US3782279A

US3782279A - Positive registration labeling gun

Info

Publication number: US3782279A
Application number: US00332351A
Authority: US
Inventors: V Carboni; P Harrison
Original assignee: Cons Foods Corp
Current assignee: Cons Foods Corp
Priority date: 1973-02-14
Filing date: 1973-02-14
Publication date: 1974-01-01
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-01

Abstract

A labeling device of the type having a housing, tape, and a stamp to imprint the tape. Means for unidirectionally advancing the tape are provided as well as means for activating the advancing means. The activating means prevents the advancing means from being reactivated until the advancing means has been advanced a selected distance.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Carboni, Jr. et a1.

[ POSITIVE REGISTRATION LABELING GUN [75] Inventors: Victor B. Carboni, Jr., San Mateo;

Paul Harrison, Santa Barbara, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Consolidated Foods Corporation,

Chicago, 111.

[22] Filed: Feb. 14, 1973 211 Appl. No.: 332,351

Related U.S. Application Data (63] Continuation of Ser. No. 246,894, April 24, 1972,

abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl. 101/288, 156/384 (51] Int. Cl. 1341f 3/18, B41f 19/00, B4lf 1/08 [58] Field of Search 101/288, 292; 156/384, 577

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,567,969 9/1951 Salit et a1 101/288 X 1 Jan. 1, 1974 2,689,525 9/1954 Anker et a1 101/292 3,330,207 7/1967 DeMan 101/288 X 3,343,485 9/1967 Loeffler 101/288 3,420,172 1/1969 Kaplan 156/384 X 3,447,992 6/1969 Allen et a1. 156/384 X 3,611,929 10/1971 Schrotz 101/292 3,686,055 8/1972 Hermann 156/384 Primary ExaminerEdgar S. Burr Attorney-Jordan B. Bierman et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A labeling device of the type having a housing, tape, and a stamp to imprint the tape. Means for unidirectionally advancing the tape are provided as well as means for activating the advancing means. The activating means prevents the advancing 1 means from being reactivated until the advancing means has been advanced a selected distance.

10 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure POSITIVE REGISTRATION LABELING GUN This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 246,894, filed Apr. 24, 1972, now abandoned.

This invention relates to labeling machines and more particularly to a novel mechanism for preventing tape jamming.

In a conventional tape labeler, the tape is inserted within a housing and threaded so that it may move in response to the depression of a trigger. One ormore sprockets are generally provided for engaging perforated edges provided on the tape, the tape being moved by rotating the sprocket. This can be done directly by the trigger or through one or more associated gears or other devices to transfer the motion of the trigger to the sprocket.

As the tape is moved, a printing stamp is pressed against the tape to print a desired indicia on the tape. The tape is then moved out of the device, is cut and then either applied to a surface through the medium of an adhesive backing or utilized without adhesive.

However, since the movement of the tape is completely responsive to the movement of the trigger and since in conventional units the trigger can be partially depressed and then released, the tape tends to clog and jam due to this forward and backward motion.

In accordance with the present invention, apparatus is provided for advancing the tape in response to the movement of an activator. The apparatus for advancing the tape permits tape movement in one direction only. For best results, the activator is prevented from reversing direction once activatioh has begun and until the tape has advanced a selected degree.

To prevent cyclical movement of the tape, means for engaging the trigger to prevent return motion thereof is provided along with means for permitting return motion of the trigger only after a selected amount of tape has been dispensed.

Now turning to the drawing which depicts a preferred embodiment of the present invention:

The FIGURE is a side cutaway view of the labeling device.

The drawing shows the internal mechanism of the labeling device. Housing is provided with an axle 14 to accept a spool 16 of tape 18. Tape 18 consists of two portions, a label portion 17 on which symbols will be imprinted and a backing portion 19 to provide structural support. The tape 18 is provided with a series of perforations (not shown) along its edge.

