Patent Abstract:
A label printer/applicator with improved label cutting, control and application has a control valve for alternately fluidly interconnecting an applicator head with a supply of pressurized air, a suction source and a neutral position. An atomizer nozzle is positioned beneath an applicator head for activating moisture-activated adhesives often provided on labels. An air jet nozzle beneath the applicator head prevents cantilever bending of a label exiting a printer and travelling toward the applicator head. A label can be controllably positioned beneath the applicator head by applying suction to the applicator head to retain the label to the applicator head, positioning an object to be labeled beneath the applicator head, releasing the suction to the applicator head and applying pressurized air to the applicator head to blow the label off of the applicator head and toward the object, and releasing the pressurized air from the applicator head without reapplying suction to the applicator head until another label is positioned beneath the applicator head.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/543,481, filed Apr. 6, 2000, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/128,823 filed Apr. 12, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a label printer/applicator. In one of its aspects, the invention relates to a label printer and applicator with a mechanism for severing a label from a continuous web and transferring the label to an article such as a box. In another one of its aspects, the invention relates to a label printer and applicator with a label wetting device for wetting a label before it is applied to an article. In yet another of its aspects, the invention relates to a method of applying a label to an object. 
     In labeling objects such as packages, envelopes and the like, a label pasting and cutting apparatus is typically provided with a supply of label material on a continuous backing web or the like. Alternatively, the label material can be “linerless”, i.e., without backing material. Typically, the label material on the backing is advanced from a supply reel, and through a printer, which can provide desired indicia such as text and graphics onto the label, in addition to any indicia already pre-printed onto the label. If the label material has a backing material, the backing material is advanced over a label separator roller or “peeler” bar onto a take-up reel while the label material, separated from the backing material, is advanced to a cutter and label applicator. By means of the cutter, the printed portion is cut from the continuous web of label material and is transferred to an object, such as package or envelope or the like, by the applicator. 
     Several problems have arisen in prior art label printing, cutting and applying devices. The label is often not cut cleanly from the continuous web of label material leaving an undesirable and aesthetically unpleasing appearance to the severed length of label material. Sometimes, moisture-activated or previously-applied adhesive label materials are employed which often leave residual adhesive (before or after any activating moisture is applied thereto). Further, in the case of moisture-activated adhesives, it is often difficult to activate the adhesive properly, often leaving a label which peels soon after application if not enough moisture was applied—or a wrinkled unattractive label which was oversaturated with moisture. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a label application apparatus comprises a main housing having a roller thereon; a supply reel mounted to the main housing and having an indefinite length web of label material thereon; a printer mounted to the main housing adjacent to the roller; an applicator mounted to the main housing adjacent to the printer for applying a label to an object; a feed mechanism for feeding the continuous web of label material from the supply reel to the printer and applicator; and a cutting mechanism associated with the applicator to cut the labels between the printer and the applicator. The cutting mechanism can comprise a pivotally-mounted blade and a stationary blade. 
     In other aspects of the invention, a cutting mechanism for a label application apparatus to cut labels passing between a printer and an applicator in the label application apparatus, the cutting mechanism comprises a base; a stationary blade mounted to the base; and a pivotally-mounted blade pivotally mounted to one end of the stationary blade and at an opposite end to an air cylinder and the air cylinder is connected to a source of pressurized air. 
     In one embodiment of an improved label application apparatus, the pivotally-mounted blade is connected to an air cylinder and the air cylinder is connected to the source of pressurized air. 
     In various embodiments of the improved label application apparatus and cutting mechanism therefor, a cylinder valve can be fluidly interconnected between the air cylinder and the source of pressurized air for selectively controlling a supply of pressurized air to the air cylinder. A controller can be programmed to that selectively actuate the cylinder valve to deliver a burst of pressurized air to the air cylinder to pivot the pivotally-mounted blade to a cutting position adjacent to the stationary blade. A controller can be programmed to selectively actuate the atomizer valve to project a mist of adhesive-activating liquid beneath the applicator head before or substantially simultaneously with the application of a label onto an object by the applicator. An air jet nozzle can be disposed adjacent to the printer and directed at the applicator head, the air jet nozzle being fluidly interconnected to the pressurized air source, a nozzle valve fluidly interconnected between the air jet nozzle and the pressurized air source for selectively controlling a supply of pressurized air to the air jet nozzle. 
