Apparatus and method for transferring labels from a label magazine for in-mold labeling prior to blow molding

Label transfer apparatus for use in transferring labels from a label magazine for in-mold labeling prior to blow molding, the label transfer apparatus comprising:

• a rotary table;
• a plurality of transfer heads each of which is mounted on the rotary table for movement thereof adjacent the label magazine which stores a stack of labels with an exposed end from which the labels are sequentially dispensed;
• each transfer head including a pair of vacuum openings through which a vacuum is supplied;
• and
• an actuator for moving the transfer heads relative to the table with a rolling motion to engage one of the vacuum openings with the label at the exposed end of the label magazine and to initially pull an extremity of that label away from the label stack and thereby permit air to move behind the label, to subsequently pull an intermediate portion of the label away from the label stack and thereby permit more air to move behind the label, and to finally engage the other vacuum opening with the label to pull an opposite extremity of the label away from the label stack in a manner that permits high speed labeling.

Label transfer apparatus for use in transferring labels from a label magazine for in-mold labeling prior to blow molding, the label transfer apparatus comprising:

• a rotary table;
• a plurality of transfer heads each of which is mounted on the rotary table for movement thereof adjacent the label magazine which stores a stack of labels with an exposed end from which the labels are sequentially dispensed;
• each transfer head including a pair of vacuum openings through which a vacuum is supplied;
• and
• an actuator including a rotary actuator member for moving the transfer heads relative to the table with a rolling motion to engage one of the vacuum openings with the label at the exposed end of the label magazine and to initially pull an extremity of that label away from the label stack and thereby permit air to move behind the label, to subsequently pull an intermediate portion of the label away from the label stack and thereby permit more air to move behind the label, and to finally engage the other vacuum opening with the label to pull an opposite extremity of the label away from the label stack in a manner that permits high speed labeling.

A method for transferring labels from a label magazine for in-mold labeling prior to blow molding, the label transferring method comprising:

• moving a transfer head adjacent the label magazine which stores a stack of labels with an exposed end from which the labels are sequentially dispensed;
• drawing a vacuum through a vacuum opening of the transfer head;
• and
• moving the transfer head with a rolling motion to engage the vacuum opening with the label at the exposed end of the label magazine and to initially pull an extremity of that label away from the label stack and thereby permit air to move behind the label, to subsequently pull an intermediate portion of the label away from the label stack and thereby permit more air to move behind the label, and to finally pull an opposite extremity of the label away from the label stack in a manner that permits high speed labeling.

A method for transferring labels from a label magazine for in-mold labeling prior to blow molding, the label transferring method comprising:

• moving a plurality of transfer heads on a rotary table so as to pass sequentially adjacent the label magazine which stores a stack of labels with an exposed end from which the labels are sequentially dispensed;
• drawing a vacuum through vacuum openings of the transfer head;
• and
• rotating the transfer heads by a rotary actuator with a rolling motion to engage the vacuum openings with the label at the exposed end of the label magazine and to initially pull an extremity of that label away from the label stack and thereby permit air to move behind the label, to subsequently pull an intermediate portion of the label away from the label stack and thereby permit more air to move behind the label, and to finally pull an opposite extremity of the label away from the label stack in a manner that permits high speed labeling.