US3043588A - Label adjusting means for label magazines - Google Patents

Description

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`Iuly 10, 1962 Filed Oct. 16, 1959 s. T. CARTER 3,043,588

LABEL ADJUSTING MEANS EOE LABEL MAGAZINES 3. Sheets-Sheet 1 July 10,1962

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JJM @d ffy-f S. T. CARTER LABEL ADJUSTING MEANS FOR LABEL MAGAZINES Filed Oct. 16, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ya a. if

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INVENToR. Q Jig/y2? kiefer M July 10, 1962 s. T. CARTER 3,043,588

LABEL. ADJUSTING MEANS FOR LABEL MAGAZINES v 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 16, 1959 f A/E l JNVENTOR .520957 Z Ziffer @cmww United rates.

' 3,043,588 LABEL ADJUSTING MEANS FR LABEL MAGAZINES Sidney T. Carter, Shrewsbury, Mass., assignor to Geo. J. Meyer Manufacturing Co., Cudahy, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Get. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 846,975 13 Claims. (Cl. 271-33) having other utilities in respect to its broader aspects,

more specically. in 'any situationy wherein labels are held in a stack in a magazine holder and picked off one after another by the use of a gum-coated picker.

Commercial labels are not accurate in size, varying within a range of plus or minus 1/32 of an inch from nominal size. ln a given stack of labels, as Placed in the label magazine, the variation in size is usually gradual. As the labels are taken one by one from the stack, the operator of the machine must be on the alert to'adjust the label-positioning prongs of the magazine at frequent intervals in order that the labels may always be so closely coniined that they may not shift so as to become out of square as respects their intended position. In machines in which the endmost label is removed by a gum-coated picker, it is necessary that the stack of labels be capable of movement as a whole in response to the upward pressure exerted by the picker, since in the rst place, substantial pressure is necessary to insure a proper coating of the label, and secondly, it would be impractical so to limit motion ofthe picker that it would make a mere tactual contact with the endmost label. Customarily, the motion of the label stack, in response to the pressure exerted by the picker, is of the order of from 1A, to 5/16 of an inch before the movement of the stack is positively stopped. Although the stack is loaded, as by spring pressure, to urge it downwardly after each respective upward motion, the effective load decreases as the stack diminishes in length. If, in order to prevent the labels from twisting, the operator sets the label-positioning prongs too snugly about the stack of labels, the stack may not return to its initial lowermost position after each picking operation. This is especially troublesome when the magazine comprises compartments for a plurality of labels, from each of which a label is to be taken by a corresponding picker. For example, if one stack of labels is lower down in its magazine than the others, as the pickers approach, the

contact of one picker with the lowest stack of labels mayl prevent the other vpickers from applying sui'licient pressure to the labels in their respective magazine compartments to insure the proper application of glue, with the result that some of the pickers may fail to withdraw their labels or may drop them after the labels are withdrawn.

It has been found that in the use of labels made of certain types of paper, the downward pressure of the label stack against the lowermost label may result, when attempting to withdraw the label, in the formation of nicks or tears' in the lowermost label at the places where the label rests upon the supporting hooks.

The above ditiiculties are substantially overcome by` the employment ofthe apparatus of the present invention, y wherein Vthe label magazine comprises devices defining a compartment within which a stack of freely separable Patented July 10, 194:52

labels may be placed; movable, label-adjusting elements at one side, at least, of said compartment; a picker device operative to withdraw labels one at a time, in succession, from the lower end of the stack; mechanism operative to actuate the picker, cycle-after-cycle; and apparatus operative during each cycle temporarily to urge said labeladjusting elements toward the side of the stack.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out in the following more detailed descriptoin and by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein,

FIG. l is a plan view of a label holder or magazine embodying the novel features of the present invention, showing the label-retaining prongs in horizontal section;

FIG.,2 is a fragmentarysection, to larger scale than FIG. l, on the line 2-2 of FIG. l;

FG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in vertical section, showing the label magazine of the present invention and adjacent parts of the labeling machine;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary section on the line 4-4 of PIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an edge view, to larger scale, showing one of the label-positioning prongs according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the prong of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a side elevation of one of the label-adjusting elements;

FIG. 8 is an end elevation of the casing of the motor for actuating the label-adjusting elements; and

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic elevation, partly in vertical A lustrated and described in the copending application for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 551,012, tiled December 5, l955, by Sidney T. Carter, now issued as Patent No. 2,940,630, dated .lune 14, 1956, although equally applicable to specifically different types of labeling machines, for instance, that disclosed in United States patent to Carter No. 2,528,944, dated November 4, 1950.

