Patent Description:
Labeling of wires and cables has traditionally been accomplished manually or by way of apparatuses requiring cumbersome, noisy hydraulic or high-pressure air lines. Various such apparatuses have been developed. Typically, such machines grasp two ends of a section of the wire and pull this section of wire taut. Once the wire is pulled taut, a label applicator or platform orbits around the taut section of wire to apply the label to the wire. This labeler must be capable of orbiting around the wire while applying an appropriate amount and type of pressure between the labeler and the wire. Because the wire or object to be wrapped may take on various shapes or sizes, this can complicate the design and operation of such wire labelers.

It follows that wire labeling apparatuses are typically complex in terms of parts and operation. Separate components are necessary for straightening, centering, and clamping. Moreover, sufficient space must be allotted in the machine to accommodate the orbiting of the label applicator about the wire. Frequently, this means the use of such wire wrappers are limited to immovable fixtures or devices that are not well-adapted for portable use.

Many of the currently available labeling devices are cumbersome, complex and slow. These apparatuses typically deliver discrete labels from a roll. More efficient, faster labeling options require lamination of printed film and adhesive tape on the apparatus.

The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed above and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior labeling devices of this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<CIT> discloses a wrapper to be wrapped around a stack of disc-like tablets wherein a deflectable belt is used for label application.

<CIT> discloses improvements made to devices for applying labels onto pieces of sausage wherein a deflectable belt is used for label application.

<CIT> discloses methods and devices for marking elongated objects by using a wrapping mechanism wherein a wrapping unit is rotated around the object to be labelled.

The invention is directed to an elongated object label applicator according to claim <NUM> and a method of applying an adhesive label to an elongated object according to claim <NUM>.

The applicator comprises a first driver and a wrapping mechanism. The wrapping mechanism comprises a plurality of guide rollers spaced about a central portion. A belt is tensioned around the guide rollers and across an opening in the central portion through which an object to be labeled is received. The belt is deflectable against an elastic force such that the belt can be recessed within the central portion by a force provide by the object to be labeled. The wrapping mechanism is driven by the first driver to rotate the guide rollers about an axis of rotation of the wrapping mechanism passing through the central portion wherein the wrapping mechanism orbits the object to be labeled located within the central portion.

This applicator may include one or more of the following features. The belt is freewheeling about the guide rollers. The opening is defined between a first guide roller in the plurality of guide rollers spaced across the opening from a second guide roller in the plurality of guide rollers. A third guide roller in the plurality of guide rollers is located between the first and second guide rollers and opposite the opening. The third guide roller is elastically mounted to the wrapping mechanism wherein the third guide roller is movable under a force provided by engagement between the belt and the object to be labeled which deflects the belt within the central portion of the wrapping mechanism. A fourth guide roller in the plurality of guide rollers is located between the first and second guide rollers and opposite the opening. The fourth guide roller is elastically mounted to the wrapping mechanism wherein the fourth guide roller is movable under a force provided by engagement between the belt and the object to be labeled which deflects the belt within the central portion of the wrapping mechanism.

The applicator may further comprise an incoming conveyor driven by a conveyor driver. The incoming conveyor is in operable alignment with the wrapping mechanism wherein a label traveling on the incoming conveyor is delivered to the wrapping mechanism.

The applicator may further comprise a conveyor assist lever actuated by the conveyor driver to operably engage the incoming conveyor and form a nip therewith through which the label travels to the wrapping mechanism.

The applicator may further comprise an object lift mechanism comprising a cradle movable between a home position wherein the object to be labeled is loaded onto the cradle and wrap position where the object to be labeled is located within the central portion of the wrapping mechanism.

The applicator may further comprise a suction system comprising a vacuum source connected by a duct to a position adjacent the incoming conveyor wherein a vacuum force provided by the vacuum source urges the label against the incoming conveyor to retain the label to the incoming conveyor.

