Label dispensing system for use with sewing apparatus

A method of dispensing labels or other flat objects from the end of a stack of labels comprising supporting the end label in the stack of labels at one edge of the end label on a shelf, and supporting the end label in the stack of labels at its opposite edge on a platform, pushing the end label in a first direction laterally off the shelf while maintaining the opposite edge portion of the end label on the platform so as to bow the end label outwardly from the stack, gripping the label, at least partially relieving the support of the end label in the stack of labels at its opposite edge on the platform, and pulling the label in a direction generally opposite to the first direction laterally from the stack off the platform.

A method of dispensing labels and the like comprising arranging the labels in a vertical stack with one edge of the bottom label in the stack resting on a shelf and the opposite edge of the bottom label resting on a movable platform, moving the movable platform from a level below the shelf to a level above the shelf, moving at least one pointed instrument laterally with respect to the bottom label and impaling the bottom label with the pointed instrument and moving the instrument laterally across the bottom of the stack of labels to push the edge of the bottom label off the shelf and bow the bottom label further toward contact with a suction head so that the bottom label is gripped by the suction head, moving the movable platform from a level above the level of the shelf to a level below the shelf, and moving the suction head and the label gripped by the suction head in a downward arc in a direction away from the platform.

A method of placing labels and the like on a work piece comprising inducing a flow of air through a suction head with a label supported by the suction of the air flow through the suction head at a position over the work piece, interrupting the flow of air through the suction head to discharge the label onto the work piece, holding the label on the work piece, attaching the label to the work piece, moving the suction head through an upward arc away from the work piece toward the bottom of a stack of labels, bowing the bottom label in the stack downwardly away from the stack toward the suction head so that the flow of air induced through the suction head holds the bottom label against the suction head, and moving the suction head through a downward arc away from the stack of labels toward the work piece.

In a process of dispensing labels from the bottom of a stack of labels, the steps of supporting the bottom label in the stack at a first edge of the label on a shelf, lifting a second edge of the label which is opposite to the first edge of the label from a level below the shelf to a level above the shelf to bow the central portion of the bottom label downwardly, pushing the bottom label laterally until the first edge of the bottom label moves off the shelf, deflecting the first edge of the bottom label away from the shelf, lowering the second edge of the bottom label, and withdrawing the bottom label from the stack.

Apparatus for applying labels and the like to a work piece comprising a housing for holding a stack of labels, said housing defining an opening at its lower end, a shelf at one end of the lower portion of said housing for supporting a first edge portion of the bottom label in a stack of labels in said housing, a platform on the side of the housing opposite to said shelf for supporting a second edge portion of the bottom label in a stack of labels in said housing, means for raising and lowering said platform, and label pushing means positioned at the lower portion of said housing for pushing the bottom label off said shelf.

Apparatus for applying labels and the like to a work piece comprising shelf means for supporting the bottom label in a stack of labels at a first edge of the bottom label, means for raising and lowering a second edge of the bottom label in the stack of labels between a level below the shelf means and a level above the shelf means, and means for moving the bottom label laterally until the first edge of the bottom label moves off said shelf means when the second edge of the bottom label is at a level above said shelf means.

A method of dispensing labels or other flat objects from the end of a stack of labels comprising supporting the stack of labels on a stationary shelf at a first edge of the end label and on a movable platform at the edge of the end label which is opposite to its first edge, pushing the end label laterally off the stationary shelf while maintaining the opposite edge portion of the end label on the platform, moving the movable platform to bow the end label out away from the stack, gripping the end label, at least partially relieving the support of the end label in the stack of labels at its opposite edge on the platform and pulling the end label laterally from the stack off the platform.