US3715262A

US3715262A - Apparatus for printing and dispensing labels

Info

Publication number: US3715262A
Application number: US00117601A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Kelley
Original assignee: Steel Corp
Current assignee: United States Steel Corp
Priority date: 1971-02-22
Filing date: 1971-02-22
Publication date: 1973-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 1990-02-06
Also published as: FR2126258A1; AU3902872A; DE2226283A1; CA964238A; IT949151B; AU472787B2; GB1388478A; NL7202329A; DE2208056A1; ES400066A1; BE779580A

Abstract

An apparatus for and method of dispensing labels and a printing device for and method of printing such labels are disclosed.

Description

United States Patent Kelly 1 51 Feb. 6, 1973 1 APPARATUS FOR PRINTING AND [56] References Cited DISPENSING LABELS UNITED STATES PATENTS [751 lnvwtori Calvin Keny Franklin, 2,569,140 9/1951 Avery ..156/54l x [73] A i U i d St Su corporafion 3,222,242 12/1965 lngalls et a1. ..156/584 3,551,262 12/1970 Kelly ..156/584 [221 Fllcdi 22, 1971 2,181,435 11 1939 COl'lS ..101/226 121] App1.No.: 117,601

7 Primary Examiner Ralph S. Kendall 52 US. 01.; ..156/54l, 101/226, 156/384, j g gl z 56/577 56/584 tzorneyo ert ee r.

51] Int. Cl. ..B44c 1/24 [58] Field 61 Search ..156/384, 385, 387, 355, 494, [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for and method of dispensing labels and a printing device for and method of printing such labels are disclosed 29 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB s m 3,715,262 SHEET 1 or 7 INVENTOR CALV/N E. KELLY uasi m T wt .II N

PATENTEDFEB 5:225 3.715.262 SHEET 20F 7 FIG /6 IIVVEIVTOI? CALVIN E. KELLY @V/I/dnflg ia Ill! l fla IIIII i PATENTEDFEB s m SHEET 4 0F 7 INVENTO/P CAL VIN E. KELLY PATENTEDFEB s i9i3 SHEET 8 OF 7 INVENTOR 64 VIN E. KELL Y APPARATUS FOR PRINTING AND DISPENSING LABELS A. The labeling apparatus dispenses pressure-sensitive adhesive labels mounted in a spaced relation on a label-bearing carrier strip and applies the labels onto an elongated member. The apparatus has a-frame and a take-up reel at one end of the frame, which take-up reel is engageable with the elongated member as a first rolling means for the frame and for receiving the carrier strip after the labels have been removed from the carrier strip. A rolling means on the frame is in spaced relation with the take-up reel. The take-up reel and the rolling means movably support the frame. A supply reel is on the frame for the label-bearing carrier strip. A peel-off member on the frame adjacent the elongated member between the rolling means and the take-up reel receives the label-bearing carrier strip from the supply reel adjacent one side of the peel-off member while the label-bearing carrier strip is moving in one direction toward the elongated member so that the label continues in the one direction while the carrier strip-moves around the peel-off member and continues in another direction toward the take-up reel.

The label is moved in the one direction by the carrier strip and into engagement with the elongated member as the carrier strip moves in the other direction toward the take-up reel. The label is rolled against the elongated member as the rolling means engages the label, and either the frame is movable on the first rolling means and the take-up reel in the other direction or the elongated member is movable in the one direction to rotate the take-up reel to cause the take-up reel to pull the label bearing carrier strip from the supply reel around the peel-off member and onto the take-up reel.

B. A printing means is engageable with the label on the label-bearing carrier strip to print a predetermined indicia on the label.

C. The dispensing method includes the steps of:

a. storing the label-bearing carrier strip on a supply reel; moving the label-bearing carrier strip adjacent one side of a peel-off member while the label-bearing carrier strip is moving in one direction toward the elongated member so that the label continues in the one direction while the carrier strip moves around the peel-off member and continues in another direction toward the take-up reel;

. moving the label in the one direction and into engagement with the elongated member as the carrier strip moves in the other direction toward a takeup reel; 1

d. rolling the label against the elongated member to secure the label to the elongated member; and

e. moving either the take-up reel on the elongated member in the other direction or moving the elongated member in the one direction to rotate the take-up reel thereby causing the'take-up reel to pull the label-bearing carrier strip from the supply reel around the peel-off member and onto the take-up reel.

D. The printing method includes the step of printing a predetermined indicia on said labels.

E. The printing means for printing a predetermined indicia on an elongated member has a frame having relative movement with respect to the elongated member, and a printing device on the frame engageable with the elongated member and driven by the relative movement between the frame and the elongated member to print the predetermined indicia on the longitudinal member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Heretofore, prior to my invention it has been known to strip pressure sensitive labels automatically from a carrier strip by a reverse bend around a metal plate. Prior art devices, however, have been unable to consistently strip the label onto a hot surface without the label curling. Attempts to place a contact roll near the point at which the label is deposited have either been only partially successful or have had a tendency to tear the carrier paper and thus cause delays.

