Labelling group and method for applying a plurality of labels onto respective articles

A labelling machine, comprising:

• a conveyor for conveying a plurality of articles;
• and
• a labelling group including:
• a first drum adapted to convey a strip of labels along a first path and towards a transfer station,
• a cutting mechanism adapted to cut a sequence of single labels from the strip, and,
• a second drum that is fed, in use, by the first drum with the cut single labels at the transfer station and adapted to convey simultaneously a required number of the cut single labels along a second path, and
• a gluing element, which applies, in use, glue onto the cut label and is fed, in use, with the label by the second drum,
• wherein the first drum moves, in use, at a first tangential speed at the transfer station, the second drum moves, in use, at a second tangential speed at the transfer station, and the first tangential speed is different from the second tangential speed and is adjusted, in use, based on the required number of the cut labels to be simultaneously conveyed on the second drum.

A method for applying a plurality of labels to respective articles, comprising:

• conveying a strip of labels along a first path with a first drum;
• cutting the strip to form a sequence of single cut labels as the strip is advanced along the first path;
• receiving the single cut labels with a second drum at a transfer station;
• simultaneously conveying t required number of the single cut labels with the second drum along a second path;
• selecting the required number of the single cut labels to be simultaneously conveyed on the second drum;
• advancing the first drum with a first tangential speed at the transfer station;
• and
• advancing the second drum with a second tangential speed at the transfer station, the first tangential speed being different from the second tangential speed and being adjusted based on the required number of the single labels to be simultaneously conveyed.