Label injector for hemming machines

A label injector for placing labels in the hems of towels, or the like, is disclosed. The labels are extracted from a vertical magazine onto the surface of a wheel by a combination of suction into openings on the surface of the wheel and upward movement of the magazine. The wheel is then rotated until the extracted label passes through a slot in the adjacent hemming track into the hem being folded. Suction is terminated, releasing the label, and the wheel is returned to its original orientation to receive another label. Other embodiments disclose a magazine for double thickness labels, and an applicator carrying a belt in a peripheral groove to assist in moving the labels.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for placing labels 
in position for being sewn onto a moving textile web, such as a towel, and 
more particularly relates to placing labels into the folds of a hem before 
the hem is sewn. 
BACKGROUND ART 
Manufacturers of web-like textile products, such as towel, blankets and 
sheets, usually sew an identifying label into a hem of the product. Many 
manufacturers utilize automatic equipment which moves the product past a 
folding device and then a sewing machine to form and sew the hem. The 
label can be inserted manually into the folds of the hem before sewing, or 
one of several automatic label injecting machines can be used. In general, 
the problems faced when automating the label injection process include the 
difficulty of withdrawing one label at a time from a supply of labels, 
presenting the label in proper orientation to the textile product during 
the formation of the folds of the hem, and preventing the motion of the 
product from disorienting the label before it can be sewn in place. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,157l,692 discloses a label dispensing system which removes 
from a vertical stack contained in a housing by bowing the bottom label 
down to a suction head which grasps the label. Then the suction head moves 
in an arc lying in a plane perpendicular to the path of a towel through 
about 180 degrees, to a positioning suspending the label over the path of 
the towel. When an approaching towel is detected, a separate clamp traps 
the label against the towel as the suction is terminated, and the suction 
head returns to a position below the stack of labels. 
This system requires many moving parts, first to assure that only one label 
is acquired by the suction head, and also because the suction cannot 
simply deposit the label on the towel. The transverse relative movement of 
the suction head could tend to catch the label on the towel, causing the 
label to be misaligned. Thus, the head must suspend the label above the 
towel. Nor can the suction head simply drop the label onto the towel, 
because the movement of the towel could cause misalignment. Even if the 
towel were stopped for placement of the label, an inefficient step leading 
to increased cost, the label could float out of alignment. 
Other swinging suction head systems have turned the arc of the suction head 
into the plane parallel to the path of the towel, but many of the same 
problems are still encountered. In one such system, the label dispenser is 
slightly inclined to the horizontal, and the suction head is operated to 
move into the magazine to engage the next label, pull it out of the 
magazine, and swing it down to the path of the towel. The label passes 
through a slot in the hemming track that folds the edge of the towel in a 
hem. This system requires complex control apparatus to precisely time the 
movement of the suction head. 
Another automatic label handling system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,505,467, according to which a suction head pulls a label off the bottom 
of an inclined dispenser holding a plurality of labels. A fork moving in 
the plane of the label then pushes the label off the suction head, after 
which it drops into an inclined chute where it is trapped by belts and fed 
down onto the towel. Another belt picks up the label in a conventional 
manner and holds it on the towel along the path to the sewing needle. It 
may be seen that this device depends upon the fork sliding the label off 
the suction head without folding or buckling the label, and releasing the 
label to let it free fall into the chute, all without changing the 
orientation of the label. Again, a relatively large number of moving parts 
is required, and it appears they must be carefully aligned to result in 
the label reaching the towel in proper alignment with the hem. IN 
practice, problems have arisen with one version of this system in which 
the belts in the chute were driven by the movement of the towel. The belts 
in the chute tended to lose synchronization of speed and to turn the 
labels travelling down to the towel. 
Other label handling systems are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,305,338; 
4,590,872; and 4,682,446. These systems position labels for sewing, but do 
not relate to inserting labels in hems. 
