Patent ID: 6845800

Claim:
A tamp for a label applicator of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator, the applicator having a supply roll and a rewind roll, the supply and rewind rolls being driven for moving the strip therethrough, the tamp pad comprising: an impact plate; a first surface formed on first side of the impact plate, and configured to receive a label and secure the label thereto by a vacuum, the first surface having a plurality of vacuum openings therein, the vacuum openings arranged in at least two series of openings, each of the openings in a series being aligned with one another and the openings of each series being spaced from the openings of each other series; and a second surface formed on a second side of the impact plate opposite the first side and generally coplanar therewith the second surface having a vacuum channel formed therein, the second surface having at least two depending sub-channels in communication with the vacuum channel, the vacuum sub-channels configured for receipt of a blocking element to prevent communication of a vacuum through a selected one of the series of openings; and a vacuum port in communication with the vacuum channel, wherein the tamp pad is configured to receive and secure labels of various sizes thereto, one or more blocking elements being configurable to prevent communication of the vacuum through those vacuum openings uncovered by the label received on the pad, without significant loss of vacuum through the uncovered vacuum openings.