LABEL DRUM CALIBRATION SYSTEM

Abstract

A label vacuum-grip cylinder calibration system comprising an indicator support holder supporting a first indicator and a second indicator. The indicators each have a display face with a display. Projection areas of the display faces project perpendicularly from the display faces. The indicator support holder supports the first indicator and the second indicator such that a first projection area and a second projection area do not overlap and neither the first indicator nor the second indicator obscures either display.

Claims

1. A method of calibrating a label vacuum-grip cylinder, the label vacuum-grip cylinder including adjustable suction strips, the method comprising: rotatably attaching the label vacuum-grip cylinder to a support; positioning an indicator holder support shaft adjacent a periphery of the label vacuum-grip cylinder; positioning an indicator support holder on the indicator holder support shaft and fixing the indicator support holder in a selected position on the indicator holder support shaft; positioning a first indicator and a second indicator with the indicator support holder, the indicator support holder supporting the first indicator and the second indicator, the first indicator having a first display face with a first display and the second indicator having a second display face with a second display, a first projection area of the first display face of the first indicator projecting perpendicularly from the first display face, and a second projection area of the second display face of the second indicator projecting perpendicularly from the second display face; wherein the indicator support holder supports the first indicator and the second indicator such that the first projection area and the second projection area do not overlap and neither the first indicator nor the second indicator obscures either the first display or the second display; rotating the label vacuum-grip cylinder and measuring positions of at least one of the adjustable suction strips with the first indicator and the second indicator by having the at least one of the adjustable suction strips abut a first probe of the first indicator and a second probe of the second indicator; and adjusting a position of the at least one of the adjustable suction strips based on the positions of the at least one of the adjustable suction strips measured during the step of rotating the label vacuum-grip cylinder and measuring positions of at least one of the adjustable suction strips with the first indicator and the second indicator.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first probe is longer than the second probe.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first display face and the second display face are parallel, but on different planes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first display and the second display are digital displays.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein: the step of positioning the indicator support holder on the indicator holder support shaft includes inserting the indicator holder support shaft through a pole hole in the indicator support holder, and shrinking the diameter of the pole hole to fix the indicator support holder in position on the indicator holder support shaft.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first probe and the second probe are parallel, but nonlinear.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein: the indicator support holder includes an upper indicator support area supporting the second indicator, a lower indicator support area supporting the first indicator, and a pole connection area for connecting the indicator support holder to the indicator holder support shaft; and the upper indicator support area, the lower indicator support area and the pole connection area are integral.

8. A calibration system comprising: a label vacuum-grip cylinder, the label vacuum-grip cylinder including adjustable suction strips; a support rotatably supporting the label vacuum-grip cylinder; an indicator holder support shaft positioned adjacent a periphery of the label vacuum-grip cylinder; an indicator support holder positioned on the indicator holder support shaft; a first indicator with a first probe and a second indicator with a second probe being supported by the indicator support holder; the first indicator having a first display face with a first display and the second indicator having a second display face with a second display, a first projection area of the first display face of the first indicator projecting perpendicularly from the first display face, a second projection area of the second display face of the second indicator projecting perpendicularly from the second display face; wherein the indicator support holder supports the first indicator and the second indicator such that the first projection area and the second projection area do not overlap and neither the first indicator nor the second indicator obscures either the first display or the second display.

9. The calibration system of claim 8, wherein: the first probe is longer than the second probe.

10. The calibration system of claim 8, wherein: the first display face and the second display face are parallel, but on different planes.

11. The calibration system of claim 8, wherein: the first display and the second display are digital displays.

12. The calibration system of claim 8, wherein: the first probe and the second probe are parallel, but nonlinear.

13. The calibration system of claim 8, wherein: the indicator support holder includes an upper indicator support area supporting the second indicator, a lower indicator support area supporting the first indicator, and a pole connection area for connecting the indicator support holder to the indicator holder support shaft; and the upper indicator support area, the lower indicator support area and the pole connection area are integral.

14. A label vacuum-grip cylinder calibration system comprising: an indicator support holder; a first indicator with a first probe fixed in position within the indicator support holder; and a second indicator with a second probe fixed in position within the indicator support holder; the first indicator having a first display face with a first display, with a first projection area of the first display face of the first indicator projecting perpendicularly from the first display face; the second indicator having a second display face with a second display, with a second projection area of the second display face of the second indicator projecting perpendicularly from the second display face; wherein the indicator support holder supports the first indicator and the second indicator such that the first projection area and the second projection area do not overlap and neither the first indicator nor the second indicator obscures either the first display or the second display.

