A labeling machine in which pressure sensitive adhesively backed labels are releasably adhered to a backing strip moving along a path from a dispensing roll to a take-up roll. The labels are removed from the backing strip onto a rotating applicator drum at a first station along said path, and the thus removed labels are transferred from the applicator drum to articles being successively presented at a second station. The improvement comprises a scanning unit, a comparator unit, and a removal unit. The scanning unit is positioned in advance of the first station for reading indicia appearing on the labels adhered to said backing strip. The comparator unit is associated with the scanning unit for comparing the indicia on the labels with a preselected standard and for generating a control signal in the event of a mismatch between the standard and the indicia appearing on an incorrect label. The removal unit is responsive to the control signal for removing the incorrect label from the applicator drum at a location intermediate the first and second station.
A method and means for reconciliation between incorrect/faulty labels identified during a labeling operation and incorrect/faulty labels removed from the operation.
A station for checking labels, in particular auto-adhesive labels, in a labeling machine, cooperates with a control unit and has a working group for removing defective labels from a label carrier band. The working group has a knurled roller idling on a rotation axis and disposed inside a related windowed casing freely supported by an axle of the knurled roller. The windowed casing has a vertical plate with upstream and downstream edges. A tightening roller, also idling on a rotation axis, guides the band in cooperation with the adjacent working group, while a collecting group cooperates with the working group for collecting defective labels removed from the band. The windowed casing is operated, on command from the control unit, by an actuator and moves from a rest configuration, with the band completely guided by the knurled roller and tightening roller, to a working configuration, with the band engaged by the downstream edge of the plate.
Improved web printing and handling apparatus (10, 84, 88) is provided which includes an improved digital printing assembly (12) having a bidrectionally rotatable impression drum (18) presenting an outer surface (20), as well as at least one digital print head (22) adjacent the drum outer surface. The overall apparatus (10, 84, 88) also has a downstream web cutting and handling assembly (14) with an adhesive applicator (32), laser cutter (40) and image collection assembly (44). In use, a web (16) traverses the drum (18) with essentially no relative movement between the web (16) and drum surface (20), and the print head(s) (22) are actuated to form individual images on the web (16). Thereafter, the printed web passes into and through the assembly (14) where adhesive is applied and the individual images are laser cut and collected using assembly (44).
Improved label printing and applying apparatus (10) is provided which includes an improved digital printing assembly (12) having a rotatable impression drum (18) presenting an outer surface (20), as well as at least one digital print head (22) adjacent the drum outer surface. The overall apparatus (10) also includes a downstream label cutting and application assembly (14) having an adhesive applicator (32), laser cutter (40) and a label applying device. In use, a web (16) traverses the drum (18) with essentially no relative movement between the web (16) and drum surface (20), and the print head(s) (22) are actuated to form images on the web (16), which may be identical or varied. Thereafter, the printed web passes into and through the assembly (14) where adhesive is applied, the individual images are laser cut, and the labels are thereupon applied to products (54).
A module for adapting an apparatus which strips a liner from labels and applies the labels to substrates, said module enabling said apparatus to apply linerless labels, said module comprising: a source of linerless label sheet, a source of liner sheet, a roll for guiding said linerless label sheet after removal from said source of linerless label sheet, a die cutter and an anvil roller defining an area through which said linerless label sheet moves between said die cutter and anvil roller to_form cut-out linerless labels, a laminator roller adjacent said anvil roller defining an area between said anvil roller and said laminator roller through which both the liner and cut-out linerless labels from said linerless label sheet move between said anvil roller and said laminator roller to form a temporary support of said liner for said cut-out linerless labels, and a means positioned with respect to the apparatus that strips a liner from labels and applies the labels to substrates to feed the cut-out linerless labels supported on said liner into said apparatus that strips a liner from labels and applies the labels to substrates.
