Object labeling machine

Apparatus for labeling objects of differing dimensions moving relative to the apparatus and adjacent thereto, comprising:

• a stationary support structure;
• a label applicator head movably supported on said support structure;
• a drive mechanism for moving said head along a predefined path of travel;
• and
• control circuitry responsive to an input signal indicative of a size of an object and control signals representative of distance of an approaching object from said head and signals representative of speed of travel of an object in the direction of said head to move said head at a rate of travel which is derived as a function of said signals representing distance and speed of travel of said object.

In a labeling system comprising a continuous motion conveyor and a labeling machine having a vertically movable applicator head, a method of labeling objects comprising the steps of:

• detecting the height of a moving object traveling toward the head and relative position of the object with respect to the head;
• prior to arrival of the object in a position in vertical alignment with the head, computing required vertical distance and direction of movement of the head for proper horizontal alignment with an upper surface of the object;
• computing the minimum rate of travel at which the head has to be moved from a current position to a position in proper horizontal alignment with respect to the upper surface of the object when the object reaches a position of vertical alignment with the head;
• moving the applicator head to a next selected position at the computed rate of travel;
• and
• controlling the head to apply a label to the object.