Also described is an elongated object label applicator. The applicator comprises a wrapping mechanism, an incoming conveyor, and a conveyor lift mechanism. The wrapping mechanism has a recessed central portion configured to receive an elongated object therein. The wrapping mechanism is rotatable about an axis of rotation passing through the central portion wherein the wrapping mechanism orbits an object to be labeled located within the central portion. The incoming conveyor is driven by a conveyor driver to deliver a label to the wrapping mechanism. The incoming conveyor is in operable alignment with the wrapping mechanism wherein a label traveling on the incoming conveyor is delivered to the wrapping mechanism. The conveyor assist lever is actuated by the conveyor driver to operably engage the incoming conveyor and form a nip therewith through which the label travels to the wrapping mechanism.

This applicator may include one or more of the following features. Activation of the conveyor driver causes the conveyor assist lever to engage the incoming conveyor. A force provided by the conveyor assist lever against incoming conveyor is regulated by a damper located between the conveyor driver the conveyor assist lever. The damper is a viscous damper.

This applicator may further comprise a source of printed labels in operable alignment with the incoming conveyor wherein the incoming conveyor receives printed labels from the source of printed labels.

The applicator may further comprise an object lift mechanism comprising a cradle movable between a home position where the object to be labeled is loaded onto the cradle and wrap position where the object to be labeled is located within the central portion of the wrapping mechanism.

Also described is an elongated object label applicator. The applicator comprises a wrapping mechanism, an incoming conveyor, and an object lift mechanism. The wrapping mechanism has a recessed central portion configured to receive an elongated object therein. The wrapping mechanism is rotatable about an axis of rotation passing through the central portion wherein the wrapping mechanism orbits an object to be labeled located within the central portion. The incoming conveyor is driven by a conveyor driver. The incoming conveyor is in operable alignment with the wrapping mechanism wherein a label traveling on the incoming conveyor is delivered to the wrapping mechanism. The object lift mechanism comprises a cradle that is movable between a home position wherein the object to be labeled is loaded onto the cradle and wrap position where the object to be labeled is located within the central portion of the wrapping mechanism.

This applicator may further comprise a suction system comprising a vacuum source connected by a duct to a position adjacent the incoming conveyor wherein a vacuum force provided by the vacuum source urges the label against the incoming conveyor to retain the label to the incoming conveyor.

This applicator may further comprise a conveyor assist lever actuated by the driver to operably engage the incoming conveyor and form a nip therewith through which the label travels to the wrapping mechanism.

Also described is an elongated object label applicator. The applicator comprises a first driver, a wrapping mechanism, an incoming conveyor, a conveyor assist lever, a conveyor lift mechanism, and a suction system. The wrapping mechanism comprises a plurality of guide rollers spaced about a central portion. A belt is tensioned around the guide rollers and across an opening in the central portion through which an object to be labeled is received. The belt is deflectable against an elastic force such that the belt can be recessed with the central portion by a force provide by the object to be labeled. The wrapping mechanism is driven by the first driver to rotate the guide rollers simultaneously about an axis of rotation of the wrapping mechanism passing through the central portion wherein the wrapping mechanism orbits the object to be labeled located within the central portion. The incoming conveyor is driven by a conveyor driver to deliver a label to the wrapping mechanism. The incoming conveyor is in operable alignment with the wrapping mechanism wherein a label traveling on the incoming conveyor is delivered to the wrapping mechanism. The conveyor assist lever is actuated by the conveyor driver to operably engage the incoming conveyor and form a nip therewith through which the label travels to the wrapping mechanism. The object lift mechanism comprises a cradle movable between a home position where the object to be labeled is loaded onto the cradle and a wrap position where the object to be labeled is located within the central portion of the wrapping mechanism. The suction system comprises a vacuum source connected by a duct to a position adjacent the incoming conveyor wherein a vacuum force provided by the vacuum source urges the label against the incoming conveyor to retain the label to the incoming conveyor.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention as defined by the claims to the embodiments illustrated.

Referring generally to the figures, automated apparatuses for applying printed labels to wires, cables or other elongated objects of varying diameters are illustrated. Labels are wrapped around the objects without spinning the objects about their elongated longitudinal axes. The apparatuses are particularly useful for label types that require that the label be wrapped around an object using more than one revolution. Self-laminating labels are one such type, requiring a transparent end of the label to be wrapped over top of a printed region to provide protection to the printed content.