Also, it is known to make a labeling machine with a printing attachment. These machines have generally been of the platen type, wherein the whole series of information is on one plate and, as the label passes over an oppositely disposed plate, the whole label is immediately printed. Because these devices are not adaptable to vary with the speed ofa moving elongated object and not easily converted to a size amenable to both hand operation and pedestal-mounted machine operation, they have not been successful.

Hand roller printing units have been produced but these devices always succumbed to the tendency to throw the letter blocks when a small diameter wheel was used on operations running at speeds of about 200 fpm and above. Hand roller printing units have not been successfully combined with labelers because of the inability to maintain a constant pressure between the label and the printing mechanism and between the printing mechanism and the ink supply and also become commercially available labels are not produced suitable for use with roller printers having diameters of about 4 inches and over.

Roller printers are currently available but are not produced with a printing roll having a diameter below about 4 inches because of the throwing of the '74 inch I letters, which inch size is a desirable size for steel mill applications. Therefore, conventional devices, currently used, are large and cumbersome, generally being of a size that requires a standing man to operate the roller printing mechanism. These roller-printers are also provided with characters around the circumference of a wheel.

Conventional labeling devices are of the type shown OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is the general object of this invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other difficulties of and objections to prior art practices by the provision of an improved method of and apparatus for printing, dispensing and applying labels or for dispensing and applying the labels in an unprinted condition to an elongated member at spaced intervals thereon, which improved method and apparatus:

1. provide a permanent or semi-permanent mark on the elongated members;

provide a readily readable mark through the primer coating on the elongated members; 3. eliminate the use of scanners, detectors and the like; provide a mark which is inert with respect to primer coating systems; 5. provide a mark which is pleasing in appearance;

. do not affect the mechanical properties of the elongated member; 7. will operate with a long life in a factory or plant environment; 8. are simple to operate and to maintain;

. minimize erroneous marking of the elongated member product; 10. provide rapid and facile change of the mark from one product to another product: 1 l are low in capital cost and operating cost; 12. provide properly spaced marking on elongated members to eliminate loss of material identity in the elongated members after severence thereof into smaller sizes;

13. provide a consistently readable mark on elongated members;

14. provide a marked label or label for marking such that the label is not susceptible to curing when applied to a heated elongated member;

15. are reproducible in sizes adaptable to hand application ofa mark;

16. provide consistent marking quality by automatically maintaining a fixed, critical pressure between the label to be marked and the marking device and between the marking device and an ink supply;

17. provide a readily removable supply reel, take-up reel, printing device, back-up roller, and front roller;

18. accommodate variations in the diameter of the core for the carrier tape and in the width of the tape;

19. provide a predetermined pressure to the printer roll on the back-up roll and to the ink roll on the printer roll, thereby preventing smudging of the printing on the label and insuring uniform printing thereon;

20. control deformation of the ink roll during printing 21. requires no synchronization between the printing roll and label travel;

22. are readily assembled and disassembled; and

23. are adaptable for either in-line operation or hand (portable) operation (i.e. off-line operation).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aforesaid objects of this invention, and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by providing an apparatus for and method of printing and of dispensing labels.

A. The labeling apparatus dispenses pressure-sensitive adhesive labels mounted in a spaced relation on a label-bearing carrier strip and applies the labels onto an elongated member. The apparatus has a frame and a take-up reel at one end of the frame, engageable with the elongated member as a first rolling means for the frame and for receiving the carrier strip after the labels have been removed from the carrier strip. A rolling means is on the frame in spaced relation with the takeup reel. The take-up reel and the rolling means movably support the frame. A supply reel on the frame is for the label-bearing carrier strip. A peel-off member on the frame adjacent the elongated member between the rolling means and the take-up reel receives the label-bearing carrierstrip from the supply reel adjacent one side of the peel-off member while the label-bearing carrier strip is moving in one direction toward the elongated member so that the label continues in the one direction while the carrier strip moves around the peeloff member and continues in another direction toward the take-up reel.

The label is moved in the one direction by the carrier strip and into engagement with the elongated member as the carrier strip moves in the other direction toward the take-up reel. The label is rolled against the elongated member as the rolling means engages the label, and either the frame is movable on the first rolling means and the take-up reel in the other direction, or the elongated member is movable in the one direction to rotate the take-up reel to cause the take-up reel to pull the label-bearing carrier strip from the supply reel around the peel-off member and onto the take-up reel.

C. The dispensing method includes the steps of:

c. moving the label in the one direction and into engagement with the elongated member as the carrier strip moves in the other direction toward a takeup reel;

. rolling the label against the elongated member to secure the label to the elongated member; and

. moving either the take-up reel on the elongated member in the other direction or moving the elongated member in the one direction to rotate the take-up reel thereby causing the take-up reel to pull the label-bearing carrier strip from the supply reel around the peel-off member and onto the take-up reel.

