Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for applying a label onto a substantially cylindrical article by using a bottom feed conveyor unit formed of two chain loops each formed from a plurality of interconnected chain links. Substantially parallel support rods extend between the chain loops and are supported by the chain links. The support rods are spaced a distance sufficient to allow an article to rest thereon. The label drum defines an article wrapping position at a lower portion of the label drum. A thin layer, heat activated adhesive backed label is fed onto the surface of the drum so that the adhesive back faces outward from the drum. The label drum is rotated to move the label retained thereon into the article wrapping position. As the label is moved, the adhesive is heated so that the adhesive obtains a sufficient temperature to melt.

Abstract: A roll-fed labelling machine that can be quickly changed to process containers and labels of different sizes does not require changed cutters to match different label sizes by engaging at least 50% of each label on the vacuum drum before it is cut from the web. Infeed guides and roll-on-pad assemblies, specific to individual container sizes can be installed swiftly by means of fixed alignment pins. The starwheel, having a diameter that is only five times the diameter of the mid-size container that the labelling machine is designed to process reduces abrasion and vibration. Starwheels that are aligned and with preset timing adjustment integral with the starwheel members for each container size are changed quickly to synchronize starwheel timing with that of the labelling machine.

Abstract: A roll-fed labelling machine that can be quickly changed to process containers and labels of different sizes does not require changed cutters to match different label sizes by engaging at least 50% of each label on the vacuum drum before it is cut from the web. Infeed guides and roll-on-pad assemblies, specific to individual container sizes can be installed swiftly by means of fixed alignment pins. The starwheel, having a diameter that is only five times the diameter of the mid-size container that the labelling machine is designed to process reduces abrasion and vibration. Starwheels that are aligned and with preset timing adjustment integral with the starwheel members for each container size are changed quickly to synchronize starwheel timing with that of the labelling machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for splicing the leading label in a roll of labels to one of the last labels in a second roll. The second roll, depleted because the labels are applied to articles in an assembly line, has photosensitive device that registers this depletion as the second roll is consumed. The device initiates splicing the leading label to a label in the depleted roll. A controller also responds to the device by moving the dancer arm to a predetermined position in order to control the registration of the leading label with the last labels in the second roll. The controller also responds to a count of the labels that are in the web between the production line and the splice in order to identify the article to which the splice has been applied to eject that article from the production line.

