Patent Publication Number: US-2015083337-A1

Title: Labeling apparatus including spring-loaded applicators

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/883,098, filed on Sep. 26, 2013 and entitled “BOTTLE LABEL ROLLER APPLICATOR,” the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     An automated labeling apparatus and methods are described herein. More particularly, an automated labeling apparatus and method for applying labels having fluid activatable adhesive onto containers, such as containers, cans, or jars using spring-loaded applicators is described herein. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For over 50 years, automated machines have been used to apply labels onto containers, such as bottles, cans or jars. Typically these machines utilize cold glue or hot melt adhesives which are applied by a roller onto a pad prior to pickup and then the labels are transferred onto another pad or drum which in turn applies it to a container. Conventional automated labeling machines include those manufactured by Krones AG in Germany or Krones, Inc. in Franklin Wis. (Krones AG and Krones, Inc., being referred to herein as “Krones”). 
     SUMMARY 
     An automated labeling apparatus and methods include a spring-loaded applicator that, in response to contact of a container with the spring-loaded applicator, exerts a force against the container to assist in joining a label with an activated adhesive to the outer surface of the container is described herein. More particularly, a spring-loaded applicator having a conformable surface and a tunable force application is described herein. The automated labeling apparatus and methods provide a greater contact area between the apparatus and the label while the label is being placed on a container by using a spring-loaded applicator that applies a customizable or tunable force against the label. The automated labeling apparatus and methods also reduce scuffing and skimming on a label through variable speed matching capabilities. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     In one aspect, an apparatus for applying labels to containers, includes a guidance mechanism configured to provide a path for receiving a plurality of labels having a back surface with a fluid activatable adhesive that is non-tacky until activated. The guidance mechanism including at least one rotatable transfer member having a plurality of pallets. Each of the pallets has multiple openings for communication of suction to enable at least one of the pallets to receive and releasably secure a front of the labels onto at least one pallet, and one or more rollers connected to each of the pallets by one or more tunable complaint members. The apparatus also includes an adhesive activation station aligned with at least a portion of the guidance mechanism and configured to apply to the back surface of said labels a fluid to activate said adhesive along said back surface of said labels, and a label application station configured to apply at least one of said labels with said activated adhesive onto an exterior surface of a corresponding object located on a rotatable platform, wherein the label application station includes a servo motor configured to drive a linear speed and a rotational direction of the platform. 
     In another aspect, an apparatus for applying labels to containers, the apparatus includes a guidance mechanism configured to provide a path for receiving a plurality of labels having a back surface with a fluid activatable adhesive that is non-tacky until activated, the guidance mechanism including at least one rotatable transfer member having a plurality of pallets. Each of the pallets has a first applicator including a first roller mechanism and connected to the transfer member; a second applicator including a second roller mechanism and connected to the first applicator; and one or more tunable-complaint members connected to the first applicator, to the second applicator, and to the transfer member; multiple openings for communication of suction to enable at least one of the pallets to receive and releasably secure a front of the labels onto at least one pallet, and one or more rollers connected to each of the pallets by one or more by one or more tunable-complaint members. The apparatus also includes an adhesive activation station aligned with at least a portion of the guidance mechanism and configured to apply to the back surface of said labels a fluid to activate said adhesive along said back surface of said labels; and a label application station configured to apply said labels with said activated adhesive onto an exterior surface of a corresponding object located on a rotatable platform, wherein the label application station includes a servo motor configured to drive a linear speed and a rotational direction of the platform. 
     Implementations can include one or more of the following features. 
     In some implementations, the apparatus further includes a dispensing magazine for retaining a plurality of individual labels in a stack and a second rotating transfer member arranged in close proximity to individual labels and including at least one pallet thereon, the at least one pallet having multiple openings for communication of suction to enable the second rotating transfer member to receive and releasably secure a front of the labels onto the at least one pallet. 
     In certain implementations, the second rotating transfer member further comprises one or more valves to selectively control communication of suction to a selected subset of the multiple openings based on a size of the label, each of the valves being associated with a particular one of the multiple openings. 
