High speed labeling machine having a constant tension driving system
AssigneeExact Packaging, Inc.
InventorsRonald E. Snyder, Robert C. Jenness, Jr., George W. Baker, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A high speed labeling machine is provided which includes a constant tensioning device for maintaining tension downstream of the metering roll at a substantially constant predetermined level thereby improving both metering and dispensing of labels. The constant tensioning device may also function as a driver for pulling the continuous web of material through the labeling machine thereby reducing the driving load on the metering roll, thus both providing more effective and accurate metering at a given web speed while also allowing higher web speeds to be achieved.
Claims21
A labeling machine for dispensing labels from a continuous web of material traveling along a feed path and applying the labels to a plurality of articles, comprising:
- a supply means for providing a supply of the continuous web of material having the labels affixed thereto;
- a dispensing means positioned along said feed path downstream of said supply means for removing a label from the continuous web of material for application to the article;
- a metering means positioned along said feed path for metering the continuous web of material from said supply means;
- and
- a constant tensioning means positioned along said feed path downstream of said metering means for maintaining tension in the continuous web of material immediately downstream of said metering means at a substantially constant predetermined level said constant tensioning means including a lever arm having a first portion pivotable between a first position and a second position, an abutment means mounted on said first portion for abutting the continuous web of material and a biasing means operatively connected to said lever arm for biasing said lever arm toward said second position, said biasing means capable of imparting a total biasing force on said lever arm, said total biasing force decreasing as said lever arm moves from said first position to said second position, said total biasing force including a rotational force causing said lever arm to pivot, said constant tensioning means capable of maintaining said rotational force substantially constant throughout movement of said lever arm from said first position to said second position so as to maintain tension in the continuous web of material at a substantially constant predetermined level.
A labeling machine for dispensing labels from a continuous web of material pulled along a feed path and applying the labels to a plurality of articles, comprising:
- a supply means for providing a supply of the continuous web of material having the labels affixed thereto;
- a dispensing means for removing a label from the continuous web of material for application to the article;
- a first driving means positioned along said feed path downstream of said supply means for imparting a first pulling force on the continuous web of material said first driving means including a metering means for metering the continuous web of material from said supply means;
- and
- a second driving means positioned along said feed path downstream of said first driving means for imparting a second pulling force on the continuous web of material for pulling the continuous web of material from said supply means and for maintaining tension in the continuous web of material immediately downstream of said first driving means at a substantially constant predetermined level, said second driving means including a lever arm positioned in abutment with the continuous web of material and pivotable between first and second positions, and a biasing means operatively connected to said lever arm for biasing said lever arm toward said second position to create said second pulling force, wherein a total pulling force is required to pull the continuous web of material through the labeling machine at a predetermined web speed, said second pulling force being at least 20% of said total pulling force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.