Patent ID: 6845799

Claim:
A system for applying labels to flat articles conveyed along a conveying path, comprising: a plurality of n labeling devices where n is greater than one, the labeling devices being arranged sequentially along a conveying path such that each m th unlabel article, where m is greater than or equal to one is labeled, each of the labeling devices comprising a label applying drum, the drum having a spatially fixed axis of rotation and first and second peripheral surfaces; the first peripheral surface having a circular curvature with a center point located on the axis of rotation of the drum and being adapted to receive and rotate to apply labels moving along the conveying path; the second peripheral surface having a surface displaced inwardly toward the axis of rotation such that flat articles traveling along the conveying path do not contact the drum when the second peripheral surface is positioned adjacent the conveying path; means for feeding a continuous strip of labels onto an end of the drum, said means including a guide for conforming the strip to the curvature of the first peripheral surface such that the strip is directed onto the first peripheral surface in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation; means for cutting a label from a portion of the strip positioned on the first peripheral surface; means for rotating the drum such that a label carried on the first peripheral surface contacts a flat article traveling along the conveying path such that the label is applied to the article; and means for stopping the drum after the label has been applied to the article with the second peripheral surface positioned adjacent the conveying path and the first peripheral surface positioned adjacent the guide.