US1645013A - Method and apparatus for making tags - Google Patents

Description

1,645,01 Oct. 11, 1927. H. E. KONDOLF 3 HETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING TAGS Filed Nov. 5, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Till. v v I 2. 4r

ATTORNE I O Oct 27 H. E. KONDOLF METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING TAGS Filed Nov. 5. 1926 2 Sheds-Sheet? ZVENTOR ATToRNEw Patented Oct. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES raiser QHWEQE.

HENRY E. KONDGLF, OF NEW YGRK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE LOX SEAL CORPORA- TION, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, A CORPOEA'IZOIQ' OE NEXV YORK.

METHOD AND APPARATU$ FOB MAKING'TAGS.

Application filed November 5 which a swatch is associated, nevertheless it will be understood that as to certain phases of my invention, the particular nature or characteristics of the tag, other than those directly contemplated by my method or apparatus, is not essential.

Briefly, tags of the general character to which my invention relates are constituted of superposed layers of material 0 arranged and constructed as to provide a pocket or locking chamber therebetween, and the layers are so connected as to render the pocket totally inaccessible except through a preformed opening or by means of a puncturing instrumentality. Such a tag is provided with a. binding tie having one end irremovably positioned within the pocket, and hav ing the other end free for threading through a portion of the article of merchandise, it being contemplated that the free end will thereafter be similarly positioned in an in removable manner within the pocket, as by passage through an opening, puncturing, or otherwise. More particularly, it may be stated that the binding tie may advantageously be provided with adjustable locking tips whose nature renders the contemplated use possible, although it will be understood that the nature of these tips is not material to the present invention.

More generally, my invention relates to the manufacture of tags in series by the utilization of a single blank of material.

It is an important object of the invention to provide an apparatus which is simply constructed and whose employment, after 0 ain preliminary arrangements andassociations of parts of the tag, will complete the manufacture of the tags by a unitary operation. Briefly, my invention contemplates the initial arrangement of the super Serial No. M5537.

posed layersof the tag, and the subsequent unitary procedure of compressing the layers to unite them and also severing them accord.- ing to predetermined plan.

More particularly, my invention contemplates the utilization of a single blank of 6 material to produce a number of tags, the blank being suitably treated, as by adhesive, being suitably associated with binding ties and swatches (where desired), and being thereafter doubled over upon itself in a manner whereby pressure and severance will automatically produce a plurality of com-' pleted tags.

One feature of theinvention lies in combining with pressure means whose effect is the exertion of a pressure of one characteristic, of cutting means simultaneously oper able and whose effect is the exertion of a severing force or forces of a different characteristic. More particularly, the pressure exerted is one which is increasing in nature, being of a character which will compress successive portions of the blank; whereas the cutting instrumentality is one which will produce a direct or non-increasing severance, or in other words one which is non-shearing in its effect.

In a. preferred embodiment, the pressure means comprises relatively movable pressure members which may be pivotally associated with each other so as to sandwich the tag layers therebetween, the members being so constructed and arranged that their adjustment into parallel superposition will entail the gradually increasing exertion of pressure upon the layers.

One feature of the invention lies in providing the cutting instrumentality in a manner which renders it movable in part with and in part relative to said pressure members, the movement with the members rendering possible the desirable unitary pro cedure, and the movement relative to the members rendering possible the differentcharacteristics of the pressure and severance operations. More particularly, the cutting instrumentality is so arranged and constructed that when the pressure members are adjusted to compress the layers therebetween, an automatic adjustment of the cutting means will take place.

In general, it will be understood that my apparatus relates to the treatmentof substantially flat articles. And theeleme'nts of th. apparatus are so that the can ting edges will automatically adjust them selves into parallelism with the article and will thereafter move perpendicularly thereto so as to produce, the severance in a non-shearing manner. At. the same time, the pressure members will compress the article in a manner which is peculiarly efficient in the per-. manent cementing together of superposed layers.

A preferred embodiment provides hinged pressure members which may be brought into parallel superposition with a space there between equal in thickness to that of the compressed article. One ofthe members is provided-with grooves in which a plurality of blades are frictionally and movably pos1-' edges'of the blades parallel to the article even though pressure is-being exerted only upon one end of thearticle. As the external pressure means is applied further, the blades will be forced through the article in a direction perpendicular thereto, and the members will gradually be brought into parallelism,

thereby exerting an increasing pressure from one end of the article to the other.