Feed wheel 20 has teeth 22 mounted on its external surface for engaging the perforations along the edge of the tape. Tape guide 24 is held against the feed wheel 20 by means of spring arm 26 and is provided with a groove (not shown) to clear teeth 22 while holding backing portion 19 of tape 18 against the drive wheel 20.

The tape is threaded past guide bar 27 be depressing the bar to pivot away from member 29, past label separator 23 and onto guide wheel 20. The tape is placed under the tape guide 24 by depressing the front edge of the tape guide 24 away from the wheel 20 and the end of the tape is inserted between the guide and the wheel. Guide 24 is then released and returns to its normal position by the urging of spring arm 26. A spring-loaded stripper has fingers above and below the feed wheel teeth to insure separation of the backing from the device wheel.

Housing 10 is provided with trigger 28 at the upper end of the handle portion 12. Trigger 28 is slidably mounted in the housing so that it can be depressed to advance fly wheel 20 and, therefore, the tape. Trigger 28 is in communication with member 30 by means of pin 31 which extends through trigger 28 and the lower portion of member 30. Member 30 is pivoted about shaft 32 in response to the movement of trigger 28.

Protrusion 34 is provided on member 30 in engagement with pawl 36. Pawl 36, therefore, moves in accordance with the movement of protrusion 34.

The feed wheel 20 is internally ratcheted such that wheel 20 may be engaged by pawl 36 and, therefore, rotated when the pawl 36 is moved in the counterclockwise direction. Member 30, pawl 36 and feed wheel 20 all rotate about shaft 32. Pawl 36 is manufactured of flexible material which permits it to act as its own spring as its tip is travelling up the ratchet inclination when it is moving in the clockwise direction and not engaging wheel 20.

In order to insure proper positioning of the tip of pawl 36 upon the return of the pawl to engage the next successive ratcheted surface on the internal portion of wheel 20, it is necessary that the tip of pawl 36 travel at least the length of one ratchet surface and preferably a slightly greater distance in order to insure engagement of the wheel 20 each and every time member 30 is returned to its original position.

One way to accomplish this result is to maintain the distance between shaft 32 and protrusion 34 equal to and preferably less than the distance from shaft 32 to the tip of pawl 36. Under these conditions the angles through which protrusion 34 and the tip of pawl 36 are rotated will be equal; however, the arc length through which each is moved will be different. The ratio of the arc length will be dependent upon the ratio of the distances from shaft 32, which is the axis of rotation.

A preferred way of accomplishing this result is shown in the drawing. Wheel 20 and member 30 rotate about shaft 32, but pawl 36 rotates about a center located generally between protuberance 34 and the center of shaft 32. This produces a greater angular rotation of pawl 36 than of wheel 20.

Thus, if the distance from shaft 32 to the tip of pawl 36 is calculated correctly, the tip will move through an arc length slightly greater than the length of an individual ratchet surface even though the actual displacement of protrusion 34 is substantially smaller. This enables the device to operate without jamming and also permits the use of a comparatively short stroke of trigger 28.

This mechanical arrangement will insure the return of the tip of pawl 36 to a position slightly behind the next successive ratchet tooth upon the return of trigger 28 to its original position. Therefore, as long as the trigger is returned to its original position after complete depression and not after only partial depression, the wheel 20 will be engaged every time and no tape jamming can possibly occur. Means provided to prevent partial depression of the trigger are described below.

In operation, trigger 28 is depressed, pivoting member 30 such that protrusion 34 communicates with pawl 36 to rotate pawl 36 in the counter-clockwise direction. Because of the internal ratcheting of feed wheel 20, the wheel is advanced in the counter-clockwise direction, thus advancing 'the'tape. Once the trigger has been fully depressed, it is returned to its initial position which pivots the member 30 and moves pawl 36 in the clockwise direction. Clockwise movement of pawl 36 does not engage the ratchet on the internal surface of feed wheel 20, but because of the flexible characteristics of pawl 36, the pawl moves to a position at which the next successive ratchet portion is engaged.