E. The printing means for printing a predetermined indicia either on an elongated member or a label has a frame having relative movement with respect to the elongated member; and a printing device on the frame engageable with the elongated member and driven by the relative movement between the frame and the elongated member to print the predetermined indicia on the longitudinal member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of this invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts through the several views and wherein:

FIG. I is a side elevational view of the labeling apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the label-bearing carrier strips showing the length L of the labels and the spaced relation d between such labels;

FIG. 1B is a side elevational view of one of the side plates of the frame for such apparatus and showing the integrating rod, the supply reel rod, take-up reel rod, roller means rod and printing roll frame pivot rod;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. I in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus taken along the line 33 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the frame supply reel, take-up reel and supply reel tensioning means taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows; 2

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the printing means taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows and showing the printing roll frame, printing roll and inking roll;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view ofthe rolling means taken along the line 66 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the frame, the assembly rod and the locking means for securing the readily detachable frame together, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view (with the frame omitted for clarity) of the inking roll showing the pressure determining rod, the eccentric rod, the bearing between the eccentric rod and the rotatable mounting sleeve, the ink roll on the mounting sleeve and one of the side retaining plates or sleeves;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a portion of the elongated member and three of the printed labels thereon showing that by maintaining the peripheral length of the printing means substantially equal to the length of a label, the label movement need not be synchronized with the printing movement;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to the upper portion of FIG. 4 showing an alternative embodiment of the supply reel tensioning means carried by the supply reel and engaging the extended side walls of the frame;

FIG. II is a fragmentary side elevational view of the handle, the pressure pin and a portion of the printing roll frame showing an alternative stop means having a mounting lug on the printing roll frame and a stop engageable with the handle;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing a further embodiment of the stop means having a stop plate on the printing roll frame and the stop carried by the handle;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to the left-hand portion of FIG. 5 showing an alternative embodiment of the printing roll pressure means wherein said pressure pin is carried by the frame;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 13 showing a further embodiment of the printing roll pressure means wherein the printing roll pressure means is a resilient ring carried by the printing roll;

FIG. 15A is a view similar to FIG. 1 of an alternative embodiment of the printing means for printing directly on the longitudinal member;

FIG. 15B is a side elevational view taken along the line 15B-1SB of FIG. 15A in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 16l6 of FIG. 15, of the O-ring on the printing roll for driving the inking roll wherein the nut and threads on the printing roll shaft are reversed from that shown in FIG. 5 and the adjustment nut and the locking nut on the inking roll shaft are also reversed from the showing of FIG. 5.

Although the principles of this invention are broadly applicable to the printing of labels and dispensing of such printed labels onto a workpiece of any size or shape, this invention is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with an elongated workpiece, and hence it has been so illustrated and will be so described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION With specific reference to the form of this invention illustrated in the drawings, and referring particularly to FIGS. l-3, a labeling apparatus for dispensing pressure sensitive adhesive labels 10 (FIGS. 1,1A,9) having a length L (FIG. 1A) of about 2% inches and mounted in spaced relation (1 (FIG. 1A) of about 1/8 inchon a label-bearing carrier strip 12 (FIGS. 1,1A), is indicated by the reference numeral 14 (FIG. 1).

APPARATUS 14 The labeling apparatus 14 applies the labels 10 onto an elongated member 16 (FIGS. 1,9,15A) such as a steel bar, plate or the like. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the labeling apparatus 14 has a frame 18.

FRAME 18 The frame 18 has a pair of opposed side plates 20a and 20b (FIGS. 1-7, 10, 13-14, 16). The means utilized to integrate the two readily detachable side plates 20a and 20b has an assembly rod 22 (FIGS. 1,18) projecting from the plate 20b (FIGS. 1,1823) and into and through a hole 24 (FIGS. 1,3) in the other side plate 20a. A knurled nut 26 (FIGS. 13) applied to the threaded end of the assembly rod 22 projecting through the hole 24 secures the frame 18 in the integrated position shown in FIGS. 1-3. Also as shown in FIGS. 1,1B,2,3,4, a supply reel shaft 28, a take-up reel shaft 30 (FIGS. 1,lB,4), and a rolling means shaft 32 (FIGS. 1,1A,2,3,6) project from the side plate 20b in substantially parallel relationship to the assembly rod 22 and project through suitable holes 340 (FIGS. 1-4), 34b (FIG. 1), 34 (FIGS. l-3,6) in the other side plate 20a to provide suitably mounting means for a supply reel 36 (FIGS. l-4), a take-up reel 38 (FIGS. 1,4), and rolling means 40 (FIGS. 1-3).

TAKE-UP REEL 38 The take-up reel 38 (FIGS. 1-3 and 4) shown partially in FIG. 4, has a pair of opposed side plates 42a (FIGS. 1,3,4), 42b (FIGS. 2,4) connected by a roll core sleeve 44 (FIGS. 1,3,4). As noted particularly in FIG. 4, the roll core sleeve 44 has a first core sleeve member 46a projecting from the side plate 42a which core sleeve member 460 is threadable and readily disconnected from a second core sleeve member 46a projecting from the other side plate 42b. For the purpose of accommodating varying diameters of the core (not shown) for the label-bearing carrier strip roll and varying widths of the label-bearing carrier strip 12, the core sleeve members 46a and 46b (FIG. 4) are provided with tapered portions 48 (FIG. 4) adjacent the side plates 42a,43b. The means utilized to lighten or reduce the weight of the take-up reel 38 and to provide visibility of the amount of the carrier strip 12 on the take-up reel 38 comprises a plurality of holes 50 (FIGS. 1,4) drilled in the side plates 42a,42b of such take-up reel 38.