     In some implementations, the apparatus further includes: one or more sensors for sensing the linear speed, the rotational direction, or both the linear speed and rotational direction of the rotatable transfer member and of the rotatable platform; and a controller configured to control the servo motor in response to the sensors. 
     In certain implementations, the one or more tunable complaint members is one or more springs. 
     In some implementations, the one or more rollers are arranged to form a concave surface on each of the pallets. 
     In certain implementations, the rotatable platform rotates at a linear first speed and the rotatable transfer member rotates at a linear second speed. 
     In some implementations, a length of the one or more rollers at least as long as a longest length of the labels. 
     In some implementations, each pallet includes a plurality of rollers connected to each of the pallets by one or more tunable-complaint members, wherein the plurality of rollers are arranged in at least two rows. 
     In certain implementations, each of the one or more rollers independently connects to the pallets by one or more by one or more tunable-complaint members. 
     In some implementations, a force exerted by the one or more by one or more tunable-complaint members is variable. 
     In certain implementations, the apparatus further includes a container-handling device for receiving containers at an inlet, rotating the containers on the rotatable platform through the label application station, and directing the containers with the labels applied thereon to an outlet. 
     In some implementations, the at least one rotating transfer member further comprises one or more valves, each of the valves being associated with a particular one of the multiple openings, to selectively control communication of suction to a selected subset of the multiple openings based on the size of the label. 
     In certain implementations, the one or more rollers are configured to apply a force to about 50% of a surface of the label. 
     In some implementations, the apparatus further includes a dispensing magazine for retaining a plurality of individual labels in a stack and a second rotating transfer member arranged in close proximity to individual labels and including at least one pallet thereon, the at least one pallet having multiple openings for communication of suction to enable the second rotating transfer member to receive and releasably secure a front of the labels onto the at least one pallet. 
     In certain implementations, the second rotating transfer member further includes one or more valves to selectively control communication of suction to a selected subset of the multiple openings based on the size of the label, each of the valves being associated with a particular one of the multiple openings. 
     In some implementations, the apparatus further includes one or more sensors for sensing of the linear speed, the rotational direction, or both the linear speed and rotational direction of the rotatable transfer member and of the rotatable platform; and a controller configured to control the servo motor in response to the sensors. 
     In certain implementations, the first applicator is configured to apply a leading edge of the label to the container and the second applicator is configured to remove complete the label application. 
     In some implementations, the one or more tunable-complaint members are springs. 
     In certain implementations, the rotatable platform rotates at a linear first speed and the rotatable transfer member rotates at a linear second speed. 
     In some implementations, the force exerted by the one or more by one or more tunable-complaint members is variable between the first applicator and the second applicator. 
     In certain implementations, the apparatus further includes a container-handling device for receiving containers at an inlet, rotating the containers on the rotatable platform through the label application station, and directing the containers with the labels applied thereon to an outlet. 
     In some implementations, the at least one rotating transfer member further comprises one or more valves, each of the valves being associated with a particular one of the multiple openings, to selectively control communication of suction to a selected subset of the multiple openings based on the size of the label. 
     In certain implementations, the one or more rollers are configured to apply a force to about 50% of a surface of the label. 
     In some implementations, further includes a spring-return cam mechanism attached to first roller mechanism and the second roller mechanism. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent from a reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating a labeling apparatus. 
         FIG. 2A  is the perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2B  is same perspective view as  FIG. 2A  with the first rotating transfer member partially broken to show the adhesive activation station along the second rotating transfer station. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a portion of the labeling apparatus of  FIG. 1  including the transfer pallets of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a portion of the labeling apparatus of  FIG. 1  including the transfer pallets of  FIGS. 7A-7B . 
         FIG. 4  is cross-sectional view of one of the labels of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one of the transfer pallets compatible with of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one of the pallets mounted to the first rotating transfer member of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7A  is a side view of one of the transfer pallets compatible with of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of one of the transfer pallets including rows of individually spring-loaded rollers. 
         FIGS. 8A-8E  are schematic views showing the relative motion of a bottle (not shown) passing through the applicator pallet, which includes a plurality of rollers. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of one of the pallets of  FIG. 1  showing the application of a label to a bottle. 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of a transfer pallet configured for applying a label to a narrow container. 
         FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of the pallet of  FIG. 10A  retaining a label. 
         FIG. 10C  is a perspective view of the pallet of  FIG. 10B  applying the label to a bottle  20 . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a multiple transfer pallets of  FIG. 10A  mounted to the first rotating transfer member of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 12A-C  are perspective views of a transfer pallet configured for applying a label to a narrow container. 
         FIGS. 13A-13E  are perspective views of the transfer pallet of  FIG. 12B  and various bottle shapes. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A,  2 B, and  3 A-B, an apparatus  10  for automatically applying labels to containers is shown Apparatus  10  employs an inlet conveyor section  12 , an outlet conveyor section  14  and rotating bottle-transfer members  16  and  18  for transferring bottles  20  from the inlet conveyor section to a rotating platform or turret  22 , and also for removing bottles  20  from the rotating turret  22  to the outlet conveyor section  14 , respectively, after the bottles have been directed through label application station  24 . However, in some embodiments an in-line system that does not require the use of a rotating turret to handle the bottles, or other containers, during the label application operation can be used. Bottle-transfer members  16  and  18  are not shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  for purposes of illustration. 
     It should be understood that the construction of the inlet conveyor section  12 , the outlet conveyor section  14 , the inlet-rotating member  16 , the outlet-rotating member  18 , and the rotating turret  22  would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, Krones manufactures a line of rotary labeling equipment including the inlet conveyor section  12 , the outlet conveyor section  14 , the rotating container-transfer members  16  and  18 , and the rotating turret  22  of the type that can be employed in the present systems and methods. Therefore, a detailed discussion of these features is not required herein. 
     The apparatus  10  also includes two transfer members  34  and  51  that are used to transfer a label from a magazine  42  that retains a stack  45  of labels to the bottles  20 . More particularly, during use, the first rotating transfer member  34  uses a suction based pallet (e.g., a transfer pallet  32 ) to remove a non-activated label from the magazine  42  and transfer the label to a pallet on the second rotating transfer member  51 . Once the label is secured on the second rotating member, the label is removed from the transfer pallet  32  on the first rotating member and vacuum flow through the openings in the first pallet ceases based on the automatic vacuum modulation mechanism described above in relation to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A-B, and  3 A-B. 
     Subsequently, a fluid is applied by an adhesive activation station  54  and the activated label is then applied to the bottle. 
     More particularly, multiple transfer pallets  32  are mounted on the first rotating transfer member  34  (rotated in the direction of arrow  36 ) through support shafts  33   a  mounted for oscillatory motion relative to the support shaft (as represented by the arrows  35  and  35 A). The transfer member  34  rotates along a shaft  33   a  and along a pair of mounting plates  33   a  and  33 . A support shaft  33   a  extends between the mounting plates  33   a  and  33 . This oscillatory motion is provided by a cam drive arrangement. Exemplary cam drive arrangements for rotating a transfer member are known to those skilled in the art. 
     In the one example, transfer pallets  32  are oscillated in the counterclockwise direction of arrow  35 A, as viewed in  FIG. 2A . Transfer pallets  32  are directed sequentially by the rotating transfer member  34  to a transfer station  40 . The transfer station  40  includes a magazine  42  retaining a stack  45  of the labels  21 , which are pre-cut, therein. A label is transferred from the transfer station  40  by application of a vacuum to the transfer pallet  32 . More particularly, contact between suction cups on the pallet and the label cause the plunger to be depressed and a vacuum to be applied to a vacuum cup on the transfer pallet  32  to retain the label on the transfer pallet  32 . The label continues to be retained on the transfer pallet  32  during rotation of the transfer member  34  by continued application of the vacuum. In some examples, any linear movement or rotation In some examples, a motor (e.g. a servo motor) causes the linear movement or rotation of the components described herein. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the transfer pallets  32  with the labels  21  thereon are then rotated by the first rotating transfer member  34  to a second rotating transfer member  50  (rotated in the direction of arrow  51 ). This second rotating transfer member  50  has a plurality of applicator pallets  52 . Each applicator pallet has a cam operated label retaining (or gripping) members or fingers  53  disposed about the periphery thereof for engaging the label  21  carried by the transfer pallets  32  and transferring the labels to the second rotating transfer member  50 . Each of the retaining members  53  grip in order to receive upon its associated applicator pallets  52  the labels  21  carried on the transfer pallets  32 . The retaining members are configured, e.g., timed, for release upon the application of compression. In this case, the compression of the rollers on the container will trigger the release of the label so that he label may move freely. Later, at label application station  24 , the retaining members  53  are positioned to release labels. During the transfer of the labels to the second rotating transfer member  50 , the transfer pallets  32  are oscillated in the counterclockwise direction of arrow  35 A, as viewed in  FIG. 2A . 