     In other embodiments, the stationary cutting blade can include a base and the base has at least one air jet fluidly interconnected to a source of pressurized air. The air jet can be in register with a feed path of the web and aligned to direct a burst of pressurized air toward the web. The at least one air jet can comprise a pair of air jets directed generally transversely on opposing sides of the base. One end of the stationary blade can be pivotally mounted to one end the pivotally-mounted blade. An opposite end of the pivotally-mounted blade can be mounted to an actuator, wherein the actuator can be selectively movable between a raised position whereby the pivotally-mounted blade is located in a non-cutting position and a lowered position whereby the pivotally-mounted blade is moved to a cutting position. The actuator can comprise a selectively-actuated pneumatic cylinder. 
     At least one of the pivotally-mounted blade and the stationary blade can comprises a curved cutting surface. The curved cutting surface can have a predetermined tangential angle which thereby configures the curved cutting surface to apply a generally constant cutting pressure to the web. At least one of the pivotally-mounted blade and the stationary blade can comprises a longitudinally-extending adhesive accumulation recess in register with the other of the pivotally-mounted blade and the stationary blade whereby excess adhesive encountered during cutting operations is accumulated in the adhesive accumulation recess and not on cutting surfaces of the at least one of the pivotally-mounted blade and the stationary blade. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevational view of a label printer/applicator according to the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the label printer and applicator of FIG. 1 taken along lines  2 — 2  of FIG.  1  and showing a cylinder having an axially-extendable piston mounted to an inner end of the knife. 
     FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view like FIG. 2 showing the cylinder interconnected to a control valve which controls the ingress and egress of pressurized air into the cylinder, the piston being positioned in an extended position relative to the cylinder whereby the knife is shown positioned in the raised non-cutting position and the remaining elements of the applicator have been removed or shown partially for purposes of clarity. 
     FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing the piston and knife in a lowered cutting position upon a proper signal to the control valve to retract the piston within the cylinder. 
     FIG. 5 is a partial schematic front elevational view of the label printer/applicator of FIGS. 1-4 showing the print head, print roller and the applicator in an initial position whereby label web is advanced between the print head and the print roller for printing indicia on the label web. 
     FIG. 6 is a partial schematic and front elevational view of the label printer/applicator shown in FIGS. 1-5 in similar orientation to FIG. 5, showing the label web advanced in cantilever fashion beyond the print head and beneath the vacuum head of the applicator whereby the label web is shown bending under its own weight beneath the vacuum head. 
     FIG. 7 is a partial schematic and front elevational view of the label printer/applicator shown in FIGS. 1-5 in similar orientation to FIG. 6 wherein the knife is moved to the lowered cutting position shown in FIG. 4 whereby a severed label is located beneath the head of the applicator. 
     FIG. 8 is a partial schematic and front elevational view of the label printer/applicator shown in FIGS. 1-5 in similar orientation to FIG. 7 wherein the knife is raised to the position shown in FIG. 3, wherein the air jet has been activated to blow the label against the head of the applicator and the shuttle valve has been actuated to interconnect the head of the applicator with the source of vacuum whereby the label is retained against a lower surface of the head. 
     FIG. 9 is a partial schematic and front elevational view of the label printer/applicator shown in FIGS. 1-5 in similar orientation as FIG. 8 wherein the knife is lowered to the cutting position shown in FIG. 4 to protect the printer and the air jet nozzle as the atomizer is activated to provide a mist of liquid droplets to wet the underside of the label to the extent moisture-activated label material is used. 
     FIG. 10 is a partial schematic and front elevational view of the label printer/applicator shown in FIGS. 1-5 in similar orientation as FIG. 9 wherein the knife is raised to the position shown in FIG. 3, wherein the shuttle valve has been actuated to interconnect the head of the applicator with the source of pressurized air whereby the label is blown against an outer surface of an object to be labeled located remote from the applicator. 
     FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a cutting device for the printer/applicator of FIGS. 1-10. 
     FIG. 11A is a side view of the cutting device taken along the lines A—A of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 12 is a rear exploded view of the cutting device of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of the alternative embodiment of the cutting device of FIG. 11 mounted in the label/applicator. 
     FIGS. 14-16 are a series of front elevational views of the alternative embodiment of the cutting device of FIG. 11 showing the progressive cutting position of a pivoting blade of the cutting device as the pivoting blade is moved from a raised position (FIG.  14 ), through an intermediate position (FIG.  15 ), and, finally, to a lowered position (FIG.  16 ). 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, a label printer/applicator  100  is shown comprising a housing  102  which mounts a printer  104  and an applicator  106 . 
     The housing  102  rotatably mounts a supply reel  108 . The supply reel  108  carries a wound length of a continuous web  110  which is often applied to a backing material (not shown). In the description provided herein the printer/applicator  100  is shown operating with a “linerless” label web  110 , although it can be plainly seen that an alternative label material  110  having a backing layer can be used without departing from the scope of this invention. 
     The supply reel  108  is rotatably mounted on a support axle  112  which, in turn, is mounted to the housing  102 . One or more slack rollers  114  can be rotatably mounted to the housing  102  for guiding a tensioned length of the continuous label web  110  toward the printer  104 . 
     The housing  102  has a printer platform  116  adapted to receive the label web  110  from the supply reel  108  located adjacent a lower portion of the housing  102  which has a recess  118 . A print roller  120  is rotatably mounted to the housing  102  within the recess  118 . The print roller  120  is preferably imparted with rotational motion by a conventional motor (not shown) which is mounted to the housing  102 . The print roller  120  preferably has an outer diameter sized with the recess  118  so that an outer surface of the print roller  120  is generally flush with an outer surface of the printer platform  116 . It has also been found that the print roller  120  can extend beyond the recess  118  a small amount to allow for abutment of the label web  110  passing over the recess  118 . 
     The printer  104  comprises a printer housing  122  which has a lower portion  124  provided with a conventional print head  126 . The print head  126  can be any conventional print head from the many known in the art such as a dot matrix, thermal transfer, ink jet, etc. The print head  126  is interconnected to an information store (not shown) which provides proper instructions to the print head  126 . The printer housing  122  is mounted to the housing  102  in register with the print roller  120 . 
     The applicator  106  is mounted to the housing  102  downstream of the printer  104  and generally comprises a head  128  which is adapted to receive a length of printed label web  110  from the printer  104 , retain the length of printed label web  110  while a label  110 ′ is severed from the remaining continuous length of label web  110  and apply the label  110 ′ to an object adjacent to the printer/applicator  110 . 
     The printer/applicator  100  operates generally by providing the supply reel  108  with a length of label web  110 . The label web  110  is fed over the slack rollers  114 , onto the printer platform  116  and between the print roller  120  and the print head  126  where the label web  110  is printed with any desired indicia such as text and graphics. Rotation of the print roller  120  drives the label web  110  between the print head  126  and the print roller  120 . 
     After the label web  110  is printed, the label web  110  is fed to the applicator  106  where a discrete label  110 ′ is severed from the label web  110  and applied to an object. If a label web  110  having backing material is used, the backing material (not shown in FIG. 1) is peeled from the label web  110  and collected on a secondary accumulator such as a take-up reel as is well known in the art. 
     The support axle  112  for rotatably mounting supply reel  108  is typically nonrotatably mounted to the housing  102 . The supply reel  108  includes an aperture therethrough for sliding reception onto the supply reel axle  112 . Once properly mounted thereon, the supply reel  108  is free to rotate about the support axle  112  as the continuous label web  110  is pulled therefrom to feed the printer  104  and the applicator  106 . The support axle  112  preferably receives a set screw, clamp or other retainer for maintaining the supply reel  108  on the support axle  112 . 
