U.S. patent application number 09/849942 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-23 for label applicator apparatus.
Invention is credited to O'Brien, Peter James.
Application Number | 20020060223 09/849942 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 3811127 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020060223 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O'Brien, Peter James |
May 23, 2002 |
LABEL APPLICATOR APPARATUS
Abstract
Label applicator apparatus for applying a self-adhesive label to
a surface which is movable relative to the apparatus. The label is
carried on an elongate backing web having a plurality of labels
adhered to one side thereof in longitudinally spaced relationship.
The apparatus includes an edge over which the web is drawn whereby,
when a force is applied along the web which exceeds a peeling
threshold, the web is peeled away from the label and the label is
dispensed at the edge. The apparatus includes pressing means
located a set distance from the edge for pressing the label against
the surface as it is dispensed, thereby adhering the label to the
surface, and means for applying a peeling force which is greater
than the peeling threshold during dispensing of at least an initial
portion of the label which spans the set distance to initiate
dispensing of the label. The peeling force is operative during
dispensing of the initial portion of he label and is inoperative
during dispensing of the initial portion of the label and is
inoperative during dispensing of a final portion of the label,
wherein when the peeling force is inoperative, dispensing is
continued due to an additional force being exerted along the web by
a portion of the label which is adhered to the surface.
Inventors: |
O'Brien, Peter James;
(Abbotsford, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG, WOESSNER & KLUTH, P.A.
P.O. BOX 2938
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
3811127 |
Appl. No.: |
09/849942 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09849942 |
May 4, 2001 |
|
|
|
PCT/AU99/00939 |
Oct 29, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
221/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65C 9/1869 20130101;
B65C 9/0006 20130101; B65C 9/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
221/73 |
International
Class: |
B65H 005/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 4, 1998 |
AU |
PP 6913 |
Claims
1. Apparatus for applying a self-adhesive label to a surface which
is movable relative to said apparatus, said label being carried on
an elongate backing web having a plurality of labels adhered to one
side thereof in longitudinally spaced relationship, said apparatus
including: an edge over which said web is drawn whereby, when a
force is applied along said web which exceeds a peeling threshold,
said web is peeled away from said label and said label is dispensed
at said edge; pressing means located a set distance from said edge
for pressing said label against said surface as it is dispensed,
thereby adhering said label to said surface; and means for applying
a peeling force which is greater than said peeling threshold during
dispensing of at least an initial portion of said label which spans
said set distance to initiate dispensing of said label, said
peeling force being operative during dispensing of said initial
portion of said label and being inoperative during dispensing of a
final portion of said label, wherein when said peeling force is
inoperative, dispensing is continued due to an additional force
being exerted along said web by a portion of said label which is
adhered to said surface.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said peeling force is a
single force applied to said web, said force being sufficient to
initiate dispensing of said label.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said peeling force is a
combination of several forces acting together, said forces being
sufficient to initiate dispensing of said label.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1 including means for applying a
take-up force, said take-up force being below said peeling
threshold, and being provided during at least a part of said
dispensing cycle for taking up said peeled backing web from said
edge.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said means for applying
said peeling force includes said means for applying said take-up
force.
6. Apparatus according to claim 4 where said take-up force forms
part of said peeling force.
7. Apparatus for applying a self-adhesive label to a surface which
is movable relative to said apparatus, said label being carried on
an elongate backing web having a plurality of labels adhered to one
side thereof in longitudinally spaced relationship, said apparatus
including: an edge over which said web is drawn whereby, when a
force is applied along said web which exceeds a peeling threshold,
said web is peeled away from said label and said label is dispensed
at said edge; pressing means located a set distance from said edge
for pressing said label against said surface as it is dispensed,
thereby adhering said label to said surface; and means for
applying, in a first mode, a driving force and, in a second mode, a
take-up force along said backing web, said driving force being
greater than said peeling threshold to initiate dispensing of said
label, said driving force being operative over at least an initial
portion of said label which spans said set distance and being
inoperative over a final portion of said label, said take-up force
being below said peeling threshold and being sufficient to take up
said peeled backing web from said edge, and wherein, during
dispensing of said final portion of said label when said driving
force is inoperative, movement relative to said apparatus of said
surface and a portion of said label which is adhered thereto
provides an additional force along said backing web, said take-up
and additional forces together exceeding said peeling threshold to
continue dispensing of said label.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said driving force and
take-up force are both applied to said peeled or waste portion of
said backing web leaving said edge at which said label is
dispensed, so that each force acts to pull said web around said
edge.
9. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein during dispensing of said
final portion of said label, said additional force arising from
said label itself being partially adhered to said surface, acts to
pull said web toward said dispensing edge.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said additional force is
sufficient to exceed said peeling threshold.
11. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said additional force
acts in conjunction with said take-up force to exceed said peeling
threshold.
12. Apparatus for applying a self-adhesive label to a surface which
is movable relative to said apparatus, said label being carried on
an elongate backing web having a plurality of labels adhered to one
side thereof in longitudinally spaced relationship, said apparatus
including: an edge over which said web is drawn whereby, when a
force is applied along said web which exceeds a peeling threshold,
said web is peeled away from said label and said label is dispensed
at said edge; take-up means for taking up said peeled backing web
from said edge, said take-up means being adapted to apply a take-up
force to said web which is below said peeling threshold; pressing
means located a set distance from said edge for pressing said label
against said surface as it is dispensed, thereby adhering said
label to said surface; and means for applying a supplemental force
along said backing web to supplement said take-up force, said
take-up and supplemental forces together exceeding said peeling
threshold to initiate dispensing of said label, said supplemental
force being operative over at least an initial portion of said
label which spans said set distance and being inoperative over a
final portion of said label, and wherein, during dispensing of said
final portion of said label when said supplemental force is
inoperative, movement relative to said apparatus of said surface
and a portion of said label which is adhered thereto provides an
additional force along said backing web, said take-up and
additional forces together exceeding said peeling threshold to
continue dispensing of said label.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said take-up force is
present throughout a dispensing cycle.
14. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said supplemental force
is applied to initiate dispensing of said label.
15. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said take-up force is
applied to said peeled or waste portion of said backing web leaving
said edge at which said label is dispensed, to assist in pulling
said web around said edge, but not being sufficient by itself to
dispense said label.
16. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said supplemental force
is applied to a portion of said web approaching said dispensing
edge.
17. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said supplemental force
is applied to a front face of said label being dispensed, such that
said label and web are pushed toward said dispensing edge, at least
during dispensing of said initial portion of the label.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates generally to label applicator
apparatus. More particularly the invention relates to apparatus for
applying to a surface self-adhesive labels of the type provided on
an elongate backing web.
[0002] Various label applicators are known in the art for applying
this type of label but each has its own problems. One significant
problem which fails to be adequately addressed by known applicators
is their inability to apply a single label to a surface.
[0003] Some known label applicators use mechanical indexing systems
that pierce the backing web or engage registration holes
manufactured into the web to feed a predetermined length of the web
upon manual actuation of a trigger or the like. However, these
applicators can only be used with labels of a predefined type or
predefined length or range of lengths.
[0004] Other known label applicators rely on the operator to watch
for the end of the label as it is being applied and to disengage
the feed mechanism (by tilting the applicator for example) to
prevent the next label on the web from being dispensed. These label
applicators require a degree of skill on the part of the
operator.
[0005] In both of these general types of known label applicators an
external action or intervention is required to dispense and apply a
single label to a surface. Industrial or high speed repetitive
operation of such label applicators is therefore limited.
[0006] The present invention is directed to providing a label
applicator which can dispense and apply to a surface a single
self-adhesive label of indefinite length. It is also desirable for
the label applicator to achieve this without external intervention,
other than interaction between the applicator and the surface to
which the label is to be applied.
[0007] The term "self-adhesive label" as used throughout the
specification denotes a sheet of paper or other material having a
layer of pressure sensitive adhesive applied to at least a part of
its surface. One surface of the sheet may display image and/or text
matter. Examples of such self-adhesive labels include product
packaging labels, address labels, postage stamps, price stickers,
etc.
[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided apparatus for applying a self-adhesive label to a surface
which is movable relative to said apparatus, said label being
carried on an elongate backing web having a plurality of labels
adhered to one side thereof in longitudinally spaced relationship,
said apparatus including:
[0009] an edge over which said web is drawn whereby, when a force
is applied along said web which exceeds a peeling threshold, said
web is peeled away from said label and said label is dispensed at
said edge;
[0010] pressing means located a set distance from said edge for
pressing said label against said surface as it is dispensed,
thereby adhering said label to said surface; and
[0011] means for applying a peeling force which is greater than
said peeling threshold during dispensing of at least an initial
portion of said label which spans said set distance to initiate
dispensing of said label, said peeling force being operative during
dispensing of said initial portion of said label and being
inoperative during dispensing of a final portion of said label,
[0012] wherein when said peeling force is inoperative, dispensing
is continued due to an additional force being exerted along said
web by a portion of said label which is adhered to said
surface.
