Patent Publication Number: US-8992716-B2

Title: Apparatus and methods for dispensing adhesive to labels

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/402,812 filed Mar. 12, 2009 (pending), which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/037,921, filed Mar. 19, 2008 (expired), the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. The present application is also related to International Patent Application No. PCT/US2008/72319 filed Aug. 6, 2008 (expired), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to the application of labels to objects and, more particularly, to the application of adhesive coated labels to objects. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Labels may be made in various sizes and shapes, and may further fall into one of several types. One type of label, for example, is the wrap-around label, in which a leading edge of the label is initially secured with adhesive to a three dimensional object, such as a container or other product or product packaging of any shape. The label is then wrapped around the object so that the trailing edge of the label overlaps and is adhesively secured to the label itself. Another type of label is one in which both the leading and trailing edges of the label are affixed directly to the object. 
     The securement of labels to bottles or other containers, for example, must be of such a quality that the labels can withstand the various conditions that may be later experienced by the containers or bottles during shipping, storage, and use thereof subsequent to the product packaging or filling operation. For example, with bottles of carbonated beverages, the labels must withstand expansion of the bottles due to the carbonation of the beverage and, for example, additional expansion and contraction during shipping and storage operations in which the temperatures of the product may vary. Moreover, the labels must also be aesthetically pleasing. For example, it may be desired that the exposed edge of a label should not readily flap, become detached from the product, have exposed adhesive, or have large amounts of adhesive forming lumps underneath the label. 
     In some processes, adhesive is applied to labels using a wheel coater. Wheel coaters use an open reservoir for holding the adhesive. A rotating wheel receives a coating of adhesive on its outer circumference that in turn transfers the adhesive onto the label by rolling contact with the label. The labels may be supported on a vacuum drum during application of the adhesive. A container, such as a bottle, can, or other type of object moves along a conveyor and a paper or plastic label is secured to the outer surface of the container or object during a production operation. A drawback of wheel-applied adhesive is that the open reservoir is susceptible to contamination, which may affect the quality of applied labels and lower the efficiency of the machine. Wheel coaters also require precise settings to ensure adequate results of dispensed labels. These settings must be adjusted and finely tuned each time the labels are changed. 
     In some labeling operations, it may be desired to apply labels having different lengths and/or widths. This may require that the vacuum drum used to support the labels during adhesive application be changed to accommodate the differently sized labels. Changing vacuum drums requires shutting down the labeling line and therefore reduces throughput. 
     There is a need for a manner of applying adhesive to either labels or containers, or both, in which the adhesive may be applied in a non-contact fashion, but also with reduced needs for maintenance requirements and good adhesive coverage, while at the same time using a minimum amount of adhesive to secure a label to a container. There is also a need for increased control over the amount of adhesive that is applied, especially in applications where different amounts of adhesive are required for different portions of a label. There is also a need for a labeling apparatus that is capable of applying labels of various lengths and widths to containers. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other shortcomings and drawbacks of devices heretofore known for use in applying labels to containers or other objects. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     In one aspect, a vacuum drum assembly for use in applying labels to objects includes a drum body having an outer peripheral surface and a plurality of apertures in the outer peripheral surface defining locations for supporting labels thereon. Each aperture is in communication with one of a plurality of passages in the drum body for developing vacuum pressure at the apertures. The vacuum drum assembly is adjustable to vary at least one of an axial configuration or a circumferential configuration of apertures to which vacuum pressure is applied, so that differently sized labels can be supported on the outer peripheral surface. 
     In another aspect, a vacuum drum body for use in applying labels to objects includes apertures on an outer peripheral surface of the drum body for supporting labels thereon when vacuum pressure is applied to the apertures. The vacuum pressure may be applied to selected ones of the apertures to accommodate labels of various lengths or widths. In one embodiment, the vacuum drum assembly includes air distributors disposed in bores through the drum body. The air distributors are adjustable to provide fluid communication between one or more apertures and a vacuum source. In another embodiment, the vacuum drum assembly includes at least one ring received on the vacuum body and being rotatable around the outer peripheral surface of the drum body. Apertures in the ring are in communication with a vacuum source for supporting labels on the drum body, and rotation of the ring adjusts the circumferential locations of the apertures to accommodate labels of varying lengths. 
