Abstract: Device for rotating a label fed into a labelling machine, wherein the label is fed to a support element placed on a wheel which rotates between a position where the label is picked up from a conveyor or feed belt and a position where the label is placed on a product, the support element having at least a label holding element during the rotation of the wheel in a fixed structure, wherein the label holding element is positioned on a shaft which can be rotated by means control elements driven by a cam group operationally connected to the wheel and to the fixed structure. In particular, the holding element is a suction device which allows the rotation of the label as required.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to transport systems for cutting articles from a blank of material, and is well suited for use in, though not limited to, transporting and cutting labels from a web material and applying them to items. Specifically, an article transfer system is disclosed for transporting articles cut from a blank of material traveling in a first direction. The system comprises a support member including first and second surfaces and a plurality of openings extending between the first and second surfaces. The support member is movable along the first direction adjacent to the blank of material. The system also includes in one embodiment, a vacuum for generating a lower pressure adjacent to the second surface of the support member than the pressure adjacent to the first surface thereof such that the blank is urged to maintain contact with the first surface of the support member.

Abstract: A device for attaching adhesive labels to packaged goods has a compressed air source and a vacuum source that are alternatingly connected by program-controlled two way valves to air inlet openings of a pneumatic cylinder. A main piston is connected to the upper end of a hollow piston rod and is guided between an upper and a lower dead center position in the pneumatic cylinder. The hollow piston rod has a lateral air opening within the cylinder. A suction holder is connected to a lower end of the hollow rod positioned external to the pneumatic cylinder. The suction holder has a suction channel axially connectable to the hollow piston rod and closeable partially by a check valve. A label transfer unit has a label transfer position in which a respective label is positioned at a small distance below the suction holder when in its upper position. A control device lowers the suction holder into the lower position for receiving the label.

Abstract: A marker insertion apparatus automatically removes a marker from a roll of marker material and applies the marker to an applicator. The markers mount to a backing sheet and are peeled from the sheet by passing over a peel bar. Jaws are positioned near the peel bar and configured for gripping an end marker. An applicator member inserts intermediate the jaws and has the end marker pressed onto the applicator and torn from the roll. In a first embodiment, the applicator is a paddle applicator for inserting markers between opposing pages, and in a second embodiment the applicator is a bayonet applicator for inserting markers into the spine of a book.

Abstract: A label is supplied from a label supplier to a rotating suction drum. The supplied label is absorbed on the suction drum and conveyed to a label sticking station. During conveyance of the label, passage time of the label at a predetermined point is measured, and a first shifting amount of the label relative to a label conveying direction is calculated. A standby position of the work in the label conveying direction is altered based on the first shifting amount. Further, during conveyance of the label, its location relative to a perpendicular direction to the label conveying direction is detected, and a second shifting amount of the label relative to the perpendicular direction is calculated. A standby position of the work in the perpendicular direction is altered based on the second shifting amount. The position of the work is adjusted to the label so that the label is stuck on the work with great accuracy.

Abstract: An applicator for applying a label to the interior surface of a hollow body is provided. The applicator includes an applicator rod, which is connected to a source of negative pressure and is adapted to retain the label by means of the negative pressure. The applicator rod co-operates with an inflatable member. The inflatable member is positioned so as to force a label that is retained on the applicator rod against the inner surface of the hollow body when the applicator rod is inserted into the hollow body via an opening and the inflatable member is inflated. The inner surface of the hollow body and the label co-operate so that the label will adhere to the inner surface as the label is forced against this surface. The applicator is particularly well suited for use in a bicycle registration system. Used in such a system, the applicator functions to apply a label which adheres to the interior tube of a bicycle frame.

Abstract: A label dispensing and applicator assembly for use with a roll of backing tapes having labels with pressure-sensitive adhesives on the backside detachably adhering the labels to the backing tape, wherein the assembly includes a label dispensing unit having a label separator mechanism attached to the frame and positioned away from a dispensing strip take-up reel wherein the label separator peels the label from the backing tape as the backing tape moves forwardly over the label separator and abruptly changes direction and extends rearwardly beneath the bar such that the labels are stripped and move forwardly from the label separator. A pair of pinch rollers is rotatably supported by the frame away from the label separator and a pinch roller is positioned to removably receive the dispensing strip therethrough as the dispensing strip is pulled through the label dispensing unit. The pinch roller has a drive belt connected to a conveyor assembly that is positioned forward of the label separator unit.

Abstract: A labeling assembly for applying labels carried on a substrate to a sequential series of moving documents is provided. The assembly transports the document in a generally vertical end on end orientation down a conveying path and peels the label from the substrate to position the peeled label in a generally vertical orientation. The labeling assembly also includes a paddle having a front surface with vacuum ports for attaching and releasably retaining the peeled label on the front surface. An actuating mechanism pivots the paddle to force an end of the retained label into contact with the document. Upon contact, the downstream end of the retained label adheres to the document and the label is pulled off the paddle. As the label is pulled off the paddle the contact between the end of the paddle presses the label against the document.

