Apparatus and related methods to apply adhesive during labeling operations

Abstract

A labeling apparatus is configured for applying a label onto a moving object. The apparatus includes a label delivery mechanism having a fixed reference point and configured to hold the label in a fixed position relative to the fixed reference point. The label delivery mechanism is operable to deliver the label onto the object. A first adhesive applicator includes a first adhesive discharge and is positioned and arranged to dispense adhesive onto a first portion of the label. A second adhesive applicator includes a second adhesive discharge and is positioned and arranged to dispense adhesive onto a second portion of the label during contact with the label. The first adhesive discharge and the second adhesive discharge are maintained at respective fixed positions relative to the fixed reference point.

1 . A labeling apparatus for applying a label onto a moving object, comprising: 
 a label delivery mechanism having a fixed reference point, being configured to hold the label in a fixed position relative to said fixed reference point, and being operable to deliver the label onto the object;    a first adhesive applicator positioned and arranged to dispense adhesive onto a first portion of the label, said first adhesive applicator including a first adhesive discharge; and    a second adhesive applicator positioned and arranged to dispense adhesive onto a second portion of the label during contact with the label, said second adhesive applicator including a second adhesive discharge;    wherein said first adhesive discharge and said second adhesive discharge are maintained at respective fixed positions relative to said fixed reference point.    
   
   
       2 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum drum, said fixed reference point being a center of rotation of said vacuum drum.  
   
   
       3 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a first surface on said vacuum drum defining a first radius relative to said center of rotation and configured to support the first portion of the label; and    a second surface on said vacuum drum defining a second radius relative to said center of rotation that is different from said first radius, said second surface configured to support the second portion of the label;    wherein said first surface is configured to space the first portion of the label from said second adhesive applicator.    
   
   
       4 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said second radius is greater than said first radius.  
   
   
       5 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said second surface is configured to support a trailing edge portion of the label.  
   
   
       6 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said second surface is configured to engage the trailing edge portion of the label against said second adhesive applicator.  
   
   
       7 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said second surface is configured to deflect toward said center of rotation when the trailing edge portion of the label engages said second adhesive applicator.  
   
   
       8 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a biasing member urging said second adhesive applicator toward said second surface.    
   
   
       9 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a transition surface adjacent said second surface and configured to support a third portion of the label positioned between the first and second portions thereof, said transition surface being continuous with said second surface.    
   
   
       10 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second adhesive applicator is configured to dispense adhesive onto the second portion of the label without contacting the label.  
   
   
       11 . A labeling apparatus for applying a label onto a moving object, the label having a leading edge portion and a trailing edge portion, the apparatus comprising: 
 a vacuum drum configured to hold the label and operable to deliver the label onto the object, said vacuum drum including a center of rotation and first and second surfaces respectively having first and second different radii from said center of rotation and respectively supporting the leading and trailing edge portions of the label;    a first adhesive applicator positioned and arranged to dispense adhesive onto the leading edge portion of the label without contacting the label; and    a second adhesive applicator positioned and arranged to dispense adhesive onto the trailing edge portion of the label during contact with the label;    wherein said first surface is configured to space the leading edge portion of the label from said second adhesive applicator and said second surface is configured to engage the trailing edge portion of the label against said second adhesive applicator.    
   
   
       12 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said second adhesive applicator is a slot gun.  
   
   
       13 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said second surface is configured to deflect toward said center of rotation when the trailing edge portion of the label engages said second adhesive applicator.  
   
   
       14 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a biasing member urging said second adhesive applicator toward said second surface.    
   
   
       15 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a transition surface adjacent said second surface and configured to support a third portion of the label positioned between the leading and trailing edge portions thereof, said transition surface being continuous with said second surface.    
   
   
       16 . A labeling apparatus for applying a label onto a moving object, comprising: 
 a label delivery mechanism having a fixed reference point, being configured to hold the label in a fixed position relative to said fixed reference point, and being operable to deliver the label onto the object; and    an adhesive applicator positioned and arranged to dispense adhesive onto a portion of the label during contact with the label, said adhesive applicator including an adhesive discharge;    wherein said adhesive discharge is maintained at a fixed position relative to said fixed reference point.    
   
   
       17 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a vacuum drum, said fixed reference point being a center of rotation of said vacuum drum.  
   
   
       18 . A method of applying an adhesive pattern onto a label, comprising: 
 supporting a first portion of the label at a first distance from a fixed point of reference;    supporting a second portion of the label at a second distance from the fixed point of reference, the second distance being different from the first distance;    moving the label past a first adhesive applicator such that the first and second portions do not contact the first adhesive applicator;    applying adhesive onto the first portion with the first adhesive applicator;    moving the label past a second adhesive applicator such that the first portion does not contact the second adhesive applicator and the second portion contacts the second adhesive applicator; and    applying adhesive onto the second portion with the second adhesive applicator.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein moving the label past the first adhesive applicator and moving the label past the second adhesive applicator further comprise respectively rotating the first and second portions about a common center of rotation.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein supporting the second portion of the label further comprises supporting a trailing edge portion of the label.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein supporting the first portion of the label further comprises supporting a leading edge portion of the label.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 simultaneously applying adhesive to the first and second portions.    
   
   
       23 . A labeling apparatus for applying a label onto a moving object, comprising: 
 a label delivery mechanism configured to hold a plurality of the labels defining a continuous web and operable to deliver the labels onto the object;    a cutting mechanism upstream of said label delivery mechanism and configured to cut the web into individual labels; and    at least one adhesive applicator positioned and arranged to discharge adhesive onto the web at a point upstream of the cutting mechanism.    
   
   
       24 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said cutting mechanism is configured to support the web without contacting the adhesive on the labels.  
   
   
       25 . The labeling apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein said at least one adhesive applicator is further positioned and arranged to discharge adhesive onto a first face of the web, said cutting mechanism being configured to support the web by contacting the first face of the web.