA is given aV slight upward inclination at 13a to facilitate the break-away, action ofthe pusher. forks. 40

from the containers at the discharge end of the conveyor chain 41 provided( as` apart ofthe machine A. This chain 41 is carriedfbyssprockets 42 and 43 on shafts 44 and 45, respectively. This assembly is typical of similar means aligned with each feed. conveyor 21. Other means not necessary to be shown, in the machine effects the. final discharge of containers from machine A.

The means for transferring the leading container in each aisle on the feed conveyors 21 isshown in Figs. l, 3a'nd 4; and in greater detail in Figs. 5, 6, 9, l0 and 1l.

vThe. 'frame 10 carries a pair of bearing brackets 46 at each side of the inlet to the machine A and above the feed 'conveyors 21.V A rock shaft 47"(Figs. 1 and 3)y is operably supported-in the brackets 46with one end 43 p'rov'ided with a lever 49 to receive a link 50. A knuckle fitting 51 connects link 50 with the upper end of a push rod 52, and push rod 52 vis connected toa yoke 53 which engages'a suitable cam follower, schematically shown at 54', driven'Y by a rotary cam device 55 of the type having an internal ca'm track (not shown); The cam 55 is driven fromdapowersliaft 56 in machine A. Cam rotation effects periodicr'ockingmotion in shaft 47 in timed relation with the label applying mechanism of the machine. This latter mechanism is v'r1'ot"de'scribed, but is' of known construction.

Rock' shaft 47 carries a plurality of arms 58, one beinglocated on each side ofthe feed conveyors to swing through the space between adjacent partitions 22 and 23 (Fig. 4). Each 'partition is :formed with an elongated slot 60"(Figs. 3', 4 and 5). The lower end of each arm 58 carries a sleeve 61' surrounding a portion of va pivot pin 62 of reduce-d' diameter. pivotallyamova'b'le.fingers63 having hubs 64 in interfitted relation so thafthe 'lingersmay move' in opposite directions. 'Eachhub hasa .projecting cam'element 65 which abuts; once vrinv each stroke of arm.58,A a cam block V66 (Figs. 3 and "5"), iixedtoastationary member located between ea'ch' o'fthefeedconveyors '21. The hubs 64 are maintainedunderfrictional 'restraint `by .-a spring 67 Figs.

9and'l-1) in sleeve'lb'earing upon a friction plate 68 and'pressingthe hubsuponra'second'frictionplate 69, A stop pin 70`in theend face `of 'sleeve 61 limits the spread-y ing movement of the fingers 63 upon the cam elements 65 engaging the block -66l (Fig. l2). Thus, the lfingers 63, as shown in Fig. l2, may upon motion -of arm 58 toward the right foldtoward 'each otherasithey passlbetweencontainers Bfonadjac'entfeed conveyors. The folded cond-itionzlislmaintained until the outer limit of armA movement is freached, at fwhich" 'time .the -carn elements -65 strike the cam'block 662andlspread fingers.63 'into positions behind the containers B. Reversal jofrnetion of arm 58 brings the fingers 63 against the containers and pushes the latter into the labelingfzone IL (Fig. 5) of the machine, shown at the left'in the schematicview' of Fig. 1,2. This action is repeated periodically for all of the devices on the 'arms' 58. The slots-60 in the . partitions 22 and 23 allow the fingers 63 toproiect into the-:aisles to engage the containers therein.V

The action of 'the 4transferring means, exemplifiedby the arms 58, is simplified .by the lprovision of gate means for the'outlet 'en`d of 4veach 'feed conveyor '21.. 4The gate means includes "apair ofinletipin 'elements `73..(Figs.2, 3; 4, 5 and "6) arranged cn'each v'side of 'each *feed conveyor 21 and all of thesepi'ns 'are"mounted"on"a 'support"74"cx The pin carries a pair of tending the width of the machine A to be fixed to vertically movable rods 75 sliding in guides 76 in the frame 12. A pair of outlet pin elements 77, arranged on each side of each feed conveyor 21 and spaced from the pins 73, are carried on a support 78 extending the width of the machine A. The ends of support 78 are fixed to vertical posts 79 connected to horizontally movable slides 80 (Fig. 3). Each slide 80 is internally threadedly connected to a screw shaft 81 carried in a bearing member 82. Each member 82 is attached to a vertically movable rod 83 sliding in guide 84 in frame 12. Each screw shaft 81 carries a worm gear 85 which meshes with a worm on a common drive shaft 86. The shaft 86 is connected by chain drive 87 to a short control shaft 88 which, in turn, is operated by crank 89 (Figs. 2 and 4). Thus, outlet pins 77 may be moved toward or away from pins 73 to adjust the spacing thereof to the size container being handled.