Abstract: A banding machine applies labels to the top of containers and has a frame with a turret plate rotatably mounted thereon and driven by a drive mechanism. Band holders are positioned on the turret plate and receive cut film sleeves having spaced indicia thereon in an unopened, flattened condition. The band holders open the band into a circular sleeve, and then hold and move the band onto the top of a vertically oriented container advancing into a banding position as the turret plate rotates. A registration sensor senses film indicia before label cutting and generates a signal indicative of the sensed registration. A controller stops film advancement upon the sensor's detection of film indicia so as to initiate film cutting and initiate film feeding again to advance film a predetermined amount for a newly cut label. The feed roller is initiated for feeding film upon rotation of the turret plate and movement of a band holder into an indexed position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying labels onto small cylindrical articles such as dry cell batteries is disclosed. A label transport drum has a substantially smooth surface. Cut labels are applied to the surface and an adhesive applicator applies a preferred cold adhesive onto an area adjacent the leading edge of the label. A solvent applicator applies a predetermined amount of solvent on the area adjacent the trailing edge of the label. The solvent applicator includes a solvent transfer roll and a rotatably support rotary pad print head. The rotary pad print head includes at least one narrowly tapering, flexible wiper tip. In one embodiment the wiper tip has a V-notch on its end. The flexible tip engages the solvent transfer roll, transferring solvent from the solvent transfer roll into the V-notch. the rotary pad print head is timed to rotate so that the flexible tip is deflected against the area adjacent the trailing edge of the label.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying labels onto small cylindrical articles such as dry cell batteries is disclosed. A label transport drum has a substantially smooth surface. Cut labels are applied to the surface and an adhesive applicator applies a preferred cold adhesive onto an area adjacent the leading edge of the label. A solvent applicator applies a predetermined amount of solvent on the area adjacent the trailing edge of the label. The solvent applicator includes a solvent transfer roll and a rotatably support rotary pad print head. The rotary pad print head includes at least one narrowly tapering, flexible wiper tip. In one embodiment the wiper tip has a V-notch on its end. The flexible tip engages the solvent transfer roll, transferring solvent from the solvent transfer roll into the V-notch. The rotary pad print head is timed to rotate so that the flexible tip is deflected against the area adjacent the trailing edge of the label.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a label onto a substantially cylindrical article is disclosed. A thin layer, heat activated adhesive backed label is fed onto the surface of a rotating label transport drum so that the adhesive back faces outward from the drum. The adhesive is heated as the drum rotates so that the adhesive obtains a sufficient temperature to melt. Articles are conveyed into tangential spinning engagement with the drum and into rotate engagement with the leading edge of the label as the label moves into the article wrapping position so that the label wraps about the article and adheres thereto. The articles can include crayons which are somewhat tapered along their length. The articles are conveyed at a skewed angle so that the label wraps about the tapered crayon with end-to-end label alignment thereof. The crayon is conveyed onto the drum surface so that the wider "butt" end of the crayon engages the leading edge of the label before the more narrow and of the crayon engages the label.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a label onto a small, cylindrical article, such as a dry cell battery, is disclosed. A rotatable label transport drum has a central, horizontal axis. A label is fed to the drum surface, retained thereto as the drum rotates, and moved with the rotating drum into an article wrapping position defined at the upper area of the drum. An article delivery system, such as a star transfer wheel, delivers the articles sequentially onto the drum surface. The delivery system is spaced outward from the drum surface to clear the trailing edge of the label which is outwardly positioned from the drum surface. An attractive force is imparted on the article in a direction so as to aid smooth delivery of the article onto the drum surface and the label moving therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high speed placement of labels onto containers by a continuous motion. The label stock is transferred to a rotary vacuum drum, carried by rotation of the vacuum drum to a glue application station and then to a label application station where the glue coated labels are wrapped onto containers. As the containers reach the labeling position they are already rotating so that their surfaces are moving at the same speed as the drum surface. The labeled containers are then discharged onto a conveyor where they are held against rotation and stabilized by a pair of parallel belt drives.Glue is imprinted onto each label by a roller with a patterned surface. The roller picks up glue as it rotates past a glue bar surface which emits glue from a tapered exit. The tapered configuration causes build up of suitable pressure so as to force the glue into the pattern on the glue roller. A downstream edge of the glue bar surface acts as a doctor to spread and wipe off excess glue.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a label about a container by employing a solvent activated adhesive composition. The method includes either a shrink wrap method, a mandrel wrapping method or a method employing a preformed roll of flat seamed tubular film. The roll of flat seamed tubular film is bonded at its seam by solvent activated adhesive. A roll for any of these methods with such adhesive, and a container covered by a film which includes strips of such adhesive is provided. A preferred adhesive comprises thermoplastic polyurethane with or without suitable additive.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high speed placement of labels onto containers by a continuous motion. The label stock is transferred to a rotary vacuum drum, carried by rotation of the vacuum drum to a glue application station and then to a label application station where the glue coated labels are wrapped onto containers. As the containers reach the labeling position they are already rotating so that their surfaces are moving at the same speed as the drum surface. The labeled containers are then discharged onto a conveyor where they are held against rotation and stabilized by a pair of parallel belt drives.Glue is imprinted onto each label by a roller with a patterned surface. The roller picks up glue as it rotates past a glue bar surface which emits glue from a tapered exit. The tapered configuration causes build up of suitable pressure so as to force the glue into the pattern on the glue roller. A downstream edge of the glue bar surface acts as a doctor to spread and wipe off excess glue.