Thus, there has long been a need in the art for a label injector capable of 
selecting a single label from a supply of labels and placing the label 
with consistent accuracy into the hem of a moving towel or other textile 
item, without slowing down the production rate of towels being hemmed. 
There has also been a need for such a label injector which has few moving 
parts, and can easily be moved away from the path of the towels to permit 
access to the injector and to other parts for maintenance. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention addresses the problems in the prior art by providing 
a label injection system in which an applicator member grasps a label and 
moves it into contact with a moving workpiece, such as a towel, for sewing 
into a hem, without disrupting the orientation of the label. The system is 
consistently accurate in selection of one label at a time, and in 
placement of the labels on the workpiece, although it is less complex than 
prior, less consistent, devices. 
Generally described, the present invention provides an apparatus for 
placing labels or the like onto a moving workpiece, comprising a magazine 
containing a plurality of the labels; an applicator wheel positioned 
between the magazine and the workpiece and rotatable about an axis 
perpendicular to the direction of movement of the workpiece, the 
applicator wheel including means for removing a label from the magazine 
and retaining the label on the applicator wheel; means for rotating the 
applicator wheel relative to the workpiece while the label is retained on 
the applicator wheel until the label is located between the applicator 
wheel and the workpiece; and means for releasing the label from the 
applicator wheel, whereby the label is placed upon the workpiece. 
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the wheel may define a 
peripheral surface for receiving the label, and the means for removing and 
retaining the label may comprise means for creating suction through an 
opening in the peripheral surface toward the interior of the wheel. 
Preferably, the peripheral surface defines a flattened portion surrounding 
the opening and a shoulder along the trailing edge of the flattened 
portion. The peripheral surface may further define a circumferential 
groove and a belt positioned in the groove, the belt crossing the opening 
and extending above the peripheral surface to engage the label. There is 
no need to stop the workpiece as the label is applied, because the 
peripheral surface can be moved at substantially the same speed as the 
workpiece. 
In the preferred embodiment, the means for removing and retaining the label 
comprises means for creating suction through an opening in the peripheral 
surface toward the interior of the wheel. The means for creating suction 
can comprise a hollow axle with which the wheel rotates, a radial bore 
connecting the interior of the axle with the opening, and means for 
passing air through the axle across the entrance to the radial bore. The 
operation of the apparatus can be activated responsive to detection of an 
approaching workpiece. 
The present invention also provides an apparatus for sequentially removing 
labels or the like, comprising a magazine containing a plurality of the 
labels, the magazine including a withdrawal opening and a lip extending 
partly across the withdrawal opening in the path of the labels; a suction 
head positioned adjacent to the withdrawal opening, the suction head being 
capable of grasping the label present at the withdrawal opening; and means 
for moving the magazine away from the suction head, such that the label 
grasped by the suction head is pulled from behind the lip and removed from 
the magazine. This feature of the invention assists greatly in assuring 
that one label at a time is removed from the magazine. 
The present invention also provides a method of placing labels or the like 
onto a moving workpiece, generally comprising the steps of withdrawing a 
label from a magazine by applying suction to the label from an opening on 
the peripheral surface of a wheel positioned between the magazine and the 
workpiece; retaining the label on the wheel; moving the wheel relative to 
the workpiece while the label is retained on the peripheral surface until 
the label is positioned between the wheel and the workpiece; and releasing 
the label from the wheel, whereby the label is placed upon the workpiece. 
Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved 
apparatus and method for placing labels or the like onto a workpiece, such 
as a towel, or other textile web, for attachment to the workpiece. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a label injector 
which accurately places labels into the hem of a moving textile web or 
other workpiece. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a label injector 
which transfers a label from a label magazine to a textile web without 
passing the label between different parts of the injector or releasing the 
label prior to its placement on the textile web. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a label injector 
which consistently retrieves a single label from a magazine and 
consistently places the label in the proper orientation on a moving 
textile web. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a label injector 
which can be accessed easily for maintenance, removed easily when 
necessary, and replaced without any need to readjust the injector relative 
to the sewing apparatus on which it is mounted. 