     While in the example described above in relation to  FIGS. 2A-2B , the label is secured to the second rotating transfer member  50  by label retaining (or gripping) members or fingers  53  disposed about the periphery thereof for engaging the labels  21 , other methods can be used to secure the labels to the second rotating transfer member. For example, the applicator pallet  52  can include a suction based pallet for securing the labels. In such arrangements, the label is transferred by application of a vacuum to the applicator pallet  52 . In this case, the applicator pallet  52  continues to retain the label  21  during rotation of the second rotating transfer member  50  by continued application of the vacuum. More particularly, the applicator pallet  52  includes one or more holes (or openings) along the back surface. One or more of these holes are in communication with a vacuum source. As such, a vacuum can be applied through the transfer pallet (e.g., through one or more rollers to retain the label  21  during the rotation of the second rotating transfer member). The size, number, and location of the holes or openings can vary based on the size and weight of the labels to be applied by the apparatus  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , each label (or media)  21  has a printable layer  21   a  formed on the front side of a stock, media, or facesheet  21   b,  and a back side  21   c  with a solvent (fluid) sensitive adhesive agent layer  21   d  (such as a polymer type adhesive) which possesses no tack in its dry or non-activated state. Layer  21   d  enables label  21  to become tacky along its back side layer  21   d  becomes tacky upon application of activation fluid  19 , which is supplied at adhesive activation station  54 , as described later below. One the adhesive is activated, this enables the label to adhere along its back surface to a variety of article surfaces, such as paper, cardboard, metal, as well as glass and plastics. In the example of  FIG. 1 , the bottle  20  in the case of bottles may be glass or plastic. Exemplary liner-free labels  21  and activating fluid  19  activation fluid  19  are described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,334,336 titled “Fluid Activatable Adhesives and Fluids for Activating Same for Use with Liner-Free Labels” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,334,335 titled “Fluid Activatable Adhesives and Fluids for Activating Same for Use with Liner-Free Labels”, the contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The printable layer  21   a  may be a pre-printed layer of ink(s) providing the desired label for container  20  bottle  20  as typical of labels applied to containers. Typically, all labels in the stack  45  are identical for a given set of bottle  20  being processed by the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A,  2 B, and  3 , the second rotary transfer member  50 , with labels  21  thereon, is directed through an adhesive activation station  54  in order to change the a solvent sensitive adhesive agent layer  21   d  to a tacky state so as to permit the label to be securely and effectively adhered to the outer surface of a bottle  20  along its back side  21   c  (preferably a curved outer surface of a bottle, where presented thereto at label application station  24 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2B , adhesive activation station  54  has one or more fluid dispensing mechanisms (e.g., sprayer  54   a ) for application of the pressurized activation fluid  19  onto labels  21 . The activation fluid can be a combination of one or more solvents, such as water and/or low boiling point alcohols. In some examples, the activation fluid does not contain any suspended or dissolved solids in the liquid (e.g., the fluid is a blend of one or more neat drying solvents and/or water) and only contains solvents. In some examples, the solvents can have low enough vapor pressures so that they can evaporate in room temperature environmental conditions. By utilizing volatile solvents and including no suspended solids in the activation fluid, any liquid that is released and not applied to the labels (overspray) will dry cleanly, thereby reducing cleanup and maintenance of the apparatus  10 . Each of the one or more sprayers  54   a  may be a nozzle with a valve that is held in a fixture  54   b  (depicted schematically as a block in  FIGS. 1 and 4B ). Each nozzle receives activation fluid  19  via a tube  39  from a source of such fluid, as depicted by container  37  in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . The nozzle&#39;s valve is actuated when needed to apply activation fluid  19  to wet label  21  as it moves through the adhesive activation station  54 . The timing of spraying of activation fluid  19  for different run speeds of apparatus  10  is enabled by a control system. For example, the nozzle of each of the one or more sprayers  54   a  may be an air-assisted nozzle, however, any sprayer mechanism may be used so that an adequate amount of activation fluid  19  is sprayed on the label  21  which moves with respect to the fixed adhesive activation station  54 . For example, the fluid dispensing mechanisms can include an array of one or multiple fan or cone nozzles controlled by valves, an array of one or multiple air-assisted fan or cone nozzles controlled by valves, and/or an inkjet-type spray head. 
