Sunkist Growers Inc.

Miquel A Varon

Paul F Paddock

Method for labeling objects including fruits supplied to a labeling station by an endless conveyor. Labels on a carrier tape are moved from a supply reel by a knurled roller which impresses a surface weakening pattern on each label so it will readily conform to a non-planar surface of the object. The tape is formed into a feed storage loop by an oscillatable tension regulating arm which controls actuation and deactuation of the knurled roller. An indexing tape segment passes through an indexing block in a transfer station, where each entering label is sensed by a detector. Indexing movement of the tape is initiated by an object detector on the conveyor. Indexing moves the tape around a sharp bend to strip the detected label from the tape and position it in a label holding frame. A label transfer wheel with peripheral suction cups is operated in timed relation to the detection of an object on the conveyor, to move a suction cup under the label in the holding frame, whereupon a vacuum is applied to grip the label and carry it to a position where it is pressed against a surface of the detected object, at which time the vacuum is released. A thin lip of the suction cup is deformed by the pressing action to vent the cup interior to atmosphere. A take-up storage loop is formed by a second oscillatable tension regulating arm which controls the intermittent actuation of a motor driven tape take-up reel.

Method of applying a label to an object

Apparatus for labeling objects including fruits supplied to a labeling station by an endless conveyor. Labels on a carrier tape are moved from a supply reel by a knurled roller which impresses a surface weakening pattern on each label so it will readily conform to a non-planar surface of the object. The tape is formed into a feed storage loop by an oscillatable tension regulating arm which controls actuation and deactuation of the knurled roller. An indexing tape segment passes through an indexing block in a transfer station, where each entering label is sensed by a detector. Indexing movement of the tape is initiated by an object detector on the conveyor. Indexing moves the tape around a sharp bend to strip the detected label from the tape and position it in a label holding frame. A label transfer wheel with peripheral suction cups is operated in timed relation to the detection of an object on the conveyor, to move a suction cup under the label in the holding frame, whereupon a vacuum is applied to grip the label and carry it to a position where it is pressed against a surface of the detected object, at which time the vacuum is released. A thin lip of the suction cup is deformed by the pressing action to vent the cup interior to atmosphere. A take-up storage loop is formed by a second oscillatable tension regulating arm which controls the intermittent actuation of a motor driven tape take-up reel.

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Upland, CA, United States of America

Miquel A Varon