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will 
become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of 
embodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the 
accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring now in more detail to the drawing, in which like numerals refer 
to like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a label injector 
apparatus 10 embodying the present invention. The label injector 10 is 
positioned upstream of a sewing machine needle 12 above a table 14, along 
which a towel 15, or other workpiece, is being moved toward the sewing 
machine needle. 
The label injector 10 includes a frame 18 which supports and allows 
adjustment of the moving parts of the label injector. The frame, shown in 
FIGS. 1-5, includes a horizontal mounting plate 20, which is rigidly 
clamped by means (not shown) to the structure of the table 14. A vertical 
mounting plate 22 defining a vertical slot therein is welded to the front 
edge of the horizontal mounting plate 20, and extends upwardly. A length 
of angle iron 23 is connected to the vertical plate 22 by a bolt 24. It 
will be seen that by loosening the bolt 24, the height of the angle 23 can 
be adjusted along the slotted plate 22, and the tilt of the angle 23 can 
be adjusted by rotation about the bolt 24. To stabilize the tilt position 
of the angle 23, a pair of set screws 25 and 26 at opposite ends of the 
angle 23 are tapped through the angle 23 until they engage the top surface 
of the horizontal plate 20. 
The angle 23 defines a horizontal slot 28 near its center, and a vertical 
support member 30 is adjustably mounted to the angle by means of a bolt 31 
passing through the slot 28 and threaded into a tapped hole in the 
vertical member 30. A magazine support member 33 is pivotally attached to 
the vertical member 30 by a conventional pivot joint 34 which can be 
locked in position by a locking screw 35. The support member 33 preferably 
is a vertically oriented angle ion defining a flange 37 which extends 
rearwardly in a plane at right angles to the length of the angle 23. A 
pneumatic cylinder 38 is mounted on the flange 37 with a piston rod 39 
extending downwardly from the cylinder 38 and being biased in the down 
position by a spring 40 shown in FIG. 6. The cylinder 38 is provided with 
air pressure through a supply line 43 in a manner described below. A pair 
of vertical slots 36 are provided in the magazine support member 33. The 
front surface of the support member is preferably coated with a 
friction-reducing material such as Teflon tape. 
A label magazine 45 includes a back wall 46, a pair of side walls 47, and a 
pair of front flanges 48, which together form an elongate, upstanding 
channel in which labels 52 can be stacked. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 
1 a pair of inwardly directed lips 49 are mounted at the bottom of the 
side walls 47, to prevent the labels from falling out of the magazine 45. 
The magazine 45 is slidably attached to the magazine support member 33 by 
a pair of mounting screws 50 passing through the slot 36 into tapped holes 
in the support member 33, but not tightly binding the magazine against the 
support member. The vertical position of the piston rod 39, which is 
removably connected to the back wall 48 by a horizontal screw 41 which 
passes from the interior of the magazine 45 through the back wall 48 and 
passes through a ring 42 attached to the end of the piston rod 39. As will 
be explained in detail below, the operation of the piston rod reciprocates 
the magazine vertically along the slots 36 during operation of the label 
injector 10, preferably a distance of about one-half inch. 
It may thus be seen that the magazine 45 may be moved horizontally along 
the slot 28 and tilted from side to side by rotation about the bolt 31 
independently of the tilting of the angle 23, and locked by the bolt 31. 
It may also be tilted front to back about the pivot joint 34 and held in 
position by the locking screw 35. 
The walls of the magazine 45 are preferably made of a smooth material such 
as plexiglass or stainless steel, so that the labels 52 will not bind as 
they make their way down the magazine. A follower 53 may be place on top 
of stack of labels 52 in the magazine to maintain the orientation of the 
labels and provide some weight forcing the bottom label against the lips 
49. This assists in assuring that only one label at a time is retrieved by 
the suction apparatus described below. 