The following description utilizes the following drawing conventions. Elements of a first embodiment are given reference numbers less than <NUM>; elements of a second embodiment are given reference numbers between <NUM> and <NUM>; elements of a third embodiment are given reference numbers between <NUM> and <NUM>, and so on. The last three digits of the reference numbers given to elements of the second, third, fourth embodiments, etc. correspond to the reference numbers given the same elements of the first embodiment where applicable. In each case, the last three digits of each embodiment correspond to like elements in the other embodiments. Movement of various elements is shown by arrows.

Referring to <FIG>, a label applicator <NUM> comprises several sub-systems. These include an incoming conveyor <NUM>, a wrapping mechanism <NUM>, and a suction system <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

In an embodiment of the invention, the subsystems <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are attached to desktop label printer <NUM> connected via support plates <NUM>. Any appropriate fastener may be used to attach the subsystems <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> to the label printer <NUM>, such as bolts, screws, welds, clamps, etc..

Referring to <FIG>, the incoming conveyor <NUM> provides a movement to labels from a label peel-and-present mechanism <NUM> (see <FIG>) to the wrapping mechanism <NUM>. The incoming conveyor <NUM> comprises a driver, such as a hand crank, air cylinder, rack and pinion, etc., but preferably a motor <NUM>. The driver is connected to two or more shafts <NUM> using a drive belt <NUM> and belts <NUM> to rotate the shafts <NUM> at the same rate. The shafts <NUM> span an opening between the support plates <NUM> and a series of belts <NUM> spaced with gaps between them (alternatively, a single belt with holes through it) are held in tension around the shafts <NUM>.

The wrapping mechanism <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. It is generally a rotational device driven by a driver, such as a motor <NUM>, and gear train <NUM> (alternatively, a belt or a chain) and is further detailed in <FIG>. The wrapping mechanism <NUM> has a belt system <NUM> of similar construction to the incoming conveyor <NUM>. The wrapping mechanism <NUM> includes a plurality of guide rollers <NUM>, here four, that provide a primary guidance for the belts <NUM>.

The rollers <NUM> are spaced about a perimeter of the wrapping mechanism <NUM> so that a central portion <NUM> of the wrapping mechanism <NUM> is free from the guide rollers <NUM>. A first pair of the rollers <NUM> is supported between tensioner arms <NUM> that are held in tension with extension springs <NUM>. The tensioner arms remove slack in the belts <NUM> and keep the belts <NUM> straight and taught and allow the belts <NUM> to be moved or pushed into the central portion <NUM> by the object <NUM> to be wrapped.

For example, the object <NUM> is inserted into the wrapping mechanism <NUM> and forces the belts <NUM> within the central portion <NUM> against a tension of the springs <NUM> until the object <NUM> reaches approximately a center of the wrapping mechanism's rotational axis <NUM>. The belts <NUM> together with the rollers <NUM> rotate <NUM> or more times, so that a surface of the belts <NUM> travels along the full circumference of the object <NUM>. The belts <NUM> push against a surface of the object <NUM> with the tension provided by the tensioner arms <NUM>. While the wrapping mechanism <NUM> is being rotated, the belts <NUM> are driven by the contact/engagement between the belt surface and the object <NUM> that was inserted into the wrapping mechanism <NUM>.

Rotation of the wrapping mechanism <NUM> is accomplished by the gear train <NUM> (<FIG>) or other suitable drive mechanism.

The subsystems <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> work together to control and transport labels <NUM> presented to the label applicator from a label peel-and-present mechanism <NUM> that is independent of the label applicator <NUM>. A typical peel-and-present mechanism <NUM> is depicted in <FIG>; however, the mechanism <NUM> could be a stand-alone device with pre-printed media or attached to the output of a desktop label printer <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>. printed labels <NUM> are presented to the label applicator <NUM> at an entry end of the incoming conveyor <NUM> with an adhesive side <NUM> of the label <NUM> facing away from the belt <NUM> surface (see <FIG>). The label <NUM> is held in contact with the belt <NUM> surface by an air pressure provided by the suction system <NUM> that can pull air through gaps (or holes) in the belting <NUM>. The incoming conveyor <NUM> is driven forward such that the label <NUM> is then transported along it to the wrapping mechanism <NUM>.

