Labeling apparatus with enhanced bellows and associated method

Details Labeling apparatus with enhanced bellows and associated method Labeling apparatus with enhanced bellows and associated method

1998-03-23

2001-05-15

Crispino, Richard (Department: 1734)

Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture

Surface bonding means and/or assembly means therefor

With work feeding or handling means

C156S556000, C156S566000, C156S542000, C156SDIG005, C271S091000, C271S196000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06230779

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of labeling, and, more particularly, to a labeling apparatus and associated method, such as for the application of labels to fruit and/or vegetables.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Labels are applied to fruit and vegetables in packing houses, where the speed at which the labels are applied, the accuracy of the label application, and the space required by the labeler, i.e. the labeler footprint, are important. Speed is important because the fruit must be packed and shipped quickly so that the shelf life in stores will be as long as possible and the speed of the labeler may be the limiting constraint. This constraint of labeler speed may also result in inefficient use of other equipment and personnel in the packing house, thus increasing the overall cost of operation.
Accuracy, in the form of the successful application of the proper label to the fruit, is important because packing house profitability is adversely affected when a label that would have permitted a higher selling price is not applied to fruit otherwise capable of commanding such a higher price. Space is also important because of the physical configuration of any given packing house. The fruit is transported in a series of lanes, each lane conveying fruit on a plurality of cradles connected to an endless belt, each cradle supporting and locating an individual fruit. The fruit in each lane is sized by conventional sizing means and subsequently conveyed past a plurality of labelers arranged in series or banks, each of the labelers in the series of labelers being loaded with a different label, i.e. a label imprinted with indicia to identify the size of the fruit. The physical arrangement of the packing house often limits, without major reconstruction of the building, the number of banks of labelers it is possible to install.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,252 to LaMers discloses a labeling apparatus, such as for fruit, and including an extendable bellows for placing the labels. The bellows is moved past a magazine or cassette which dispenses the labels from a carrier strip. The labels are held in position on the distal end of the bellows by application of a vacuum to the bellows, which also serves to maintain the bellows in a retracted position. As the bellows is moved to an application position adjacent a fruit, positive pressure is applied and the bellows is extended to contact the fruit and apply the label thereto.
As also disclosed in the patent, a tricuspid check valve is integrally formed on the distal end of the bellows. The valve admits air from outside the bellows to the interior of the bellows, but prevents the flow of air out of the bellows. Accordingly, in theory, the label may be held in position by the vacuum applied to maintain the bellows in the retracted position. When the bellows is extended by positive air pressure, the valve in theory is closed to prevent blowing the label off of the end of the bellows and thereby missing the fruit.
Unfortunately, the integrally formed valve may become gummed with adhesive from the adhesive labels or from wax carried by the fruit. If the valve becomes stuck open, when positive pressure is applied, the label may be ejected prematurely. If the valve becomes gummed in a closed position, the bellows may not pick up the labels and the dispensing cassette may jam thereby requiring maintenance.
Published European patent application 113,256 assigned to Sinclair discloses a labeler including a plurality of extendable bellows rotated between label pick-up and label applying positions. In a related commercial embodiment of the Sinclair labeler, a flexible diaphragm has been used in place of the tricuspid check valve. The flexible diaphragm is secured to the inside distal end of the bellows. When a vacuum is applied, the diaphragm opens to expose a series of openings in the distal end. Accordingly, the label is held in position by vacuum communicated to the end openings. When positive pressure is applied to extend the bellows, the flexible diaphragm desirably seals against the openings.
Unfortunately, the diaphragm arrangement may be subject to the same shortcomings as the tricuspid check valve. In other words, the accumulation of adhesive and/or wax could stick the diaphragm in either the opened or closed positions. Accordingly, fruit may not be properly labeled, and additional maintenance may be required for the labeler.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a labeling apparatus and associated methods that includes bellows that can effectively apply a vacuum to hold a label in position, that properly place the labels on the fruit, and yet which are also resistant to clogging from the label adhesive or fruit wax.
These and other objects, features and advantages in accordance with the present invention are provided by a labeling apparatus for applying labels to articles and comprising at least one bellows movable between extended and retracted positions. The bellows preferably comprises a venturi member for applying or maintaining a vacuum to hold the label as the bellows is extended outwardly by positive pressure coupled to the bellows. Accordingly, the placement of the label is likely to be more accurate and the label is less likely to be prematurely ejected from the distal end of the bellows. Moreover, there is no check valve or flexible diaphragm at the distal end of the bellows that may become clogged.
More particularly, the labeler preferably includes a positioner for advancing each bellows along a path of travel between a label pick-up position and a label application position, and a controller for controlling fluid flow to retract and extend the bellows as same is advanced along the path of travel. The bellows, in turn, preferably comprises a cap defining a distal end of the bellows for carrying the label and having at least one cap opening therein. A pleated sidewall is preferably connected to the cap and the sidewall has at least one sidewall opening therein.
The venturi member preferably comprises a first seal adjacent the cap to define a first chamber in communication with the at least one cap opening, and a second seal positioned adjacent the first seal to define a second chamber capable of communicating with the at least one sidewall opening. The venturi member also preferably includes a venturi body connected to the first and second seals and having a plurality of passageways therein for generating a low pressure in the first chamber and at the cap openings caused by a venturi effect as fluid flows from a proximal end of the bellows into the second chamber and out the sidewall openings. Accordingly, the venturi member and cooperating seals thereby assist in retaining the label on the cap as the bellows is moved to the extended position during application of the label to the article.
The first seal and the sidewall openings may preferably be relatively positioned so that the first seal covers the sidewall openings when the bellows is in the retracted position. Accordingly, reduced pressure can be more readily maintained to thereby keep the bellows in the retracted position. The passageways in the venturi body also desirably connect the first chamber in fluid communication with the proximal end of the bellows when the bellows is in the retracted position to thus maintain the label in position as the bellows is moved along the path of travel.
The venturi body preferably has a series of enlarged first passageways connected in fluid communication between the proximal end of the bellows and the second chamber. In addition, the venturi body may further have a series of constricted second passageways connected in fluid communication between the first chamber and respective ones of the series of enlarged first passageways. The constricted passageways coupled to the enlarged passageways creates the venturi effect.
The venturi body may also have a ring shape and wherein the series of enlarged first passageways extend radially outwardly from a c

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