The take-up reel 38 (FIGS. 1,4) mounted on the lefthand end of the frame 18 (as viewed in FIG. 1) is engageable with the elongated member 16 as a first rolling means for the frame 18 and is utilized for driving and receiving the carrier strip 12 after the labels have been removed from the carrier strip 12 as hereinafter explained.

ROLLING MEANS 40 To provide a second means for movably supporting the frame 18, the rolling means or roller 40 (FIGS. l,2,3,6) is mounted on the rolling means shaft 32 (FIGS. 1-3) in spaced relationship with the take-up reel 38. This rolling means or roller 40 is shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6, and particularly in detail in FIG. 6. Such roller 40 has a steel sleeve 54 (FIGS. l3,7) rotatable by means of bearings 56 (FIG. 6) on the rolling means shaft 32 and is provided with-an outer substantially hard rubber-like roller 58 (FIGS. 13,6).

The supply reel 36 is mounted on the supply reel shaft 28 above the take-up reel 38, as viewed in FIG. 1, for storing the label bearing carrier strip 12. The rolling means shaft 32 is secured in the side plate b of the frame 18 by means ofa nut 53 (FIG. 3).

v SUPPLY REEL 36 This supply reel 36 (FIGS. 1-3 and 4) is essentially similar in construction to the take-up reel 38, and as shown in FIG. 4, has a pair of opposed side plates 42a,42b integrated by a roll core sleeve 44 having core sleeve members 46a,46b threadably connected at 47 for easy assembly and disassembly. The roll core sleeve 44 rotates on the supply reel shaft 28 by means of bearings 56 and the core sleeve members 46a and 46b are tapered at 48 (FIG. 4) adjacent the side plates 42a and 42b for the same purpose as the tapered portions 48 on the take-up reel 38. Between the rolling means 40 and the take-up reel 38 a peel-off member 60 (FIG. 1) is mounted by bolts 61 (FIG. 1) on the frame 18 adjacent the elongated member 16 between the supply reel 36 and the take-up reel 38.

PEEL-OFF MEMBER 60 As shown particularly in FIG. 1, the peel-off member 60 receives the label-bearing carrier strip 12 (FIGS. 1,1A) from the supply reel 36 adjacent one side (i.e., the top side, as viewed in FIG. 1) of the peel-off member 60 while the label-bearing carrier strip 12 is OPERATION The label 10 is moved in the one direction to the right as indicated by the upper arrow in FIG. 1 by the carrier strip 12 and such label moves into engagement with the elongated member 16 as the carrier strip 12 moves in the other direction to the left indicated by the lower arrow in FIG. 1 toward the take-up reel. The labeling apparatus 14 moves to the left, as indicated by the top arrow marked with the legend apparatus in FIG. 1, and the detached label 10 is rolled against the elongated member'16 as the rolling means 40 engages the label 10 during such movement of the labeling apparatus 14 to the left as viewed in FIG. 1 in the direction of the large arrow marked apparatus.

As shown in FIGS. l-3, the frame 18 is movable on the rolling means 40 and the take-up reel 38 in the direction of the large arrow marked apparatus in FIG. 1 to rotate the take-up reel 38 in a counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow associated with the take-up reel 38 in FIG. 1, thereby causing the take-up reel 38 to pull the label-bearing strip 12 from the supply reel 36 around the peel-off member 60 and onto the take-up reel 38.

Alternatively, to achieve the same above describe results, the labeling apparatus 14 can be maintained in a stationary position (not shown) and the elongated member 16 moved in the one direction to the right to cause the desired rotation of the take-up reel 38 and the roller 40 (FIG. 1).

For the purpose of tensioning the supply reel 36, a supply reel tensioning means 62 (FIG. 4) is provided.

SUPPLY REEL TENSIONING MEANS 62 Such supply reel tensioning means 62 (FIG. 4) is mounted on one member of the supply reel 36 and the frame 18 (in this case, as shown in FIG. 4 on the frame 18) and is engageable with the other member of the supply reel 36 and the frame 18 (in this case, the supply reel 36) to apply a predetermined tension to the supply reel 36 and the label-bearing carrier strip 12 stored on the supply reel 36. This supply reel tensioning means 62 has a housing 64 (FIG. 4) threadably secured at 65 in the side plate 20a and is provided with a positionable pressure pin 66 secured by a hollow threaded pin 67 (containing a plunger 67a and spring 67b) into the housing 64 and having its piston 68 projecting out of the housing 64 and into engagement with the side plate 42a of the supply reel 36. In order to apply the predetermined desired pressure or tensioning force against the supply reel 36, the threadable bolt 67 is rotatable on the threads 72 between the housing 64 and bolt 67.

The means utilized to print a predetermined indicia (FIG. 9) in decreasing spaced relation d3 and d4, etc. (FIG. 9) on the elongated member 16, is a printing means 74 (FIGS. 13,5) which is mounted on the frame 18 between the supply reel 36 and the peel-off member 60. The printing means 74 is engageable with the labels (FIG. 1) on the label-bearing carrierstrip 12.

