Continuous motion label transferring apparatus

Abstract

Continuous motion label transferring apparatus includes a non-stick surface between a peel point and a pinch point. A label unwinder continuously passes a first web along a path towards the pinch point. The first web includes a series of spaced labels to which a liner of release material is releasably attached. As the release liner travels around the peel point, the labels continue to move toward the pinch point, passing over the nonstick surface as they approach the pinch point. A target mover passes a succession of spaced targets through the pinch point, so that the labels are individually adhered to the targets. A control system for the label unwinder monitors the target mover, and synchronizes the labels and targets in a desired manner. The distance between the peel point and the pinch point is set so that the labels can be fed continuously into the pinch point in registration with the targets.

1 . Continuous motion label transferring apparatus comprising: 
 a label unwinder, the label unwinder continuously passing a first web along a path towards a pinch point, the first web having a series of spaced labels on a liner of release material, the labels having a surface to which the liner is releasably attached,    a peel bar, along the path of the first web, at an adjustable selectable distance from the pinch point, the release liner traveling around a peel point on the peel bar, the labels continuing to move toward the pinch point as the web passes the peel point;    a nonstick surface between the peel point and the pinch point, the surface of the labels passing over the nonstick surface;    a target mover, the target mover passing a succession of spaced targets through the pinch point adjacent the surface of the labels, so that the labels are individually adhered to the targets in the pinch point; and    a control system for the label unwinder, the control system monitoring the target mover and synchronizing the labels to the targets in a desired manner;    wherein the distance between the peel point and the pinch point is such that the labels can be fed continuously into the pinch point in registration with the targets, irrespective of the relative speeds of the labels and targets.    
   
   
       2 . The continuous motion label transferring apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the nonstick surface is a plate.  
   
   
       3 . The continuous motion label transferring apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the plate is perforated to reduce the surface area of contact with the labels.  
   
   
       4 . The continuous motion label transferring apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the non-stick surface is a ridged plate.  
   
   
       5 . The continuous motion label transferring apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the non-stick surface is a plate having a plurality of air pressure sources beneath the plate, the air pressure sources forcing pressurized air through orifices in the plate, the apparatus further comprising a top plate on the side of the labels opposite the non-stick surface.  
   
   
       6 . The continuous motion label transferring apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the targets are spaced areas on a web.  
   
   
       7 . The continuous motion label transferring apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the non-stick surface is at least one wheel.  
   
   
       8 . The continuous motion label transferring apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the targets are pressure-sensitive self-adhesive labels.  
   
   
       9 . The continuous motion label transferring apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the labels include adhesive on a second surface opposite the surface to which the liner is releasably attached, the pinch point having: 
 at least one pinch roller adjacent the second surface, the pinch roller having a nonstick surface.