The label <NUM>, now positioned on the wrapping mechanism <NUM> (see <FIG>), is held in place by the airflow provided by the suction system <NUM>. When properly positioned, a leading edge <NUM> of the label <NUM> will extend past a center of the opening in the wrapping mechanism <NUM>. Next, the object <NUM>, e.g. a wire, cable or other elongated object, is inserted into the wrapping mechanism <NUM> so that the surface of the object <NUM> first contacts the label <NUM> adhesive and traps the label <NUM> between the object <NUM> and the surface of the belt <NUM> (see <FIG>). As the object <NUM> is inserted further into the central portion <NUM> against the springs <NUM> force, the label <NUM> is pressed against the object <NUM> over an increasing arc length. Once the object <NUM> is inserted fully into the central portion <NUM> so that it is approximately at the center of the axis of rotation <NUM> of the wrapping mechanism <NUM>, the wrapping mechanism <NUM> begins to rotate and the label <NUM> is pushed against the object <NUM> from all angles as the belt <NUM> moves along the surface of the object <NUM> (see <FIG>). After rotating the wrapping mechanism <NUM> several times to ensure that the entire length of the label <NUM> has been pressed against the object <NUM>, the object <NUM> may be removed from the wrapping mechanism <NUM>. This rotation is accomplished simultaneously by the rollers <NUM> while the belt <NUM> remains freewheeling on the guide rollers <NUM>.

Once removed, the process is complete and additional labels and objects may be processed in the same way.

Now referring to <FIG>, an embodiment of automated labeling apparatus <NUM> for applying printed labels <NUM> to objects <NUM> such as wires, cables or other elongated elements is illustrated. The objects <NUM> may have varying diameters. The labels <NUM> are attached to the object by wrapping the label <NUM> around the object <NUM> without spinning, rotating, or twisting the object <NUM> along/about its elongated longitudinal axis. This apparatus <NUM> is useful for label types that require that the label <NUM> to be wrapped around the object <NUM> using more than one revolution. Self-laminating labels are one such type, requiring the transparent end of the label to be wrapped over top of the printed region to provide protection to the printed content.

This automated label applicator <NUM> comprises of two primary systems, as shown in <FIG>, an applicator head <NUM> and a support box <NUM>. The applicator head <NUM> contains a label handler, an incoming conveyor <NUM>, and a wrapping mechanism <NUM>. The support box <NUM> contains subsystems for cable insertion <NUM>, a suction system <NUM> and an electrical system <NUM>. The support box <NUM> also supports and positions a printer <NUM>. A printer <NUM> and/or source of labels may be in operable alingment with the incoming conveyor <NUM> to feed labels <NUM> to the applicator <NUM>.

The incoming conveyor <NUM> and the wrapping mechanism <NUM> subsystems are shown, for example, in <FIG>. These subsystems are positioned between a pair of support plates <NUM>. Each of these subsystems <NUM>,<NUM> is driven by a separate electric motor <NUM>,<NUM>.

The incoming conveyor <NUM> moves labels <NUM> from a peel-and-present mechanism <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), integrated with the attached printer to the wrapping mechanism <NUM>. This subsystem <NUM> includes a drive motor <NUM> connected to two or more shafts <NUM> using a drive belt <NUM> and belts <NUM> to rotate the shafts <NUM> at the same rate. The shafts <NUM> span an opening/space between the support plates <NUM> and a series of round belts <NUM> spaced with gaps between them (or one or more belts with holes through it) are held in tension around the shafts <NUM>.

