Patent ID: 6427746
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: B65C,Y10T

Abstract:
A labeling apparatus for applying labels to articles comprising:a rotary bellows wheel having a plurality of radially-spaced expandable bellows wherein rotation of the bellows wheel cycles each bellows between a label pick-up position and a label application position; each bellows having a distal bellows end for carrying a label which has a distal bellows end opening therein and being expandable when subjected to pressure; a respective flexible coil tube arranged within each bellows, the flexible coil tube having a distal end in fluid communication with the distal bellows end opening; a partition member positioned in an interior portion of each of the bellows adjacent the distal end thereof defining a distal end chamber in fluid communication with the distal bellows end opening; and wherein the distal end of the flexible coil tube is in fluid communication with the distal end chamber; and a pressure controller for selectively applying pressure and vacuum to each of the bellows and separately to each of the respective flexible coil tubes as the bellows wheel rotates.