Apparatus and method for applying labels onto small cylindrical articles using improved film feed and cutting system

A method for delivering cut labels to a label transport drum comprising:

• supplying a continuous length of label film having indicia thereon defining leading and trailing edges of labels,
• feeding the film onto the surface of a cutting drum that defines a label transfer area spaced adjacent to the label transport drum, the cutting drum further comprising an outwardly extending cutter blade for engaging a stationary blade at a defined cut point as the cutting drum rotates, and a relief portion positioned before the cutting blade where the trailing edge of the label is positioned, wherein the cut point is positioned an arcuate distance from the label transfer position less than the length of the label to be cut so that the film area corresponding to the leading edge of the label is initially transferred onto the label transport drum before cutting,
• synchronizing the speed of the advancing film with the rotating speed of the label transport drum so that indicia defining respective trailing edges of labels are sequentially positioned at the cut point as the cutting drum rotates while the leading edge of the label is being transferred onto the label transport drum,
• cutting the film at the cut point to form a cut label, and
• rotating the cutting drum and label transport drum further so that an outwardly projecting portion of the label transport drum which extends beyond the radius of cutting drum moves into the area defined by the relief portion, while transferring the trailing edge of the label onto the outwardly projection portion of the label transport drum.

An apparatus for applying a label onto a small, cylindrical article comprising

• a label transport drum having an outer surface with predetermined label areas on which labels are received and moved into an article wrapping position as the drum is rotated, each label area including means extending outward from the surface of the drum for positioning the trailing edge of the label outward from the drum periphery,
• a cutting drum positioned adjacent the label transport drum and being spaced from the label transport drum a distance less than the distance the trailing edge positioning means extends, and defining a label transfer area where label material is transferred from the cutting drum onto the label transport drum, said cutting drum including,
• a) a cutter knife positioned on the cutting drum surface,
• b) means for retaining the film fed onto the cutting drum,
• c) means spaced from the periphery of the cutting drum and defining a cut point for engaging the cutter knife and cutting the retained film into labels,
• d) a relief portion positioned adjacent and before the cutter blade and dimensioned to receive the outwardly extending means of the label transport drum,
• e) means for transferring the film onto the label transport drum as the film moves into the label transfer position,
• means for rotating said label transport drum and said cutting drum in synchronism with each other so that the outwardly positioned portion of the label transport drum moves into the relief portion at the label transfer position and the trailing edge is subsequently transferred onto the outwardly extending portion of the label transport drum,
• means for applying an adhesive onto the area adjacent the leading edge of the label,
• means for applying a solvent onto the outwardly positioned trailing edge of the label, and
• means for delivering small cylindrical articles into tangential spinning engagement with the surface of the drum and into rotative engagement with the leading edge of the label as the label is moved into an article wrapping position and into engagement with the rotating article so that the label wraps about the article.

An apparatus for delivering a label onto the surface of a label transport drum comprising:

• a label transport drum having an outer surface with predetermined label areas on which labels are received, each label area including means extending outward from the surface of the drum for positioning the trailing edge of a received label outward from the drum periphery,
• a cutting drum positioned adjacent the label transport drum and being spaced from the label transport drum a distance less than the distance the trailing edge positioning means extends, and defining a label transfer area where label material is transferred from the cutting drum onto the label transport drum, said cutting drum including,
• a) a cutter knife positioned on the cutting drum surface,
• b) means for retaining the film fed onto the cutting drum,
• c) means spaced from the periphery of the cutting drum and defining a cut point for engaging the cutter knife and cutting the retained film into labels,
• d) a relief portion positioned adjacent and before the cutter blade and dimensioned to receive the outwardly extending means of the label transport drum,
• e) means for transferring the film onto the cutting drum as film moves into the label transfer position, and
• means for rotating said label transport drum and said cutting drum in synchronism with each other so that the outwardly positioned portion of the label transport drum moves into the relief portion at the label transfer position and the trailing edge is subsequently transferred onto the outwardly extending portion of the label transport drum.