A pair of mounting brackets 55 and 56 extend downwardly from the angel 23 
on opposite sides of the magazine 45. At the bottom of the bracket 55, a 
conventional pneumatic rotary actuator 60 is mounted. The rotary actuator 
60 may be, for example, that sold under the brand name FESTO DSR16-182. 
The function of the device is to rotate a shaft 61 through a certain arc 
(which is adjustable ) and to return the shaft to its original position. 
The rotary actuator 60 is supplied with air under pressure through two air 
lines 62 and 63 for providing rotary motion in opposite directions. 
A bearing 65 is mounted at the bottom of the other bracket 56. Journalled 
in the bearing 65 is a hollow axle 66, which extends to a coupling 67 
which joins the axle 66 to the shaft 61 of the rotary actuator 60. At its 
central portion, the axle 66 passes through an applicator wheel 70, which 
defines an axial bore 71 for receiving the axle 66. The rotary actuator 60 
causes the wheel 70 and axle 66 to move together as the axle turns within 
the bearing 65. 
The applicator wheel 70 also defines a pair of radial bores 72, shown in 
FIG. 6, which communicate with the axial bore 71 at one end, and extend 
while diverging in the shape of a "V" to a pair of openings 73 in the 
peripheral surface 75 of the wheel 70. An exemplary wheel, without 
limitation thereto, might have a diameter of three inches, a peripheral 
surface one inch wide, and two bores 72 each having a diameter of 
three-eights of an inch. 
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the applicator wheel 70 is positioned 
between the bottom of the magazine 45 and the top of the workpiece 15. The 
wheel is offset from the center of the magazine toward the center of the 
workpiece. A flattened area or suction platform 80 is formed surrounding 
the location of the openings 73 in the peripheral surface 75, creating a 
shoulder 81 at the trailing edge of the platform 80, as best shown in FIG. 
3. Preferably, the platform 80 is coated with a friction enhancing 
substance 82, such as silicon carbide powder placed in a layer of a 
conventional adhesive. The purpose of the substance 82 is to inhibit 
sliding of a label 52 being held on the platform 80. The rotary actuator 
is set so that at one extreme of travel of the wheel 70 (counterclockwise 
or upward rotation as viewed in FIG. 3), the platform 80 an the openings 
73 are directly under the magazine 45. In a manner described below, such 
is created in the radial bores 72, causing the bottom label 52 to be 
pulled from the magazine onto the platform 80. 
The mounting plate 20 of the label injector 10 is positioned so that the 
wheel 70 is located just inside a hem folding track or cams 83 of 
conventional construction. The cam 83 gradually guides the edge of the 
towel first upwardly and then over onto itself in a manner well known to 
those skilled in the art. A slot 84 is provided in the cam 83 at the 
intersection of the peripheral surface of the wheel 70 with the plane of 
the cam 83. The slot 84 allows the portion of a label extending laterally 
from the surface of the wheel to be carried within the fold being formed 
by the cam just before the material of the towel is folded over itself. 
A skirt 78, formed of smooth, flexible metal or plastic, is attached to the 
front of the magazine and closely follows the contour of the wheel 70 to a 
position generally under the wheel. The skirt 78 passes through the slot 
84 in the folding cam 83 and terminates short of the down position of the 
platform 80 as shown in FIG. 9. The skirt is not essential to the 
operation of the invention, although it tends to improve the consistency 
of performance. 
The interior of the axle 66 and the applicator wheel 70 is shown in FIG. 6. 
The axle 66 defines a longitudinal passageway 85 which is divided into 
three sections. An entrance section 86 is adjacent to the bearing 65, and 
receives a pneumatic fitting 87 threaded into a tapped opening at the end 
of the entrance section 86. The fitting 87 is connected to an air line 88 
which supplies positive air pressure to the passageway 85. Such air passes 
into a venturi throat 90 at the other end of the entrance section 86. The 
venturi throat opens into an exit section 91, which defines a radial 
opening 92 positioned to communicate with the radial bore 72 of the 
applicator wheel 70. As noted above, the end of the axle 66 is attached to 
the coupling 67. The coupling 67 is hollow, and the exit section 91 
communicates with the interior chamber 94 of the coupling 67. Several 
exhaust openings 95 are formed in the coupling connecting the chamber 94 
with the exterior. 
