# US 8,540,003 B2 · Labeling apparatus

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- Number: US 8,540,003 B2
- Document ID: US8540003B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/937,317
- Filed: 2009-04-16
- Published: 2011-05-05
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2008-04-16
- Assignees: Catchpoint Limited
- Applicants: Michael Cooper
- Inventors: Michael Cooper
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540003B2

## CPC

- B65C 9/18: Label feeding from strips, e.g. from rolls
- B65C 9/1876: {and being transferred by suction means}
- B65C 9/1896: {the labels being torn or burst from a strip}
- B65C 2009/0009: {by means of a peeling tip}
- Y10T 156/12: Surface bonding means and/or assembly means with cutting, punching, piercing, severing or tearing
- Y10T 156/1317: Means feeding plural workpieces to be joined
- Y10T 156/1322: Severing before bonding or assembling of parts
- Y10T 156/1339: Delivering cut part in sequence to serially conveyed articles
- B65C: LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES (nailing or stapling in general B25C, B27F; applying labels for packaging purposes B65B; labels, name-plates G09F ){(series-printing machines B41L; containers for the storage or transport of packages B65D)}
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The invention relates to apparatus which can be used to apply self adhesive labels (2) from a label supply (14,100), with said apparatus requiring no or very little alteration to allow the same to be used to apply labels which are provided on a backing layer or labels which are provided from a linerless label supply. This allows the use of the apparatus to be significantly wide ranging while ensuring that the accuracy of application is still maintained.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Apparatus for the application of self adhesive labels sequentially from a supply of self adhesive labels, said apparatus including means for moving the self adhesive labels web from the supply to an application point, said application point including means to cause release of the leading label from the web of self adhesive labels and expose the said released label to be further transported and/or applied to an article and wherein said apparatus is, or can be adapted to be, capable of operation with a supply of labels with a backing layer and a supply of labels without a backing layer and wherein lines of weakening are provided between adjacent labels on the label web and the lines of weakening include at least one slit which is located so as to engage with a location formed on a beak or blade provided to break the line of weakening, the means for moving the labels from the roll to the application point includes at least two movement means which act on the labels to move the same and at least one of the said movement means is located so as to act on the non-adhesive side of the label supply, further movement means act on the adhesive side of the label either directly in the case of linerless self adhesive label supplies or on the backing layer onto which the adhesive surface of the label is applied the said further movement means incorporates at least one belt provided in a split configuration in which there is provided a central belt and a belt on either side thereof and wherein the central belt can be driven independently of the said side belts.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the blade or beak which is used is of a form that is changeable between a first form to allow the release of a label from a linerless roll of self adhesive labels and a second form to allow the release of a label from a roll of self adhesive labels with a backing layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the two forms of blade or beak are provided on the same component.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the beak or blade is provided at different locations and selectively used dependent upon the particular form of the roll of self adhesive labels being applied at that time.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the movement means which act on the non adhesive side of the self adhesive label is provided in a form so as to encourage movement of the self adhesive label web towards the application location and away from the movement means acting on the adhesive side of the label supply.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the movement means include the generation of an air flow to enhance the movement of the labels and ensure that the label supply releases from the belt acting on the adhesive side.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive is applied to the label surface in a series of strips with at least one gap left between said strips and which gap is exposed at least one edge of the label.