     In another aspect, a method for applying labels to objects includes supplying vacuum pressure to at least some of a plurality of apertures in an outer peripheral surface of a vacuum drum, adjusting the vacuum drum to vary at least one of an axial configuration or a circumferential configuration of apertures to which vacuum pressure is applied so that labels having different sizes can be supported on the vacuum drum, and supporting a label on the outer peripheral surface of the vacuum drum. 
     The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of an exemplary labeling apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an exemplary vacuum drum assembly for use with the labeling apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the vacuum drum assembly of  FIG. 2  with broken sections illustrating detail. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial section view of the vacuum drum assembly of  FIG. 3 , taken along line  4 - 4 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of the vacuum drum assembly of  FIG. 2  and illustrating communication between air distributors and apertures in the drum body. 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of an air distributor of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of a second exemplary air distributor for use with a vacuum drum assembly. 
         FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of a third exemplary air distributor for use with a vacuum drum assembly. 
         FIG. 6D  is a perspective view of a fourth exemplary air distributor for use with a vacuum drum assembly. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another exemplary vacuum drum assembly for use with the labeling apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8A  is a top plan view of the vacuum drum assembly of  FIG. 7  in a first configuration for accommodating labels of length L 1 . 
         FIG. 8B  is a top plan view of the vacuum drum assembly of  FIG. 7  in a second configuration for accommodating labels of length L 2 . 
         FIG. 8C  is a top plan view of another exemplary vacuum drum assembly, similar to  FIGS. 8A-8B , configured to accommodate longer labels of length L 3 . 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view of the vacuum drum assembly of  FIG. 8A , taken along line  9 - 9 . 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of yet another exemplary labeling apparatus, for use with an adhesive wheel coater. 
         FIG. 11  a perspective view of an exemplary vacuum drum assembly for use with the labeling apparatus of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12A  is a top plan view of the vacuum drum assembly of  FIG. 11  in a first configuration for accommodating labels of length L 1 . 
         FIG. 12B  is a top plan view of the vacuum drum assembly of  FIG. 11  in a second configuration for accommodating labels of length L 2 . 
         FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional view of the vacuum drum assembly of  FIG. 12A , taken along line  13 - 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts another exemplary labeling apparatus  100  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. The labeling apparatus  100  includes an exemplary vacuum drum assembly  102  for receiving labels  104  from a label feed device  106 , moving the labels  104  past an adhesive dispensing gun  108 , and applying the labels  104  to containers  110  moving past the vacuum drum assembly  102  on a conveyor  112 . In the embodiment shown, the label feed device  106  is adapted to receive labels  104  from a roll  114  and to direct the labels  104  to the surface of the vacuum drum assembly  102 . The labels  104  may be carried by the vacuum drum assembly  102  as a continuous web, or the labels  104  may be cut from the roll  114  while on the vacuum drum assembly  102  or prior to being transferred to the vacuum drum assembly  102 . The label feed device  106  may include capstans and/or drive rollers to direct the labels  104  from the roll  114  to the surface of the vacuum drum assembly  102 . While the label feed device  106  has been shown and described herein as being adapted to receive and deliver labels  104  to the vacuum drum assembly  102  from a roll  114 , it will be appreciated that various other label feed devices may alternatively be used. For example, an alternative label feed device (not shown) may include a magazine for feeding a stack of precut labels to the vacuum drum assembly  102 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , and referring further to  FIGS. 2-4 , the vacuum drum assembly  102  includes a generally cylindrical drum body  120  having first and second axial ends  122 ,  124 , an outer peripheral surface  126 , and an inner peripheral surface  128 . The outer peripheral surface  126  includes a plurality of apertures  130  arranged to provide vacuum pressure at locations for supporting labels  104  on the outer peripheral surface  126 . 