For the attainment of the foregoing objects'and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention in a the accompanying drawings in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a completed tag associated with a garment, the tag shown being illustrative of the type to which this invention relates;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a blank suitably treated and associated with binding ties;

Fig.3 is a plan view of the pressure mem-I here in relatively opened positions the blank of Fig. 2 being shown in suitable initial association therewith;

Fig; 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 sluiwing the pressure members in closed relationship; Fig. 5 is across-sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Fig. 1;

ig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of Fig. 1:

Fig.7 isa view'similar to Fig. 6 showing a subsequent adjustment of the various elements; and i Fig; 8 is a cross-sectional viewtaken sub .stantially along the line 88 ofFig. 4.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a completed tag,

, tag.

con'iprising a body portion 10 provided with a pocket 11 in which the ends of a binding tie 12 are irremovably positioned. It will be understood. that before the tag is fixedly associated with a garment as shown in Fig. 1,

one of the ends of the tie 12 is free and hence threadable through a convenient portion of the garment beforebeing irremovably thread- 7 ed into the pocket 11. This inseparable association of the tie 12 with the body portion 10 ofthe tag renders it impossible to.dis associate the tag from the garment without either mutilating the garment, the tie 12,or the tag itself.

For illustrative purposes, the tag illus- 'trated' has been providedwith a detachable end stub 13 beneath whicha small sample or swatch 14 is inseparably associated with'the It will be understood, however, after this specification has been read, that these modifiable details of the tag are not essential to the present invention.

In Fig. 2, I have illustrate-d a preferred method of manufacturing these tags in quantity. I prefer to employ a single rectangular blank 15 which is scored along a medial longitudinal line 16, this scoring being suitably configured at spaced portions 17 to provide for the proper formation of the pocket 1.1. It will be obvious that this method of manufacture contemplates the folding over of the blank 15 along the scoring 16 and 17 so as to form superposed layers or plies. Before this process'of doubling over is entered into, a series of binding ties 18 are associated with the blank so as to position a midportion of each thereof on one side of the blank and the end portions thereof on the other side. 1 Each binding tie 18 is threaded through spaced openings along the scoring 16. This threading takes place at the portions 17, and therefore each binding tie extends from the rear of the blank through one portion 17 to the front of the blank,

thence returning to the rear of the blank again by passage through the adjacent portion 17. In addition to properly positioning the binding ties in this manner the side of the blank upon which the midportions are disposed is then preferably coated with an dhesive along a predetermined area 19. In the embodiment shown, this area constitutes a band which is narrower than the blank 15.

and it will thus be obvious that after the blank is doubled upon itself the application of the adhesive will cause a predetermined area of the superposed layers to be fixedly associated with each other, at the same time causing the end portions of the blank to remain mutually unattached. It will also be obvious that the midportions oft-he tics 18 will be securely held between the attached layers.

The invention contemplates the severance of the doubled-over blank along transverse lines arranged between the portions 1?. In this way, a plurality of tags are provided, each thereof embodying one portion of an original binding tie 18. One end of this portion will be fixedly retained between the layers of the tag, and the other end will be extended outwardly through the pocket 11 which willhare been formed, thereby providing a freely threadable end.

In the manufacture of tags by a method of these characteristics, it is also possible to associate with theblanl: 15 ,a piece of material which will subsequently constitute a swatch of the character shown at let in Fig. 1.

Referring now to Fig. 3, I have shown the blanlt15 already doubled over upon itself, and it will be observed that I have shown a piece of material interposed between the layers, this embodiment consequently illustrating the employment of my invention in the manufacture of tags of the character shown in Fig. 1.

The apparatus with which the doubled-over blank is associated in contemplation of the present invention, comprises relatively movable pressure members 21 and 22, these members being substantially rectangular and be ing preferably hinged together along adjacent longitudinal edges so as to render them relatively pivotal. 'I have shown hinges 2% which permit the member 21 and 22 to be relatively opened as shown in Fig. 3, and to be subsequently moved pivotally of each other so as to bring them into superposition.

The members 21 and 22 are preferably of a length substantially equal to, or possibly slightly larger than. the length of the blank 15. The members 21 and 22 are also made of widths which are almost one-half again as wide as tae width of the doubled-over blank 15.

Referring now more particularly to the member 21, it will be observed that I have shown a facing plate 24 which is preferably of soft metal. such as aluminum. At the outer longitudinal edge of the member 21- I provide a suitably configured end plate or strin25. This plate is more clearly shown in Fig. 8, and at suitably spaced portions thereof the plate is depressed slightly and is provided at these depressed portions with openings'or slots through which the ends of the binding ties18 may extend.

I also prefer to provide pins 26 suitably positioned and arranged to constitute stops or abutments for one longitudinal edge of the doubled-over blank.

