Cutting device and cutting method for cutting labels, and labelling apparatus

A cutting device for cutting labels, the labels serving for labeling bottles or cans, comprising

• a cutting element for cutting into individual labels a label strip that is provided with a plurality of labels arranged one behind the other in a direction of a length of the label strip, wherein the cutting element has a cutting tool parallel to a first axis, about which the cutting element is rotatable,
• a counter-pressure roller for placement of the label strip, wherein the counter-pressure roller is rotatable about a second axis arranged parallel to the first axis and has at least one counter-cutting bar which is provided on an outer surface of the counter-pressure roller parallel to the second axis,
• wherein the at least one counter-cutting bar has a width in a peripheral direction of the counter-pressure roller which is smaller than a length of the counter-cutting bar parallel to the second axis,
• wherein said width is such that at a cutting position, at which the cutting element makes contact with the counter-cutting bar when cutting the label, the cutting element is able to be shifted on the counter-cutting bar with respect to the width of the counter-cutting bar,
• wherein at least one of the at least one counter-cutting bar has a plurality of openings which are in communication with openings in the outer surface of the counter-pressure roller such that a label strip resting on the counter-cutting bar is held against the counter-cutting bar when a vacuum is generated within the counter-pressure-roller, wherein the counter-cutting bars are incorporated in the outer surface of the counter-pressure roller such that they do not protrude from the roller surface, and wherein the entire area of the counter-cutting bar can be used to cut or separate a label from the label strip.