15. The label vacuum-grip cylinder calibration system of claim 14, wherein: the first probe is longer than the second probe.

16. The label vacuum-grip cylinder calibration system of claim 14, wherein: the first display face and the second display face are parallel, but on different planes.

17. The label vacuum-grip cylinder calibration system of claim 14, wherein: the first display and the second display are digital displays.

18. The label vacuum-grip cylinder calibration system of claim 14, wherein: the first probe and the second probe are parallel, but nonlinear.

19. The label vacuum-grip cylinder calibration system of claim 14, wherein: the indicator support holder includes an upper indicator support area supporting the second indicator, a lower indicator support area supporting the first indicator, and a pole connection area for connecting the indicator support holder to the indicator holder support shaft; and the upper indicator support area, the lower indicator support area and the pole connection area are integral.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] One or more embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by way of example and should not be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a prior art container filling and labeling system.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art vacuum-grip cylinder.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a top view of the prior art vacuum-grip cylinder.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a detail view of the prior art vacuum-grip cylinder with suction strips partially pushed out.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a partial plan view of the prior art view from FIG. 4.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a top view of a first prior art positioning system.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a side view of the first prior art positioning system.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a top view of a second prior art positioning system.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a side view of the second prior art positioning system.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an indicator holder of the second prior art positioning system.

[0034] FIG. 11 is an end view of the indicator holder of the second prior art positioning system.

[0035] FIG. 12 is a side view of the indicator holder of the second prior art positioning system.

[0036] FIG. 13 is a top view of the indicator holder of the second prior art positioning system.

[0037] FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment of a positioning system according to the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 15 is a partial side view of an embodiment of the positioning system according to the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an indicator support holder according to the present invention holding a pair of indicators.

[0040] FIG. 17 is an end of an embodiment of the indicator support holder according to the present invention holding the pair of indicators.

[0041] FIG. 18 is a top view of an embodiment of the indicator support holder according to the present invention holding the pair of indicators.

[0042] FIG. 19 is a first side view of an embodiment of the indicator support holder according to the present invention holding the pair of indicators.

[0043] FIG. 20 is a second side view of an embodiment of the indicator support holder according to the present invention holding the pair of indicators.

[0044] FIG. 21 is a top view of an embodiment of the indicator support holder according to the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 22 is a first end view of an embodiment of the indicator support holder according to the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 23 is a second side view of an embodiment of the indicator support holder according to the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 24 is a side view of an embodiment of the indicator support holder according to the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an indicator support holder according to the present invention holding a pair of indicators.

[0049] FIG. 26 is a top of another embodiment of the indicator support holder according to the present invention holding the pair of indicators.

[0050] FIG. 27 is a first side view of another embodiment of the indicator support holder according to the present invention holding the pair of indicators.

[0051] FIG. 28 is an end view of another embodiment of the indicator support holder according to the present invention holding the pair of indicators.

[0052] FIG. 29 is a second side view of another embodiment of the indicator support holder according to the present invention holding the pair of indicators.

[0053] FIG. 30 is a top view of yet another embodiment of an indicator support holder according to the present invention holding a pair of indicators.

[0054] FIG. 31 is a first end view of yet another embodiment of the indicator support holder according to the present invention holding the pair of indicators.

[0055] FIG. 32 is a second end view of yet another embodiment of the indicator support holder according to the present invention holding the pair of indicators.

[0056] The specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] For purposes of description herein, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0058] The reference number 200 (FIGS. 14 and 15) generally designates an embodiment of the positioning system of the present invention. The positioning system 200 includes the vacuum-grip cylinder 26 rotatably supported on a central rotating shaft extending vertically upwardly from a support surface 204. An indicator support holder 206 holds a pair of indicators 208 including an upper indicator 208a and a lower indicator 208b for allowing the indicators to measure the positioning of the suction strips 64a, 64b on the vacuum-grip cylinder 26. An indicator holder support shaft 209 extends vertically from the support surface 204 substantially parallel to a central rotating shaft rotatably holding the vacuum-grip cylinder 26. The indicator support holder 206 is fixed in position on the indicator holder support shaft 209 as discussed below in a vertically selected position. It is contemplated that the positioning system 200 of the present invention can be identical to the second prior art positioning system 120, except for the substitution of the indicator support holder 206 of the present invention substituted for the pair of prior art indicator holders 122.