     FIG. 1 shows several of the inventive features of the applicator  106 . The head  128  of the applicator  106  has a distribution grid  130  which generally comprises a varied pattern of small apertures adapted to distribute fluid flow to and from a single supply conduit  132 . The supply conduit  132  of the vacuum head  128  is interconnected to a vacuum source  134  and a pressurized air source  136 , such as an air compressor, via a shuttle valve  138 . 
     The shuttle valve  138  preferably has first, second and third selectable conduits  140 ,  142  and  144 , respectively, which allow the vacuum source  134 , a neutral position and the pressurized air source  136 , respectively, to be interconnected with the supply conduit  132  of the vacuum head  128 . Selective actuation of the shuttle valve  138  permits vacuum, no fluid flow, and pressurized air, respectively, to be delivered through the supply conduit  132  to the vacuum grid  130  at the base of the head  128  at selected points of the process for operating the applicator  106  described below. 
     Another important feature of the applicator  106  is the provision of an air jet nozzle  146  adjacent to the print roller  120  and preferably aligned with the direction of advancement of the web  110 . The air jet nozzle  146  is also preferably interconnected with the pressurized air source  136  by a conduit  148 . A second valve  150  can be provided in the conduit  148  for selectively controlling the supply of pressurized air to the air jet nozzle  146 . Upon actuation of the second valve  150 , a burst of pressurized air is supplied to the air jet nozzle  146  for important purposes described below. 
     Yet an additional important feature of the applicator is an atomizer  152  located on the housing  102  and directed toward the distribution grid  130 . The atomizer  152  is shown schematically in FIG. 1 as a nozzle and provides a burst of vaporized liquid, preferably water, for activating the adhesive on moisture-activated label  110 ′. The atomizer  152  is interconnected to a source of fluid, such as water tank  154  or other adhesive activator, by a conduit  156 . A pump  158  and a third valve  160  can be provided in the conduit  156  for delivering and controlling the supply of the fluid to the atomizer  152 . Upon actuation of the third valve  160  and the pump  158  as needed, a burst of fluid can be supplied to the atomizer  152  which, in turn, creates a mist of adhesive activator, in many cases water, beneath the distribution grid  130  which will be further described below. 
     A cutter  162  for severing a label  110 ′ from the web  110  supplied by the supply reel  108  is shown in FIG.  1  and in greater detail in FIG. 2 located between the printer  104  and the applicator  106 . Turning now to FIG. 2, the cutter  162  comprises a blade  164  which is pivotally mounted at  168  to an actuator  166  at a distal end thereof and pivotally mounted to the housing  102  at  170 . The actuator  166  can be any device which can impart the requisite degree of motion to the blade  164  of the cutter  162 . 
     In FIG. 2, the actuator  166  is shown as a cylinder  172  which has an axially extendible piston  174  mounted therein. The cylinder  172  is preferably interconnected to a fourth valve  176  by first and second conduits  178  and  180  located on either side of an inner end of the piston  174 . The fourth valve  176 , in turn, is fluidly interconnected to the pressurized air source  136  by a conduit  182 . Actuation of the fourth valve  176  selectively interconnects the first and second conduits  178  and  180  with the pressurized air source  136  thereby extending and retracting the piston  174  with respect to the cylinder  172 . 
     FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the movement of the blade  164  when the piston  174  of the actuator  166  is moved. Extension of the piston  174  with respect to the cylinder  172  urges the first pivotal mounting  168  of the blade  164  downwardly which, in turn, pivots the blade  164  relative to the second pivotal mounting  170  of the blade  164  and thereby positions the blade  164  in a raised non-use position out of obstruction of the advancement path of the label  110 ′ exiting the printer  104 . 
     Retraction of the piston  174  with respect to the cylinder  172  causes the piston  174  to urge the first pivotal mounting  168  of the blade  164  upwardly which, in turn, pivots the blade  164  relative to the second pivotal mounting  170  of the blade  164  and thereby positions the blade  164  in a lowered cutting position which severs a label  110 ′ exiting the printer  104 . Further, the lowered cutting position of the blade  164  serves to obstruct the path of any splattering adhesive inadvertently directed toward the printer  104  or the air jet nozzle  146  thus preventing the printer  104  and the air jet nozzle  146  from being damaged, dirtied or clogged. 