     Each of the sprayers  54   a  provides a fan pattern aligned with the height of the label  21  as it is rotated along upon the applicator pallet  52  and held thereto by retaining members  53 . Thus, the activation fluid is provided directly from the sprayers  54   a  onto the label. Preferably, multiple fluid sprayers  54   a  are provided to obtain the desired surface coverage of the label with activation fluid  19  as it moves through the adhesive activation station  54 . In one particular example, when two nozzles are used, each nozzle produces a stream having fan shape (e.g., an approximately 2 inch fan shape), and together they activate a label which is 4 inches in height to deliver a uniform layer of activation fluid  19 . Sprayers  54   a  are aligned in a vertical dimension parallel to the height of label  21 , where the sprayers are at a distance from the label  21  to direct fluid coverage over the entire back side (or at least substantially the entire back side of the label  21  (e.g., covering greater than 90% of the back surface.) of the label  21 . In some cases, the sprayers direct fluid coverage over a surface area to assure label adhesiveness later at label application station  24 . The flow rate out of the nozzle varies depending on label speed to produce a desired activation fluid  19  deposition rate, such as 0.15 g per 24 square inches. In another example, a single sprayer  54   a  provides a spray pattern sufficient with the height of the label. 
     In this manner, the second rotating transfer member  50  directs the labels held upon the applicator pallets  52  through an adhesive activation station  54  in order to apply a activation fluid  19  for activating adhesive along each the back surface  21   c  of the label  21 . This fluid will change the adhesive&#39;s layer  21   d  from a non-tacky state to a tacky state just before application of the label to a container at label application station  24 . For example, the fluid activatable adhesive is only tacky to permit the label to be adhered to the outer surface of the container at a location closely adjacent the label application station  24 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , each of the labels  21  is directed from the adhesive activation station  54  with the adhesive thereon being in a tacky condition to uniformly and effectively adhere the labels  21  to a container. The label is then immediately rotated into a position for engaging the outer periphery of a bottle  20  carried on the turret  22  in the label application station  24 . It should be noted that the spacing of the labels on the second rotating transfer member  50  and the speed of rotation of the transfer assembly are timed with the speed of rotation of the rotating turret  22  such that each label carried on the second rotating transfer member  50  is sequentially directed into engagement with an adjacent bottle carried on the rotating turret. Moreover, the photo detection system  43  prevents a label from being carried to the label application station  24  when a bottle for receiving such label is missing from that station. 
     Each of the labels  21  is applied to the bottle  20  essentially at its midline to a periphery of the bottle  20  that is adjacent, thereby providing outer wings extending in opposed directions from the center line of the label, which is adhered to the bottle. The applicator pallet  52  is actuated forward by a cam mechanism at the label application station  24  with respect to bottle  20  to receive the label from the applicator pallet  52 . 
     The applicator pallet  52  can be arranged in multiple configurations, as described below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in some examples, the applicator pallet  52  (shown in 
       FIG. 1 ) is configured as a spring-loaded pallet  500 . The spring-loaded pallet  500  includes one or more contact rollers  502  (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5-20 rollers etc.). The contact rollers  502  are spaced apart to allow for their rotation. The contact rollers  502  are attached to a top member  504  and a bottom member  506 , which are both connected to a base  512  of the spring-loaded pallet  500  by one or more springs  508 . The contact rollers  502  can actuate along a direction generally represented by an arrow  510  as the springs  508  compress and expand. 