[0059] The indicators 208 are well known to those skilled in the art. The indicators 208 can include a display housing 210 having a shaft housing 212 extending from a perimeter 214 thereof. A probe shaft 216 extends from the shaft housing 212 and is configured to slid therein. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the display housing 210 and the shaft housing 212 are kept stationary and an object is moved against the probe shaft 216 to measure a distance travelled by the probe shaft 216. The display housing 210 can have a digital display 218 to show the distance travelled by the probe shaft 216 relative to the shaft housing 212 and the display housing 210 as is well known to those skilled in the art. Instead of the digital display 218, the display housing 210 could have an analog display. It is contemplated that the display housings 210 could have a calibration rotary knob 220 extending from a surface therefor for calibrating the measurements of the indicators 206 as is well known to those skilled in the art. As described in more detail below, the probe shaft 216 of the lower indicator 208b has an extension shaft 222 connected to an end thereof.

[0060] In the illustrated example, the indicator support holder 206 (FIGS. 16-24) holds the upper indicator 208a and the lower indicator 208b for allowing the indicators 208 to measure the positioning of the suction strips 64a, 64b on the vacuum-grip cylinder 26. The indicator support holder 206 includes an upper indicator support area 224 supporting the upper indicator 208a, a lower indicator support area 226 supporting the lower indicator 208b, and a pole connection area 228 for connecting the indicator support holder 206 to the indicator holder support shaft 209. It is contemplated that the pole connection area 228 could be connected to one or both of the upper indicator support area 224 and the lower indicator support area 226. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the pole connection area 228 could be integral with the indicator holder support shaft 209, although the pole connection area 228 is illustrated as being separate from the indicator holder support shaft 209. The upper indicator support area 224 and the lower indicator support area 226 are also interconnected to each other.

[0061] In the embodiment of FIGS. 16-24, the upper indicator support area 224 and the lower indicator support area 226 are integral with each other and with the pole connection area 228. The lower indicator support area 226 and the pole connection area 228 are locations on a first block 230 having an upper surface 232, a lower surface 234 and a side edge 235 between the upper surface 232 and the lower surface 234. The pole connection area 228 is substantially rectangular as viewed from above in FIG. 21. The side edge 235 of the first block 230 of the pole connection area 228 includes a first end side 236 extending between a second side 238 and a third side 240 that are substantially parallel. The pole connection area 228 is integral with the lower indicator support area 226.

[0062] The illustrated pole connection area 228 includes a pole hole 242 extending between the upper surface 232 and the lower surface 234 that is configured to receive the indicator holder support shaft 209 therethrough. A first clamp slot 244 extends from the first end side 236 to the pole hole 242 such that the pole hole 242 does not form a closed cylinder. The first clamp slot 244 forms a first clamp first wing 246 and a first clamp second wing 248 on each side of the first clamp slot 244. A first fastener hole 250 extends from the second side 238 to the third side 240 in a direction substantially parallel to the first end side 236 and substantially perpendicular to the pole hole 242. The first fastener hole 250 extends through the first clamp first wing 246 and the first clamp second wing 248. A first fastener 252 is inserted into the first fastener hole 250 to pull the first clamp first wing 246 and the first clamp second wing 248 toward each other in order to shrink the diameter of the pole hole 242 in order to fix the pole connection area 228 of the indicator support holder 206 to the indicator holder support shaft 209 via friction. It is contemplated that the first fastener 252 can have a nut on an end thereof for pulling the first clamp first wing 246 and the first clamp second wing 248 toward each other. Alternatively, it is contemplated that a portion of the first fastener hole 250 in one of the first clamp first wing 246 and the first clamp second wing 248 could be threaded to receive the first fastener 252. The first fastener hole 250 can have a first counterbore 253 for receiving a head of the first fastener 252, which is shown as being in the second side 238 in FIG. 21.