The incoming conveyor <NUM> further includes a conveyor assist lever <NUM> (see <FIG>). The conveyor assist lever <NUM> acts as a nip roller to grip an incoming label <NUM> and provide a tension needed to remove the label <NUM> from the release liner, shown in <FIG>. The conveyor assist lever <NUM> is indirectly driven by the motor <NUM> that drives the incoming conveyor <NUM>. A pinion <NUM> is attached to the forward shaft <NUM> of the incoming conveyor <NUM> which drives a gear <NUM> that is coupled to the conveyor assist lever <NUM> using a viscous damper <NUM> (see, e.g., <FIG>). The viscous damper <NUM> transmits a torque to the conveyor assist lever <NUM> based on a rotational speed of the gear <NUM>. As the gear's speed increases, the torque applied to the conveyor assist lever <NUM> increases, as well. With sufficient speed, the conveyor assist lever <NUM> raises until it reaches the label <NUM> and pinches the label <NUM> between a lever arm <NUM> and the conveyor belt <NUM>. The resulting force increases a frictional force from the incoming conveyor belt <NUM> and pulls the label <NUM> forward towards the wrapping mechanism <NUM>. <FIG> shows the relative motion of the components when the conveyor assist lever <NUM> is raised.

When the incoming conveyor <NUM> stops or slows sufficiently, the torque applied to the conveyor assist lever <NUM> is reduced, and conveyor assist lever <NUM> drops to the original position in preparation for a new label <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>.

The wrapping mechanism <NUM> is shown in <FIG>. The wrapping device <NUM> is a rotating device driven by a motor <NUM> and gear train <NUM> (alternatively a belt, chain, or the like) and is further detailed in <FIG>. The wrapping mechanism <NUM> has a belt system <NUM> of similar construction to the incoming conveyor <NUM> within it. The wrapping mechanism <NUM> has a plurality of guide rollers <NUM>, preferably four, that provide the primary guidance for the wrapping mechanism belts <NUM>. These guide rollers <NUM> are spaced around/about a perimeter of the wrapping mechanism <NUM>, so that a central portion <NUM> of the wrapping mechanism <NUM> is free from guide rollers <NUM>.

The wrapping mechanism has tensioner arms <NUM> that are held in tension with extension springs <NUM>. The tensioner arms <NUM> remove slack in the belts <NUM> and keep the belts <NUM> straight and taught. This allows the belts <NUM> to be pushed into the wrapping mechanism's central portion <NUM> toward an axis of rotation <NUM>(<FIG>) of the wrapping mechanism <NUM> by the object <NUM>, such as a wire, cable or other cylindrical object. When the object <NUM> is inserted into the wrapping mechanism <NUM> until it reaches approximately a center of the wrapping mechanism's rotational axis <NUM>, i.e. when the object <NUM> is aligned with the axis of rotation <NUM> such that the axis of rotation is located with a cross-sectional area of the object <NUM>, the wrapping mechanism <NUM> rotates or obits about its rotational axis <NUM> one or more times, so that a surface of the belt <NUM> travels along a full circumference of the object <NUM>. Again, this rotation is accomplished simultaneously by the rollers <NUM> while the belt <NUM> remains freewheeling on the guide rollers <NUM>. The belts <NUM> push against the object <NUM> with a tension provided by the tensioner arms <NUM>. While the wrapping mechanism <NUM> is rotated (i.e. orbiting the object <NUM>), the belts <NUM> are driven by a contact between the belt <NUM> surface and the object <NUM> that is within the central portion <NUM> of the wrapping mechanism <NUM>.

The incoming conveyor <NUM>, wrapping mechanism <NUM>, and suction system <NUM> work together to control and transport labels <NUM> presented to the label applicator <NUM> from a label peel-and-present mechanism <NUM> that is independent of the label applicator <NUM>. A typical peel-and-present mechanism <NUM> is depicted in <FIG>; however, the mechanism <NUM> could be a stand-alone device with pre-printed media or attached to the output of a desktop label printer <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

The printer <NUM> presents printed labels <NUM> the label applicator <NUM> at an entry end of the incoming conveyor <NUM> with an adhesive side <NUM> of the label <NUM> facing away from the belt <NUM> surface (see, e.g. <FIG>). The label <NUM> is held in contact with the belt <NUM> surface by an air pressure provided by the suction system <NUM> that can pull air through gaps (or holes) in the belting <NUM>. The incoming conveyor <NUM> is driven forward such that the label <NUM> is then transported along it to the wrapping mechanism <NUM>.