The pairs of inlet and outlet pin elements 73 and 77 are periodically raised and retracted relative to the horizontal top plane of the feed conveyors 21 to allow pins 73 to pass one container at a time and hold back the remainder, and to allow pins 77 to release one container at a time to be advanced by the pushing action of the transfer arms 58. Each pin element 73 carries a cam element 90 (Figs. 3, 5 and 6) which imparts a slight forward motion to each container in the gate zone to permit proper action of the finger elements 63 in engaging behind the containers. The slide rods 75 and 83 are connected at the lower ends by rock levers 92 attached to a common rock shaft 93 (Figs. l, 3 and 4). One end of shaft 93 is connected by a link 94 to a push rod 95, in turn, connected by yoke 96 to a cam follower 97 operated in response to an internally profiled cam 98 rotated by drive shaft 56 for the previously described cam 55. The action of the rocker 92 causes alternate vertical movement of pins 73 and 77, whereby as pins 73 lower a container passes on to be stopped by raised pins 77. Similarly as pins 73 rise to intercept following containers, the pins 77 lower to allow the arms 58 to advance the containers, as shown in Fig. 5.

It should now be apparent that all of the operating devices, parts and mechanisms derive motive power from a suitable power source (not shown) within the machine A so that accurate synchronism and timing may be achieved in a simple manner. The delivery conveyor 37 may be driven from machine A, depending upon the characteristics of the installation. In most cases, this conveyor is preferably separately driven.

From the foregoing description, it should be apparent how the present mechanism operates to carry out the principles of the improved system for supplying containers smoothly and gently into a labeling machine. In order to guard against damage to containers and operation of the machine A when less than a full complement of containers is delivered into the labeling zone L, safety shut-down means has been incorporated to be responsive to the presence or absence of a container within the range of swinging motion of arms 58 (Figs. 4, 5, 13, 14 and 15).

The safety means includes a plurality of feeler elements 100, each pivoted on a support in such position that its end portion 101 may move above the top level of one of the conveyors 21 with which it is related. There is an element for each such conveyor 21 and, hence, for each aisle of the mechanism. Each element 100 is periodically engaged by a push pin 102 mounted in a block 104. Each block 104 is adjustably carried on a fixed rod 105, in turn, carried by the reciprocating support 74 extending the width of the machine. The support 74 is used also to carry the gate pins 73. In Fig. 15, the push pin 102 carries an adjusting nut 107 bearing on a spring 108 covered by a dirt cup 109 of flexible material. Below block 104 a second adjusting nut 110 is provided so that the vertical limits of the position of pin 102 may be accurately set. Spring 108 maintains an upward force on the pin 102 to the limit set by nut 110 so that the pin 102 may strike or poke the feeler element 100 upwardly (broken line position) if no container B is in the conveyor aisle. The lower end of push pin 102 carries a plate 111 in fixed position thereon, one end of plate 111 being slidably guided on a guide pin 112 fixed to the block 104. The opposite end of plate 111 carries an adjustable tappet 113 adapted to engage a trip lever 114 fixed to an angularly movable control bar 115 pivoted at its ends in the fixed structure of machine A. At one end of control bar 115, a switch tappet 116 is mounted to project into actuating relation with a power control switch 117. In operation, so long as all of the feeler elements are held down by containers B, the push pins 102 will be periodically depressed against springs 108 at each upward stroke of support 74 and the control bar will be unmoved or maintained in the full line position of Fig. 15 to prevent operating switch 117 to its open circuit position. The machine will thus operate normally. Should one aisle be imperfectly filled with containers so Vthat a gap develops in the row of containers, the feeler element 100 will be allowed to raise (broken line position of Fig. 15) under the force of its associated push pin 102. This action is independent of all other feeler elements 100 due to the yieldable action of the pins in block 104. As a result the switch 117 will be actuated to shut down the machine at a preselected place in the operation before the label applying mechanism can complete its full cycle to bring a gummed label into final position at the label applying zone L. Correction of the faulty condition can be made before the label glue is deposited on the mechanism or faulty distribution of containers to the several aisles for the feed conveyors can be corrected.