Thus, it will be seen the pressurized air forced into the entrance section 
86 is regulated by the venturi 90 and passes around the radial bores 72. 
The air exiting the venturi throat expands, adding to the negative 
pressure created in the radial bores and at the openings 73. The air 
passes on through the exit section 91, into the chamber 94, and out the 
openings 95 to atmospheric pressure. In the preferred embodiment, the 
entrance section may be 1.75 inches long and 5/16 inch in diameter, the 
venturi section 1/2 inch long and 7/64 inch in diameter, and the exit 
section 2.25 inches long and 3/8 inch in diameter. The radial bores may be 
approximately 3/8 inch in diameter, and separated by about 3/16 inch at 
the platform 80. The bridge of material of the platform separating the 
openings 73 prevents labels from being sucked into the bores 72. Those 
skilled in the art will realize that such dimensions may be varied 
according to the available air supply, the nature of the labels, and the 
construction of the magazine. It will also be apparent that a vacuum pump 
could be connected to the radial bores 72 to provide suction at the 
openings 73. 
Referring now to FIG. 2, a belt 99 passes around a pulley 98, positioned 
above the path of the workpiece between the wheel 70 and the sewing 
machine 12. The lower run of the belt 99 extends closely adjacent to the 
path of the workpiece through and beyond the point at which the sewing 
machine sews a hem stitch into the workpiece. Thus, the belt 99 holds down 
a label released onto the workpiece from the wheel 70. 
An infrared scanner 102 of conventional construction is positioned between 
the wheel 70 and the sewing machine 12, and is capable of detecting the 
passing of the leading edge of the workpiece. The scanner 102 may be 
mounted from the structure of the table 14 or attached to a bar (not 
shown) mounted on the label injector mounting plate 20. Preferably, the 
position of the scanner is made adjustable. 
A normally closed reset limit switch 104 is positioned to be struck by a 
projection 105 on the rotary actuator 60 when the wheel 70 has travelled 
downwardly a distance sufficient to orient the platform 80 over the 
workpiece. The opening of the limit switch 104 results in the return of 
the wheel to tis original position through the operation of a control 
circuit described below. 
The label injector 10 is operated using two control circuits, one of which 
is the pneumatic control circuit 110 shown in FIG. 6. A source of 
pressurized air at 60-80 PSI, preferably 80 PSI, is connected to the air 
lines 43, 62, 63, and 88. The line 43, connected to the cylinder 38, 
includes a solenoid operated valve 112 and a metering valve 113. The lines 
62 and 63, connected to the down and up ports, respectively, of the rotary 
actuator 60, include solenoid operated valves 114 and 115, and metering 
valves 116 and 117. The line 88 includes a solenoid operated valve 118. 
The solenoid valves operate the piston rod to move the magazine, switch 
the rotary actuator position, and turn the suction on and off. Details of 
the operation are set out below. 
An electrical control circuit 120, shown in FIG. 7, operates the solenoid 
valves. A 24 volt power supply 122 is turned on and off by a power switch 
123, supplying power to the infrared scanner 102, solenoid valve 115 
(rotary actuator up), and to a three pole, double throw relay 125 when the 
scanner detects a workpiece and closes contacts 102a. The relay may be, 
for example, a Potter & Brumfield Model AMF KRP A14BN relay. Energization 
of the relay 125 closes contacts 125a, operating solenoid valves 118 
(suction on) and 112 (magazine up). Activation of the scanner 102 also 
closes contacts 102a and energizes a time delay relay 126, which times out 
and provides a signal after about 0.3 seconds. Timing out the relay 126 
closes contacts 126a, operating solenoid valve 114, providing air pressure 
to the down port of the rotary actuator. Timing out of the relay 126 also 
opens normally closed contacts 126b, which deactivates solenoid valve 116, 
terminating air to the up port of the rotary actuator. 