Reference to Fig. 3 will show how the doubled-over blank is positioned upon the facing plate 2 1; The end constituted by the, original scoring 16 is laid alongthe plate the ends of'the binding ties being passed outwardly to the exterior of the plate 25. The other longitudinal edge of the doubledover blanlris madeto .abutagainst the pins 26, it being understood that the arrangetion further contemplates the application of pressure to the superposed pressure members, thispressure serving (1) to firmly compress the superposed layers so as to attach them to each other and to associate the binding ties and the swatch therewith, and (2) simultaneously to sever the doubled-over-blank in accordance with predetermined plan. In this way, it is contemplated that bya unitary procedure a plurality of completed tags will have been formed. 4

In order that the pockets 11 may be properly formed. it is essential that the superposed plies be not compressed at the portions which are to constitute the opposite walls of the pockets. For-this reason, and for the added reason of definitely and etficiently formingtho pockets, the pressure members 21 and 22 are provided with suitably configured cut-out portions 27 and 28 respectively, these portions being substantially Ushaped as shownin Fig. 3, and the respective portions 27 and 28 being registerable with each other, as will be readily under stood.

Referring now more particularly to the pressure member 22, I have-provided a. plurality. of grooves 29, transversely; arranged in parallelism to each other and extending from the free longitudinal, edge of the-pressure member 22 to points short of the hinged edge. These grooves are arranged intermediate the cut-outportions 28,- and are designed to accommodate cutting instrumentalities, such as blades, which will function when the pressure members are superposed upon one another. I

In ll have illustrated the pressure members arranged in superposed positions. By virtue of the provision ofregistering cut-out portions 27 and 28, portions 11 of the doubled-over blanlr are clearly shown as being unsubjected to the sandwiching pressure of the pressure nembers. Each of these portionsll' will eventually constitute a pocket 11 shown in Fig. 1.

The pressure members are so related to each other and with respect to the-hinge memers 23 that they may be'brought into parallel supernositi on with a space betweenthem having a thickness equal'to the-thickness of a con'ipressed sandwiched article or blank. A plurality of blades '30 are provided, each blade being frictionally disposed within one of; the grooves 29 so as to be adjustable therein. The blades are substantially rectangular, and are of a lengthsubstantially equal to the'length of the grooves, and of a width slightly greater than the width of the pres- .sure member 22. 'More particularly, the

blades arewider than the thickness of the pressuremember 22 by an amount equal to the space between the superposed parallel pressure members. The latter are preferably constructed of lannnated material, such as wood, and properfrictional engagement of the blades within the grooves may be advantageously provided as shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to this figure, and also to Fig; 4, it will, be seen that each blade isprovided with a recess 31 extending transversely-of the blade from its outer edge. Positionable withineach recess, is a clamp or staple 32, thisst-aple being preferably of sinuous or crimped construction, it being contemplated that the staple will be driven into the presproper frictional'engagement of the blades,

sure member 22 much as a nail would be driven. It will be obvious that the staples 32 will serve the double function of posi tiv'ely retaining the opposite walls of the grooves in'desired proximity so as to assure and of'constituting retaining members which willpreventthe blades from slipping-out of the grooves when the pressure member 22 is turned upside down as shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 5 7 clearly illustrates the preferred laminated nature of the pressure members 21 and 22, the disposition of the blades 30 within thegrooves 29,v and the sandwiched position of the doubled-over blank 15. In

this figure-I have shown the pressure memher 22 provided with a facing plate 33 corresponding to the facing plate 24 of the pressure member 21, although the provision of such plates is not essential to the invention.'

"Fig. Sclearly ilIuStrateS the manner in which the blank 15 is snugly positioned be tween the end plate 25 and the stops 26.

The latter are preferablymounted in a ance of a different characteristic. 551' trative form of a member 34 operable in any desired manner and suitablyconfigured so as to permit movementthereof to exert pressure upon the superposed pressure members. More" particularly, the invention contemnlates'that the superposedpressure memhers, with the blank sandwiched therebetween, will be laid upon a supporting base 35, and that the member-J34 will thereupon move slowly toward'th'e base 35 so as to force the pressure members into absolute parallel-- ism. Considering this operation step by step, it will be obvious that the blades 30, by virtue of their increased widths, will be the first to encounter the sandwiched blank 15. r