PRINTING MEANS 74 This printing means 74 has a back-up roll 76 (FIGS. 1-3 and 7) which is mounted on the assembly rod 22 secured in the side plate a of the frame 18 by the knurled nut 26 and in the side plate 20b by an assembly knurled nut 53. This back-up roll 76 has a steel sleeve 78 (FIG. 7) rotatable by means of bearings 80 (FIG. 7) on the assembly rod 22, and has a resilient rubber-like roll 82 (FIG. 7) mounted on the sleeve 78. Such backup roll 76 is, of course, mounted on the carrier strip side, i.e., the lower side, as viewed in FIG. 1, of the label-bearing carrier strip 12. The backup roll. 76 is driven in clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow associated with the backup roll 76 (FIG. 1) by the label-bearing carrier strip 12.

A printing roll assembly 84 (FIGS. 1-3,5,l5) of the printing means 74 has a frame 86 (FIGS. l-3,5,11- 14,15) pivoted on the printing roll assembly pivot rod 33 (FIGS. 13,5) As shown in FIGS. 13, the frame 86 has a pair of side plates 88 (FIGS. l3,5,l l14,15) fixedly secured to a steel sleeve 90 (FIGS. 13,5), which sleeve 90 rotates on the printing roll assembly pivot rod 33. In the opposite end, i.e., the left-hand end as viewed in FIG. 3, the side plates 88 are integrated by a top plate 92 (FIGS. 13,5,11,12,l5) secured to the side plates 88 by suitable fasteners, such as screws 94 (FIGS. 13,5,l1,12) or the like.

A printing roll 96 (FIGS. 13,5,13-15) is mounted on a bolt 98 (FIGS. 13,5,1315) extended through the side plate 20b of the frame 18 and threadable by means of threads 99 (FIGS. 5,13,14) into the side plate 20a of the frame 18. The printing roll 96 rotates by means of bearings 57 (FIGS. 5,13,14) on the bolt 98 and such bolt 98 is removable from the frame 18 by means of a knurled head 100 (FIGS. 3,5,13,14) on the upper side of the bolt 98 as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 5.

Such printing roll 96 is provided with a pair of opposedtires 102 (FIGS. 5,13,14) suitably O-rings or the like seated in slots 104 (FIGS. 5,13,14) in the outer periphery of the printing roll 96. These tires 102 engage and ride on the back-up roll 76 so that such printing roll 96 is driven in a counter-clockwise direction as indicated by the associated arrow in FIG. 1 by the back-up roll 76. The marking indicia indicated in FIG. 9 comprises, for example, coded indicia indicating the type of elongated member, the metallic heat number utilized in the metallic member and the dimensional characteristics of such elongated member and are suitably hard rubber-type members 106 (FIGS. 2,5,13,14) force fitted into suitably spaced cavities 108 or a longitudinal groove 108 (FIGS. 5,13,14) in the periphery of the printing roll 96. Each of the three lines or rows of indicia (totalling nine lines or rows) are suitably substantially equal to the length L (FIGS. 1A,9) of a label 10 so that as shown in FIG. 9, the three rows of predetermined indicia are always printed on a label 10 regardless of the synchronization of the label movement through the printing roll assembly 84 with the printing roll assembly 84.

As shown in FIGS. 13, the printing roll assembly 84 has a pressure member, suitably a handle 110 (FIGS. l3',11,12,5) or the like, pivoted at 112 (FIGS. 13,11,12,5) on an arm 114 (

FIGS.v

1,2,11,12) secured by a bolt 116 (FIG. 2) to the side plate 20a of the frame 18. The pressure member handle 110 carries a spring loaded pin 118 (FIGS. 1,11,12) similar to pin 67, FIG. 4, which pin 118 is engageable with one member of the printing roll 96 and the printing roll frame 86 to apply a predetermined printing pressure to the printing roll 96, the labels l0, and the resilient back-up roll 76. The pressure member or handle 110 is provided with stop means 120 (FIG. 1) for limiting the pressure applying movement of the handle 110. Such stop means 120 comprises a generally flat surface 122 (FIG. 1) on the handle 110 adjacent the pivot 112 which is engageable when the handle 110 is moved in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1 with a stop lug surface 124 (FIG. 1) on the arm 114 beneath the pivot 112 and adjacent the top plate 92 of the frame 86 of the printing roll assembly 84.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the pressure pin 118 engages the top plate 92 of the frame 86 of the printing roll assembly 84. When the flat surface 122 (FIG. 1) on the handle 110 engages the stop lug surface 124 further clockwise movement of the handle 110 is' prevented and a predetermined pressure is applied by the spring loaded pin 118 to the frame 86 of the printing roll assembly 84, thereby transmitting such predetermined printing pressure to the printing roll 96, the labels 10, and the resilient back-up roll 76.