The relay 125 is also connected to the power supply in parallel through 
contacts 125c, and the normally closed limit switch 104. Thus, the closing 
of the scanner contacts 102a energizing the relay 125 is immediately 
followed by closing of the contacts 125c, which maintain power to the 
relay until motion of the rotary actuator 60 opens the limit switch 104, 
deactivating the relay 125. At this event, the relay contacts 125a, 125b, 
and 125c reverse, and the suction is turned off. Furthermore, deactivation 
of the relay 125 also resets the time delay relay 126, opening contacts 
126a and closing normally closed contacts 126b. This causes the wheel 70 
to return to its up position under the magazine. When the workpiece clears 
the scanner 102, the contacts 102a and 102b open, leaving the circuit in 
its original state. 
In operation of the label injector 10, the operator may load the magazine 
45 by sliding a stack of labels 52 down the magazine until they engage the 
lips 49. The follower weight 53 is placed on top of the stack of labels. 
The operator then turns on the power switch 123 and feeds the workpiece 
15, such as a towel, into the hemming apparatus in a conventional manner. 
As the towel passes under the scanner 102, the scanner sends a signal 
closing contacts 102a and 102b. The relay 125 is energized, as well as the 
time delay relay 126. This results in switching of the valve 118 to allow 
pressurized air to flow through the axle 66, creating a vacuum at the 
openings 73 at the air escapes the venturi section 90 and flows past the 
opening 92 in the axle. The lowermost label 52 of the stack is pulled 
partially out of the magazine 45 against the platform 890 on the 
applicator wheel 70. Since the wheel 70 is offset with respect to the 
magazine, the label extends laterally beyond the peripheral surface of the 
wheel toward the edge of the towel being hemmed. The position of the 
components at this point in operation of the system is shown in FIG. 8A. 
At the same time, the valve 112 is switched, supplying air to the piston 
38, raising the piston rod 39 and the magazine 45 about one half inch. As 
shown in FIG. 8B, the upward motion of the magazine extracts the label 52 
from the lips 49 of the magazine. This procedure has been found to extract 
only one label at a time in a very consistent manner. The skirt 78 is 
sufficiently flexible that is not removed from the folding cam 83 during 
upward motion of the magazine to which the skirt is attached. 
Following the extraction of a label, the time delay relay 126 times out, 
and the switching of contacts 126a and 126b causes valves 114 and 116 to 
switch. Air is cut off from the up port of the rotary actuator 60 and is 
supplied to the down port, resulting in the rotation of the applicator 
wheel 70 toward the front as shown in FIG. 8C. The wheel 70 rotates 
through an angle of about 180 degrees to the position shown in FIG. 9. 
During motion of the wheel, the label is positioned against the shoulder 
81 of the platform 80 formed in the wheel, and the roughened surface 82 of 
the platform tends to prevent movement of the label relative to the wheel 
as the label travels under the skirt 78. As the label approaches the 
folding cam 83, the extending end of the label passes through the slot 84 
in the cam 83, clears the end of the skirt 78, and is in position to be 
folded into the hem being formed by the cam. The skirt 78 prevents the 
pile or loop material of the towel from disorienting the label as it 
passes under the wheel. 
When the wheel 70 reaches the position shown in FIG. 9, with the label 
positioned above the web of the towel 15 and within the folded hem, the 
projection 105 on the moving portion of the rotary actuator 60 trips the 
limit switch 104. This deenergize the relay 125. Opening of the contacts 
125a switches back the valve 112 to allow the magazine to move back to its 
original down position, and switches back the valve 118 to remove the 
vacuum from the openings 73. The label 52 is thus released onto the towel 
115. Opening of the contacts 125b resets the time delay relay. Upon the 
opening of the contacts 126a and closing of the contacts 126b, the air 
pressure is removed from the down port of the rotary actuator 60 and 
connected to the up port. The wheel 70 thereby rotates back up to position 
the platform 80 under the magazine. The limit switch 104 is released and 
once again closes. 