In greater detail, and considering only one blade for the sake .of clarity, I will explain that this blade will be initially arranged within its groove 29 so that its rear edge will lie flush with. theouter surface of the pressure member 22. When the latter is folded over on the pressure member 21, a point 36.01? the cutting edge of the blade .will encounter the inner longitudinal edge of the blank 15. When the-pressure member 34 moves downwardly. it will first engage the outermost edge 37 of the pressure member 22. At the same time, it will also engage the outermost rear point of the blade 30. The combined forces upon the blade, viz, the downward force atthe point 37 and the upward force at the point '36 will cause the blade to rotate relatively to the pressure member 22. and this rotation will cause the blade to assume a position wherein its cutting edge will lie parallel to theflat article 15. This position ofthe blade 30 is illustrated in Fig. 6, and it will be understood that the various elements of the device are so proportioned and arranged that at this instant the inner surface of the pressure member 22 will also be encountering the inner longitudinal edge of the blank 15.

Now, as the pressure member 34 continues to move downwardly, it will simultaneously force the blade perpendicularly through the blank 15, and force the pressure-member 22 into parallelisnrvvith the pressure member 21.. The perpendicular movement of, the blade 30 will causethe latter to sever the blank 15 in a non-shearing manner. But

the pivotal movement of the pressure member 22W1ll cause the latter to exert a gradually increas ng pressure upon the blank 15,

this pressure being one which increases,.or

compresses successive portions of the blank 15, from thefree longitudinal inner edge to the outer or doubled-over longitudinal edge. A very desirable effect is thereby produced. The severance is clean and uniform, while the pressure is of a character which is pee-11 liarly efficient in forcing together the superposed layers of a doubled-over blank. In other words, the pressure is one which produces a clean lower'edge upon the finished tag, any adjustment'of possible excess material. being taken care of at the outer or pocket end of the tag.

By virtue of the relative proportions of the elements, they will assume the positions shown in Fig. 7 after the pressure member 3 1 a has been completely operative. It will be observed that the rear edges of the blade 30 are once more flush with the-outer surface of the pressure member 22; the pressure members 21 and 22 are in absolute parallelism with the compressed article sandwiched therebetween; and the cutting edges of the blades are resting against the facing plate 24, having clearly cut all the Way through the compressed article.

IVhen the pressure member 8&- is released, the pressure members 21 and 22 may be again opened, and after the plurality of completed tags have been removed, the process may be repeated.

It will be obvious that many changes in the details herein described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of my invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. It is therefore intended that these details be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In an apparatus for i'naking articles of the character described, in combination, relatively movable pressure members adapted to engage the article therebetween, pressure means for forcing said members together to compress the article, and means operable by said pressure means for cutting the article in a predetermined manner during said compression.

2. In an apparatus for making articles of the character described, in combination, relatively movable pressure members adapted to engage the article therebetween, means for cutting the article in a predetermined manner during said compression, and pressure means independently and simultaneously operable upon the pressure members and the cutting means for simultaneously forcing said members together to compress the article and cutting the article in said predetermined manner.

3. In an apparatus for making articles of the character described, in combination, relatively movable pressure members adapted to engage the article therebetween, pressure means for forcing said members together to compress the article, and means operable by said pressure means for cutting the article in a predetermined manner during said compression, said last named means being arranged and constructed to move in part with and in part relatively to said members.

a. In an apparatus for making articles of the character described, in combination, relatively movable pressure members adapted to engage the article therebetween, pressure means for forcing said members together to compress the article, and means operable by said pressure means for cutting the article in a predetermined manner during said compression, said last named means being constructed and arranged to move with said members to render the cutting'and compression a unitary operation. a

5. In an apparatus for making articles of the character described, in combination, relatively movable pressure members adapted to engage the article therebetween, pressure means for forcing said members together to compress the article, and means operable by said pressure means for cutting the article in a predetermined manner during said compression, said last named means being constructed and arranged to move with said members to render the cutting and compression a unitary operation, and also to move relatively of said members to render the character of the cutting independent of the movement of said members.

6. In an apparatus for making articles of the character described, the combination of means for cutting one of said articles in one direction, and means for actuating said cutting means and for simultaneously exerting pressure upon said article in directions difterent in part from said cutting direction.

7. In an apparatus for treating fiat articles of the character described, the combination of means for cutting one of said articles in a direction perpendicular thereto, and means for exerting substantially norm al pressure upon successivelongitudinal porti ons thereof during the cutting operation.

8. In an apparatus for treating flat articles of the character described, the combination of means for cutting one of said articles in a direction perpendicular thereto, and means for exerting substantially nor mal pressure upon successive longitudinal portions thereof during the cutting Operation, said last named means comprising pivotally associated pressure members arranged and constructed to permit parallel superposition thereof with the articletherebetween.