     In one aspect, the adhesive dispensing gun  108  may be a non-contact type adhesive dispensing gun, such as an E.dot® gun, available from Nordson Corporation of Westlake, Ohio, wherein adhesive is applied to the labels  104  as they are moved past the adhesive dispensing gun  108  without the adhesive dispensing gun  108  coming into contact with the labels  104 . Because the adhesive dispensing gun  108  does not contact the labels  104 , the drum body  120  may be formed with the outer peripheral surface  126  located a constant radius from a center of the drum body  120  around the entire circumference of the drum body  120 . It will be appreciated that various other types of adhesive dispensing guns may alternatively be used to apply adhesive to labels  104 , such as piezoelectric guns, pneumatic guns, or jetting dispensers, for example. 
     The apertures  130  in the outer peripheral surface  126  of the drum body  120  are arranged in a plurality of generally axial aligned rows  129  that are spaced around the outer peripheral surface  126 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Each aperture  130  is in fluid communication with one of a plurality of radially extending outer passages  132  through the drum body  120 . The drum body  120  further includes a plurality of axial bores  134  extending from the first axial end  122  of the drum body  120  to the second axial end  124  of the drum body  120 . Each bore  134  is associated with one of the axially aligned rows  129  of apertures  130 . The axial bores  134  also communicate with respective radially extending inner passages  136 , which are aligned in registration with the inlets of vacuum housings  138  coupled to the inner peripheral surface  128  of the drum body  120 . In the embodiment shown, each vacuum housing communicates with three inner passages  136 , but it will be appreciated that the vacuum housings  138  may alternatively be associated with only one inner passage  138 , or any number of inner passages  138  as may be desired. 
     The vacuum drum assembly  102  further includes vacuum conduits  140  having first ends  142  coupled to the vacuum housings  138  and second ends  144  coupled to respective axial bores  146  through a base plate  148  that is coupled to the second axial end  124  of the drum body  120 . A fluid passage  150  through each vacuum conduit  140 , between the first and second ends  142 ,  144 , provides fluid communication between the vacuum housings  138  and the axial bore  146  through the base plate  148 . The axial bores  146  of the base plate  148  are aligned in registration with corresponding bores  152  through a vacuum plate  154  that is operatively coupled to the base plate  148 . Bores  152  are in fluid communication with a vacuum source  156 . Accordingly, when vacuum pressure is applied by the vacuum source  156  to the bores  152  in the vacuum plate  154 , air is drawn through the plurality of apertures  130  in the outer peripheral surface  126  of the drum body  120 , through the outer passages  132 , through the axial bores  134 , through the inner passages  136 , through the vacuum housings  138 , through the vacuum conduits  140 , and through the bores  146 ,  152  in the base plate  148  and vacuum plate  154 , so that a label  104  applied to the outer peripheral surface  126  of the drum body  120  may be held thereon by vacuum pressure. 
     In another aspect, vacuum pressure to bores  146  in base plate  148  may intermittently be shut off, or bores  146  may also be intermittently exposed to a positive pressure, to facilitate transferring labels  104  from the outer peripheral surface  126  of the drum body  120  to containers  110  or other objects. Intermittent application of vacuum pressure and/or positive pressure to bores  146  may be accomplished, for example, by selective arrangement of bores through the vacuum plate  154 , such as bores  152 , whereby bores  146  through base plate  148  are periodically aligned in registration with the bores through the vacuum plate  154  for exposure to vacuum and or positive pressure as the drum body  120  rotates. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 1-4 , and referring further to  FIGS. 5 and 6A , the vacuum drum assembly  102  may further include air distributors  160  provided in each axial bore  134  through the drum body  120 . The air distributors  160  may be adjusted to selectively provide fluid communication between the vacuum source  156  and one or more of the apertures  130  in the outer peripheral surface  126  of the drum body  120 . In the embodiment shown, the air distributors  160  comprise generally elongate cylindrical distributor bodies  162  rotatably disposed in respective axial bores  134  of the drum body  120 . Each distributor body  162  has an outer circumferential surface  164  and at least one recess  168  formed into the outer circumferential surface  164  to provide selective fluid communication between one or more of the apertures  130  in an associated row  129  of apertures  130  as the distributor body  162  is rotated within the bore  134 . 