[0013] The peeling force may be a single force applied to the web
or it may be a combination of several forces acting together. In
either case, the resultant force on the web should be at least
sufficient to exceed the peeling threshold to initiate dispensing
of the label.
[0014] Preferably a means for applying a take-up force, which is
below the peeling threshold, is provided during at least a part of
the dispensing cycle for taking up the peeled backing web from the
edge. The means for applying the peeling force may include the
means for applying the take-up force. The take-up force may also
form part of the peeling force.
[0015] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided apparatus for applying a self-adhesive label to a
surface which is movable relative to said apparatus, said label
being carried on an elongate backing web having a plurality of
labels adhered to one side thereof in longitudinally spaced
relationship, said apparatus including:
[0016] an edge over which said web is drawn whereby, when a force
is applied along said web which exceeds a peeling threshold, said
web is peeled away from said label and said label is dispensed at
said edge;
[0017] pressing means located a set distance from said edge for
pressing said label against said surface as it is dispensed,
thereby adhering said label to said surface; and
[0018] means for applying, in a first mode, a driving force and, in
a second mode, a take-up force along said backing web, said driving
force being greater than said peeling threshold to initiate
dispensing of said label, said driving force being operative over
at least an initial portion of said label which spans said set
distance and being inoperative over a final portion of said label,
said take-up force being below said peeling threshold and being
sufficient to take up said peeled backing web from said edge,
[0019] and wherein, during dispensing of said final portion of said
label when said driving force is inoperative, movement relative to
said apparatus of said surface and a portion of said label which is
adhered thereto provides an additional force along said backing
web, said take-up and additional forces together exceeding said
peeling threshold to continue dispensing of said label.
[0020] In this embodiment the driving force and take-up force may
both be applied to the peeled or waste portion of the backing web,
leaving the edge at which the label is dispensed. In this way, each
force may act to pull the web around the edge.
[0021] During dispensing of the final portion of the label, the
additional force arising from the label itself being partially
adhered to the surface may act to pull the web toward the
dispensing edge. The additional force alone may be sufficient to
exceed the peeling threshold or it may act in conjunction with the
take-up force to exceed the peeling threshold. In either case,
dispensing of the label may be continued.
[0022] According to a still further aspect of the present invention
there is provided apparatus for applying a self-adhesive label to a
surface which is movable relative to said apparatus, said label
being carried on an elongate backing web having a plurality of
labels adhered to one side thereof in longitudinally spaced
relationship, said apparatus including:
[0023] an edge over which said web is drawn whereby, when a force
is applied along said web which exceeds a peeling threshold, said
web is peeled away from said label and said label is dispensed at
said edge;
[0024] take-up means for taking up said peeled backing web from
said edge, said take-up means being adapted to apply a take-up
force to said web which is below said peeling threshold;
[0025] pressing means located a set distance from said edge for
pressing said label against said surface as it is dispensed,
thereby adhering said label to said surface; and
[0026] means for applying a supplemental force along said backing
web to supplement said take-up force, said take-up and supplemental
forces together exceeding said peeling threshold to initiate
dispensing of said label, said supplemental force being operative
over at least an initial portion of said label which spans said set
distance and being inoperative over a final portion of said
label,
[0027] and wherein, during dispensing of said final portion of said
label when said supplemental force is inoperative, movement
relative to said apparatus of said surface and a portion of said
label which is adhered thereto provides an additional force along
said backing web, said take-up and additional forces together
exceeding said peeling threshold to continue dispensing of said
label.
[0028] In this embodiment the take-up force may be present
throughout a dispensing cycle and the supplemental force may be
applied to initiate dispensing of the label. The take-up force may
be applied to the peeled or waste portion of the backing web
leaving the edge at which the label is dispensed. The take-up force
may thus assist in pulling the web around the edge, but may not be
sufficient by itself to dispense a label.
