Corner label applicator system and method

Abstract

An applicator system and method for automatically applying and securing an adhesive backed (or gummed) label onto a corner surface of a typically three-dimensional, right-angle polygonal object such that the body of the label is applied and adhered to one surface (usually one major surface) of the object and one flap (or usually two) continuous with the body of the label is applied and adhered to a side of the object adjacent the one surface. The applicator system includes an applicator head to receive the adhesive backed label, mechanically secured to an applicator arm which serves to move the applicator head relative to the object. The applicator head includes a backer plate and a tamping mechanism (or tamper plate) connected in spaced relationship through helical (or other) springs to the backer plate, whereby a label applied to the tamping mechanism is applied to the corner surface through spring force of the helical springs which press the label onto the corner surface but are sufficiently resilient to permit movement of the backer plate orthogonal to the tamper plate and, thus, relative to the corner surface. The applicator head includes, typically, two flat, electrically conductive elongated brushed whose longitudinal axes are perpendicular to one another, the plane of the brushes being parallel to one another and to the backer plate, prior to wiping over the flap(s). The applicator head and brushes causes the label body and flap(s) to be thereby pressed onto the corner surface and the sides at the corner surface of the object.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.