     When the label  21  initially contacts the bottle  20  at the label application station  24 , the contact rollers  502  are pushed towards the base  512 . The movement compresses the spring  508  thus causing the spring  508  to exert a force that causes the contact rollers  502  to press against the outer surface of the bottle  20  and the label located thereon. This pressure by the contact rollers  502  assists in joining the bottle&#39;s outer surface to the label by its activated adhesive. 
     In some examples, the spring-loaded pallet  500  includes contact rollers  502  which are approximately the height of the soon to be applied label (e.g., have a length equivalent or longer than the label&#39;s longest dimension). In this example, the contact rollers  502  perform as generally described above and the similar lengths or a longer length of the contact roller  502  provides contact along the length (e.g., along 99%, 85%, 90%, 80%, 70%, or 60%, of the label) to assist in joining the activated adhesive of the label to the bottle  20 . 
     The application force generated by the spring  508  and exerted against the label  21  is uniform across the surface of the label  21 . In other cases, force profile exerted against the label  21  by the spring-loaded pallet  500  is adjustable. For example, the spring members connected to the contact rollers  502  along the outer perimeter of the spring-loaded pallet  500  may be selected to provide more or less force. In this example, the application force is variable by modifying the spring to exert more or less force. In some cases, it may be useful to apply more force through the contact roller along a first edge as compared to remaining edges. In other cases, it may be useful to apply different force profiles along the top edge of the label (e.g., by modifying the springs arranged along the top of the device) relative to a bottom edge. In other cases, it may be useful to different force profiles along the bottom edge of the label relative to the top edge (e.g., by modifying the springs arranged along the bottom edge of the label. 
     In some examples, the force exerted against the label  21  is adjustable by modifying the direction that the force is applied in. As described above, the one or more contact rollers  502  may actuate along the direction  510 . In this case, the direction  510  is generally perpendicular to the base  512 . In other examples, the contact rollers  502  may actuate along a direction extending downward (e.g., less than 90° from the base) or extending upward (greater than 90° from the base). In these cases, the force profile is modified based on the direction of travel. For example, the force profile could be 95%, 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, etc. of the force along the perpendicular direction. 
     The contact rollers are often made of deformable material, such as rubber or foam. As such, the contact rollers may deform in response to the contact of the container with the contact rollers. This deformation may further assist in joining the container outer surface to the label by its activated adhesive. For example, when the amount of tack on the label  21  after the adhesive activation station  54  is reduced relative to the amount of tack traditionally used cold glue or hot melt adhesive, the amount of deformation can be increased to assist in joining the container outer surface to the label by its activated adhesive as well as increasing the level of wraparound of the label to bottle  20 . In one example, the contact rollers include are mounted on rigid center pin (e.g., formed of ⅛ inch stainless steel). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , in some examples, the applicator pallet  52  (again shown in  FIG. 1 ) is configured as a spring-loaded pallet  700 . The spring-loaded pallet  700  includes one or more contact rollers  702  (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5-20, etc. rollers). In some cases, the number of the contact rollers  702  may be selected based on the size of the label and/or the size of the container. The contact rollers  702  are spaced apart to allow for rotation of the contact rollers  702 . In some examples, the one or more contact rollers  702  are attached to a respective top member  712  and a bottom member  710 , which are connected to a base  708  of the spring-loaded pallet  700  by one or more spring members  704 . The one or more contact rollers  702  actuate along a direction perpendicular to the base  708  and generally represented by an arrow  706  as the springs members  704  compress and elongate. However, as described elsewhere, other directions are contemplated. 
     In some examples, the spring-loaded pallet  700  includes 6 contact rollers that are 0.375 inch in diameter and 3″ tall to apply a label that is 4 inches wide and 3 inches tall onto a 12 oz. bottle that is 2.4 inches in diameter. 
     In some examples, the spring loaded pallet  700  includes the contact rollers  702 , which are arranged in one or more columns and/or rows, as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . Here, as described with respect to the contact rollers  502 , the contact roller  702  may be adjustable—for example—by modifying a tunable adjustment member (e.g., the spring member  704 , a direction of travel, etc.) 