As the tape is advanced in accordance with the description set forth above, member 30 contacts stamp 38 and pivots it about pin 40 and to communicate with tape 18 to print the desired symbols thereon. Stamp 38 is a conventional stamp and can be adjustable to permit variation of the symbols to be imprinted, if desired.

After imprinting, the tape 18 passes over label separator 23 where the label portion is separated from the backing portion. The label portion is ejected from the device at this point and the backing portion returns past guide 21 to wheel 20 wherefrom it is eventually separated by stripper 25 and discarded.

in accordance with the present invention, the trigger 28 is provided with a series of indentations 42 and an opening 44 located on the lower edge. In addition, pawl 46, having a head portion 48 and a tail portion 50, is provided to prevent the trigger from reversing direction once depression has begun and until the trigger has been completely depressed. As trigger 28 is depressed, head portion 48 communicates with indentation 42 to pivot the pawl 46 in the clockwise direction, and head 48 is moved to position in which it does not prevent the depressing of the trigger. In this position tail 50 is in communication with bar 52 provided in handle 12 to limit the rotation of pawl 46. Due to the flexibility of pawl 46, the head portion 48 rides over actuating faces 45 and does not interfere with the depression of the trigger. However, should the trigger 28 reverse direction, the pawl 46 will be prevented from rotating counter-clockwise because there is insufficient space between the pivot of pawl 46 and the bottom of indentation 42. Thus, head 48 is disengaging from disengging the indentation 42 in which it is located. Therefore, trigger 28 is capable of moving only in one direction towards the handle and this motion cannot be reversed until the depression is completed.

Upon completion of the depression of trigger 28, head portion 48 rests in opening 44 and is rotatable to a position which does not prevent the trigger return. The trigger can then be returned to its original position by means of spring 56 which is compressed during the depression of the trigger.

On the return stroke, head portion 48 assumes the position shown in lines in the drawing with tail 50 bearing resiliently against bar 54. In this position the fiexibility of tail 50 permits head portion 48 to ride over return bars 43 of indentations 42 as trigger 28 returns to its starting position. Any attempt to depress trigger 28 before it reaches the end of its return stroke will be prevented. Pawl 46 will engage one of indentations 42 and be prevented from rotating because there is insufficient space between the pivot point of pawl 46 and head portion 48. 1

When trigger 28 has returned to its fully extended position, head portion 48 is clear of the restraint of indentations 42 and it can then rotate into the position shown in dotted lines. This allows the cycle to be repeated.

It is to be understood that modifications may be made which are not specifically described herein, but which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. It is intended to cover all such modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A labeling device having a supply roll of tape and a means for imprinting symbols on said tape comprising means for advancing the tape in one direction only comprising: a rotatable feed wheel having internal ratchet teeth and an exterior surface adapted to grip said tape; a first pawl within said wheel, said first pawl being movable with respect to said wheel between a first position in which a tip of the first pawl engages one of said ratchet teeth and a second position wherein said first pawl engages the next successive ratchet tooth; and means for moving said pawl between said first and second positions comprising: a pivotal member in contact with an activator movable between a first position and a second position, movement of said activator causing said member to pivot, a protrusion on said member in engagement with said pawl such that said first pawl moves in accordance with the movement of said protrusion, the first distance between said protrusion and the pivot of said member being not greater than the second distance from the axis of rotation of said pawl to said tip.

2. A device according to claim 1 further comprising means for preventing said activator from moving towards said first position after movement towards said second position has begun and before said movement is completed.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the third distance between said protrusion and said axis of rotation is not greater than said first distance.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein said first distance is less than said second distance.

5. A device according to claim 3 wherein said third distance is less than said first distance.

6. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a second pawl having a head and a tail and being rotatable about a point between 'iaid head and said tail, a plurality of indentations on one edge of said activator, each of said indentations having an actuating face and a return face, said second pawl rotatable between an actuating position and a return position, said second pawl yieldably bearing against the actuating faces when in said actuating position, the clearance between said point and said indentations being less than the radial distance between said point and the end of said head nearest said indentations, an opening at the forward end of said activator of such size and depth that the clearance between said point and said opening is at least equal to said radial distance whereby during motion from said first position toward said second position, said activator is prevented from return motion toward said first position until said activator has reached said second position.

