Device and method for applying labels

Abstract

A device for applying labels to a label carrier with an increased degree of automation, and having a movable rack which defines a plurality of magazine sites, each of the magazine sites being configured for accommodating a label magazine that is suitable for accommodating a large number of labels, and which includes docking means with the aid of which the rack can be docked to a labelling unit prepared for applying the individual labels from a selected label magazine to the label carrier, and further comprising a supply unit through which a selected label magazine can be transferred from the magazine site within the rack to an operating position at which the labels are taken hold of by the labelling unit and applied individually to one of the label carriers. Also, a method of applying labels to a label carrier, in particular a bottle, including the steps of printing and punching the labels in a label production area and depositing them immediately afterwards in a label magazine which accommodates a large number of labels, and transferring a plurality of full label magazines then simultaneously and in a predetermined arrangement relative to one another from the label production area to a label application area where the labels are removed from a selected label magazine and applied one by one to the label carrier.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.