Label applicator

A label applicator for applying a label to an article in motion along a given path, the applicator comprising:

• label printing means;
• for providing a printed label at a label feed position, positioned alongside the article path in a plane parallel thereto said means mounted for vertical adjustment to an expected median article height;
• label transport means, located adjacent to the label printing means, that moves to the label feed position where it is not over the article path and obtains the printed label and then moves vertically to an article intercept position and pivots outwardly and over the article path to apply the label on the article;
• means for locating the label feed position and transmitting label feed position data to a controller;
• article detection means which measures the article height and transmits article height and position data;
• and
• a controller which receives the data on label feed position, and article position, directs label printing;
• label transporting;
• and label application in accordance with that data and then return the label transport inwardly and away from the article path.

A label applicator for applying a label to an article conveyed along a given path, the applicator comprising:

• a label means including a printer, a label supply, and a take up system, mounted on a fixed column alongside the article path for vertical adjustment to locate a label feed position at a predetermined height;
• a label transport assembly;
• means for determining label feed position data;
• an article detection means which determines article geometry and article position data;
• and
• a controller which receives the label feed position data, the article geometry data and the article position data;
• determines a home position where the label transport assembly is aligned with the label feed position and is not over the article path;
• directs the printer to print the label;
• directs the label transport assembly to the home position where it receives and retains the label;
• directs the label transport assembly to an article intercept position as defined by the article geometry data;
• pivots the label transport assembly outwardly and over the article path where it applies the label to the article;
• and, returns the label transport assembly to return to the home position.