Automated labeling method and label supply therefor

Abstract

An automated labeling method and label supply therefor. The method and label supply are particularly adapted for labeling produce, and more particularly fruit, in high volumes at high speed.

1 . A method for providing information on an article of produce with an automated labeling apparatus, comprising the steps of:
 supplying the automated labeling apparatus with an elongate label web having an application face supporting an adhesive composition and an opposed label face supporting an adhesive resisting composition, wherein the label web includes a plurality of label portions, each label portion having an application face supporting a portion of said adhesive composition and an opposed label face supporting a portion of said adhesive resisting composition; and   using the automated labeling apparatus for excising a selected one of the label portions from the web and applying the application face of the selected label portion to the article of produce, the label face of the label portion bearing the information in at least one of (a) a human readable form and (b) a machine readable form.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using the automated labeling apparatus to print the information on the label face of the selected label portion, after said step of supplying. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising using the automated labeling apparatus to print the information on the label face of the selected label portion after said step of supplying and before said step of excising. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising providing the adhesive composition in discrete adhesive areas of the web corresponding to the label portions. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising providing the adhesive composition in discrete adhesive areas of the web corresponding to the label portions. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing the adhesive composition in discrete adhesive areas of the web corresponding to the label portions.