     In some cases, the contact rollers  502  are arranged to form an arcuate surface onto which the label and the bottle may be received. For example, referring to FIGS.  6  and  8 A- 8 E, a second rotating member  600  is shown with the spring-loaded pallets  500 . The outermost contact rollers are arranged farther away from the base  521  than the innermost contact rollers. As such, the spring-loaded pallet  500  forms an arcuate surface along the contact rollers  502 . In some examples, the radius of curvature of this arcuate surface is selected based on the container to be labeled. This may include matching the contour of the container to be labeled such that at least each roller is in contact with or places some force onto the container. In some cases, force can be applied over 20%-75% of the container&#39;s surface (e.g., over 75%, 60%, 55%, 50%, 45%, 35%, 25%, 20%, etc.) of the container&#39;s surface. This configuration may promote attachment of the activated adhesive layer of label  21  to the outer surface of the bottle  20 . For example, during use the contact rollers  502  may each exert at least some force against the label  21  because of the arcuate configuration. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8A-8E  and  9 , in some examples, during use, the rotatable transfer member  600  that includes the spring-loaded pallet  500  is rotating clockwise as shown by an arrow  806 . The rotating turret or rotatable platform  22  rotates counterclockwise, as shown by an arrow  804  while the bottle  20  also independently rotates counterclockwise as shown by an arrow  802 . During use, the spring-loaded pallet  500  may carry and transfer the label  21 , however, the label  21  is not shown for clarity in  FIGS. 8A-8E  for clarity. 
     In some examples, the linear speed of the transfer member  600 , spring loaded pallet  500 , and turret or rotatable platform  22  is monitored and controlled (e.g., by one or more sensors and a controller). By monitoring such quantities, one or more operations may be executed. For example, the linear speed of the spring-loaded pallet  500  (and thus the contact rollers  602 ) can be matched to the linear speed of the bottle  20 . This provides a clean transfer when and where the two components contact each other. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8A , the spring-loaded pallet  500  contacts the bottle  20  (e.g., by a first contact roller.) In some examples, the spring-loaded pallet  500  applies the leading edge of the label  21  to the bottle  20  (as shown in  FIG. 9 ). As the components continue to rotate, additional contact rollers come into contact with the bottle  20  (as shown in  FIG. 8A ) until all contact rollers have contacted the bottle  20  (as shown in  FIG. 8C ).  FIGS. 8D and 8E  show the spring-loaded member completing the label application process. In some examples, this final contact includes applying the trailing edge of the label  21  and/or wiping along the label  21 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in some examples, after a label  21  initially is adhered to a bottle  20  in the label application station  24 , the rotating turret or rotatable platform  22  directs each bottle (with the label attached thereto) through a series of opposed inner and outer brushes  56 . As the bottles are directed through the series of brushes, the bottles are also oscillated back and forth along their central axis, thereby creating an interaction between the bottles, labels and brushes in order to effectively adhere the entire label to the periphery of each bottle. 
     After the labels  21  have been effectively adhered, the bottles  20  are carried by the rotating turret  22  in the direction of arrow  58  to the bottle-transfer member  18 , at which point the bottles are transferred to the outlet conveyor section  14  for subsequent packaging. 
     In some examples, a bottle  20  may have a diameter smaller than 2 inches (e.g., between 1 and 1.5 inches in diameter). Referring to  FIGS. 10A-10C , a bottle neck applicator  900  is shown. The bottle neck applicator  900  includes a second rotating transfer member  902  and a spring loaded pallet  904 . The spring loaded pallet  904  includes a base  908  that is part of the transfer member  902 , a first applicator  906 , a second applicator  910 , a tunable adjustment member (e.g., a spring)  912 , and one or more rolling mechanisms  907  mounted to the first applicator  906  and the second applicator  910 . The first applicator  906  is mounted to the transfer member with the second applicator mounted to some point on the first applicator  906 . The spring  912  is fixed to the second applicator  910  such that it applies a substantial proportion of its return force to the first applicator  906  and a small proportion of its return force to the second applicator  910 , thereby imposing an asymmetrical force on the labels  21 . The rolling mechanisms  907  are configured to be mounted on a spring-return cam mechanism such that the first applicator  906  is spring-loaded to apply the leading portion of the label  21  to a container while the second applicator  910  is configured to function as a trailing applicator to complete the label application process on bottle  20 . The transfer member  902  is shown in  FIG. 11 , including a plurality of bottle neck applicators  900  and is generally otherwise similar to the transfer member  600  described above. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12A-12C  and  13 A- 13 E, another example of a bottle neck applicator  1201 - 1204 ,  1206  is shown. In this example, a first applicator  1205  and a second applicator  1207  each include at least one roller and each applicator is connected to the transfer platform  1210 . The first applicator and the second applicator  1207  are spring loaded such that each arm their respective rollers are positioned towards the center of the assembly when not in use. During use, the configuration of the applicators  1205 ,  1207  positions the applicators  1205 ,  1207  to the rollers contacts the containers, e.g., the bottles  20 , containers as the bottles  20  rotate on a second transfer member (as described above), and with linear speed matched between the transfer platform  1203  and the container (as described elsewhere). 
