Patent ID: 6913662
Filing Date: 2005-07-05
Classification: B65C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of applying a label to a substantially planar moving web of material being conveyed along a path of travel, the method comprising the steps of: conveying said web of material through at least one predefined label discharge zone disposed along said path of travel; providing at least one label discharge mechanism disposed in spaced apart relation from said web of material; conveying a flexible carrier strip supporting said label around a take-off structure disposed in spaced apart relation from said web of material, such that as said carrier strip is conveyed around said take-off structure, a leading edge of the label disengages from the carrier strip and projects away from said take-off structure and into contact with an underside portion of said label discharge mechanism; holding said label in contact with said underside portion of said label discharge mechanism while moving said label discharge mechanism away from said take-off structure such that said label is separated from said take-off structure; and forcibly discharging said label away from said label discharge mechanism onto said moving web from a position set in spaced apart relation from said moving web, such that said label is discharged away from said label discharge mechanism without interference by said take-off structure, wherein said label discharge mechanism comprises a reversible vacuum grid for holding said label in contact with the underside portion of said label discharge mechanism prior to discharge and wherein said reversible vacuum grid is pressurized during discharge to force said label towards said moving web of material, said label discharge mechanism being adapted to move around a pivot point such that said vacuum grid is moveable in pivoting articulating fashion to translate said label upwardly and laterally away from said take-off structure suck that upon separation from the take-off structure said label is raised away from the lake-off structure and the moving web prior to discharge.