[0063] In the illustrated example, the lower indicator support area 226 is integral with the pole connection area 228. The side edge 235 of the first block 230 of the lower indicator support area 226 includes a fourth side 254 angled from (e.g., at 135°) and connected to the second side 238, a fifth side 256 connected to the fourth side 254, a sixth side 258 opposite the pole connection area 228, and a seventh side 260 opposite the fifth side 256. The fifth side 256 and the seventh side 260 are shown as being substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the sixth side 258. The seventh side 260 is angled from (e.g., at 165°) and connected to the third side 240.

[0064] The illustrated lower indicator support area 226 includes a lower indicator hole 262 configured to receive the shaft housing 212 of the lower indicator 208b. The lower indicator hole 262 extends between the fifth side 256 and the seventh side 260 substantially parallel to the sixth side 258 and both the upper surface 232 and lower surface 234 of the first block 230. The lower indicator hole 262 is located closer to the lower surface 234 than the upper surface 232. A second clamp 264 is located near the display 218 in the lower indicator support area 226. The second clamp 264 is located at the corner of the fifth side 256 and the sixth side 260. A second clamp slot 270 extends from the fifth side 256 and the sixth side 260 and extends into the lower indicator hole 262 such that the lower indicator hole 262 does not form a closed cylinder. The second clamp slot 270 forms a second clamp first wing 272 and a second clamp second wing 274 on each side of the second clamp slot 270. A clamp channel 276 extends on a side of one of at least one of the second clamp first wing 272 and the second clamp second wing 274 opposite the fifth side 256. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp channel 276 is shown as being located below the second clamp second wing 274 to allow the second clamp second wing 274 to move relative to the rest of the first block 230 while the second clamp first wing 272 is integral and solidly connected to the rest of the first block 230.

[0065] In the illustrated example, a second fastener hole 268 and second fastener 278 are employed to secure the lower indicator 208b in the lower indicator hole 262. The second fastener hole 268 extends from the upper surface 232 to the lower surface 234 in a direction substantially parallel to the sixth side 258 and substantially perpendicular to the second fastener hole 268. The second fastener hole 268 extends through the second clamp first wing 272 and the second clamp second wing 274. The second fastener 278 is inserted into the second fastener hole 268 to pull the second clamp first wing 272 and the second clamp second wing 274 toward each other in order to shrink the diameter of the lower indicator hole 262 in order to fix the shaft housing 212 of the lower indicator 208b to the lower indicator hole 262 via friction. It is contemplated that the second fastener 278 can have a nut on an end thereof for pulling the second clamp first wing 272 and the second clamp second wing 274 toward each other. Alternatively, it is contemplated that a portion of the second fastener hole 250 in one of the second clamp first wing 272 and the second clamp second wing 274 could be threaded to receive the second fastener 278. The second fastener hole 268 can have a counterbore for receiving a head of the second fastener 278.

[0066] The illustrated upper indicator support area 224 is integral with the first block 230 and extends from the upper surface 232 of the first block 230 at the corner of the sixth side 258 and the seventh side 260 of the first block 230. The upper indicator support area 224 is a second block 280 having a rectangular side surface 282, an upper surface 284 and a bottom connected to the upper surface 232 of the first block 230. The rectangular side surface 282 includes a first side 286, an opposite second side 288 parallel to the first side 286, a third side 290, and an opposite fourth side 292 parallel to the third side 290. The second side 288 of the second block 280 is coplanar with the sixth side 258 of the first block 230 and the fourth side 292 is coplanar with the seventh side 260 of the first block 230.

[0067] In the illustrated example, the illustrated upper indicator support area 224 includes an upper indicator hole 294 configured to receive the shaft housing 212 of the upper indicator 208a. The upper indicator hole 294 extends between the third side 290 and the fourth side 292 substantially parallel to the first side 286 and the second side 288 of the second block 280. The upper indicator hole 294 is also parallel to the lower indicator hole 262. The upper indicator support area 224 is divided to form a third clamp 296. The third clamp 296 includes a third clamp first wing 298 and a third clamp second wing 300. A third clamp slot 302 extends from the second side 288 and extends into the upper indicator hole 294 such that the upper indicator hole 294 does not form a closed cylinder. The third clamp slot 302 forms the third clamp first wing 298 and the third clamp second wing 300 on each side of the third clamp slot 302.