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6A , an exemplary air distributor  160  includes a plurality of recesses in the form of elongate slots  168   a ,  168   b ,  168   c ,  168   d , etc. formed into the outer circumferential surface  164  of the distributor body  162  and extending in a direction from a second end  170  of the distributor body  162  toward a first end  172  of the distributor body  162 . The first end  172  of the distributor body  162  may include a feature, such a hex head or other structure, to facilitate manipulation of the air distributor  160  for rotation within an axial bore  134  of the drum body  120 . Each elongate slot  168   a ,  168   b ,  168   c ,  168   d , etc. on the outer circumferential surface  164  of the distributor body  162  extends a different length from the second end  170  toward the first end  172 . As the distributor body  162  is rotated within the bore  134 , different numbers of apertures  130  in an axially aligned row  128  may be brought into registration with one of the slots  168   a ,  168   b ,  168   c ,  168   d , etc., as depicted in  FIG. 5 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , bore  134  may be configured to provide fluid communication between the recess  168  and the respective inner passages  136  of the drum body  120 , whereby vacuum pressure may be developed at apertures  130  aligned in registration with the recess  168 . The first axial end  122  of the drum body  120  may include indicia  174  proximate each of the axial bores  134  to indicate a desired rotational position of an air distributor  160  received in the bore  134  and to facilitate aligning a desired number of apertures  130  in registration with recess  168 . 
       FIG. 6B  depicts an alternative embodiment of an air distributor  160   a , similar to the air distributor  160  of  FIG. 6A , but wherein the recess in the outer circumferential surface  164  comprises axially extending slots  176   a ,  176   b ,  176   c ,  176   d , etc. that are centered generally about a longitudinal midpoint of the distributor body  162 . Each slot  176   a ,  176   b ,  176   c ,  176   d , etc. extends axially from the longitudinal midpoint of the distributor body  162  in directions toward the first and second ends  172 ,  170  of the distributor body  162 .  FIG. 6C  depicts another exemplary embodiment of an air distributor  160   b , similar to air distributors  160 ,  160   a  depicted in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , but wherein the recess comprises a plurality of axially extending slots  178   a ,  178   b ,  178   c ,  178   d , etc. originating near the first end  172  of the distributor body  162  and extending in directions toward the second end  170  of the distributor body  162 . It will be appreciated that the use of air distributors  160   a ,  160   b  as depicted in  FIGS. 6B and 6C  may require modification of the bores  134  and inner passages  136  through the vacuum drum body  120  to facilitate selective communication between the vacuum source  156  and one or more of the apertures  130  in the outer peripheral surface  126  of the drum body  120  by adjustment of the air distributors  160   a ,  160   b.    
       FIG. 6D  depicts yet another exemplary air distributor  160   c  for use with the vacuum drum assembly  102  described above. In this embodiment, the recess  168  in the outer circumferential surface of the distributor body is defined by a generally helically shaped ledge  166  extending axially and circumferentially around the distributor body  162  whereby rotation of the air distributor  160   c  within the bore  134  of the drum body  120  selectively exposes one or more apertures  130  to the recess  168  to provide vacuum pressure at the apertures  130 , in a manner similar to that described above. 
     Air distributors  160 ,  160   a ,  160   b ,  160   c  may further include features that facilitate retaining the air distributors in the bores  134 . As a non-limiting example,  FIGS. 5 ,  6 C, and  6 D depict air distributors  160 ,  160   b ,  160   c  having screw threads  171  formed into distributor bodies  162  near the first ends  172 . In another non-limiting example,  FIGS. 6A and 6B  depict air distributors  160 ,  160   a  having grooves  169  proximate the first ends  172  for receiving snap rings. It will be appreciated that various other structures may alternatively be used to facilitate retaining air distributors  160 ,  160   a ,  160   b ,  160   c  in bores  134 . 
       FIGS. 7 ,  8 A,  8 B, and  9  depict another exemplary vacuum drum assembly  180  for use with the labeling apparatus  100  described above. In this embodiment, the vacuum drum  180  assembly includes a generally cylindrically-shaped drum body  182  having a first axial end  184 , a second axial end  186 , an outer peripheral surface  188 , and an inner peripheral surface  190 . A disk-shaped base plate  192  is coupled to the second axial end  186  of the drum body  182 . One or more rings  194 ,  196  are received over the outer peripheral surface  188  of the drum body  182 . In the embodiment shown, the vacuum drum assembly  180  includes a plurality of first rings  194  and second rings  196  stacked upon one another in an alternating arrangement. 