9. In an apparatus for treating flat articles of the character described, the combination of means for cutting one of said articles in a direction perpendicular thereto, and means for exerting substantially normal pressure upon successive longitudinal pore tioim thereof during the cutting operation, said last named means comprising relatively pivotal pressure members, and said cutting means comprising a plurality of knives movable with one of said members.

10. In an apparatus for treating fiat articles of the character described, a pair 'of pivotally associated pressure members adapted to receive an article therebetween and to compress the same in an increasing manner by pivotally movingthem into mutual superposition, and means for cutting the article in a non-shearing manner during said movement.

11. In an apparatus for treating fiat articles of the character described, a pair of pivotally associated pressure members adapted to receive an article therebetween and to compress the same in an increasing manner by pivotally moving them into mutual superposition, and means for severing the article along predetermined lines during said movement, said means comprising movable blades whose edges are parallel to the article during their movements. 7

12. In an apparatus for treating fiat articles of the character described, a pair of pivotally associated pressure members adapted to receivean article therebetween, a plurality of relatively movable blades associated with said members, and means for pressing/the members into superposition and simultaneously forcing the blades into engagement with the article to sever the latter, said blades being so constructed and arranged that their actuation by said means will cause them automatically to position their cutting edges parallel to the article.

13. In an apparatus for pressing together and cutting the superposed layers of articles of the character described, a. pair of pivotally associated pressure members adapted to receive an article therebetween, one of saidmembers being provided with grooves and a plurality of blades frictionally disposed in said grooves to permit movem ent of the blades'both with and relative to said member, whereby the blades will encounter the article, when the pressure members are ment of the latter will cause the blades to encounter the article in a manner which will initially adjust the blades relative to the member.

15. In an apparatus for pressing'together and cutting the superposed layers of articles of the character described, a pair of relativelyadjustable pressure'members adapted to receivesaid layers therebetween, a plurality of blades associated with said members in a manner which renders the blades movable with and also relatively to said members, and means for pressing said members together in a manner which exerts pressure upon said layers in an increasing manner from one end to the other thereof, said blades being arranged so that their encounters With the layers during the operation of said means will cause them to adjust themselves relatively to said members.

16. In an apparatus for forming ta wherein doubled-over layers are designed to be partially compressed so as to form a pocket therebetween at one end thereof, relatively movable pressure members adapted to sandwich and oompress'the layers therebetween, said members being arranged and constructed to avoid compression of those portions of the layers which define said pocket. V

17. In an apparatus for forming tags wherein doubled over layers are designed to form a pocket therebetween at one end there of, relatively adjustable pressure members so, mounted and arranged with respect to each other that adjustment thereof will sand wich and compress the layers therebetween, said members having cut-out portions so configured and positioned as to prevent compression of those portions of the layers which define said pocket.

18. The method of making tags of the character described, which comprises threading a series of binding elements through a continuous blank in a manner which posi tions the ends of each element on one side of the blankand a mid-portion of each elementron the other side, applying an ad hesive to the side of'the mid-portion, folding the blankupon itself to provide superposed layers with said mid-portions therebetween, compressing said layers at all but the areas around the points of threading, and cutting the blank transversely of said fold between each point of threading.

19. The method of making tags of the character described which comprises passing a binding element through spaced points on a blank so as to" position a mid-portlon of the element on one side of the blank, folding the latter upon itself to enclose said mid-portion, compressing the folded blank at' all but the areas around said spaced points, and severing the blank between said spaced points.

20. The method of making tags of the character described, which comprises thread-,

ing a binding tie through a blank to position portions thereof on opposite sides of the blank, folding the blank upon itself to provide superposed layers engaging one of said portions, and exerting pressureupon all but the areas adjacent the points of threading, so as to provide a device which is separable into a plurality of tags each of which has an uncompressed pocket portion from which a binding tie extends.

21. The method of making tags of the character described, which comprises the step or steps of folding a blank upon itself to provide superposed layers of tag material,

and exerting pressure upon all but spaced areas along the fold line so as to provide a device which is separable into a plurality of tags, each of which has an uncompressed portion adjacent the fold line.

22. The method of making tags of the character described, which comprises the step or steps of coating one side of a blank with adhesive, folding the blank upon itself 10 to provide superposed layers of tag material with said adhesive therebetween, and exerting pressureupon all but spaced areas along the fold line so as to provide a device Which is separable into a plurality of tags each of which comprises mutually attached superposed layers of tag material and an inaccessible pocket adjacent the fold line.

In witness whereof, I have signed this specification.

HENRY E. KONDOLF.

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