The label <NUM> is positioned on the wrapping mechanism <NUM> (see <FIG>) and held in place by the airflow provided by the suction system <NUM>. When properly positioned, a leading edge <NUM> of the label <NUM> will extend past a center of the central portion <NUM> in the wrapping mechanism <NUM>. Next, the elongated object <NUM> is inserted into the central portion <NUM> of the wrapping mechanism <NUM> so that the surface of the object <NUM> first contacts an adhesive on the adhesive side <NUM> of the label <NUM> and traps the label <NUM> between the object <NUM> and the surface of the belt <NUM> (see <FIG>). As the object <NUM> is inserted further into the central portion <NUM>, the label <NUM> is pressed against the object <NUM> over an increasing arc length. Once the object <NUM> is inserted fully into the central portion <NUM>, so that the axis of rotation <NUM> of the wrapping mechanism <NUM> is position within the cross-sectional area of the object <NUM>, preferably with the axis of rotation <NUM> coincident with a center longitudinal axis of the object <NUM>, as determined by switches or sensory means, the wrapping mechanism <NUM> rotates as driven by the gear train <NUM> such that it orbits about the object <NUM>, and the label <NUM> is pushed against the object <NUM> from all angles as the belt <NUM> moves along the surface of the object <NUM> (see <FIG>). After rotating about its axis of rotation <NUM>, or orbiting about the object <NUM>, several times to ensure that the entire length of the label <NUM> has been pressed against the object <NUM>, the object <NUM> may be removed from the central portion <NUM> of the wrapping mechanism <NUM>.

An industrial label printer <NUM> can be purchased or retrofitted with optional peel and present modules. A typical system is depicted in <FIG>. Such a printer <NUM> can be used to deliver a printed label <NUM> to the incoming conveyor <NUM> by adapting a support duct <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> to attach to the printer <NUM>. <FIG> shows the support duct <NUM> installed on the printer <NUM>. The support duct <NUM> attaches the incoming conveyor <NUM>, the wrapping mechanism <NUM> and a cover duct <NUM>, which protects the incoming conveyor <NUM> and the wrapping mechanism <NUM>, to the printer <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>).

The support box <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is isolated in <FIG>. The support box <NUM> houses or supports the cable insertion system <NUM>, a label vacuum duct <NUM>, and electronics <NUM> for driving the applicator head <NUM>, cable insertion system <NUM>, and suction system <NUM>. The support box <NUM> comprises an aluminum frame <NUM> and a platform <NUM> on which the printer <NUM> is supported. <FIG> shows the support box <NUM> with the platform <NUM> removed to reveal the electronics <NUM> in the form of a circuit board.

The cable insertion system <NUM> is an electromechanical assembly that shuttles and holds the object <NUM> in position in the wrapping mechanism <NUM>. After the label <NUM> is wrapped about the object <NUM>, the cable insertion system <NUM> removes the object <NUM> from the wrapping mechanism <NUM>. The cable insertion system <NUM> includes a lift <NUM> which delivers a section of the object <NUM> into the central portion <NUM> of the wrapping mechanism <NUM>.

The cable insertion system <NUM> starts the wrapping process via a switch <NUM>, preferably a snap-action process switch, preferably two such switches, mounted on a cradle <NUM> upon which the object <NUM> is raised and lowered. The process begins when both switches <NUM> are actuated, preferably simultaneously activated.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the cradle <NUM> is movable, preferably vertically, by a lift <NUM>. In the embodiment illustrated the lift <NUM> is a scotch yoke-style mechanism. A pin <NUM> is integrated into a spur gear <NUM> interfacing a slot <NUM> in a main link <NUM>. A range of motion of a shuttle <NUM> is determined by a length of linkages and a stroke of the pin <NUM>.

The cradle <NUM> is a rigid feature with a recess <NUM>, preferably V-shaped, to center the object <NUM>. The recess <NUM> may be spring-loaded to allow variations in the size of the object <NUM> to be wrapped. A path of the shuttle <NUM> is defined by a guide, preferably two steel guide rods <NUM> mounted to a base <NUM>.