As diagrammatically shown in FIG. 9 of the `annexed drawings, the machine comprises a main shaft 119 which turns once for each cycle;of operation and which, by means of cams, gears, etc. mounted thereon, actuates various parts of the machine, among them an oscillatory picker shaft 187 which is rocked back and forth through a predetermined arc once during each cycle. The machine also'comprises a constantly moving conveyor having a horizontal rectilinear run C, upon which articles,4 for example, bottles, stand as they -are moved through the disclosed in said Patent No. 2,940,630 is arranged to apply a label simultaneously to each of three successive bottles as they are moved along the conveyor path, the

apparatus herein shown is, for simplicity 'of illustratim.,A

shown as arranged to apply labels to but two bottles simultaneously, `although it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in a machine which applies one label at a time or, alternatively, to a machine which applies labels simultaneouslyto any desired number of articles. As shown in FIG.v 9, .the frameof the machine carries a fixed bar B extending lengthwise of the machine and which supports the base plate 20 (FIG. l) of the label holder. l

i is, in accordance with the arranged side by side. Thus the plate 20 has two apertures 21 and 21a, each defining the lower end of a corresponding magazine compartment or cage, and side walls constituted by elongate parallel bars or prongs.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, plate 2G is inclined to the vertical and at such an angle that, as the picker P (which may be of the ysliding blade type, such as disclosed in the United States patent to Holm, No. 1,901,101, datedV March 14, 1933, or which'may be of other customary Itype), swings upwardly to the label-picking position (FIG. 3 its label contacting face is parallel to the surface of the lowermost label L of the stack S in the magazine compartment. It will be understood that there is a separat-e picker P` corresponding to each magazine compartment, .but that lall of these pickers are mounted upon the same oscillatory support T carried by the picker shaft 187 and are supplied with gum, in conventional manner, asjdisclosed for example in the above-mentioned Patents 2,940,630 or 2,528,944. As here illustrated, by way of example, each oil the apertures 2l and 21a is approximately rectangular, keach having opposite parallel side edges E1 and E2, and rear and `front edges E3 and E4, respectively. k

While, as here illustrated, the apertures 21 and 21a are side-by-side horizontally, it will be understood that, if the magazine is to deliver a body and neck label, for

y instancefor, application to a single bottle, one of the apertures will then'be to the rear of the other. Associated withY each respective aperture is a group of elongate parallel rigid bars or"prongs,, the bars or prongs of each group collectively defining a chamber or compartment for the reception of a stack of labels. Since the groups of prongs dening each respective magazine compartment are alike in construction and arrangement, it is necessary herein only to describe in detail one of these groups, for example, that associated with the aperture 21 (FIG. l).

This group of prongs comprises theprong 23 at the rear edge E3 of the aperture, the prongs 24, 25 and 26 at the frontedge E4 of the aperture, the prongs'27 and 27a at the edge E1 of the aperture, and the prongs 28 and 28a atthe edge E2 of the aperture. It may be noted that the prong 23 and the group of prongs 24,125, 26 are centrally located with respect to the edges E3 and E4, while the prongs of each of the pairs 27, 27a and 2S, 28a, are spacedl apart and symmetrically located with respect to the front to rear dimension of the aperture, the prong 28 being directly opposite prong 27 and the prong ZSabeing directly opposite the prong 27a.

Each of the prongs 23, 27, 27a',-28 and 28a and the group comprising theprongs 24, 2S, 26 is mounted upon a corresponding individually adjustable carrier such, for example, as the carriers-30 and 31, each of the several carriers being adjustably mounted on the plate 20'so that -they may .be adjusted to dene compartments of diiferent transverse dimensions.

Y That part of each prong which is secured to the corresponding adjustable carrier is substantially rigid. Desirably the prongs 23, 27 and 28 are shorter, that is to say, their upper ends areat a lower level than the upper endsof the'other prongs to facilitate placing a stack of labels in the, compartment.