[0029] The supplemental force may be applied to a portion of the
web approaching the dispensing edge. In one embodiment the
supplemental force may be applied to a front face of the label
being dispensed. In this way, the label and web may be pushed
toward the dispensing edge, at least during dispensing of the
initial portion of the label.
[0030] The label applicators of the invention may automatically
apply a single label to the surface without external action or
intervention. This is because the peeling force to overcome the
peeling threshold, whether that be a single driving force or the
combined action of a take-up force and a supplemental force, may be
applied to the web for the initial portion of the label only and
not the final portion. For the final portion, the label itself may
provide the additional force on the web needed to complete the
dispensing cycle. Upon completion of a dispensing cycle, when the
label is fully separated from the backing web, there may no longer
be sufficient force on the web to dispense the next label. The
take-up force may then act on the web and that take-up force, being
below the peeling threshold, may be insufficient to initiate
dispensing of the next label.
[0031] A label applicator apparatus according to the present
invention may be used for:
[0032] application of labels for a variety of purposes;
[0033] application of postage stamps when carried on a backing
web;
[0034] application of price stickers;
[0035] application of any material that is carried on a backing web
and can be removed therefrom by pulling the web around an edge,
such as an edge of a peel plate.
[0036] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0037] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional side view of a label
applicator according to a first preferred embodiment of the
invention, prior to commencement of a label application cycle;
[0038] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the label
applicator of FIG. 1 during the label application cycle;
[0039] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of a label
applicator according to a second preferred embodiment of the
invention, prior to commencement of a label application cycle;
[0040] FIGS. 4 and 5 show cross-sectional side views of the label
applicator of FIG. 3 during the label application cycle.
[0041] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show
cross-sectional side views of a first preferred embodiment of a
label applicator 10 of the invention. FIG. 1 shows applicator 10
prior to commencement of a label application cycle and FIG. 2 shows
applicator 10 during the label application cycle.
[0042] The applicator 10 is used to apply self adhesive labels 12
of the type provided on an elongate backing web 14 wherein labels
12 are carried on backing web 14 in longitudinally spaced
relationship.
[0043] A label 12A is to be applied to a surface 16 of a product 18
which is being carried along a conveyor belt (not shown). FIGS. 1
and 2 depict product 18 moving from left to right below stationary
applicator 10. However, an alternative arrangement is that product
18 is stationary and applicator 10 is moved from right to left (as
viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2) across product 18. Applicator 10 may be
used to apply a label 12A to any surface of product 18.
[0044] Applicator 10 includes a peel plate 20 having a lower edge
22 around which web 14 is drawn. When a force is applied along web
14 which exceeds a peeling threshold, label 12A is urged toward
edge 22, a waste portion 14A of web 14 is peeled away from the back
of label 12A and label 12A proceeds forward to be dispensed at edge
22 toward surface 16.
[0045] Located adjacent edge 22 is a pressing means in the form of
a rub-down roller 24. Roller 24 can freely rotate about an axis
which has a fixed position relative to peel plate 20 and its edge
22. In use, lowermost portion of rub-down roller 24 forms with
surface 16 a pinch point 26 (refer FIG. 2) which serves to press
label 12A against surface 16 to thereby adhere label 12A to surface
16. Pinch point 26 is located a set distance from edge 22, as will
be explained below.
[0046] A drive mechanism provides a peeling force along web 14
necessary to initiate dispensing of label 12A from edge 22. The
drive mechanism includes a drive roller 28 and an opposing roller
segment 30 having a limited arc of contact 32. The length of the
arc of contact 32 is equal to or greater than the set distance
mentioned above and the reason for this will be explained below.
The waste portion 14A of web 14 passes between drive roller 28 and
opposing roller segment 30.
[0047] Drive roller 28 has projecting from each of its ends an axle
member 34 on which it rotates. Axle members 34 are supported within
elongate slots 36 provided within a frame or structure of
applicator 10. Slots 36 are thus in a fixed position relative to
peel plate 20, and axle members 34 can slide within slots 36 to
enable drive roller 28 to move toward and away from opposing roller
segment 30. Drive roller 28 is spring biased towards the lower
position shown in FIG. 1 such that it is urged away from opposing
roller segment 30 and waste backing web 14A.