     First and second apertures  200 ,  202  are formed in the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second rings  194 ,  196 . The first and second apertures  200 ,  202  are in fluid communication with respective radially extending first and second passages  204 ,  206  through the first and second rings  194 ,  196 . In the embodiment shown, the second rings  196  are fixed in position relative to the drum body  182  and the second apertures  202  are aligned in generally axially extending rows  208  that are spaced around the outer circumferences of the second rings  196 . The first rings  194  are rotatable around the outer peripheral surface  188  of the drum body  182  to permit selective adjustment of the locations of the first apertures  200  formed through the first rings  194 . The first rings  194  may be configured such that all of the first rings  194  move in unison, or they may be configured such that the first rings  194  can be moved independently of one another. 
     Each of the first and second passages  204 ,  206  through the first and second rings  194 ,  196  is in fluid communication with one of a plurality of respective first and second passageways  210 ,  212  extending between the inner and outer peripheral surfaces  188 ,  190  of drum body  182 . In the embodiment shown, the first passageways  210  through the drum body  182  are in fluid communication with the first passages  204  through the first rings  194  and comprise elongated slots extending generally in a circumferential direction around the drum body  182  to maintain fluid communication between the first passages  204  and the first passageways  210  of the drum body  182  as the first rings  194  are rotated circumferentially around the outer peripheral surface  188  of the drum body  182 , as depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . The second passageways  212  are in fluid communication with the second passages  206  in the fixed second rings  196 . 
     The vacuum drum assembly  180  further includes a plurality of vacuum housings  220  coupled to the inner peripheral surface  190  of the drum body  182  at locations corresponding to the first and second passageways  210 ,  212  through the drum body  182 . In the embodiment shown, each vacuum housing  220  is associated with one axially aligned row of first passageways  210  and one axially aligned row of second passageways  212 . The vacuum housings  220  include an axially aligned row of first ports  222  in fluid communication with the first passageways  210 , and an axially aligned row of second ports  224  in fluid communication with the second passageways  212 . Each vacuum housing further includes axial bores  226  for receiving air distributors  160 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the air distributors  160  are similar to those described above with respect to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 A- 6 D. Each axial bore  226  is in fluid communication with either the axially aligned row of first ports  222  or the axially aligned row of second ports  224 . The bores  226  are configured to provide fluid communication between the first and second ports  222 ,  224  and vacuum housing outlets  228  by selective rotation of the air distributors  160  to align recesses  168  in the air distributors  160  with one or more of the first and second ports  222 ,  224 , in a manner similar to that described above. 
     The vacuum drum assembly  180  further includes vacuum conduits  230  with first ends  232  coupled to respective outlets  228  of the vacuum housings  220  and second ends  234  coupled to axially extending bores  236  through the base plate  192 . The axially extending bores  236  through the base plate  192  are in fluid communication with corresponding bores  238  through a vacuum plate  240  coupled to the base plate  192 . Bores  230  are in communication with a vacuum source  156 . Accordingly, vacuum pressure may be provided to selected first and second apertures  200 ,  202  on the first and second rings  194 ,  196  by fluid communication with the vacuum source  156  through the first and second passages  204 ,  206  of the first and second rings  194 ,  196 , through the first and second passageways  210 ,  212  of the drum body  182 , through the first and second ports  222 ,  224  of the vacuum housings  220 , through outlets  228 , through fluid passages  242  of vacuum conduits  230 , and through bores  236 ,  238  of base plate  192  and vacuum plate  240 , respectively. 