7. A device according to claim 6 further comprising said second pawl yieldably bearing against said return faces when in said return position, a space at the rearward end of said activator of such size and depth that the clearance between said point and said space is at least equal to said radial distance whereby during motion from said second position toward said first position, said activator is prevented from motion toward said second position until said activator has reached said first position.

8. A labeling device having a supply roll of tape and a means for imprinting symbols on said tape comprising means for advancing the tape in one direction only comprising: a rotatable feed wheel having internal ratchet teeth and an exterior surface adapted to grip said tape; a first pawl within said wheel, said first pawl being movable with respect to said wheel between a first position in which a tip of the first pawl engages one of said ratchet teeth and a second position wherein said first pawl engagesthe next successive ratchet tooth; and means for moving said pawl between said first and second positions comprising: a pivotal member in contact with an activator movable between a first position and a second position, movement of said activator causing said member to pivot, a second pawl having a head and a tail and being rotatable about a point be tween said head and said tail, a plurality of indentations on one edge of said activator, each of said indentations having an actuating face and a return fac said second pawl rotatable between an actuating posiiion and a return position, said second pawl yieldably bearing against the actuating faces when in said actuating position, but clearance between said point and said indentations being less than the radial distance between said point and the end of said head nearest said indentations, an opening at the forward end of said activator of such size and depth that the clearance between said point and said opening is at least equal to said radial distance whereby during motion from said first position toward said second position, said activator is prevented from return motion toward said first position until said activator has reached said second position.

9. A device according to claim 8 further comprising said second pawl yieldably bearing against said return faces when in said return position, a space at the rearward end of said activator of such size and depth that the clearance between said point and said space is at least equal to said radial distance whereby during motion from said second position toward said first position, said activator is prevented from motion toward said second position until said activator has reached said first position.

10. A device according to claim 1 wherein said rotatable feed wheel is provided with teeth on its exterior surface, said tape having a plurality of openings therein for engagement by said exterior surface teeth.

Claims

6. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a second pawl having a head and a tail and being rotatable about a point between said head and said tail, a plurality of indentations on one edge of said activator, each of said indentations having an actuating face and a return face, said second pawl rotatable between an actuating position and a return position, said second pawl yieldably bearing against the actuating faces when in said actuating position, the clearance between said point and said indentations being less than the radial distance between said point and the end of said head nearest said indentations, an opening at the forward end of said activator of such size and depth that the clearance between said point and said opening is at least equal to said radial distance whereby during motion from said first position toward said second position, said activator is prevented from return motion toward said first position until said activator has reached said second position.

8. A labeling device having a supply roll of tape and a means for imprinting symbols on said tape comprising means for advancing the tape in one direction only comprising: a rotatable feed wheel having internal ratchet teeth and an exterior surface adapted to grip said tape; a first pawl within said wheel, said first pawl being movable with respect to said wheel between a first position in which a tip of the first pawl engages one of said ratchet teeth and a second position wherein said first pawl engages the next successive ratchet tooth; and means for moving said pawl between said first and second positions comprising: a pivotal member in contact with an activator movable between a first position and a second position, movement of said activator causing said member to pivot, a second pawl having a head and a tail and being rotatable about a point between said head and said tail, a plurality of indentations on one edge of said activator, each of said indentations having an actuating face and a return face, said second pawl rotatable between an actuating position and a return position, said second pawl yieldably bearing against the actuating faces when in said actuating position, the clearance between said point and said indentations being less than the radial distance between said point and the end of said head nearest said indentations, an opening at the forward end of said activator of such size and depth that the clearance between said point and said opening is at least equal to said radial distance whereby during motion from said first position toward said second position, said activator is prevented from return motion toward said first position until said activator has reached said second position.