As shown in FIGS. l3,5 and 8, an inking roll 126 is mounted on the printing roll frame 86 in engagement with the printing roll 96 for applying printing ink to the printing roll 96. Such inking roll 126 has a pressure positioning shaft 128 (FIGS. 13,5,8,15) extending on bearings 129 (FIGS. 5,8) through the side plates 20a,20b of the frame 18 of the labeling apparatus 14. An eccentric shaft 130 (FIG. 8) is integrally formed with thepressure positioning shaft 128 (FIGS. 5,8). A rotatable mounting sleeve 134 (FIGS. 5,8) rotates on the bearings 129 and carries the resilient ink-saturated ink roll 136 (FIGS. 5,8). For the purpose of maintaining the dimensional stability of the ink roll 136 during the inking operating while such ink roll 136 is in engagement with the printing roll 96, retaining side plates 138 (FIGS. 5,8) are secured to the rotatable mounting sleeve 134 as by screws 140 (FIGS. 5,8). In order to apply a predetermined inking pressure to the printing reel 96, the pressure positioning shaft 128 is positioned by means of a knurled nut 142 (FIGS. 13,5) against the printing roll 96 (adjacent side plate 20a of frame 18) and is secured in the predetermined pressure applying position by means of a knurled nut 53 (FIGS. 2,3,5) on the opposite side of the shaft 128 adjacent the side plate 20b of the frame 18.

AL'IERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS It will he understood by those skilled in the art that alternatively as shown in FIG. 10, the supply reel 36 carries the supply reel tensioning means 62" which engages and rides on the extended side plate a of the frame 18 of the labeling apparatus 14.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of a stop means 120 associated with the handle 110. In this embodiment, the flat surface 122 engageable with the stop lug 124 is eliminated and an arm 144 projects from the mounting arm 114 for the handle 110. The mounting lug or arm 144 carries a stop 146 secured thereto as by welds 148, which stop 146 is engageable with the underside 150 of the handle 110 to limit the clockwise rotation of such handle 110.

In FIG. 12, the stop 146 is secured as by welds 148 to the underside 150 of the handle 110 and engages the stop plate 144 on the pivot arm 114 to limit the downward clockwise movement of the handle 110.

In FIG. 13, a pressure pin 118 is mounted on one of the side plates 88 of the frame 86 for the printing roll assembly 84 and engages the handle 110 (not shown in FIG. 13).

FIG. 14 shows a resilient pressure ring 152 carried by the outer periphery of the printing roll 96 as a replace ment for the pressure pin 118 shown in FIGS. I3 and pressure pin 118 shown in FIG. 13.

FIGS. 15A, 158 show a portable printing roll assembly 84 for printing directly on the elongated member 16 or label-carrying member. Such printing means 84 has a handle 110 mounted on side plates 88 of the frame 86, which frame 86 is movable by means of wheels 158 relative to the elongated member 16. Although not shown in FIG. 15, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above described stop means 120 and pressure pin 118 associated with the handle 110 can be incorporated in the printing machine 84 and that the pressure applying means associated with the inking roll 126 is also used therein.

FIG. 16 shows drive rings 102 for driving the inking roll 124 and for preventing over pressure on printing members 106 to prevent smudging of the printing members 106.

SUMMARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the objects of this invention have been achieved by providing an improved labeling apparatus 14 and method of labeling an elongated member 16, an improved printing means 74 and method of printing on a label 10 on the workpiece 16. The labeling apparatus 14 and printing roll assembly 84 (FIGS. l14) and 84'' (FIG. 15) provide a permanent or semi-permanent mark (FIG. 9) on the elongated members 16; provide a readily readible mark (FIG. 9) through a primer coating (not shown) on the elongated members 16; eliminate the use of scanners, detectors (not shown) and the like; provide a mark (FIG. 9) inert with respect to primer coating system for the workpiece 16; provide a mark (FIG. 9) which is pleasing in appearance; do not affect the mechanical properties of the elongated workpiece 16; will operate with a long life in a factory or a plant environment; are simple to operate and to maintain; minimize and eliminate erroneous marking of the elongated workpiece 16; permit rapid and facile change of the mark 106 (FIG. 9) from one product 16 to another product 16', are low in capital cost and operating cost; provide properly spaced markings d3,d4, etc. (FIG. 9) on workpieces 16 to eliminate loss of material indemnity on the workpiece 16 after severance thereof into smaller sizes and pieces; provide a consistently readable mark (FIG. 9) on the workpieces 16; provide a marked label 10 or label 10 for marking such that the label 10 is not susceptible to curling when applied to a heated workpiece at about 300500F; are reproducible in sizes-adaptable to hand application of a mark (FIG. 9); provide consistent marking quality by automatically mounting a fixed critical pressure between the label 10 to be marked and the printing rod 96 and the back-up roll 76 and between the printing roll 96 and the inking roll 126; provide a readily removable supply reel 36, take-up reel 38, printing roll assembly 84, 84 back-up roller 76, and front roller accommodate variations in the diameter of the core (not shown) for the carrier tape roll and variations in the width of the carrier tape 12; provide a predetermined pressure to the printing roll 96 on the back-up roll 76 and to the inking roll 126 on the printing roll 96 thereby preventing smudging of the mark (FIG. 9) on the label 10 and insuring uniform printing thereon; prevent deformation of the inking roll 126 (by the sleeves 138, FIGS. 5,8) during the printing operation; requires no synchronization between the printing roll 96 and the label travel or movement through the printing means 74; and are readily assembled and disassembled.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, preferred and alternative embodiments of this invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