Abstract: The invention concerns the automated robotic system for dispensing drugs from vials into liquid containers such as IV bags or syringes. A robot selects a vial and a suitable container and transports them to a processing station together with a needle which may be double-ended. At the processing station the contents of the vial are transferred into the container. Some of the contents of the container may be transferred into the vial in order to reconstitute and/or wash out the vial contents and agitation may be provided for the vial. Various additional devices may be provided such as a decapping device for the vials, an alcohol swabbing station for swabbing the top of a vial and/or the input port of a IV bag or syringe. Moreover, a label printer may be provided so that the robot may deliver a label with the finally processed IV bag and empty vial to a verification station. When IV bags are used, the invention may feature a conveyor of trays of the bags to a pick-up station of the robot.

Abstract: A label sticking apparatus comprises, for example, three pushing devices. The pushing devices serve to press the label held by the sucking plate against an object to be labeled. The pressing device includes pressing rods. The pressing rods are held by a holding member with each one coil spring. A label pressing member is attached to the lower end of the pressing rod. The label pressing member has a hollow and tubular body made of a soft material. The holding member is attached to the forward end of a rod of an actuator comprising a cylinder etc. Under the holding member, a stopper for suddenly stopping the holding member is disposed.

Abstract: A label dispenser for applying labels to containers transported via a conveyor includes a supply of labels carried by a web, a head for transferring the labels from the web to the containers, and a guide assembly which joins the head to the supply station. The length of the guide assembly is selected to space the supply station away from the head and from the conveyor thereby to provide space for other equipment alongside the conveyor. Web delivering labels to the head and spent web are both carried within the guide assembly in close proximity to each other to minimize the cross-sectional dimensions of the guide assembly. A set of rails is angled relative to the path of travel, the web making slidable contact with the rails and being folded thereabout to provide for a bending of the path, thereby to accommodate an angling of the head relative to the guide assembly for alignment with the conveyor.

Abstract: A label applicator is provided for applying pre-printed adhesive-backed labels from a printer to a corresponding commodity in a single stroke. A vacuum-assisted pick-up head receives the preprinted label and in one stroke delivers it and adheres it to a commodity. A new applicator head includes an integrated sponge-like, conformable portion which evenly applies the label, even across the face of an irregularly contoured commodity. The applicator head further includes a slidable pick-up and applicator tube, initially for retaining and then for spot sticking of the label to the commodity. A vacuum is applied to the applicator tube through a pick-up head having a hollow internal portion communicating, regardless of slide position, with the hollow applicator tube and, also, with the applicator head shaft, also having a hollow section for receiving the vacuum source. A downward stroke of the label applicator first causes the applicator tube to spot the label upon the commodity positioned below.

Abstract: A label applicator for labeling an article comprising a supporting structure, a label receiver mounted on the supporting structure for movement along a path between a label dispensing station and a label applying station and for rotational movement about an axis to control the angular orientation of the label, and a label dispenser for moving a label onto the label receiver at the label dispensing station. The label is releasably retained on the label receiver, and the label receiver is moved along the path between the stations. The label receiver is rotated about the axis so that the angular orientation of the label relative to the article can be controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for attaching adhesive labels to objects comprising a rotatably mounted tubular labelling arm driven by a motor and having a suction head disposed at its free end, this suction head being directly connected via the tubular labelling arm to a vacuum source for the purpose of drawing a label by suction onto the suction head. In order to be able to use such a device, which has a high operating speed, as universally as possible, i.e. for labelling the most varied types of object, the tubular labelling arm bearing the suction head is designed to be bendably elastic and rotate in a single direction of rotation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for transferring a print design under action of heat from a carrier band (20) onto an object (24), in which the carrier band (20) is transported from a tape dispensing roll (1) past a scanning arrangement (5) and a preheating arrangement (6) by a drive roller (9) driven by a band drive motor (10) through a transfer zone to a band take-up reel (12). The object, in each case, to be provided with the print design is conveyed by a transport device (18) provided with holding members, a surface of the object receiving the print design as it passes into the transfer zone.The particular print design is transferred under pressure and heat from the moved carrier band (20) onto the moving surface of the object (24).

Abstract: Machine for applying labels to containers having cylindrical bodies and tapered shoulders, comprising a vacuum drum having one or more pairs of suction pads including a lower pad for adhering a body label to be applied to the cylindrical body of a container, such pad being fixed except for rotation with the drum, the upper pad being mounted for tilting about one or two axes to bring it into proper position for applying a label to the tapered shoulder of a container.

Abstract: A correction label applying device for use with a portable label printing machine is disclosed. The device comprises a price tag holding device for temporarily holding a price tag to be corrected. The price tag holding device is mounted on a guide at the underside of the portable label printing machine so as to be movable between an operative forward position, in which it holds a price tag or the like in a position to receive at a predetermined location thereon a correction label piece fed out by the portable label printing machine, and a rest rearward position, in which the price tag holding device is positioned rearwardly from the correction label exit of the printing machine so as not to interfere with the label printing machine being operated to print and apply a label in the usual manner.