     The blade  164  preferably traverses an arcuate cutting path  184  as shown in FIG.  2 . The cutting surface on the blade  164  “slices” through the label web  110  advanced past the printer  104  in the arcuate cutting path  184 . This slicing motion of the blade  164  as dictated by the first and second pivotal mountings  168  and  170  of the blade  164  to the actuator  166  and to the housing  102 , respectively, are configured to impart this motion to the blade  164 . 
     The method of operation of the printer/applicator  100  will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-4 in general and to FIGS. 5-10 in particular. It will be understood that the label web  110  has been fed from the supply reel  114 , delivered to the print head  126  on the printer  102  and is ready for application on an object  190  to be labeled. Turning to FIG. 5, the print head  126 , print roller  120  and the applicator  106  are positioned with the label web  110  therebetween. In FIG. 5, the first valve  138  has been positioned to interconnect the supply conduit  132  to the neutral conduit  142  so that no fluid flow is provided to the distribution grid  130  at the base of the head  128 . In addition, the second valve  150  has been positioned so that no fluid flow is provided to the air jet nozzle  146  and the third valve has been positioned so that no fluid flow is provided to the atomizer  152 . The blade  164  is preferably positioned in the raised non-use position by the actuator  166  as discussed with respect to FIG.  3 . 
     Once the label web  110  has been printed by the printer  104 , it is advanced beyond the printer  104  beneath the distribution grid  130  on the head  128  of the applicator  106  as shown in FIG.  6 . The continuous label web  110  is preferably advanced in cantilever fashion beyond the printer  104  whereby the label web  110  bends under its own weight beneath the head  128 . 
     At this point, many steps occur in a quick successive (and even simultaneous) fashion and these steps are illustrated in FIGS. 7-10. Each of these steps is described individually with respect to each of the steps as shown in FIGS. 7-10, however, it will be understood that the time interval between each of these steps is miniscule. 
     To sever a label  110 ′ from the continuous web exiting the printer  104 , the fourth valve  176  (FIGS. 2-4) is actuated to switch the supply of pressurized air from the first conduit  178  (FIGS. 2-4) to the second conduit  180  (FIGS.  2 - 4 ), thereby retracting the piston  174  within the cylinder  172 . The blade  164  is thereby lowered into the cutting position as shown in FIG. 7 and, in turn, severs the label  110 ′ from the web. 
     When the label  110 ′ is severed from the web  110 , the label often bends due to its own weight and the cantilever fashion in which it was extended beyond the printer platform  116  and the printer  104 . To counteract this misalignment of the label  110 ′ with respect to the distribution grid  130  of the head  128  of the applicator  106 , the second valve  150  is actuated which supplies pressurized air to the air jet nozzle  146  located beneath the head  128  of the applicator  106 . The air jet nozzle  146  thereby blows the label  110 ′ toward the distribution grid  130  of the head  128 . Relatively contemporaneously with the activation of the air jet nozzle  146 , the first valve  138  is positioned to fluidly interconnect the first conduit  140  with the supply conduit  132 , thereby fluidly interconnecting the vacuum source  134  with the distribution grid  128 . Vacuum is thereby applied to the label  110 ′ to retain the label  110 ′ against the distribution grid  130  as aided by the burst of air from the air jet nozzle  146 . 
     If a moisture- or liquid-activated adhesive for the label  110 ′ is employed, FIG. 9 shows the method step where the third valve  160  (and the pump  158  where needed) is actuated to supply a burst of pressurized liquid to the atomizer  152 . The atomizer  152  thereby distributes a misting of fluid over the exposed underside of the label  110 ′ retained against the distribution grid  130 . It will be noted that the blade  164  has now reached a fully lowered position so that the blade  164  covers the return path to the printer  104  and entry into the air jet nozzle  146 . The air jet nozzle  146  can thereby be deactivated through deactivation of the supply of pressurized air from the source  136  through the second valve  150 . Any misted liquid directed toward the printer  104  or the air jet nozzle  146  is thereby blocked by the lowered blade  164  preventing any misted liquid or activated adhesive from entering the area of the printer  104  or clogging the air jet nozzle  146 . Of course, if a different type of label web  110  which does not use a moisture- or liquid-activated adhesive is employed, the step described in FIG. 9 is not necessary. 