The construction thus far described in substantially con- 6 ventional in this art,

.The lower part of each of, the prongs 23, 27 and 27a present' invention,` independent of its normally fixed upper part and movable relatively thereto. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2 for example, the lower portion 270 of prong 27 is pivotally connected at 32 at fits upper end. to the prong `27 so that the lower'end of the part 270 is capable of swinging inwardly toward the label' stack.` YSuch inwardmotion of the Ilower end of the part 270l is limited by a pin 33` fixed in the prong 27 and passing loosely througha hole 32a in the part 270. The diameter of this hole 32a is such that the arc of swing of the part 270 is slight. When in normal position as shown in FIG. 2, the'inner edge of part 270 is aligned with the inner edge of part 27, .the parts being normally held in this relative position by a spring 34 FIG. 2) whose opposite ends bear respectively against the prong 27 and the part 270; It may be noted (FIGS. 5 and 6) that the prong 27has a vertically extending slot 27x for the reception of the part 270.

The plate 20 (FIG. l) is provided with holes 3S for the reception of screws whereby motor devices 36 and 36a are suspended from the plate 20. f

The mot-or device 36 comprises a single cylinder within which is arranged a piston (like the piston 38, FIG. 2 which actuates the label-adjusting element associated with or forming a part of the prong 27). A similar motor device 36mV (FIG. 1) isassociated with the rear prong of the left-hand magazine.

The motor device 36a (FIG. 1) has a casing 36x (FIGS. 2 and 8) designed to provide two pairs of cylinders, one pair, for a example thercylinders D and D1 (FIG. 8) receivingvpistons 38 which actuate the labeladjusting elements associated with the prongs 27 and 27a respectively of the right-hand magazine. The other pair of cylinders contains pistons for actuating the label-adjusting elements at the right-hand side of the lefthand magazine.

The outer end of each piston is slotted to receive a n38a at the outer edge of the corresponding label,- adjusting element. As shown in FIG. 2, the outer edge of the iin 38a inclines downwardly and outwardly. If the magazine -were designed to receive but one stack of labels,1

the motor 36a would be provided with but a single pair of cylinders.

The several cylinders are supplied with pressure uid,

for example, compressed air, by means of a manifold M (FIG. 1) which receives the pressure iluid from a suitable source through a pipe 39 (FIG 1), the supply of iiuid being controlledV by a three-way solenoid valve 40 (FIG. 9), which is actuated by a limit switch 4 1 having` an arm '42 contacting a cam 43 on the main shaft 119. The cam is so lcontoured that as'the picker enters the magazine compartment and lifts` the label stack from the hooks H, air is admitted to each motor cylinder, thereby swinging the lower ends of the several label-adjusting elements 27h inwardly so that the inner edges of these elements are inclined inwardly and downwardly relative to the chamber wall. When the picker completes its upward motion and starts to retreat from vthe magazine,

v carrying with it the lowermost label fromthe stack, the

parts 270 still remain in the position to which they were movedby the motor, thus retaining the stack in the elevated position until the cam 43 has turned through a predetermined angle, for example as illustrated in FIG. 3,

through an angle of 212, whereupon the airis exhausted from the cylinders and the label-adjusting elements270 are returned to their normal position by the springs 34, thus allowing the label stack to drop until the lower label of the stack rests upon the upper surfaces of the hook members H (FIG. 7) at the lower ends of some at least of the prongs, these hooks being conventional and of suficient dimensions to prevent the smallest labelcomprised inthe-stack `from dropping out through the aperture 21.

However, while the stack is raised and supported by theY i inwardly inclined member 270, the tree margin of the single label adhering to the downwardly moving picker flexes readily so as to pass the hooks H without tearing. r At each successive cycle, the labeling adjusting elements 270 function as above described, and thus gradually lsquare up the labels in the lower part ofthe stack so that eventhough some yot the labels be :of a size such that they may move tranversely within the label compartment, lthe repeated operation of the label-adjusting elements is such as to urge all of the labels transversely into contact with I the fixed prongs 28 and 28a and the group of fixed prongs 24, 25 and 26 at the opposite sides of the label compartment from the several label-adjusting elements. In actual practice it has ybeen found that the labels constituting at least the lower halt inch of the stack are aways accurately squared with reference to the fixed prongs.

While label-adjusting elements have here been shown as located at two adjacent sides of the label magazine, it is contemplated that it may be sufficient, under certain conditions, to provide such a device or devices at but one side of the magazine.

