# US 8,540,836 B1 · Method for applying coded labels to cable > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,836 B1 - Document ID: US8540836B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/220,323 - Filed: 2011-08-29 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2007-10-11 - Assignees: Southwire Company - Applicants: William K. Hardin; Richard R. Miller; Henry L. Adams - Inventors: William K. Hardin; Richard R. Miller; Henry L. Adams - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540836B1 ## CPC - G09F 3/10: by an adhesive layer - B65C 3/02: Affixing labels to elongated objects, e.g. wires, cables, bars, tubes - G09F 3/205: {specially adapted for electric cables, pipes or the like} - H01B 7/368: {being a sleeve, ferrule, tag, clip, label or short length strip} - Y10T 156/1002: with permanent bending or reshaping or surface deformation of self sustaining lamina - Y10T 156/1028: by bending, drawing or stretch forming sheet to assume shape of configured lamina while in contact therewith - Y10T 156/1033: Flexible sheet to cylinder lamina - Y10T 156/1051: by folding - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS - 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)} - H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K}) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Flexible indicia bearing labels are placed on armored electrical cable at spaced apart intervals while the cable is being moving continuously from an armoring station to a takeup reel or accumulator. A label dispenser places labels in a U shaped recess of a body which is moveable toward engagement with the cable. Opposed rollers fold one edge of the label over into engagement with the surface of the cable and the other edge of the label over onto itself in overlapping relationship. The cable is passed through a heat tunnel to shrink the labels into tight engagement with the cable. A controller monitors movement of the cable and controls actuators for applying and folding labels onto the cable at spaced apart intervals. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for labeling armored electrical cable between an armoring station for said cable and a takeup reel for storage of said cable, the cable having an outermost sheath with convolutions defining alternating peaks and valleys, the method comprising the steps of: applying, using a machine, a plurality of separate labels having a label substrate with an attaching side and an opposed indicia side, to the outermost sheath of the armored electrical cable such that the attaching side contacts the outermost sheath, each separate label being applied circumferentially to said cable at spaced apart points on said cable while said cable traverses between said armoring station and said takeup reel, the labels being applied to contact the outermost sheath for substantially the entirety of the label and to cover at least one peak of the convolutions of the outermost sheath. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method set forth in claim 1, including the step of: providing indicia on said labels indicating one of a physical characteristic of said cable and an electrical characteristic of said cable. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method set forth in claim 2, wherein: indicia is provided identifying a wire gauge size of said cable. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method set forth in claim 3, wherein: indicia is provided indicating an electrical performance specification of said cable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method set forth in claim 1, including the step of: providing an adhesive surface on said labels opposite respective sides of said labels having indicia thereon; placing said labels in contact with said cable; and folding opposed edges of said labels over into engagement with a surface of said cable and a surface of said label, respectively. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method set forth in claim 5 wherein: said labels are placed in contact with said cable while said cable traverses substantially linearly and continuously between said armoring station and said takeup reel. ### Claim 7 A method for labeling metal clad armored electrical cable comprising plural elongated electrical conductors having a metal armoring strip wrapped thereover in helical convolutions to form an outermost circumferential metal cladding having repeated peaks and valleys along the length of said cable, said method being carried out by placing labels, the labels having a substrate with an attaching side and an opposed indicia side, to an exterior surface of said outermost metal cladding at spaced apart intervals between an armoring station wherein said metal strip is applied over said conductors and a takeup reel for said cable, comprising the steps of: placing said labels circumferentially around said metal cladding at spaced apart intervals of said cable while said cable is moving continuously between said armoring station and said takeup reel, the labels being applied such that the attaching side is oriented and attached to the outermost metal cladding for substantially the entirety of the label and adhering said labels tightly to said cable on an exterior surface of said metal cladding; and wherein each of said labels is non-conductive and circumferentially covers at least one respective peak of the metal cladding. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method set forth in claim 7, including the step of: placing indicia on said labels, respectively, indicating one of a physical characteristic of said cable and an electrical characteristic of said cable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method set forth in claim 7, including the step of: providing an adhesive surface on said labels respectively, for adhering said labels to said cable while said cable moves continuously. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method set forth in claim 9, including the step of: folding opposed edges of said labels over onto said exterior surface and onto said labels, respectively, to apply said labels circumferentially to said cable. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method set for in claim 10, including the step of: further treating said labels to adhere said labels tightly to said cable. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method set forth in claim 11, including the step of: heating said labels to shrink said labels into tight engagement with said cable. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein placing said labels further comprises applying said labels using a machine. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein placing said labels further comprises slightly overlapping opposed edges of the label body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein opposed edges of said label body slightly overlap one another. ### Claim 16 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising at least partially conforming said labels to the peaks and valleys of said metal cladding.