     In one embodiment, the second apertures  202  in the second rings  196  correspond to locations where the leading edges of labels  104  are supported by the vacuum drum assembly  180 , and the first apertures  200  through the first rings  194  correspond to locations of trailing edges of labels  104  supported by the vacuum drum assembly  180 . Because the first rings  194  may be rotatably adjusted around the outer peripheral surface  188  of the vacuum drum body  182 , the locations of the first apertures  200  through the first rings  194  may be selectively adjusted to accommodate supporting labels  104  of different lengths. For example,  FIG. 8A  depicts vacuum drum assembly  180  with first rings  194  in a first position suitable for supporting labels  104   c  of length L 1  on the vacuum drum assembly  180 .  FIG. 8B  depicts vacuum drum assembly  180  with first rings  194  in a second position suitable for supporting labels  104   d  of length L 2  on the vacuum drum assembly  180 , wherein L 2  is less than L 1 . While first rings  194  are adjustable to accommodate various label lengths, the air distributors  160  are adjustable to accommodate various label widths, as described above. 
       FIG. 8C  depicts vacuum drum assembly  180  in a configuration suitable for supporting longer labels  104   e  of length L 3 . In this configuration first and second apertures  200 ,  202  associated with three different vacuum housings  220  are used to support each label  104   e . The exemplary vacuum drum assembly  180 , shown and described herein with six vacuum housings  220 , may therefore be capable of supporting either six or three labels  104  at a time, depending on the lengths of the labels  104 . It will be appreciated, however, that vacuum drum assemblies may alternatively include a fewer or greater number of vacuum housings and associated air distributors, as may be desired, to accommodate various numbers and arrangements of labels  104  on the vacuum drum assemblies. 
       FIG. 10  depicts another exemplary labeling apparatus  250  similar to that described above, but wherein adhesive is applied to labels  104  using an adhesive wheel coater  252 . The labeling apparatus  250  includes an exemplary vacuum drum assembly  254  that receives labels  104  from a label feed device  106 , as described above. The labels  104  are carried by the vacuum drum assembly  254  past the adhesive wheel coater  252  where an applicator wheel  256  applies adhesive to leading and trailing edges of the labels  104  by contact with the labels  104 . Thereafter, the labels  104  are applied to containers  110  moving along a conveyor  112  in a manner similar to that described above. 
       FIGS. 11 ,  12 A,  12 B, and  13  depict exemplary vacuum drum assembly  254  for use with the labeling apparatus  250  of  FIG. 10  in more detail. The vacuum drum assembly  254  of  FIGS. 11 ,  12 A,  12 B, and  13  is similar to the vacuum drum assembly  180  discussed above with respect to  FIGS. 7-10 , and similar features have been similarly numbered. Vacuum drum assembly  254  further includes raised first and second lands  260 ,  262  extending radially outwardly from the first and second rings  194 ,  196  received on the outer peripheral surface  188  of drum body  182 . The first and second lands  160 ,  162  provide contact between the applicator wheel  256  of the adhesive wheel coater  252  and the leading and trailing edges of labels  104 . The first and second lands  260 ,  262  may be integrally formed with the first and second rings  194 ,  196 , or they may be manufactured as separate components that are subsequently coupled to the respective first and second rings  194 ,  196 . 
     In the embodiment shown, the first lands  260  comprise a plurality of axially aligned first segments  264  extending radially outwardly from the first rings  194 . Each first segment  264  includes a generally planar outer surface  266  oriented in a direction that is generally tangent to the outer circumference of the first rings  194 , and first and second sloped side surfaces  268 ,  270  extending between the outer surface  266  and the outer circumference of the first rings  194 . A plurality of first apertures  272  is provided on the outer surfaces  266  of the first segments  264  and each first aperture  272  communicates with one of a plurality of first radially extending passages  204  through first rings  194 . Each first passage  204  through the first rings  194  is in communication with one of a plurality of first passageways  210  through the drum body  182 . In the embodiment shown, the first passageways  210  comprise elongate slots extending generally circumferentially around the drum body  182 , as shown in  FIGS. 12A ,  12 B. 
     Similarly, the second lands  262  comprise a plurality of axially aligned second segments  274  extending radially outwardly from the second rings  196 . Each second segment  274  includes a generally planar outer surface  276  oriented in a direction generally tangential to the outer circumference of the second rings  196 , and first and second side surfaces  278 ,  280  extending between the outer surface  276  and the outer circumference of the second rings  196 . 
