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 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 for applying thin film polymer labels onto small cylindrical articles has a label transport drum with a substantially smooth, outer surface on which labels are fed. A cold adhesive that is viscous at room temperature is printed onto an area adjacent the leading edge of the label. A solvent is applied by two static wiper assemblies onto an area adjacent the trailing edge of the label. The first static wiper assembly wipes an amount of solvent onto the area adjacent the trailing edge of the label for cleaning and softening that area. A second wiper assembly applies an amount of solvent onto the area adjacent the trailing edge of the label for dissolving a portion of the label to create a tacky, bonding quality to the label and form a solvent seal bond when the trailing edge overlaps the leading edge. Solvent is applied to the wiper bodies for dispersion throughout and to the wiper tip. A plunger is formed in the drum at those areas where the trailing edges of labels are positioned.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying thin film polymer labels to small cylindrical articles such as dry cell batteries without label mismatching is disclosed. A label transport drum is rotatably mounted on a frame. Cut labels are supplied to the surface of the label transport drum as the drum is rotated. An adhesive is applied onto the area adjacent the leading edge of the label while the label is moving with the drum, and a solvent is applied onto an area adjacent the trailing edge of the label. Cylindrical articles are conveyed in tangential spinning engagement with the label transport drum and into rotative engagement with the adhesive on the leading edge of the label so as to transfer the label onto the article as the label is moved into engagement with the rotating article. A pressure plate imparts pressure against selected sides and ends of the article during wrapping to prevent mismatching of the label as the label wraps around the article.

Abstract: A chain drive is described in which the chain travel length remains constant, as well as the chain tension, in spite of changes in separation between the driving and driven sprockets. Eccentric idlers enable the chain to be initially tensioned by offsetting these eccentric idlers through a sufficient distance to establish the proper chain tension. An idler sprocket provides a pivot for the two arms that support the chain drive, thereby enabling the arms to form a "V" configuration as the linear separation of the driving and driven sprockets, mounted on opposite ends of their respective arms, is varied. The eccentric idlers wrap the chain around at least a portion of the idler sprocket's driven and driving sides.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying thin film polymer labels onto small cylindrical articles includes a label transport drum that is constructed for aiding the transfer of a label onto a cylindrical article. The apparatus includes a label transport drum having a cylindrically configured hub and cylindrical drum mounted on the hub for rotation thereabout. The drum has an outer surface on which labels are fed while the drum is rotated about the hub. A first radially extending, slotted vacuum manifold defines a label retention area and extends circumferentially around a substantial portion of the circumference of the hub. A first radially extending slotted pressure manifold is aligned circumferentially after the slotted vacuum manifold at an article wrapping position. A valve port, circumferentially aligned with the vacuum and pressure manifolds is positioned on the inner surface of the drum and communicates with the area on the drum surface where the leading edge of the label lies.