     Once the label  110 ′ is retained on the grid  130  and any activation of the adhesive thereon has been performed, the first valve  138  is repositioned to fluidly interconnect the third conduit  144  with the supply conduit  132 . This, in turn, fluidly interconnects the distribution grid  130  of the head  128  with the pressurized air source  136  as shown in FIG.  10 . The vacuum is thereby removed from the label  110 ′ and a burst of pressurized air replaces the vacuum which causes the label  110 ′ to be blown onto the object  190  to be labeled. 
     The blade  164  can be returned to the raised non-use position as shown in FIG. 10, the first valve  138  reset to the neutral position to remove fluid flow to and from the distribution grid  130 , and a new length of label material  110  can be advanced from the printer  104 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 11A, an alternative embodiment of a cutting device  300  is shown comprising a pivoting blade  302 , a fixed blade  304 , and a base  306 . The cutting device  300  is mounted to the label printer/applicator  100  and operated for the cutting of labels as hereinafter described. 
     The base  306  comprises a block of rigid material suitable for mounting to the label printer/applicator  100  and retains the fixed blade  304  as hereinafter described. The base  306  is preferably fabricated of steel or other rigid material suitable for the purposes described herein. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the base  306  comprises a beveled top surface  308  through which extend top air jets  310 . The air jets  310  comprise fluid passageways extending from the top surface  308  in a generally downward direction. The block  306  comprises a first end  312  through which extend mounting apertures  314  and an air inlet port  316 , and a second end  318  through which extend mounting apertures  320 . The air inlet port  316  comprises a fluid passageway extending longitudinally into the interior of the base  306  which is in fluid communication with the top air jets  310 . The mounting apertures  314 ,  320  are threaded to receive suitable fasteners, such as machine screws, for mounting the base  306  to the label printer/applicator  100 . 
     Referring also to FIG. 12 as well as FIGS. 11 and 11A, the base  306  also comprises a rear surface  322  which is provided with a notch  324 , blade mounting apertures  326 , and a rear air jet  328 . In the preferred embodiment, the notch  324  extends in generally horizontal fashion across an upper portion of the rear surface  322  and is configured to receive the fixed blade  304  as hereinafter described. The blade mounting apertures  326  are threaded to receive suitable fasteners  346 , such as machine screws, for mounting the fixed blade  304  to the base  306 . The rear air jet  328  comprises a fluid passageway extending from the rear surface  322  in a generally downward direction and terminates in fluid communication with the air inlet port  316 . The rear air jet  328  and the top air jets  310  direct the flow of air therethrough in a generally upward and angular direction. 
     The fixed blade  304  comprises a generally planar elongated member having a beveled edge  330 , an upper edge of which forms a knife edge  344  for the blade  304  extending longitudinally along an upper edge of the blade  304 , and a pivoting blade mounting flange  332  extending in axial fashion from one end of the blade  304 . The fixed blade  304  is preferably comprised of a rigid material, such as hardened steel, suitable to maintain the knife edge  344  in a sharpened state for effective cutting of labels  110 . The pivoting blade mounting flange  332  includes a pivot mounting aperture  334 , which can optionally be threaded to receive a fastener, such as a screw, as hereinafter described. 
