Cms Gilbreth Packaging Systems, Inc.

Other

John M Galchefski

Ian Westbury

Jan Westbury

John Stevenson

An apparatus applies labels onto small cylindrical articles and includes a label transport drum that defines a central axis. Labels are supplied onto the surface of the drum and returned thereto. The drum rotates about its axis so that the label moves with the drum into an article wrapping position. Small cylindrical articles are tangentially delivered onto the drum surface and into rotative engagement with the label as the label moves into the article wrapping position for wrap around labelling so that the trailing edge of the label overlaps its leading edge forming a bond. The rotation of the article is retarded after wrapping for a period of time while the drum continues its rotation so that the article rests on the overlapping seam and applies pressure while allowing sufficient time for any solvent or adhesive applied thereon to react with the label material. Magnetic attractive forces can be applied onto a magnetically attractive article to enhance pressure applied on the seam.

Apparatus and method for applying labels onto small cylindrical articles

An apparatus for applying a label onto a small, cylindrical article, such as a dry cell battery, is disclosed. A rotatable label transport drum has a central, horizontal axis. A label is fed to the drum surface, retained thereto as the drum rotates, and moved with the rotating drum into an article wrapping position defined at the upper area of the drum. An article delivery system, such as a star transfer wheel, delivers the articles sequentially onto the drum surface. The delivery system is spaced outward from the drum surface to clear the trailing edge of the label which is outwardly positioned from the drum surface. An attractive force is imparted on the article in a direction so as to aid smooth delivery of the article onto the drum surface and the label moving therewith. In one aspect of the invention, when the articles are magnetically attractive drycell batteries, at least one magnet retains the drycells against an article engaging surface of a pressure plate which defines an article entrance portion that is disposed downward to the drum surface so that the drycells are smoothly and tangentially transferred onto the drum surface. In another aspect of the invention, a web feed and cutting mechanism is disclosed. In still another aspect of the invention, an adhesive delivery system using a gravure roller is disclosed.

An apparatus for applying thin film polymer labels onto small cylindrical articles has a label transport drum with a substantially smooth, outer surface on which labels are fed. A cold adhesive that is viscous at room temperature is printed onto an area adjacent the leading edge of the label. A solvent is applied by two static wiper assemblies onto an area adjacent the trailing edge of the label. The first static wiper assembly wipes an amount of solvent onto the area adjacent the trailing edge of the label for cleaning and softening that area. A second wiper assembly applies an amount of solvent onto the area adjacent the trailing edge of the label for dissolving a portion of the label to create a tacky, bonding quality to the label and form a solvent seal bond when the trailing edge overlaps the leading edge. Solvent is applied to the wiper bodies for dispersion throughout and to the wiper tip. A plunger is formed in the drum at those areas where the trailing edges of labels are positioned. Each plunger is spring biased outward from the drum surface to position the trailing edge of a label at a position beyond the peripheral drum surface for engaging the wiper tips. During wrapping, the article forces the plunger downward so it will not interfere with article wrapping.

An apparatus and method for applying thin film polymer labels to small cylindrical articles such as dry cell batteries without label mismatching is disclosed. A label transport drum is rotatably mounted on a frame. Cut labels are supplied to the surface of the label transport drum as the drum is rotated. An adhesive is applied onto the area adjacent the leading edge of the label while the label is moving with the drum, and a solvent is applied onto an area adjacent the trailing edge of the label. Cylindrical articles are conveyed in tangential spinning engagement with the label transport drum and into rotative engagement with the adhesive on the leading edge of the label so as to transfer the label onto the article as the label is moved into engagement with the rotating article. A pressure plate imparts pressure against selected sides and ends of the article during wrapping to prevent mismatching of the label as the label wraps around the article. A seam is formed at the overlap of leading and trailing edge portions. The pressure plate has an article engaging surface positioned adjacent the surface of the drum. The camber of the plate may be varied relative to the articles conveyed on the surface of the drum, thus varying the pressure imparted against selected areas of the article during labeling to prevent mismatching of the label.

A chain drive is described in which the chain travel length remains constant, as well as the chain tension, in spite of changes in separation between the driving and driven sprockets. Eccentric idlers enable the chain to be initially tensioned by offsetting these eccentric idlers through a sufficient distance to establish the proper chain tension. An idler sprocket provides a pivot for the two arms that support the chain drive, thereby enabling the arms to form a 'V' configuration as the linear separation of the driving and driven sprockets, mounted on opposite ends of their respective arms, is varied. The eccentric idlers wrap the chain around at least a portion of the idler sprocket's driven and driving sides.

Self-tensioning chain drive

An apparatus for applying thin film polymer labels onto small cylindrical articles includes a label transport drum that is constructed for aiding the transfer of a label onto a cylindrical article. The apparatus includes a label transport drum having a cylindrically configured hub and cylindrical drum mounted on the hub for rotation thereabout. The drum has an outer surface on which labels are fed while the drum is rotated about the hub. A first radially extending, slotted vacuum manifold defines a label retention area and extends circumferentially around a substantial portion of the circumference of the hub. A first radially extending slotted pressure manifold is aligned circumferentially after the slotted vacuum manifold at an article wrapping position. A valve port, circumferentially aligned with the vacuum and pressure manifolds is positioned on the inner surface of the drum and communicates with the area on the drum surface where the leading edge of the label lies. As the drum rotates, the valve port aligns with the vacuum manifold and draws a vacuum onto the label to retain the label onto the drum. As the drum rotates further the valve port aligns with the pressure manifold to blow air onto the leading edge of the label to force the label outwardly from the drum surface onto an article thereat to aid in label transfer. A second vacuum manifold and valve port draw vacuum onto the label to retain the label on the drum surface past the article wrapping position if an article is not wrapped. The label is blown from the drum surface if an article misfeeds.

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Larksville, PA, United States of America

John M Galchefski