The above description has been given for a preferred embodiment of the present improvements, but certain changes in the arrangement of parts and components will appear obvious once the foregoing is understood. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited in its scope or range of equivalents for the parts and means described except as the same is required by the claims hereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In a container feeding mechanism for a labeling machine having an inlet side for a plurality of containers and a label applying station for simultaneously labeling a plurality of containers, the improvement of a plurality of container feed conveyors having outlet ends adjacent the inlet side of the machine, means to operate said feed conveyors together, container transfer means adjacent the outlet ends of each of said feed conveyors periodically ing containers on said feed conveyors and a position transferring the leading containers to the label applying station in the machine, power operated means in the machine connected to said feed conveyors and transfer means to operate the same, and safety means for cutting off the source of power for said power operated means to stop the machine, feed conveyors and transfer means, said safety means including a control switch connected to said power operated means, switch operating means operably disposed in each of said feed conveyors and movable between switch open and closed positions, finger means adjacent each feed conveyor in the path of container movement and engageable therewith, and actuating means connected between ea-ch of said finger means and said switch operating means, said actuating means being resiliently urged in a direction to displace any of said linger means which is free of engagement with a container and actuate said switch operating means into switch open position to stop the machine, feed conveyors and transfer means.

2. An article feeding mechanism for a machine having multiple label applying means, frame means connected to the labeler machine at the inlet to the machine, a series movable together between a position engagingv the lead-- ,e egszaeie Disposed, horizontally directed; article -ffeedns @awww Carried by said Vtrarnemeans endhavnen thereof in alignment.with the. label; annlyng; meendenarticle supply conveyor .extending adjacent said, feedA con?J veyors inthe same horizontal planes aid,supply.conveyor forming; an. article,collecting,aonecornrnnnicating;Wittig all of said feeding conveyors ancLbeing adapteito sliderelar.4

tive to thebottoms of the articles-forr crowding thoarticles-` together to urgetheni from, the eolleetingfK zone; into the feeding conveyorstot maintain a f ull, complement` of articles, in each. feeding conveyor,` article-transfenmeans operatively arranged on saidframe` meansV cornmcnl to all of said feeding conveyors, said transferfmeans having? article engaging elements movable adjacent seid. Afeedingl conveyors tofselect onealticle-at, a tirnoinvthe outlet end of .eachfeeding conveyon andl move theS articles into, the label, applying means power operated., means connectedk toy said transfer ,meansy to effect; ,s irrrultaneonsA movement' entlet ende;

of said elements, andgcontrol means forV saidY feedingx,

chine comprising:. fname means; on; thc-machine; at thek ar;- ticle receivinggzone'thereof; a plnralitygof articlemoving conveyors. inl said frame, means; in,v parallelVA owx relation to the labeler machine; periodically alternatinggatemeans in each conveyor adapted; to select4 one.articleat a time for release to the labeler-machine while restraining the other articles; periodicallymovablearticle transfer; means for saidconveyorsadapted to engage thereleased, articles and transfer them; as av group into the labeler machine; testing` means in each; Conveyor in advancev of saidv gate, means totest for the absence of an article at said gateV means, said testing means including;a,group-.of finger elements; movable; with said gate means and a, similar group of abutmentsV held ,byrthel articles andr free; tov move in the absence of the articles; power operated ,means adapted to drive said-article, conveyors: gate means `and transfer means; including acontrol-operable toI stop said power operated means; upon anyl oncof` said fingerrelef mentsV being abley to move its'ahuimcnt.

4. rContainer feeding mechanism for usey with al labeler machine having label applying stations through which containers to be labeled pass; said mechanismincluding a plurality Of container feed conveyors adapted to move containers in a continuousaflow towardthe label apply-` ing stations andv to slip beneath; the containers uponobr struction beingimposed in; therow of the containers, said feed conveyors beingequal in number to the, number of label applying stations in theA labeler machine, and .each t ofA said feed conveyors having an; inlet end and an; opposite discharge endL directed toward a` labelgvapplyingstation inthe labeler machine, containen deliveryconveyor means positioned adjacent thefinlet endsofsaid, feed conveyors, said delivery conveyor being adapted-to deliver containers ina haphazard crowd adjacent thetinlet ends ofsaid feed conveyors in excess of the rate-V atwhich said feed conveyors move. the containers toward the discharge. ends .thereof to cause crowding of the-containers into said feed conveyor, and said` containerfced mechanism further including n periodically.l operable transfer means,adjacenttheoutlet ends .of said feed. conveyors to move between the conveyors and the machine andl transV fer containers from all of ,said-V feed conveyors into the labeling machine together, and controlmeans operable at timesA to stopA the, operation of the.feedingmechanismand said'transfer means when less than all of said feed conveyorsfhaye.at-eentainerfat thfecutletendtend operable at a11..ltitnee vto..restiainglthe-feeding]movementoffo11ovvr1a containeraconcnrrently withrtransferfodthe, container atA theY outlet end.;Vv