     A rear surface  342  of the fixed blade  304  has a mounting notch  336  and an adhesive notch  338 . The mounting notch  336  is a generally rectangular indentation that extends in generally horizontal fashion across a lower portion of the rear surface  342  of the fixed blade  304 . The adhesive notch  338  is an indentation that extends in generally horizontal fashion along at least a portion of the length of the mounting notch  336 , is preferably centered with respect to the length of the fixed blade  304 , and is preferably of sufficient width to correspond to the width of labels  110 ′ to be cut with the fixed blade  304 . The adhesive notch  338  extends outwardly from an upper edge of the mounting notch  336  and occupies at least a portion of the distance between the mounting notch  336  and an upper edge of the rear surface  342  of the fixed blade  304 . Fixed blade apertures  340  are provided through the fixed blade  304  in a spaced horizontal relationship along the mounting notch  336  in cooperating alignment with the blade mounting apertures  326  on the base  306 . 
     An intersection of corresponding upper edges of the rear blade surface  342  and the beveled edge  330  forms a fixed blade cutting edge  344 . The fixed blade  304  is mounted to the base  306  by blade mounting fasteners  346  which, in one embodiment, are passed through the fixed blade apertures  340  and threaded into the blade mounting apertures  326 . 
     The pivoting blade  302  comprises a generally planar elongated member comprising a curved beveled edge  350  extending longitudinally along a lower edge of the blade  302 , a mounting flange  352  extending longitudinally from one end of the blade  302 , and an actuator mounting flange  358  extending longitudinally from an opposite end of the blade  302 . The pivoting blade  302  is preferably comprised of a rigid material, such as hardened steel, suitable to maintain a knife edge in a sharpened state for effective cutting of labels. 
     The blade mounting flange  352  has a pivoting blade mounting aperture  354  located in a generally central portion thereof that is adapted for mounting the pivoting blade  302  to the fixed blade  304 . A bushing  356 , preferably having a length generally equal to the thickness of the mounting flange  352 , is preferably fixedly received within the pivoting blade mounting aperture  354 . The actuator mounting flange  358  has an actuator mounting aperture  359  located in a generally central portion thereof. Although not critical to the operation of the device, the actuator mounting flange  358  is offset slightly downwardly from the remainder of the pivoting blade  302 . It has been found that, when this blade is mounted to an actuator such as the pneumatically-actuated cylinder  172  and piston  174  described earlier, this offset positioning is advantageous in providing a consistent cutting pressure to a label  110 ′. 
     Referring now to FIG. 11, the pivoting blade  302  has a rear surface  360  which has an adhesive notch  362 . The adhesive notch  362  is a shallow, curved channel, coextending generally along the curved beveled edge  350 . The intersection of the pivoting blade rear surface  360  and the curved beveled edge  350  forms the pivoting blade edge  364 . 
     A blade mounting bolt  366  comprises a smooth shaft portion  368  and a threaded shaft portion  370 . The length of the smooth shaft portion  368  is preferably generally equal to the thickness of the mounting flange  352 . The diameter of the smooth shaft portion  368  is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the bushing so that the smooth shaft portion  368  is slidably and rotatably received within the bushing  356 . The length of the threaded shaft portion  370  is generally equal to the thickness of the pivoting blade mounting flange  332  and a retaining nut  372 . The pivoting blade  302  is attached to the fixed blade  304  by inserting the blade mounting bolt  366  through the pivoting blade bushing  356  and threading the threaded shaft  370  into the pivot mounting aperture  334 . The pivoting blade  302  is thereby able to rotate about the smooth shaft portion  368 . The blade mounting bolt  366  is then secured to the fixed blade  304  by the retaining nut  372 . A washer  374  can also be preferably utilized between the head of the blade mounting bolt  366  and the mounting flange  352 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 13, the cutting device  300  is mounted to the label printer/applicator  100  by attaching the base  306  to the housing  102 , which has been prepared to receive the base  306 , with mounting screws (not shown) inserted into the mounting apertures  314 ,  320 . It will be understood that this embodiment of the cutting device  300  is positioned between an outlet of the printer  104  and an inlet of the applicator  106 . Thus, the cutting device  300  is optimally positioned to sever a label  100 ″ from the web  110  prior to the application of the label  100 ″ to an object to be labeled. The air inlet port  316  is fluidly connected to the pressurized air source  136  by the conduit  148 ″. A valve  150 ″ is fluidly connected into the conduit  148 ″ between the pressurized air source  136  and the air inlet port  316  to control the flow of pressurized air to the air inlet port  316  and thus to the top air jets  310  and rear air jet  328 . A piston arm  378  interconnects the piston  174  to the actuator mounting flange  358  and comprises an elongated member having first and second mounting apertures  376  and  380  that are pivotally mounted to a distal end of the piston  174  and the actuator mounting aperture  359 , respectively, by suitable fasteners. The piston  174  is preferably rigidly attached to one end of the piston arm  378  and the other end of the piston arm  378  is pivotably attached to the actuator mounting flange  358 . 