When the label applicator <NUM> is initialized, the lift <NUM> is moved to a home position <NUM> with the shuttle <NUM> at mid-stroke if it is not already there. Here, it will stay until the switches <NUM> are actuated, as described above.

When the switches <NUM> are actuated, the lift <NUM> moves to a wrap position <NUM>, shuttling the object <NUM> into the applicator head <NUM>, preferably into the central portion <NUM> of the wrapping mechanism <NUM>. It stays in this position while the applicator head <NUM> completes a wrap cycle as described above.

When the wrap is completed, the cable insertions system <NUM> advances further, retracting the shuttle <NUM> to a bottom of the stroke where it contacts an eject position switch <NUM>, signaling to the label applicator <NUM> that the cycle is complete. The shuttle <NUM> is then returned to the home position <NUM> to await the next object <NUM>.

The support box <NUM> includes the suction system <NUM> (see <FIG>). The purpose of the suction system <NUM> is to hold a label <NUM> against the incoming conveyor <NUM> without contacting the adhesive side <NUM> of the label, so that it can be carried between the printer's peel and present feature into position in the applicator head <NUM>.

The suction system <NUM> comprises a high-flow fan <NUM>, a bypass valve <NUM> to a control airflow diverted to an up-flow diffuser <NUM> aimed at an underside of the incoming conveyor <NUM>, ducts <NUM> to route the airflow around the cable insertion system <NUM>, and various support brackets. A downtube <NUM> mates with a similarly shaped feature molded into the cover <NUM> of the applicator head <NUM> to focus a vacuum over the wrapping mechanism <NUM> and the incoming conveyor <NUM>.

The up-flow diffuser <NUM> takes some air recirculated from exhaust from the fan <NUM> supported by a fan bracket <NUM> and directs it up to the incoming conveyor <NUM> and the applicator head <NUM>. It also attempts to diffuse a fluid pressure evenly over the entire distance via vanes <NUM> molded across an exit <NUM>. This ensures the peeled label <NUM> stays planted on the belt <NUM> of the incoming conveyor <NUM> and maintain proper orientation until adhered to the object <NUM>. A butterfly valve <NUM> (see <FIG>) is added to the throat of the diffuser <NUM> to better control the amount of air siphoned from the fan <NUM> exhaust.

Referring to <FIG>, a further embodiment of a label applicator <NUM> for applying pre-printed labels to objects such as wires, cables or other elongated objects of varying diameters is illustrated. The label applicator <NUM> wraps the label <NUM> around the objects without spinning the object along its longitudinal axis. This device is useful for label types that require that the label <NUM> be wrapped around the object using more than one revolution. Self-laminating labels are one such type, requiring a transparent end of the label <NUM> to be wrapped over top of the printed region to provide protection to the printed content.

The label applicator <NUM> of this embodiment is a benchtop label applicator and comprises of two primary mechanisms and additional components, as shown in <FIG>.

The wrapping mechanism <NUM> and the label peel-and-present mechanism <NUM> are supported on a base plate <NUM> of electrical enclosure <NUM>. The wrapping mechanism <NUM> operates substantially the same as the wrapping mechanisms <NUM>, <NUM> of the previous embodiments. The label peel-and-present mechanism <NUM> contains systems to handle the unwinding, tensioning and peeling of labels <NUM> as well as the rewinding of a label liner <NUM>.

Labels <NUM> are printed in bulk off-line and wound onto a core <NUM> suitable for use in the benchtop applicator <NUM> with the labels <NUM> facing outward. The labels <NUM> and liner <NUM> are loaded into the peel-and-present mechanism <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

With the labels <NUM> loaded into the peel-and-present mechanism <NUM>, a label liner rewind <NUM> rotates and applies a tension to the liner <NUM>, pulling the liner <NUM> and labels <NUM> through the mechanism <NUM> and around a peeling plate <NUM>. As the leading edge <NUM> of the label <NUM> reaches a tip of the peeling plate <NUM>, the label adhesive is peeled away from the liner <NUM> and the label <NUM> is fed, with adhesive side <NUM> up, away from the central portion <NUM> until the label <NUM> rests on the top of the wrapping mechanism <NUM>.