The movement of the towel 15, which has not slowed or stopped during the 
insertion of the label, continues as the wheel rotates back to its 
starting position. After the label is released, it is immediately trapped 
within the hem as the towel material is folded across the label by the 
shape of the cam 83. The label is carried within the hem until it is 
pressed against the towel by the belt 99 and subsequently sewn into the 
hem at the sewing machine 12. When the trailing end of the towel clears 
the scanner 102, the scanner resets, opening the contacts 102a and 102b. 
Now the injector system is ready to place a label on the next towel 
inserted by the operator. 
Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11, a second embodiment 160 of a label 
injector according to the present invention is shown. The mounting 
structure, magazine construction, vacuum system, and control systems are 
similar to those described above in connection with the first embodiment. 
A peripheral groove 177 is formed in the peripheral surface around the 
circumference of a wheel 170. A belt 197, preferably having a round cross 
section, is received in the peripheral groove 177 of the wheel 170. The 
belt 197 wraps around the side of the wheel facing away from the sewing 
machine 12, and also passes around a double pulley 198 positioned above 
the path of the workpiece between the wheel 170 and the sewing machine 12, 
in place of the pulley 98 previously described. Thus, the horizontal run 
of the belt 197 between the bottom of the wheel 170 and the pulley 198 
passes closely adjacent to the path of the workpiece 15 on the table 14. 
At the pulley 198, the hold down function of the belt 197 is transferred 
to the belt 97 described above. 
As shown in FIG. 11, the wheel 170 according to the second embodiment has 
only one radial bore and one surface opening 173. The belt 197 crosses the 
opening 173 and serves to prevent labels from being sucked into the 
opening. During operation, the belt helps to position the label on the 
moving wheel 170, the holds the label on the towel immediately after the 
label is released from the suction platform of the wheel. As the wheel 
returns upwardly, it slips within the belt. 
FIG. 12 shows an alternate embodiment of a label magazine 145 for use with 
thicker labels 152, particularly those labels that have been folded into a 
double thickness prior to insertion into the magazine. Most prior label 
injectors cannot successfully handle such labels. The magazine 145 
includes a back wall 146 and side walls 147 which are angled downwardly 
toward the front of the magazine. Front corner flanges 148, longer than 
the back wall 146, retain the labels within the magazine. A follower 153 
having an angled bottom portion is placed on the stack of labels. No 
bottom lips corresponding to the lips 49 in the first embodiment are 
utilized. 
As shown in FIG. 12, the magazine 145 is positioned forward of the center 
of the applicator 70, and the labels 152 rest directly on the peripheral 
surface of the wheel 70 at an angle. When the suction is turned on, the 
bottom label is adhered to the platform of the wheel, and the shoulder 
assists in separating the bottom label from those above. The thickness of 
the labels is such that only one label will be removed. The magazine is 
not raised during label extraction as was the ease with the first 
embodiment described above. As the wheel turns, the remaining labels 152 
are held within the magazine by the passing smooth surface of the wheel 
70. When the platform returns, the shoulder slips past the trailing edge 
of the next label, when then lies on the platform until the next towel is 
fed through the apparatus. 
It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a greatly improved 
method and apparatus for placing labels into the hem of towels moving 
through a hemming apparatus. The label injector of the invention 
consistently extracts a single label and accurately places it into the hem 
being formed. The label injector can easily be removed from the production 
line without altering its internal adjustments, and itself has few moving 
parts. The label is transferred positively onto the moving towel without 
exchange between various transfer elements as was common in the prior art. 
Little opportunity exists for the label to become disoriented during the 
transfer process. 
While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference 
to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that variations 
and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the 
invention as described hereinbefore and as defined in the appended claims.