Label applicator

A label applicator apparatus for applying printed labels having an adhesive backing at a discrete location on an article surface to each of a stream of articles being conveyed along a path, comprising:

• a) printer means for printing a stream of successive printed labels, each label having a printed side and an adhesive side;
• b) transfer means for sequentially positioning each label adjacent the printer means;
• c) a machine frame positioned adjacent the printer means;
• d) a label pickup pad that is moveably supported by the frame between a first pickup position and multiple selected applicator positions;
• e) the combination of the printer means and the transfer means defining means for positioning the label with the adhesive surface facing the label pickup pad when the pickup pad is in the first pickup position;
• f) the pad having means for sensing when the pad and an attached label have engaged an article;
• g) control means for moving said label holding pad between the pickup point and a selected horizontal or vertical side of the article upon which the label is to be affixed, the selected horizontal or vertical sides being programmable into the control means via a computer;
• and
• h) control means for moving the pad between the pickup position and the multiple applicator positions, the multiple applicator positions being programmable into the control means in relation to selected X and Y coordinates of the surface of the article via a computer.

A method of applying a printed label to discrete locations on a preselected surface of each article in a stream of conveyed articles traveling on a conveyor path comprising the steps of:

• a) generating a plurality of labels with a label printer, each label having an adhesive face;
• b) printing printed matter on a face of the label opposite the adhesive face;
• c) discharging labels in sequence from an output port of the printer after printing the label with the printer;
• d) placing each label that is discharged from the output port on a transfer surface at a pickup point, wherein the label adhesive surface faces the transfer surface when the label is on the transfer surface;
• e) picking up the label from the pickup point with a moving label applicator that moves between the pickup point and a label application position spaced away from the pickup point and wherein the label applicator has a pickup pad with a pad surface that is generally sized and shaped to conform to the size and shape of the label;
• f) using a source of vacuum associated with the label applicator to hold the printed side of the label to the label applicator so that the adhesive side of the label does not adhere to the label applicator;
• g) moving the label applicator and the label picked up to a position adjacent a selected horizontal or vertical side of one of a series of articles to be labeled and traveling on the conveyor path;
• h) selectively applying the label to a selected location on the article corresponding to the X and Y coordinates of the article surface to which the label is to be applied, the selected location being selectable by programming said location X and Y coordinates into a computer controlling movement of the pad surface by contacting the article with the label applicator and the adhesive side of the label by engaging the article with the pad surface;
• and
• i) returning the pad surface of the label applicator to the pickup point when the next label is transferred from the printer output port to the pickup position.

A method of applying a printed label having an adhesive surface on an adhesive side and having a printed side to discrete locations on a preselected surface of each article in a stream of conveyed articles traveling on a moving conveyor along a conveyor path comprising the steps of:

• a) placing each label in sequence on a transfer surface that has a pickup point, wherein the label adhesive surface faces the transfer surface;
• b) picking up the label from the pickup point with a moving label applicator that moves between the pickup point and a label application position spaced away form the pickup point and wherein the label applicator has a pickup pad with a pickup surface that is generally sized and shaped to conform to the side and shape of the label;
• c) using a source of vacuum associated with the label applicator to hold the printed side of the label to the label applicator so that the adhesive side of the label does not adhere to the label applicator;
• d) moving the label applicator and the label picked up to a position adjacent a selected horizontal or vertical side of one of a series of articles to be labeled and traveling on the moving conveyor;
• e) selectively applying the label to a selected location on the article corresponding to the X and Y coordinates of the article surface to which the label is to be applied, the selected location being selectable by programming location coordinates into a computer controlling movement on the pickup surface by contacting the article with the label applicator and the adhesive side of the label by engaging the article with the pickup surface of the pad;
• and
• f) returning the pickup surface of the label applicator to the pickup point when the next label is transferred from the printer output port to the pickup position.