A tag applicator, and a method, for applying a tag, having an elastic loop, to a product. The tag applicator includes a linear actuator, and a pair of tag arms, one end of each being pivotably connected to the linear actuator. The two arms are biased toward each other, such as by a spring. A separator is positioned between the tag arms, so as to force the tag arms to separate as the linear actuator extends. A finger or tag hook is connected at the end of each tag arm, configured and positioned to connect to or insert into the elastic loop, and to extend the elastic loop as the tag arms are separated. With the tag loop held open, the product moves into the loop, and the tag is thereby applied to the product.
B65B 61/20 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents
B65C 3/18 - Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container necks
G09F 3/04 - Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication meansSealsPostage or like stamps to be fastened or secured by the material of the label itself, e.g. by thermo-adhesion
G09F 3/14 - Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself by strings, straps, chains, or wires
A tag applicator, and a method, for applying a tag, having an elastic loop, to a product. The tag applicator includes a linear actuator, and a pair of tag arms, one end of each being pivotably connected to the linear actuator. The two arms are biased toward each other, such as by a spring. A separator is positioned between the tag arms, so as to force the tag arms to separate as the linear actuator extends. A finger or tag hook is connected at the end of each tag arm, configured and positioned to connect to or insert into the elastic loop, and to extend the elastic loop as the tag arms are separated. With the tag loop held open, the product moves into the loop, and the tag is thereby applied to the product.
B65B 61/20 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for adding cards, coupons or other inserts to package contents
B65C 3/18 - Affixing labels to short rigid containers to container necks
B65C 9/18 - Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
G09F 3/04 - Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication meansSealsPostage or like stamps to be fastened or secured by the material of the label itself, e.g. by thermo-adhesion
G09F 3/14 - Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself by strings, straps, chains, or wires
A tag applicator, and a method, for applying a tag, having an elastic loop, to a product. The tag applicator includes a linear actuator, and a pair of tag arms, one end of each being pivotably connected to the linear actuator. The two arms are biased toward each other, such as by a spring. A separator is positioned between the tag arms, so as to force the tag arms to separate as the linear actuator extends. A finger or tag hook is connected at the end of each tag arm, configured and positioned to connect to or insert into the elastic loop, and to extend the elastic loop as the tag arms are separated. With the tag loop held open, the product moves into the loop, and the tag is thereby applied to the product.
A method of operating an inserter with infeed and outfeed each driven by a separate servo motor. A controller independently energizes the servo motors to drive the infeed and outfeed to position a continuous feed of objects with a first object in the outfeed and a web between the first and second objects within a bursting space. The outfeed exerts tension on the continuous feed when the web is within the bursting gap. The web is burst and the first object is ejected from the outfeed into an item on a production line. An inserter with separate servo motors driving the infeed and the outfeed to position objects of a continuous feed, to burst webs between the objects by generating tension in the webs and to eject the burst objects from the inserter.
B65B 63/00 - Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on articles or materials to be packaged
B65H 35/10 - Delivering articles from cutting or line-perforating machinesArticle or web delivery apparatus incorporating cutting or line-perforating devices, e.g. adhesive tape dispensers from or with devices for breaking partially-cut or perforated webs, e.g. bursters
patents