[0048] Roller segment 30 is rotatable about an axis which is fixed
relative to peel plate 20. In the embodiment shown, roller segment
30 is spring biased to rotate in an anti-clockwise direction toward
a starting position as shown in FIG. 1. A stop means (not shown)
may be provided to limit rotation in this direction to the starting
position.
[0049] In use, the drive mechanism (including drive roller 28 and
opposing roller segment 30) operates in a first mode to apply a
driving force to web 14 and in a second mode to apply a take-up
force. The driving force is greater than the peeling threshold
whilst the take-up force is less than the peeling threshold.
[0050] As surface 16 of product 18 is brought into contact with
drive roller 28, roller 28 is pushed upward along elongate slot 36
against the spring bias. In that position waste portion 14A of web
14 is gripped between drive roller 28 and opposing roller segment
30.
[0051] In the first mode of operation, movement of product 18 to
the right (as shown in FIG. 1) rotates drive roller 28
anti-clockwise and opposing roller segment 30 clock-wise as shown.
Web 14 is therefore pulled, with a force exceeding the peeling
threshold, around edge 22 of peel plate 20 so as to initiate
dispensing of label 12A toward surface 16 and rub-down roller
24.
[0052] This action must continue at least until the leading edge of
label 12A reaches pinch point 26, between rub-down roller 24 and
surface 16, where it is pressed onto surface 16 to be adhered
thereto. Roller segment 30 is therefore required to draw waste
portion 14A of backing web 14 for a sufficient distance to enable
leading edge of the label 12A to reach pinch point 26. The arc of
contact 32 of roller segment 30 should therefore be at least equal
to or greater than the predetermined distance, to be spanned by an
initial portion of label 12A, between edge 22 and pinch point
26.
[0053] Once the leading edge of label 12A is adhered to surface 16
it then assists dispensing of the label by providing an additional
force along web 14. From that point in the cycle onwards, the
driving force provided by drive roller 28 and opposing roller
segment 30 is no longer required. This is because the additional
force arising from adhesion of label 12A to surface 16 serves to
keep the peeling force on web 14 above the peeling threshold. Label
12A therefore continues to be dispensed by being pulled from
backing web 14 by movement of label applicator 10 across surface
16.
[0054] When roller segment 30 reaches the end of its arc of contact
32 the drive mechanism enters the second mode of operation as
depicted in FIG. 2. In this mode, the trailing edge of roller
segment 30 pushes backing web 14A against drive roller 28 with a
force determined by its spring bias. Friction between drive roller
28 and web 14 produces a take-up force or tension on web 14 which
is sufficient to take-up slack in backing web 14. This take-up
force remains present for the remainder of the dispensing
cycle.
[0055] Once label 12A is fully separated from backing web 14, web
14 may continue to be pulled around edge 22 whilst the final
portion of label 12A is pressed against surface 16 by rub-down
roller 24. However, when the next label 12B (refer FIG. 2) reaches
edge 22, the take-up force, being below the peeling threshold, will
not be sufficient to initiate dispensing of that label 12B. From
that point onwards, drive roller 28 will slip against web 14A. The
take-up force is thus predominantly determined by the friction
characteristics of the interface between drive roller 28 and web
14A and by the radial force produced against the back of web 14A by
the trailing edge of roller segment 30 through the action of its
spring bias.
[0056] After label 12A is fully adhered to surface 16, applicator
10 either passes over the left hand end of product 18 (as viewed in
FIG. 2) or is lifted from product 18. This allows the spring bias
on drive roller 28 to return that roller to the lower starting
position, thereby releasing opposing roller segment 30 and allowing
its rotational spring bias to return it to the starting position
shown in FIG. 1. Applicator 10 is thereby reset and is ready to
apply the next label 12B.
[0057] Depending on the purpose to which applicator 10 is to be
put, waste backing web 14A may be allowed to merely fall to the
floor (e.g. in a hand operated model) or it may be collected on a
pick-up spool (not shown). In one advantageous development of the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pickup spool may be driven via
a belt from rub-down roller 24. The pick-up spool may be provided
with an adjustable clutch allowing its tension to be varied so that
total pick-up force on waste web 14A remains below the peeling
threshold.
[0058] Further developments may be included to facilitate high
speed operation in an industrial environment and such developments
are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
[0059] Turning now to FIGS. 3 to 5, there is shown a second
preferred embodiment of a label applicator 40 of the invention.