     A plurality of second apertures  282  is provided on the outer surfaces  276  of the second segments  274 . Each second aperture  282  communicates with one of a plurality of second radially extending passages  206  through the second rings  196 . The second passages  206  are in fluid communication with corresponding second passageways  212  extending through the drum body  182 , as described above. 
     The vacuum drum assembly  254  further includes a plurality of vacuum housings  220  coupled to the inner peripheral surface  190  of the drum body  182  at locations corresponding to the locations of the first and second passageways  210 ,  212  through the drum body  182 . Each vacuum housing  220  includes axial bores  226  that are in fluid communication with the first and second passageways  210 ,  212  in the drum body  182  through corresponding first and second ports  222 ,  224  through the vacuum housings  220 , in a manner similar to that described above for vacuum drum assembly  180 . 
     Air distributors  160  are disposed within each of the bores  226  and are adjustable to align a recess  168  formed in an outer surface  164  of the distributor body  162  with one or more of the first or second ports  222 ,  224  in the vacuum housings  220 . The bores  226  are configured to provide fluid communication between the first and second ports  222 ,  224  and the outlets  228  in the vacuum housings  220  through the recess  168 . 
     The vacuum drum assembly  254  further includes vacuum conduits  230  having first ends  232  coupled to the outlets  228  of the vacuum housings  220  and second ends  234  coupled to axially extending bores  236  through base plate  192  of the vacuum drum assembly  254 . The bores  236  through the base plate  192  communicate with corresponding bores  238  through a vacuum plate  240  coupled to the base plate  192 . Bores  238  are in fluid communication with a vacuum source  156 . Accordingly, vacuum pressure is developed at the first and second apertures  272 ,  282  on the respective first and second lands  260 ,  262  by fluid communication through the first and second passages  204 ,  206  of the first and second rings  194 ,  196 , through the first and second passageways  210 ,  212  of the drum body  182 , through the first and second ports  222 ,  224  of the vacuum housings  220 , through outlets  228 , through fluid passages  242  of vacuum conduits  230 , and through bores  236 ,  238  of base plate  192  and vacuum plate  240 , respectively. 
     In use, labels  104  may be supported on the vacuum drum assembly  254  with leading edges of the labels  104  proximate the second apertures  282  on the second lands  262 , and with the trailing edges of the labels  104  positioned proximate the first apertures  272  on the first lands  260 , whereby vacuum pressure provided to the first and second apertures  272 ,  282  retains the labels  104  on the vacuum drum assembly  254 . Because the first rings  194  are rotatably adjustable about the outer peripheral surface  188  of the vacuum drum body  182 , the circumferential positions of the first apertures  272  may be adjusted relative to the second apertures  282  so that labels  104  of various lengths may be accommodated by the vacuum drum assembly  254 , in a manner similar to that described above with respect to vacuum drum assembly  180 . 
     For example,  FIG. 12A  depicts vacuum drum assembly  254  with first rings  194  in a first position suitable for supporting labels  104   f  of length L 1  on the vacuum drum assembly  254 .  FIG. 12B  depicts vacuum drum assembly  254  with first rings  194  in a second position suitable for supporting labels  104   g  of length L 2  on the vacuum drum assembly  254 , wherein L 2  is less than L 1 . While first rings  194  are adjustable to accommodate various label lengths, the air distributors  160  are adjustable to accommodate various label widths, as described above. 
     The exemplary vacuum drum assemblies  102 ,  180 ,  254  described above are able to accommodate labels of varying lengths and/or widths, either on a single drum body, or with fewer drum bodies than was possible with conventional vacuum drum assemblies. Adjustment of the exemplary vacuum drum assemblies, via the air distributors and rotatable rings is much simpler and less time consuming than conventional vacuum drum assemblies having dedicated label support pads. Moreover, vacuum drum assemblies having uniform outer surfaces, such as those depicted in  FIGS. 1-3  and  7 - 10 , are more cost effective and easier to manufacture and maintain than conventional drum bodies having raised lands or dedicated pads for accommodating the leading and trailing edges of labels. 
     While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of one or more embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. The various features described herein may be utilized alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope or spirit of the general inventive concept.