Apparatus and process to apply adhesive during labeling operations
AssigneeNordson Corporation
InventorsWesley C. Fort, Eric Lingier, Leslie J. Varga
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A labeling apparatus and method for applying individual labels onto individual objects moving along a conveyor includes a label delivery mechanism configured to hold a plurality of the labels and operable to deliver individual ones of the labels adjacent to the conveyor. A non-contact adhesive spray applicator including at least one nozzle having a plurality of individual adhesive discharge orifices may be positioned and arranged to discharge adhesive from the orifices onto either the labels or the objects such that the labels may be respectively adhered to the objects.
Claims34
A method of applying adhesive to labels, the method comprising:
- cycling an adhesive applicator open and closed to dispense adhesive from a plurality of orifices spaced from a first label and a second label adjacent the first label;
- contacting the adhesive with the first label at a plurality of spaced apart locations, each location spaced from a trailing edge of the first label to form a first pattern of adhesive such that the space between the first pattern of adhesive and the trailing edge of the first label is void of adhesive;
- and
- contacting the adhesive with the second label at a plurality of locations spaced from a leading edge of the second label to form a second pattern of adhesive such that the space between the second pattern of adhesive and the leading edge of the second label is void of adhesive;
- wherein the adhesive is applied to the trailing edge of the first label and the leading edge of the second label simultaneously.
A method of adhering individual labels to individual objects, comprising:
- moving the individual objects along a conveyor;
- positioning the labels adjacent to the conveyor;
- intermittently applying adhesive from a plurality of orifices in a nozzle of a non-contact adhesive applicator onto either the labels or the objects as separate adhesive patterns along areas of each label spaced from respective leading and trailing edges thereof;
- and
- adhering the individual labels respectively onto the individual objects;
- wherein spraying separate adhesive patterns further comprises:
- spraying adhesive from a first plurality of orifices along the leading edge of each label, and
- spraying adhesive from a second plurality of orifices along the trailing edge of each label.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.