Similar reference numerals are used in FIGS. 3 to 5 to denote
similar components shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 3 shows applicator
40 prior to commencement of a label application cycle, FIG. 4 shows
applicator 40 in contact with a product 18 to be labelled and FIG.
5 shows applicator 40 during the application cycle.
[0060] Similar to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
applicator 40 is used to apply self-adhesive labels 12 provided on
an elongate backing web 14. A label 12A is to be applied to surface
16 of product 18 which is being carried along a conveyor belt (not
shown) from left to right, as depicted in FIGS. 3-5, below
stationary applicator 40. Alternatively, product 18 may be
stationary and applicator 40 may be moving.
[0061] Applicator 40 includes a peel plate 20 having a lower edge
22 about which web 14 is drawn, with a peeling force exceeding a
peeling threshold, to dispense label 12A. Pressing means is
provided in the form of a roller segment 42 which forms with
surface 16 a pinch point 26 (refer FIGS. 4 and 5) to press label
12A against surface 16. Pinch point 26 is a set distance from edge
22, in a manner similar to the first embodiment described
above.
[0062] Take-up means are provided to take-up the peeled away or
waste backing web 14A. The take-up means includes a take-up roller
44 and an opposing pressure roller 46, each of which rotates about
an axis which is held in a fixed position relative to peel plate
20. Rollers 44 and 46 together apply to waste web 14A a take-up
force which is below the peeling threshold. In use, take-up roller
44 contacts surface 16 and is driven by movement of surface-16
relative to applicator 40. Because the take-up force is below the
peeling threshold, it is insufficient by itself to initiate
dispensing of label 12A.
[0063] Roller segment 42 is rotatably supported by axle members 48
fixed to and projecting from its ends. Axle members 48 are carried
in elongate slots 50 provided within a frame or structure of
applicator 40, and can therefore slide within slots 50 to enable
roller segment 42 to move toward and away from label 12A attached
to web 14 positioned on peel plate 20. Roller segment 42 is spring
biased towards the lower position shown in FIG. 3 such that it is
urged away from label 12A. Roller segment 42 is also spring biased
in a clockwise direction to a starting position as shown in FIG. 3.
A stop means (not shown) may be provided to limit rotation in that
direction to the starting position.
[0064] In use, applicator 40 engages surface 16 as shown in FIG. 4.
Roller segment 42 moves upward along slot 50 so as to contact the
face of label 12A. Relative movement between applicator 40 and
surface 16 drives take-up roller 44 and roller segment 42 in an
anti-clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 4. Friction between
roller segment 42 and the face of label 12A produces a supplemental
force along web 14. The take-up force and the supplemental force
together exceed the peeling threshold to initiate dispensing of
label 12A.
[0065] The supplemental force continues to be applied at least
until the leading edge of label 12A reaches pinch point 26 where it
is adhered to surface 16. Roller segment 42 should apply the
supplemental force for a sufficient part of the cycle to enable an
initial portion of label 12A to span the predetermined distance
between edge 22 and pinch point 26.
[0066] Once the leading edge of label 12A is adhered to surface 16
it then assists dispensing of the label by providing an additional
force along web 14. From that point in the cycle onwards, the
supplemental force is no longer required because the additional
force serves to keep the total force on web 14 above the peeling
threshold.
[0067] As the label application cycle continues; roller segment 42
continues to rotate until it reaches a position as shown in FIG. 5.
A stop means (not shown) may be provided to limit rotation to that
position. The trailing edge of roller segment 42 then defines pinch
point 26 such that label 12A is then rubbed against surface 16.
[0068] Once the label 12A is fully separated from backing web 14,
as shown in FIG. 5, web 14 may continue to be pulled around edge 22
by take-up roller 44, whilst the final portion of label 12A is
being rubbed against surface 16 by roller segment 42. When the next
label 12B reaches edge 22, the take-up force, being below the
peeling threshold, will not be sufficient to initiate dispensing of
the next label 12B. Beyond that point, take-up roller 44 will slip
against web 14A.
[0069] Upon completion of a label application cycle product 18
passes from applicator 40. The translational and rotational spring
biases on roller segment 42 then return that roller segment 42 to
its starting position as shown in FIG. 3. Applicator 40 is thereby
reset and is ready to apply the next label 12B.
[0070] Finally, it is to be understood that various alterations,
modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the
constructions and arrangements of parts previously described
without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.
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