As here illustrated (FIG. 3), the magazine is provided with the usual devices for applying pressure to the top of the label stack, including a plate 50 which rests upon the uppermost label in the stack, this plate being fixed to the lower end of a rod 51 which is capable of sliding in a guideway provided in the fixed supporting member 52 carried by lthe machine frame. A spring 53 embracing the upper part of the rod 52 and whose lower end rests upon a collar 5ftfixed to the rod and whose upper `end engages a so-called lip S5, normally urges the plate against the label stack. The lip 55 is provided with an angular portion 56 having an aperture through which passes a xed square rod 57. When a fresh stack of labels is placed in the magazine, the lip -55 is adjusted upon the rod S7 so as to 4provide a positive stop to limit upward motion of the rod. The lip 5S will not move along the rod 57 so long as upward pressure is exerted against it, but is manually adjusted so as to permit the rod 51 to move upwardly through a distance of from'l:f to `5/16 of an inch in response to the upward pressure exerted by the picker against the lowermost label in the stack, the spring 53 normally returning the stack to its lowermost position when the picker retreats. However, as the stack becomes shorter, the upper end of the rod 51 will move away from the lip 55, although the spring 53 will continue to press upwardly against the latter and so prevent the latter from moving down on the rod 57. However, when the stack becomes so short that the spring 53 exerts but little downward force, and if the prongs have been adjusted too closely, the stack may fail to move down to its lowermost position when the picker retreats. l

By the present arrangement, in which provision is made for automatically adjusting the labels during the operation, it is not necessary to set the prongs so closely as is often done and thus Ithe `danger of the jammingof the stack in its uppermost position is minimized. On the other hand, 'by temporarily holding the stack in its uppermo-st position by the action of the elements 270 during the picking operation, the lowermost label is freed from the n downward pressure normally exerted by the follower plate 50 so that fdanger of tearing the label, as it is withdrawn by the picker, is avoided.

While one desirable embodiment of the invention has herein been described by way of example, it is to be understood that all modifications of the disclosed apparatus which fall within the terms of the annexed claims are to be regarded as within the purview ofthe invention.

fixed parts defining two adjacent walls of said chamber, at least one movable label-adjusting .part being arranged at the opposite side of the chamber from each of said fixed walls, respectively, each of said label-adjusting parts comprising asmooth label-engaging edge normally extending substantially parallel tothe height of the stack and so located as to contact the edges of those labels which constitute the lower portion only of the stack, and power-actuated devices operative so to actuate said labeladjusting parts as to shift edgewise any labels, within the lower portion of the stack, which have become misplaced thereby to square them up by contactwith the fixed wallso the magazine.

l3. In combination, in a labeling machine which comprises a label magazine including elements operative to define a chamber within which a stack of freely separable labels may tbe placed, stack-supporting hooks upon which the lowermost label of the stack normally rests, a pivotally suspended support for each hook, each 'support having an elongate label-contacting, smooth inner edge abovethe hook, said edge normally extending substantially parallel to the height of the stack, means yieldably urging the stack downwardly toward said supporting hooks, a gumcoated picker, means operative to move thepicker into contact with the lowermost label in said chamber and, by upward pressure thereagajnst, to elevate the entire stack within the chamber, and means operative to swing said pivoted hooksupports inwardly, as the stack rises and temporarilyto retain them inthe Vlatter position whereby, by contact of the smooth inner edges ofthe hook-supports with the edges of those labels which constitute the lower part of the stack, to retain the Vstack in elevated position while the picker is retreating from the magazine and withdrawing the lowermost label from the stack, the downwardly and inwardly inclined smooth edges of the hook-supports acting as cams, as the picker retreats from the chamber, to urge the labels within the lower part of the stack Vedgewise toward the opposite wall of the chamber.

4. In combination, a label magazine comprising normally stationary bars defining the sides of a chamber within which a stack of freely separable labels may be placed, `supports upon which the lower labels -of the stack, so placed, may rest, a gum-coated pickervoperative toenter the chamber and lift the stack and then to retract and withdraw a label from the lower end of the stack, mechanism operative to .actuate the picker,y cycle after cycle, movable label-adjusting elements located at the lower ends of th/ose chamber-defining bars which are at one side of said chamber, and power-actuated means operative,

during each successive label-picking phase ofvsaid cycle, so to dispose said adjusting elements that as the stack descends, following the retreating picker, the labels at the lower portion only of the stack are urged toward those bars which are at the opposite side of the chamber. f

5. A label magazine for use in a machine which comprises a cam-actuated, gum-coated.y picker operative to remove labels one at a time from the bottom of a stack of freely separable labels, said magazine comprising substantially parallel, normally stationary bars collectively defining the side walls lof `a chamber for the Areception of a stack of labels, a label-adjusting element.