5. Container; feed, mechanismI for. use witha labeler,`

machine-- havingysa group,vv .of label applying. stations vto be suppliedsimuitaneously.with containerszto be labeled; SaidV meohanisrnfineluding a groupg of:1 container feed Conf; veyors, adaptedvtonnove containers, in a continuons iiow toward the label. applyingstationsfandto .slip beneath thel containers ,t upon obstructionbeingV .imposed in,- the flow. oftheeontainers, saidrfeedeonveyors beine equal in. num: ber tolth@ numben-.ofY-label applying st ationsf ing the labelerl^ machine and eacl 1; ofA saidffeediconveyors having an--inlet end remote, from the; labelerfvmachineandV 1l-discharge; end communicating; With the label 4 applying` station lin the;v machine, a container delivery conveyor extending acrossv the inlet endmofl -al l -.Qisaidgtfeed,conveyors to; deliver containers; ini aA crowd tof-said-feed,conveyors tobe com veyed away fromy the vcrowd toward. the labelapplying stationsin; eachgof said yfeed-,conveyors insingle tile, said` delivery and-feed-conveyors beingr in substantially, the same planeandfthe deliveryconveyorl being adapted to crowd containerssto said.- feedr conveyors in excessofthe rateV atfwhich:thef'feedyconveyors: carry the;y containers awayy; andv to, slide; across lthegbottoms, of the containers duringjthefcroyvdingmovement of. the containers into said feed convey/ora; andI said; mechanism furtlnenV includingV Periodically-operable means adapted to move'between-v said feed conveyor-discliargtl ends and the label applying stations; in the: labeler machineto transfer. they containersgin groupsl to all ofi the :label applying stations,` and control-means.forf-saithperiodieallyfoperable means comprising feelen-means-im eachoofi saidfeed;y conveyors responsivein the' absence; of containers in said feed conveyorsv toA stop-,operation-, and; gate-t means ,operable with;

said feeler-imeansrto; restrainxcontainersxin:each of said feedr conveyors :following inflin'e. vafter-the containers being; transferred-.fV

6. Container feed mechanism adapted fon use withaaf. multiplev labeler'.machine/,n.sa-id' mechanism; including a groupl of container feed-conveyors. in spacedrapartv and:y

parallel feedingrelation tofeed: containers simultaneouslyinto the machine forllaheling thereof, acontainer-deliv-- ery conveyor adjacentto. .all ofi` said feed conveyors to deliver -containens tosallrof sa'id.,feed conveyors, fsaid delivery conveyonsupporting the containers in acrowd during conveyance, partition-means xed at each4 side of! each of. saidifeed conveyors todefne an aisle for cach of said'V eedeconveyors: and to--separa-te` guide means mounted on'` said partition means adjacent said delivery conveyor -to direct't-heicontainers from the crowd into the aisles for-'each feed conveyor, means to periodically transfer' thehleading containersy in each aisley as a group into. the labelermachinefsaid transfer means having ele-` ments operable to fold in. one direction for movement, of

saidtransfer means between the aisles away from the labeleramachine, andtonunfold and engage the leading containers for movement in an opposite direction, said. partition means serving to. steady` the containers during movement undenthe, action ofsaid transfer means, and control meansoperable. at times to, stop the operation of the feedinghmechanism'and. said transfer means when lessthan all! of. said feedconveyors have a container to be engaged by saidrtlnsfennmcalls, andl said control means bcingoperafble at all;v times; to restrain the feeding movement'= of following containers with transfer of the con miners.- engaged by Seide transferV meens 7,. Containerjfeed mechanism for a labeler machinefor simultaneously apnlrins labels toa group ot Containers,