     The bottle neck applicator  1201 - 1204 ,  1206  includes a spring-return cam mechanism that is configured to separate the applicators when contact is made with a container, e.g., the bottle  20 . The cam and spring configurations  1212 - 1220  are also configured to exert an inward force on the rollers due to the restoring force of the spring. This combination of features provides a flexible arrangement compatible with a variety of container shapes. For example, combination of features includes separating applicator motion from an inward force on the rollers so that the rollers may apply labels to a container having a relatively large arc. Various spring and cam configurations are shown in  FIGS. 12A-12C . For example,  FIG. 12A  illustrates a configuration including both a fixed roller and a spring loaded and articulating roller, which provides a combination of features where the label application can have a fixed point of contact in combination with a moving roller to provide a varied force over the length of the label. In another example,  FIG. 12B  illustrates a configuration with two articulating rollers that are each spring loaded, providing the ability to tune the pressure applied by each roller. In another example,  FIG. 12C  illustrates a single spring configuration with two articulating rollers where the force applied is split between the two rollers. These different roller configurations provide the ability to apply and wrap the label onto the container during a brief contact period, unlike a traditional application sponge that only makes contact with a container at the apex of their intersection. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13A-13E , the bottle neck applicator is shown applying a label to a bottle using the applicator as shown in  FIG. 12B , which includes two spring loaded articulating rollers. As shown in the  FIG. 13A , the rollers  1207 ,  1205  are disposed towards each other at rest and will separate during the application process (as shown in  FIG. 13B ).  FIGS. 13C-13E  show the configuration of  FIGS. 13A and 13B  adapting to applying a label to a variety of container shapes and sizes. The same configuration is adaptable and compatible with a containers having a variety of container shapes and sizes. In these examples, the same configuration transitions from small circular containers ( FIG. 13C ) to circular containers having a larger diameter ( FIG. 13D ) to containers having a rectangular or non-circular shape ( FIG. 13E ). 
     Other Examples 
     While, in at least some of the examples, the shape of the spring-loaded pallet is generally described as arcuate and contoured to the container, other configurations are contemplated. For example, the spring-loaded pallet may be configured such that the arcuate shape of the contact rollers includes an arc larger than that of the container. Such a configuration could be desirable so that the transfer member could rotate at a faster rate than the container to, for example, facilitate synchronization between the bottle  20  and the spring-loaded pallet so that initial contact occurs at the beginning of the arc. 
     While, in at least some of the examples, the contact rollers are generally shown as cylindrical, other configurations are contemplated. For example, the contact rollers could have a variable diameter along their length such as a conical shape. Such a configuration would be useful to label bottle necks or conical containers to provide uniform contact along the label. In some cases, the configuration of the contact rollers can be customized relative to a specific container configuration. 
     This oscillatory motion is provided by a cam drive arrangement. Exemplary cam drive arrangements for rotating a transfer member are known to those skilled in the art. In some examples, a motor (e.g. a servo motor) causes the movement of the rotatable platforms and transfer mechanisms 
     From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that there has been provided an improvement to an automated labeling machine for use with labels having fluid activatable adhesive. Variations and modifications in the herein described improvement, method, or system with apparatus  10  and liner-free labels  21 , will undoubtedly suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description should be taken as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.