The label <NUM>, now positioned on the wrapping mechanism <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>), falls to the surface of the belts <NUM> under its own weight and a small patch of the label <NUM> remains attached to the liner <NUM> to keep the label <NUM> from moving.

Next, the object is inserted into the wrapping mechanism <NUM> so that the surface of the object first contacts the adhesive side <NUM> of the label <NUM> traps the label <NUM> between the object and the surface of the belt <NUM>. As the object is inserted further, the label <NUM> is pressed against the object over an increasing are length. Once the object is inserted fully, so that it is approximately at the axis of rotation <NUM> of the wrapping mechanism <NUM>, as determined by switches or sensory means, the wrapping mechanism <NUM> starts to rotate, and the label <NUM> is pushed against the object from all angles as the belt <NUM> moves along the surface of the object. This process is very similar to the process described in relation to the previous embodiment, with the exception that this embodiment does not include the incoming conveyor of the presence and use of the incoming conveyor.

After rotating several times to ensure that the entire length of the label <NUM> has been pressed against the object, the object may be removed from the wrapping mechanism <NUM>.

Once removed, the process is complete and the next label is presented to the wrapping mechanism.

A further embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method of wrapping a label about an elongated object as described above in connection with the various apparatuses.

It follows that a method of applying an adhesive label to an elongated object comprising the steps of: <NUM>) providing a source of labels wherein the source of labels comprises a label having an adhesive side with a liner thereon; <NUM>) feeding the label from the source of labels to a wrapping mechanism; <NUM>) contacting an object to be labeled with the wrapping mechanism; and <NUM>) rotating the wrapping mechanism about an axis of rotation wherein the axis of rotation intersects a cross-sectional area of the object taken transverse to an elongated length of the object substantially coincident with a longitudinal axis of the object.

As explained in detail in connection with the various embodiments, the method may include inserting the object to be labeled within an opening in the wrapping mechanism prior to the rotating step. A portion of the wrapping member may be deflected inwardly into the opening in the wrapping mechanism against an elastic force during the inserting step. The label may be retained between the portion of the wrapping member and the object to be labeled during the rotating step The object to be labeled and the portion of the wrapping mechanism may remain rotationally stationary during the rotating step.

As explained in detail in connection with the various embodiments, the method may include applying a fluid pressure to the label during the feeding step to control the label during movement. The fluid pressure may be supplied by a suction system comprising a vacuum source connected by a duct to a position adjacent an incoming conveyor wherein a vacuum force provided by the vacuum source urges the label against the incoming conveyor to retain the label to the incoming conveyor.

As explained in detail in connection with the various embodiments, the method may include applying a mechanical force to the label during the feeding step to control the label during movement. The applying a mechanical force step may be provided by a conveyor assist lever actuated by a conveyor driver to operably engage an incoming conveyor and form a nip therewith through which the label travels during the feeding step.

As explained in detail in connection with the various embodiments, the method may include supporting the object to be labeled on a support and automatically transporting the object to be labeled to the wrapping mechanism via automated relative movement between the support and the wrapping mechanism. This step may be performed by an object lift mechanism comprising a cradle movable between a home position where the object to be labeled is loaded onto the cradle and wrap position where the object to be labeled is located within a central portion of the wrapping mechanism.

Claim 1:
An elongated object label applicator (<NUM>) comprising:
a first driver (<NUM>); and
a wrapping mechanism (<NUM>) driven by the first driver, the first driver comprising
a plurality of guide rollers spaced about a central portion, and
a belt (<NUM>) tensioned around the guide rollers (<NUM>) and across an opening in a central portion (<NUM>) through which an object (<NUM>) to be labeled is received, wherein the belt is deflectable to be recessed into the central portion by an elastic force provided by the object to be labeled, the wrapping mechanism driven by the first driver to rotate the guide rollers about an axis of rotation of the wrapping mechanism passing through the central portion, wherein when the object to be labeled is located within the central portion position the wrapping mechanism is configured to rotate around the object to be labeled while the belt is freewheeling about the guide rollers and the belt presses against the object to be labeled.