Abstract: A hand appliance for issuing or applying self-adhering labels which are stuck on a carrier strip is disclosed. The appliance has a feeding mechanism which withdraws the carrier strip to feed one label at a time. The feeding mechanism has a winding core on to which the carrier strip is wound and which is rotatable about a journal fixed at one end to a housing wall. The winding core is held for axial displacement on a boss which drives the winding core by means of a projection engaging a groove extending obliquely of a surface line of the boss such that the boss shifts the winding core under the tension of the carrier strip in the direction of the wall of the housing on which the journal is fixed to thereby maintain said winding core within the appliance when in operation and facilitate its removal when desired.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the decoration of bottles and the like at high speeds. Bottles are delivered by an input conveyor to a star wheel, which deposits them sequentially into a continuously rotating turret. The turret carries the bottles past a labelling site, where a label carrier strip is pressed into contact with a bottle surface and a label thereby transferred. The shape of the bottle is maintained during labelling by means of inflation of the bottles through an inserted nozzle. The raising and lowering of the inflating nozzle and the flow of inflating air is controlled by special valving apparatus. The motion of the label carrier strip past the labelling site is regulated by the use of rolls on a shuttle slide, which in turn is reciprocated by a second slide driven by a conjugate cam. This results in an increase of the local velocity of the carrier strip during most of the cycle, and a slowing of the strip during the balance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically applying reinforcing tabs to sheets in a loose-leaf binder includes a projecting tab guide sized to fit within a ring of the loose-leaf binder and adapted to apply a reinforcing tab between the edge of the sheet and a hole in the sheet through which the ring passes. Pressure-sensitive adhesive-back reinforcing tabs are separated from the carrier strip as the strip passes around a deflecting edge adjacent to an end of the tab guide. An inclined pressure foot presses the separated tab onto the sheet to attach it thereto.

Abstract: A hand labeller comprising a label sheet roll for supplying a label sheet consisting of a carrier paper and label blanks laminated on the carrier paper, typing means for pressing the labels sheet onto an anvil plate thereby to effect a typing on each one of the label one by one, and labelling means for adhering the label carrying the typed letter onto the object to be labelled. The labelling means have a cut out or partially removed back adapted to be reciprocatingly moved within an angular range which does not interrupt the passing of an ink roller. The typing means include a roller for supporting a type wheel and having a plurality of projections projecting toward a supporting shaft, and an engaging piece disposed in a bore of said shaft and resiliently biased to project out of the surface of the shaft. The arrangement is such that the projections of the roller are brought into engagement with the engaging piece, in accordance with the rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A label applying apparatus and method is disclosed which rotates the label through a desired number of degrees of rotation before its application to an article in order that the label may be applied in a preferred orientation. A label dispenser delivers the label to a first vacuum foot which holds the label substantially parallel to the surface of the article upon which the label is to be placed. The label is then transferred to a second, reciprocating vacuum foot which rotates while it moves into contact with the article.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in the method of and means for automatic attachment of labels or transparent envelopes having a pressure sensitive adhesive backing, on a sheet of material such as a file folder or the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for labeling skeins of yarn or the like comprising a processing way that includes a label supply station, a labeling station, and an apparatus for feeding individual labels from the supply station to the labeling station. The labeling station includes a plurality of pairs of oppositely acting swing arms, with which the label as supported at the labeling station is centered, with the arms of each pair of arms including a first swing arm on the label infeed side of the labeling station and a second swing arm on the opposite side of the labeling station. The swing arms of each pair project from rock shafts extending transversely of the way, and the swing arms at their projecting ends are of semi or open loop shape for cooperatively encompassing the skein to be labeled.

Abstract: The invention relates to means for printing on labels at a bottle labelling machine. The machine has glue applying means, a stack of labels and a label transfer station arranged about a circle, at least one pick-up element for the labels, a support for said pick-up element, means for rotating said support and thereby said pick-up element so that pick-up element successively receives glue, picks up a label and transfers it to another member for subsequent application to a bottle, and means for printing said labels prior to application to said bottles. In accordance with the invention the printing means comprises an inking element positioned between the glue applying means and the stack of labels. A roll having a stamp pad jacket transfers printing ink to the inking element and a brush is also provided to wipe the inking element after printing. Sun and planet gears are provided to cause appropriate pivoting of the various elements.

Abstract: Vacuum controlled apparatus for automatically applying a label to an item which may not lie desirably along a given plane. A label head consists of two separate elements forming a chamber to which a source of vacuum is connected. One of the elements contains openings extending between a label holding surface and the chamber. When the label head is moved to the item to be labeled, overtravel is provided, causing the two elements to separate, which reduces the vacuum and allows the element holding the label to align the label holding surface with the surface of the item to be labeled. Also disclosed is a device for enhancing the stripping of a label from a label carrier.