     It will be appreciated, with respect to the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 11-16, that the operation of the alternative embodiment of the cutting device  300  will require revalving of the cylinder  172  and the fourth valve  176  so that extension of the piston  174  will urge the pivoting blade  302  downwardly to sever a label  100 ″ exiting the printer  104 . Conversely, retraction of the piston  174  will urge the pivoting blade  302  upwardly to position the blade  302  in a raised no-nuse position out of obstruction of the advancement path of the label  100 ″ exiting the printer  104 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 14-16, the curvature of the pivoting blade edge  364  is configured to preferably result in a constant angle α of cut between a tangent to the pivoting blade edge  364  and the fixed blade edge  342  at the point where the two edges meet throughout the cutting stroke of the pivoting blade  302  relative to the fixed blade  304 . This constant angle α provides an improved “slicing” action through the label web  110 , thereby providing a superior label appearance and reducing the frequency of damaged labels. 
     The method of operation of the printer/applicator  100  with the alternative cutting device will be described with reference to FIG.  13 . In general, the operation of the printer/applicator  100  with respect to the feeding of the label web  110 , the printing of the label  100 ′, and the activation of the adhesive is the same as previously described. Once the label  100 ″ has been printed by the printer  104 , it is advanced beyond the printer  104  in cantilever fashion. To sever the label  100 ″ from the continuous web  110  exiting the printer  104 , the fourth valve  176  is actuated to extend the piston  174  within the cylinder  172 . The pivoting blade  302  is thereby lowered into the cutting position and, in turn, severs the label  100 ″ from the web  110 . To counteract the downward bending of the cantilevered label, the second valve  150 ″ is actuated during the cutting cycle, which supplies pressurized air to the air inlet port  316 , and thus through the top air jets  310  and the rear air jet  328 . The pressurized air exiting the air jets  310 ,  328  blows the label  100 ″ upward against the pivoting blade edge  364  where it is maintained in a generally horizontal position during the downward movement of the pivoting blade  302 . This generally horizontal position of the label  100 ″ and the force the label exerts against the blade edge  364  under the influence of the pressurized air from the air jets  310 ,  328  results in an improved cut and thus an improved label appearance. The operation of the vacuum to retain the label against the distribution grid  130  proceeds as with the first cutter embodiment. Similarly, activation of the adhesive and application of the label to the object  190  to be labeled proceeds as with the first embodiment. 
     After the cutting of the label, the pivoting blade  302  can be returned to the raised non-used position through retraction of the piston  174  and resetting of the valves as described with respect to the first embodiment. 
     During the cutting of adhesive-backed labels, small amounts of adhesive are removed from the label and deposited on the pivoting blade  302  and the fixed blade  304 . With prior art cutting devices, this adhesive residue is distributed over the blade surfaces during subsequent cutting cycles, necessitating periodic shutting down of the operation to enable cleaning of the blades. In the alternative embodiment of the cutting device  300 , the adhesive notch  362  of the pivoting blade  302  and the adhesive notch  338  of the fixed blade  304  collect the adhesive residue where it is redeposited on the labels during subsequent cutting cycles, thus reducing significantly the frequency that the operation must be shut down in order to clean the blades. 
     This adhesive accumulation effect is realized due to the recesses provided on the cutting blades  302  and  304 , i.e., the lack of abutting planar surfaces on adjacent and abutting cutting blades. The recesses thereby accumulate the adhesive and can re-deposit the adhesive on labels in subsequent cutting operations. 
     While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Reasonable variation and modification are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure of the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1