I claim:

1. A labeling apparatus for dispensing pressure-sensitive adhesive labels mounted in a first spaced relation on a label-bearing carrier strip and for applying said labels onto an elongated member, said apparatus having:

a. a frame;

b. a take-up reel at one end ofsaid frame, engageable with said elongated member as a first rolling means for said frame and for receiving said carrier strip after said labels have been removed from said carrier strip;

. a rolling means on said frame in rolling spaced relation with said take-up reel, I I. said take-up reel and said rolling means movably supporting said frame;

. a supply reel on said frame for storingsaid labelbearing carrier strip;

e. a peel-off member on said frame adjacent said elongated member between said rolling means and said take-up reel and for receiving said label-bearing carrier strip from said supply reel adjacent one side of said peel-off member while said label-bearing carrier strip is moving in one direction toward said elongated member so that said label continues in said one direction while said carrier strip moves around said peel-off member and continues in another direction toward said take-up reel,

1. said label being moved in said one direction by said carrier strip and into engagement with said elongated member as said carrier strip moves in said other direction toward said take-up reel,

2. said label being rolled against said elongated member as said rolling means engages said label;

f. either said frame being movable on said rolling means and said take-up reel in said other direction or said elongated member being movable in said one direction to rotate said take-up reel to cause said take-up reel to pull said label-bearing carrier strip from said supply reel around said peel-off member and onto said take-up reel;

g. a printing means on said frame between said supply reel and said peel-off member and engageable with said labels on said label-bearing carrier strip to print a predetermined indicia on said labels;

h. said printing means having a back-up roll on said frame on the carrier strip side of said label-bearing carrier strip, a printing roll frame pivotable on said frame, and a printing roll on said printing roll frame and engageable with said labels to print said predetermined indicia on said labels; and

i. said printing roll having printing means and said printing means having a peripheral length substantially equal to the length of a label thereby eliminating synchronization of the label movement through said printing means with the movement of said printing means.

2. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said frame has a pair of opposed side plates and one of said side plates has an assembly rod projecting therefrom and into said other side plate to form said frame.

3. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 2 wherein said assembly rod is detachable from said other side plate.

4. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said supply reel is mounted above said take-up reel on the opposed reel side plates of said frame.

5. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein one reel of said supply reel and said take-up reel has opposed reel side plates connected by a roll core sleeve.

6. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein said roll core sleeve has a first core sleeve member and a second core sleeve member detachable from said first core sleeve member to facilitate loading and unloading of said one reel.

7. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 5 wherein said roll core sleeve has a tapered portion adjacent one of said reel side plates to accommodate varying diameters of the core for said label-bearing carrier strip and varying widths of said label-bearing carrier strip.

8. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 1 and having a supply reel tensioning means on one member of said supply reel and said frame engageable with the other member of said supply reel and said frame to apply a predetermined tension to said supply reel and said label bearing carrier strip stored on said supply reel.

9. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said label-bearing carrier strip drives said back-up roll.

10. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said printing roll is driven by said back-up roll.

11. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said printing means has a pressure member pivotable on said frame and engageable with one member of said printing roll and said printing roll frame to apply a predetermined printing pressure to said printing roll, said labels and said back-up roll.

12. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said back-up roll is resilient.

13. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 11 wherein one member of said frame and said pressure member has stop means to limit the pressure applying movement of said pressure member.

14. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 13 and having printing roll pressure means on one member of said pressure member, said printing roll and said printing roll frame to engage another member of said pressure member, said printing roll and said printing roll frame to limit said pressure applying movement of said pressure member and to apply a predetermined printing pressure to said printing roll, said labels and said back-up roll.

15. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said printing means has an inking roll on said printing roll frame engageable with said printing roll for applying printing ink to said printing roll.

16. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 15 wherein said inking roll has ink roll pressure applying means for applying a predetermined inking pressure between said printing roll and said inking roll.

17. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 16 wherein said ink roll pressure applying means has a first shaft mounted on said printing roll frame, a second shaft eccentrically mounted on said first shaft and said inking roll is rotatable on said second shaft.

18. The labeling apparatus recited in claim 15 wherein said inking roll has rigid side plates confining said inking roll during the inking operation so that said inking roll maintains its dimensional stability.

19. For a labelingapparatus for dispensing pressuresensitive adhesive labels mounted in a spaced relation on a label-bearing carrier strip and for applying said labels onto an elongated member, said apparatus having a frame, a supply reel on said frame for storing said label-bearing carrier strip, a peel-off member on said frame for separating a label from said carrier strip and directing said label onto said elongated member, a take-up reel on said frame for receiving the label-less carrier strip, and a rolling means on said frame in rolling spaced relation with said take-up reel,

a. a printing means on said frame between said supply reel and said peel-off member and engageable with said labels on said label-bearing carrier strip to print a predetermined indicia on said labels,

. said printing means having a back-up roll on said frame on the carrier strip side of said label-bearing carrier strip, a printing roll frame pivotable on said frame, and a printing roll on said printing roll frame and engageable with said labels to print said predetermined indicia on said labels; and

c. said printing roll having printing means and said printing means having a peripheral length substantially equal to the length of a label thereby eliminating synchronization of the label movement through said printing means with the movement of said printing means.