- and being capableof movement from a normal position,

whereiny said edges are parallel to the side wall of the Y chamber, inwardly with-respect 'to said chamber. toA a with said fixed wall thereby to square up the relatively movable labels in the lower part of the magazine.

2. In combination, -in a labeling machine which comprises a label magazine having a chamber within which Aa stack of -freely separable labels may be placed, normally position wherein their label-'contacting' edges incline inwardlyand Vdownwardly',and power-actuated means operative so toposition said label-adjusting elements that said edges are inclined inwardlyrand downwardly during the'withdrawal of the, lowermost label lfrom the` stack by the picker.

spaansel 6.V A label magazine for use in a machine which comprises a cam-actuated, gum-coated picker operative to -remove labels one at a time from the bottom of a stack of freely separableflabels, said magazine comprising substantially parallel, normally stationary, but relatively adjustable bars; collectively defining the side walls of a chamber for the reception of a stack of freely separable labels, a label-adjusting element pivotally attached to the lower end of each ofv those bars which are located yat two adjacent sides respectively, of the chamber, each of said-,elements having a label-contacting edge which is normallyalignedr with the inner edge of the bar with which it is associated, and power-actuated means, acting in timed relation to the motion of the picker, operative to move each adjusting element inwardly, just prior to the withdrawal of a label by the picker, to a position in which its label-contacting edge is inclined downwardly and toward the opposite wall of the chamber, whereby, as the picker retreats Vfrom the chamber, the labels at the lower part of the stack, by engagement withsaid inclined edges, are urged. toward the opposite wall of the chamber.l f

i 7. A label magazine-for usein a machine which comprises a gum-coated picker operative to remove labels one at la time from the bottom of a stack of freely separable labels, said magazine comprising substantially parallel, normaly stationary bars having substantially rectilinear edges which collectively define the side walls of a chamber for the reception of a stack of labels, at

adjusting elements toward the opposite sides, respectively,

of said chamber during each label-picking phase of the kcycle of operation of the machine.

- 8.*In combination with a label magazine for use in ak f machine which, comprises a' cam-actuated, gum-coated picker operative to enter the maga-zine, lifta stack of freely separable labels disposed within the magazine and retreat from the magazine, taking with it the lo-wermost label, p'arts'tformingV the -side walls of the magazine charnber, at least two movable label-adjustingelements at lthe lower portion of one side of said chamber, each having a label-contacting edge and a stack-supporting hook at its lower end, a spring urging each label-adjusting elementA outwardly, stop means so limiting Vsuch outward movement that the label-contacting edge of each adjusting element is normally iiush withthe inner surface of the chamber wall, and power-actuated means operative'sim-ultaneously to move said elements, just prior to the retreat of the pickerifrom the magazine, to a position wherein their label-contacting edges incline downwardly and .toward the Vopposite wall of the chamber, whereby, as

Ythe stack descends, following the retreating picker, said inner edges of the adjusting element, by contact with the edges of 'misplaced individual labels at the lower part of the stack, square up said labels with the opposite-wall of A Y .the chamber.

- 9'. 'In combinatiomin a labeling machine, a label magazine comprising substantially parallel, normally stationary, spaced elongate rigid bars having rectilinear inner edges which collectively dene the side walls of a chambei' for thereceptionK-of a stack of freely separable labels, 4an elongate rigid member piVotallyattached, at its upper vend, to they lower-end of each of certain, atleast, of said v bars, leach of said 'members having a substantially recti- Iinearrlabel-contacting inner edge andhaving aninwardly Adirected stack-supportinghook vat its lower en d, spring means tending to swing each of said hooked members outwardly, and stop means so arranged as to limit such outward movement so that the inner edge of each of said hooked members is normally aligned with the inner surface'of a side wall of the chamber withv their hooks in stack-supporting position, 4a gum-coated picker for withdrawing labels from the magazine, means for advancing the picker into the magazine chamber so as, by contact with the lowerrnost label of the stack, to lift the entire stack from the supporting hooks, power-actuated means operative to swing the hooked members inwardly as the stack rises so that their label-contacting edges incline inwardly and downwardly and temporarily to hold them so as to maintain the stack in elevated position by engagement of the stack with the inner edges of `said hooked members as the picker retreats, carrying the lowerrnost label withit, the margins of said lowermost label being free from constraint, during retreat of the picker, so that they pass said hooks without beingtorn, said power-actuated means being operative, as the picker retreats, to permit the hooked members to swing outwardly to normal position so that the stack drops onto said hooks.

