Machine For Applying Labels Or Other Markings To Containers

Apparatus comprising:

• a machine that is operative to apply markings to containers,
• wherein each of the containers include
• a bottom end, and
• an upper portion disposed away from the bottom end,
• the machine including:
• a lower conveyor (LC), wherein the LC includes
• a continuous LC track, wherein the LC track includes
• a substantially linearly straight, horizontally extending LC labeling track portion,
• wherein the LC labeling track portion extends from an LC inlet end to an LC outlet end,
• a return LC track portion, wherein the return LC track portion extends
• vertically below the LC labeling track portion, and
• from the LC outlet end to the LC inlet end,
• an upper conveyor (UC), wherein the UC includes
• a continuous UC track, wherein the UC track includes
• a substantially linearly straight, horizontally extending UC labeling track portion,
• wherein the UC labeling track portion
• is disposed vertically above and in aligned relation with the LC labeling track portion,
• extends between a UC inlet end and a UC outlet end,
• a return UC track portion,
• wherein the return UC track portion extends
• vertically above the UC labeling track portion, and
• from the UC outlet end to the UC inlet end,
• at least one LC shuttle,
• wherein each LC shuttle
• is in operative connection with the LC,
• is movable along the entire LC track,
• includes a container engagement platform,
• wherein the container engagement platform is configured to engage the bottom end of only one container, and
• is rotatably movable relative to the respective LC shuttle,
• at least one UC shuttle,
• wherein each UC shuttle
• is in operative connection with the UC,
• is movable along the entire UC track,
• includes a container engagement fixture thereon,
• wherein the container engagement fixture is configured to engage the upper portion of only one container,
• an applicator, wherein the applicator
• is in an applicator position, wherein the applicator position is
• disposed adjacent to the LC labeling track portion and the UC labeling track portion,
• horizontally intermediate of the LC inlet end and the LC outlet end,
• is operative to apply at least one marking to a container in operative engagement with the applicator in the applicator position,
• wherein the machine is operative to
• move one respective LC shuttle and one respective UC shuttle into vertically aligned relation to engage one respective container in a shuttle engaged position, wherein in the shuttle engaged position the respective container is vertically between and in operative engagement with both the respective LC shuttle and UC shuttle,
• wherein in the shuttle engaged position the bottom end of the container is in operatively engaged relation with the container engagement platform of the respective LC shuttle and the upper end of the respective container is in operatively engaged relation with the container engagement fixture of the respective UC shuttle,
• move the respective LC shuttle and UC shuttle in coordinated relation in a first direction along the LC labeling track and UC labeling track respectively while holding the container in the shuttle engaged position, into the applicator position wherein the container is in operative engagement with the applicator,
• operate the applicator to apply at least one marking to the container in the applicator position and while the container is in the shuttle engaged position,
• move the marked container in the shuttle engaged position in the first direction away from applicator position toward the LC outlet end, and
• release the container from operative engagement with the LC shuttle and the UC shuttle.