[0068] In the illustrated embodiment, a third fastener hole 304 and a third fastener 306 are employed to secure the upper indicator 208a in the upper indicator hole 294. The third fastener hole 304 extends from the upper surface 284 of the second block 280 in a direction substantially parallel to the second side 288 of the second block 280 and substantially perpendicular to the third fastener hole 304. The third fastener hole 304 extends through the third clamp first wing 298 and the third clamp second wing 300. The third fastener 306 is inserted into the third fastener hole 304 to pull the third clamp first wing 298 and the third clamp second wing 300 toward each other in order to shrink the diameter of the upper indicator hole 294 in order to fix the shaft housing 212 of the upper indicator 208a to the upper indicator hole 294 via friction. It is contemplated that the third fastener 306 can extend entirely through the second block 280 and the first block 230 and have a nut on an end thereof for pulling the third clamp first wing 298 and the third clamp second wing 300 toward each other. Alternatively, it is contemplated that a portion of the third fastener hole 304 in one of the third clamp first wing 298 and the third clamp second wing 300 could be threaded to receiving the third fastener 306. In the illustrated example, the third fastener hole 304 does not extend through the first block 230 with the portion of the third fastener hole 304 in the third clamp second wing 300 and in a portion of the first block 230 being threaded. The third fastener hole 304 can have a counterbore for receiving a head of the third fastener 306.

[0069] Like the first prior art positioning system 102 and the second prior art positioning system 120, during use of the positioning system 200, the probe shaft 216 of the upper indicator 208a and the extension shaft 222 of the lower indicator 208b abut against the suction strips 64a, 64b as the suction strips 64a, 64b are rotated past the probe shaft 216 of the upper indicator 208a and the extension shaft 222 of the lower indicator 208b. If the suction strips 64a, 64b extend too far out or not far enough out from the vacuum-grip cylinder 26 as measured by the pair of indicators 208 to have an appropriate amount of hotmelt glue placed on labels 14 suctioned thereto, the position of the suction strips 64a, 64b can be altered as outlined above and as known to those skilled in the art. Having the upper indicator 208a and the lower indicator 208b allows for the face of the suction strips 64a, 64b to be on a proper plane.

[0070] In the illustrated example and shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the upper indicator 208a has a first display face 500 with the display 218a (digital as shown or analog) and the lower indicator 208b has a second display face 502 with the display 218b (digital as shown or analog). A first projection area 1002 of the first display face 500 of the upper indicator 208a projects perpendicularly from the first display face 500. A second projection area 1000 of the second display face 502 of the lower indicator 208b projects perpendicularly from the second display face 502. The indicator support holder 206 supports the upper indicator 208a and the lower indicator 208b such that the first projection area 1002 and the second projection area 1000 do not overlap and neither the upper indicator 208a nor the lower indicator 208b obscures either the display 218a (digital as shown or analog) of the upper indicator 208a or the display 218b (digital as shown or analog) or the lower indicator 208b.

[0071] The reference numeral 400 (FIGS. 25-29) generally designates another embodiment of the positioning system of the present invention. Since the positioning system 400 of the present second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment of the positioning system 200, similar parts appearing in FIGS. 14-24 and FIGS. 25-29 are represented by the same, corresponding reference number, except for the suffix “c” in the numerals of the latter. The second embodiment of the positioning system 400 includes a step 402 located between the lower indicator support area 224c and the pole connection area 228c such that the lower indicator support area 224c is thinner than the pole connection area 228c. To provide for sufficient support for the indicator 208 in the lower indicator support area 224c, the lower indicator support area 224c is longer such that the fifth side 256c is more distant from the seventh side 260c in the second embodiment of the positioning system 400 than the distance between the fifth side 256 and the seventh side 260 in the positioning system 200.

[0072] The reference numeral 600 (FIGS. 30-32) generally designates another embodiment of the positioning system of the present invention. Since the positioning system 600 of the present third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment of the positioning system 200, similar parts appearing in FIGS. 14-24 and FIGS. 30-32 are represented by the same, corresponding reference number, except for the suffix “d” in the numerals of the latter. The third embodiment of the positioning system 600 includes a thicker block 280d such that the upper surface 284d is more distant from the upper surface 232d of the first block 230d than the distance of the upper surface 284 from the upper surface 232 of the first block 230 in the positioning system 200. The thicker block 280d also has a distance between the first side 286d and the opposite second side 288d greater than the distance between the first side 286 and the opposite second side 288 of the block 280 of the positioning system 200. It is contemplated that the block 280d and the upper indicator support area 226d can be removably connected to the lower indicator support area 224d.

[0073] Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.