10. 'In combination, a label magazine comprising a supporting plate having a substantially rectangular aperture which defines the lower end of Ia rectangular chamber for Ithe reception of a stack `of freely separable, rectangular labels, 'and means operative alternately toA lift the stack and permit it to drop, a plunality of substantially parallel, normally stationary, spaced rigid vbars collectively defining the side walls of said chamber, each of two side walls, at least, of the chamber being constituted by a pair of said bars, each bar of one of said pairs having extending downwardly from its lower end an elongate labeladjusting element Whose upper end is pivotally connected to the bar with which it is associated, a spring and a limiting stop whereby each adjusting element is normally positioned with its inner edgelaligned with that of the corresponding bar, each adjusting element being capable of swinging inwardly toward the label stack until its label-contacting edge is inclined inwardly and downwardly, and power-actuated means operative simultaneously to swing both label-adjusting elements toward the bars -of the opposite pair respectively, just before the label stack is permitted to drop, whereby contact of the edges of displaced labels in the lower part of the stack with the inclined edges of said adjusting elements causes the labels to shift transversely until they are squareA with the edges ofthe aperture inthe supporting palate.

1l. A label magazine according to claim 4, wherein the means for moving said label-adjusting elements are fluid pressure motors, each corresponding to one respective adjusting element, each motor having a piston which engages the outer edge of the corresponding adjusting element, and -automatically acting means for supplying pressure fluid to each 'of said motors. 1

l2. A magazine according to claim l0, for use lin a machine which includes a gum-coated picker and mech-- anism for actuating the pickeronce for each label-applying cycle and wherein the supporting plate has la plurality of substantially rectangular apertures, each, respectively, defining the lower end of la rectangular charnber for a Istack of freely separable labels and wherein two opposite sides of each respective chamber' are constituted by a pair of said bars, each bar of one of said pairs having extending downwardly from its lower end la movable label-'adjustingr element, and wherein a fluid pressure `motor is providedpfor moving each of said label-adjusting elements from an inoperative to van operative position, and mean-s for 'supplying pressure fluid simultaneously to each of the several motors during each machine cycle.

13. A multiple-compartment label magazine for use in a machine which comprises la shaft which turns once yfor each machine cycle, gum-coated pickersoperative siniultaneously to enter the respective magazine compartments and to lift label stacks disposed within the label-receiving compartments of the magazine and then to retreat, carry ing labels with them, said magazine comprising la supporting plate having a plurality of `apertures therein, each defining the `lower end `of the corresponding compartment, at least one side Wall of each respective compartment being dened -by the parallel rectilinear inner edges of normally stationary bars, la movable labeleadjusting element extending downwardly from the lower end of each of said bars, yeach adjusting element having a label-engaging edge, yieldable means which normally positions each -a'djusting element so that its label-engaging edge is aligned with the inner edge of the corresponding bar, motor means operative to move each such label-adjusting element inwardly to a position wherein the label-adjusting edge of said element is inclined inwardly and downwardly toward the opposite wall, motor control means, including a cam on said shaft, operative to cause the motor means to move said `adjusting elements inwardly as the pickers,

10 i in entering the magazine compartment, lift the respective stacks of labels, said control means being operative lto keep the motor means energized and thereby hold the ylabel stacks in elevated position until the pickers start to retreat, carrying labels with them, and then to deenergize the motor means thereby to permit the `several label-adjusting element-s to move out relatively to the chamber yso that .the `edges of the lowermost labels may slide downwardly in contact with the inner edges of said adjusting elements asthe respective l-abel stacks drop.

References Cited in the tile of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,335,556 Clark Mar. 30, 1920 2,257,785 'Carter Oct. 7, 1941 2,335,064 Kvabel Nov. 23, 1943 2,494,186 Magnusson Jan. 10, 1950 2,639,149 Hampton et al May 19, 1953 2,914,323 Sramek Nov. 24, 1959 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CGRRECTION Patent NQ. 3,043,588 July l0, 1962 Sidney T. Carter It is hereby certified that error appears in the above 4numbered patent requiring correction and that the `:seid Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 5l lines 61 and 62, strike out ="freely separable".

Signed and sealed this 25th day of December 1962.

(SEAL) Attest: 5 l

DAVID L.`LADD ERNEST w. swIDER l r Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer

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