Aligning means for package labeling

Claim 2

Apparatus for arranging in single file and uniform orientation on a moving surface a plurality of similar flat workpieces, such as packages, that are being carried by the surface in double file with the orientation of the workpieces in each file being uniform within the file by the orientation of the workpieces in one file being angularly removed from the orientation of the workpieces in the other file by a given angular distance, said apparatus including a translating carriage, a vacuum pickup head mounted in the translating carriage for oscillatory rotation through said angular distance, said vacuum pickup head being movable toward and away from said surface, means for translating the carriage between a pickup station and an unloading station, means adjacent the path of translation of the carriage for rotating the vacuum head through said angular distance as the vacuum head translates, means for moving the vacuum pickup head into engagement with successive packages located at the loading station, means to apply vacuum to the pickup head when said vacuum pickup head engages a package, and means to release the vacuum and reverse the carriage translating means when the vacuum pickup head reaches the unloading station.

Claim 3

Apparatus for arranging in single file and uniform orientation on a moving surface a plurality of similar flat workpieces, such as packages, that are being carried by the surface in double file with orientation of the workpieces in each file being uniform within the file but the orientation of the workpieces in one file being angularly removed from the orientation of the workpieces in the other file by a given angular distance, said apparatus including a translating carriage, a down-up vacuum pickup head mounted in the translating carriage for oscillatory rotation through said angular distance, means for translating the carriage between a pickup station and an unloading station, a rack adjacent the path of translation of the carriage for rotating the vacuum head through said angular distance as the vacuum head translates, means for momentarily depressing the vacuum pickup head at the loading station to engage the package, means to apply vacuum to the pickup head when said momentary depressing means is actuated, and means to release the vacuum and reverse the carriage translating means when the vacuum pickup head reaches the unloading station.

Claim 4

Apparatus for arranging in single file and uniform orientation on a moving surface a plurality of similar flat workpieces, such as packages, that are being carried by the surface in double file with orientation of the workpieces in each file being uniform within the file but the orientation of the workpieces in one file being angularly removed from the orientation of the workpieces in the other file by a given angular distance, said apparatus including a translating carriage, a down-up vacuum pickup head mounted in the translating carriage for oscillatory rotation through said angular distance, means for translating the carriage between a pickup station and an unloading station, a rack adjacent the path of translation of the carriage for rotating the vacuum head through said angular distance as the vacuum head translates, means for momentarily depressing the vacuum pickup head at the loading station to engage the package, means to apply vacuum to the pickup head when said momentary depressing means is actuated, and means to release the vacuum and reverse the carriage translating means when the vacuum pickup head reaches the unloading station.

Claim 5

Apparatus for arranging the single file and uniform orientation on a moving surface a plurality of similar flat workpieces, such as packages, that are being carried by the surface in double file with the orientation of the workpieces in each file being uniform within the file but the orientation of the workpieces in one file being angularly removed from the orientation of the workpieces in the other file by a given angular distance, said apparatus including: a. a translating carriage mounted on guide rod means for movement above and across said surface between a first position above one file to a second position above the other file; b. carriage drive means to move said carriage between said positions; c. spindle means mounted in said carriage normal to said surface for axial rotation relative to the carriage and for axial movement toward and away from said surface; d. spring means biasing the said spindle means upwardly; e. vacuum cup means mounted at the lower end of said spindle means for movement therewith; f. passage means connecting said cup means to a vacuum source; g. drive gear means fixed to said spindle; h. said drive gear means engaging stationary gear rack means parallel to said guide rod means so that upon movement of said carriage between said positions said gear means and said vacuum cup means are rotated about the axis of said spindle through said given angular distance; i. spindle drive means to push said spindle downwardly against the bias of said spring means so that said cup means engage one of said packages in said double file; and j. control means responsive to movement of a package to said first position to sequentially: i. connect said cup means to said vacuum source and drive said cup means downwardly to engage a package at said first position; ii. permit said cup means to be retracted by said spring means; iii. operate said carriage drive means to move said carriage to its second position; iv. vent said cup means to release said package; and v. return said carriage to its first position.

Claim 6

Apparatus for arranging the single file and uniform orientation on a moving surface a plurality of similar flat workpieces, such as packages, that are being carried by the surface in double file with the orientation of the workpieces in each file being uniform within the file but the orientation of the workpieces in one file being angularly removed from the orientation of the workpieces in the other file by a given angular distance, said apparatus including: a. a translating carriage mounted on guide rod means for movement above and across said surface between a first position above one file to a second position above the other file; b. carriage drive means to move said carriage between said positions; c. spindle means mounted in said carriage normal to said surface for axial rotation relative to the carriage and for axial movement toward and away from said surface; d. spring means biasing the said spindle means upwardly; e. vacuum cup means mounted at the lower end of said spindle means for movement therewith; f. passage means connecting said cup means to a vacuum source; g. drive gear means fixed to said spindle; h. said drive gear means engaging stationary gear rack means parallel to said guide rod means so that upon movement of said carriage between said positions said gear means and said vacuum cup means are rotated about the axis of said spindle through said given angular distance; i. spindle drive means to push said spindle downwardly against the bias of said spring means so that said cup means engage one of said packages in said double file; and j. control means responsive to movement of a package to said first position to sequentially: i. connect said cup means to said vacuum source and drive said cup means downwardly to engage a package at said first position; ii. permit said cup means to be retracted by said spring means; iii. operate said carriage drive means to move said carriage to its second position; iv. vent said cup means to release said package; and v. return said carriage to its first position.

Claim 7

Vacuum head transfer means in accordance with claim 1 wherein the axis of rotation is located at or near the center of the package.