20. The printing means recited in claim 19 wherein said label-bearing carrier strip drives said back-up roll.

21. The printing means recited in claim 20 wherein said printing roll is driven by said back-up roll.

22. The printing means recited in claim 20 wherein said printing means has a pressure member pivotable on said frame and engageable with one member of said printing roll and said printing roll frame to apply a predetermined printing pressure to said printing roll, said labels and said back-up roll.

23. The printing means recited in claim 20 wherein said back-up roll is resilient.

24. The printing means recited in claim 22 wherein one member of said frame and said pressure member has stop means to limit the pressure applying movement of said pressure member.

25. The printing means recited in claim 24 having printing roll pressure means on one member of said pressure member, said printing roll and said printing roll frame to engage another member of said pressure member, said printing roll and said printing roll frame, when said stop means limits said pressure applying 28. The printing means recited in claim 27 wherein said ink roll pressure applying means has a first shaft mounted on said printing roll frame, a second shaft eccentrically mounted on said first shaft and said inking roll is rotatable on said second shaft.

29. The printing means recited in claim 26 wherein said inking roll has rigid side plates confining said inking roll during the inking operation so that said inking roll maintains its dimensional stability.

Claims

1. A labeling apparatus for dispensing pressure-sensitive adhesive labels mounted in a first spaced relation on a label-bearing carrier strip and for applying said labels onto an elongated member, said apparatus having: a. a frame; b. a take-up reel at one end of said frame, engageable with said elongated member as a first rolling means for said frame and for receiving said carrier strip after said labels have been removed from said carrier strip; c. a rolling means on said frame in rolling spaced relation with said take-up reel,

1. said take-up reel and said rolling means movably supporting said frame; d. a supply reel on said frame for storing said label-bearing carrier strip; e. a peel-off member on said frame adjacent said elongated member between said rolling means and said take-up reel and for receiving said label-bearing carrier strip from said supply reel adjacent one side of said peel-off member while said label-bearing carrier strip is moving in one direction toward said elongated member so that said label continues in said one direction while said carrier strip moves around said peel-off member and continues in another direction toward said take-up reel,

2. said label being rolled against said elongated member as said rolling means engages said label; f. either said frame being movable on said rolling means and said take-up reel in said other direction or said elongated member being movable in said one direction to rotate said take-up reel to cause said take-up reel to pull said label-bearing carrier strip from said supply reel around said peel-off member and onto said take-up reel; g. a printing means on said frame between said supply reel and said peel-off member and engageable with said labels on said label-bearing carrier strip to print a predetermined indicia on said labels; h. said printing Means having a back-up roll on said frame on the carrier strip side of said label-bearing carrier strip, a printing roll frame pivotable on said frame, and a printing roll on said printing roll frame and engageable with said labels to print said predetermined indicia on said labels; and i. said printing roll having printing means and said printing means having a peripheral length substantially equal to the length of a label thereby eliminating synchronization of the label movement through said printing means with the movement of said printing means.

19. For a labeling apparatus for dispensing pressure-sensitive adhesive labels mounted in a spaced relation on a label-bearing carrier strip and for applying said labels onto an elongated member, said apparatus having a frame, a supply reel on said frame for storing said label-bearing carrier strip, a peel-off member on said frame for separating a label from said carrier strip and directing said label onto said elongated member, a take-up reel on said frame for receiving the label-less carrier strip, and a rolling means on said frame in rolling spaced relation with said take-up reel, a. a printing means on said frame between said supply reel and said peel-off member and engageable with said labels on said label-bearing carrier strip to print a predetermined indicia on said labels, b. said printing means having a back-up roll on said frame on the carrier strip side of said label-bearing carrier strip, a printing roll frame pivotable on said frame, and a printing roll on said printing roll frame and engageable with said labels to print said predetermined indicia on said labels; and c. said printing roll having printing means and said printing means having a peripheral length substantially equal to the length of a label thereby eliminating synchronization of the label movement through said printing means with the movement of said printing means.

25. The printing means recited in claim 24 having printing roll pressure means on one member of said pressure member, said printing roll and said printing roll frame to engage another member of said pressure member, said printing roll and said printing roll frame, when said stop means limits said pressure applying movement of said pressure member, to apply a predetermined printing pressure to said printing roll, said labels and said back-up roll.

26. The printing means recited in claim 19 wherein said printing means has an inking roll on said printing roll frame engageable with said printing roll for applying printing ink to said printing roll.

27. The printing means recited in claim 26 wherein said inking roll has ink roll pressure applying means for applying a predetermined inking pressure between said printing roll and said inking roll.

28. The printing means recited in claim 27 wherein said ink roll pressure applying means has a first shaft mounted on said printing roll frame, a second shaft eccentrically mounted on said first shaft and said inking roll is rotatable on said second shaft.