seid mechanism-.including the improvement. which .Coni-H prises e containertdeliver-y: conveyor adjacent; themeehne a operable to convey ,containerstor` the. machine. yin haalteled Gremlins-saisi, deliverxf ecnvevor having an open side presented toward the machine and being adapted to slide beneath the containers during obstruction to further container movement therewith, partition means extending between the open side `of said delivery conveyor and the machine and arranged in spaced relation defining a group of aisles for containers, individual feed conveyor means in each of said aisles extending from said delivery conveyor toward the labeler machine to move the containers away from the crowding stream arriving on said delivery conveyor and to positively feed the containers toward the machine, said feed conveyor means being adapted to slide Ibeneath the containers during obstruction to container movement therewith, power means to operate said feed conveyor means as a group, control means responsive to a full complement of containers in said group `of aisles to keep said power means in operation, gate means operably connected to said control means to periodically release one container at a time in each aisle for transfer to the labeler machine and to restrain following containers, and periodically operable container transfer means driven by said power means, said transfer means including foldable elements adapted to move in the spaces between aisle defining partitions and engage the containers in said aisles, the engagement s with containers in one direction of movement causing folding of said elements and in the opposite direction said elements unfolding to engage the containers.

8. A container feed mechanism for a labeling machine having `an inlet side for containers and a label applying station therebeyond, a frame structure on said machine, a plurality of container feed conveyors carried 2by said frame in spaced relation and having outlets adjacent the inlet side of the labeler machine, said feed conveyors being operated together to feed a plurality of containers toward the label applying station simultaneously, a container delivery conveyor extending adjacent each of said feed conveyors carried by said frame, said delivery conveyor having a container conveying capacity at least equal to the capacity of al1 of said feed conveyors to crowd containers toward the feed conveyors, partition means carried on said frame adjacent the sides of each of said feed conveyors to guide the containers thereon, said partition means having an inlet end adjacent said delivery conveyor and an outlet end adjacent the label applying station, `guide means carried by said partition means at said inlet ends to guide the containers into said feed conveyors between said partition means from the crowd of containers on said delivery conveyor, and means adapted to regulate the removal of containers one at a time from each of said feed conveyors so as to feed a group of containers to the inlet side of the labeling machine, said regulating means comprising -simultaneously movable elements respectively adapted to feel out con tainers adjacent said feed conveyor outlets and to restrain containers following the leading containers in said feed conveyor outlets, the container feeler elements being resiliently supported by said regulating means to yield under the presence of containers and to remain unyielding under the absence of containers, and means to stop the feed mechanism actuated by -any of said feeler elements remaining unyielding.

9. In a container feeding mechanism for a labeling machine having a horizontally directed support for receiving containers in an erect position and means for moving the containers along the support during labeling thereof, the improvement of `a container feed conveyor having an outlet end adjacent the horizontally directed support and an inlet end remote therefrom, a container delivery conveyor adjacent the inlet end of said feed conveyor to crowd containers in an erect position into said feed conveyor, container transfer means movable back yand forth between a position engaging an erect container at the outlet end of said feed conveyor and a position transferring such erect container to the means in the machine for moving containers along the horizontally directed support, gate means adjacent the outlet end of said feed conveyor and within the range of movement of said transfer means, said gate means including spaced elements periodically movable into and out of the path of container travel on said feed conveyor to free the leading container for transfer to the machine by said transfer means and block the feeding movement of the following containers on said feed conveyor, and means to periodically test for the presence `of ka container at said gate means comprising a movable member adjacent said feed conveyor adapted to be held against movement by a container, a periodically movable element adapted to engage said movable member and test it for movement, and means resiliently supporting said element from said gate means to permit said element to move relative to the support upon said member being held against movement by the containers,

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,219,900 Alvey Mar. 20, 1917 1,227,244 Buhles May 22, '1917 1,308,280 Ermold July 1, 1919 1,654,706 Schoen Jan. 3, 1928 1,871,676 Ermold Aug. 16, 1932 1,911,650 Smith May 30, 1933 2,015,187 Mayer Sept. 24, 1935 2,050,547 Thayer Aug. 1l, 1936 2,292,800 Rose Aug. 11, 1942 2,517,983 Crosland Aug. 8, 1950 2,632,553 Stirn Mar. 24, 1953 2,678,151 Geisler May 11, 1954 2,685,358 Heil et al. Aug. 3, 1954 2,739,695 Haycock Mar. 27, `1956

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