Labelling apparatus and method

A method for the automated application of labels successively from a backing layer onto successive articles, said method comprising:

• feeding a supply of labels defined by a first sheet material, which is adhered to the backing layer of sheet material, towards an application point, said labels in said supply of labels joined to adjacent labels in the supply by a line of weakening and a first, leading, label is directly connected to a following label by a line of weakening, wherein the lines of weakening between the respective labels remain intact as the first sheet material and backing layer are advanced towards the application point and
• wherein, to apply the leading label to a said article the backing layer is detached from a leading portion of the leading label and said leading portion is applied to the said article and a strength of the line of weakening is provided to be such that the line of weakening between the first, leading label and the following label remains intact until a remainder of the leading label is released from the backing layer and the retention strength of the said lines of weakening between respective adjacent labels in the label supply is greater than the adhesive strength of the first sheet material to the backing layer of sheet material, such that the force required to break the line of weakening is greater than the force required to detach the first sheet material from the backing layer sheet material,
• wherein the said line of weakening is formed by a pattern of ties which extend between the trailing edge of one label and the leading edge of the adjacent label such that when the leading label is separated from the following label to allow the leading label to be applied to the article, the leading edge of the following label is formed, and
• wherein the supply of labels passes an application beak which is offset from the application point of the leading edge of the leading label and the article and which application point is located downstream of the application beak, intermediate the application beak and the article and the backing layer is separated from the first sheet material in which the labels are formed, at the application beak,
• said supply of labels advanced towards the application point in a first direction and said article advanced towards the application point in a second direction, different to said first direction, and
• wherein said advancement of said supply of labels in said first direction to the said application beak occurs with the supply of labels formed by the first sheet material adhered to the backing layer of sheet material, and said advancement between the application beak and the application point is maintained for the remaining first sheet material of the supply of labels by the retention of the lines of weakening between said adjacent labels in the supply of labels.