DEVICE FOR FEEDING STRIPS OF MATERIAL

摘要

A device for feeding strips of material such as labels includes a picker having gripping means such as a suction element which is movable to engage a label from a stack of labels in a magazine and to withdraw it from a magazine. The picker comprises a rotatable manifold which is rotatably supported on a crank arm. The rotational movement of the picker is guided by a planetary gear engaged within an internal gear in a manner to cause the suction member of the picker to move inwardly substantially normal to each label to grip the label and to move it away with the picker in a direction substantially normal to the label. The picker manifold advantageously includes two radially extending arm portions which communicate during their rotation with a pressure regulating plate for alternately connecting the suction member to a vacuum and to a positive or atmospheric pressure for engaging and releasing the label during its movement. The label which is engaged and removed from the magazine is either transferred to an intermediate take off roller or applied directly to a label support surface on a rotatable drum which moves the label into association with either adhesive applying means or heating means so that it will have a surface which may be subsequently directed onto a device such as a container which is to receive the label. The receiving roller advantageously moves through a path which intercepts a belt conveyor having suction means for withdrawing the label from the individual supports and then moving it onto a receiving article such as a container which is moved thereagainst. The label receiving drum may advantageously include supporting surfaces which are associated with pressure control means for applying a receiving suction for engagement of the label and a positive pressure for the disengagement of the label as necessary. In addition the supporting surfaces may be moved outwardly for engagement of the label during the transfer thereof from the picker. The support elements may also be for either effecting the direct withdrawal of the labels from a magazine or be oriented to receive the labels from a picker member.