Placer mechanism and method for a web of linerless labels

Abstract

A placer mechanism for a web of linerless labels for placing individual labels on a product includes a separator that separates the individual labels from the web, a buffer disposed downstream of the separator that receives the individual labels, and a buffer suspension assembly movably supporting the buffer such that the buffer is positionable to deliver the individual labels to the product. The buffer is preferably a rotatable vacuum drum that is capable of accommodating labels of various lengths and widths. In addition, the buffer suspension assembly preferably enables the rotatable vacuum drum to be displaced to meet the product to which the label is to be affixed. A method of placing individual labels is also provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A placer mechanism for a web of linerless labels for placing individual labels on a product, the placer mechanism comprising: 
 a separator that separates the individual labels from the web;    a buffer disposed between the separator and the product, said buffer receiving the individual labels; and    a buffer suspension assembly movably supporting said buffer so that said buffer is positionable to deliver the individual labels to the product.    
     
     
         2 . A placer mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein said buffer comprises a rotatable vacuum drum including vacuum means for generating a vacuum surface on said rotatable vacuum drum.  
     
     
         3 . A placer mechanism according to  claim 2 , wherein said buffer suspension assembly comprises an actuating cylinder pivotally supporting said rotatable vacuum drum.  
     
     
         4 . A placer mechanism according to  claim 1 , further comprising a feeding assembly that feeds the web of linerless labels to said separator and that feeds the individual labels to said buffer.  
     
     
         5 . A placer mechanism according to  claim 4 , wherein said feeding assembly comprises: 
 a pair of web driving rolls that drive the web to said separator;    a label guide that guides the individual labels toward said buffer; and    a pair of individual label driving rolls that receive the individual labels from said label guide and that drive the individual labels to said buffer.    
     
     
         6 . A placer mechanism according to  claim 5 , wherein said individual label driving rolls are configured to rotate faster than said pair of web driving rolls.  
     
     
         7 . A placer mechanism according to  claim 6 , wherein said buffer comprises a rotatable vacuum drum, which is configured to rotate faster than said individual label driving rolls.  
     
     
         8 . A placer mechanism according to  claim 5 , further comprising a first sensor for said feeding assembly, said first sensor sensing a cutting position of the web of linerless labels to activate said separator.  
     
     
         9 . A placer mechanism according to  claim 8 , further comprising a second sensor that senses a location of the product to activate said buffer suspension assembly to position the buffer for product label application.  
     
     
         10 . A placer mechanism according to  claim 5 , wherein said label guide comprises a plurality of wires attached to two support rods, said wires being skewed from a centerline position of a web path.  
     
     
         11 . A placer mechanism according to  claim 10 , wherein said wires each comprise a plasma coated surface.  
     
     
         12 . A method of placing individual labels on a product with a placer mechanism from a web of linerless labels, the method comprising: 
 (a) separating the individual labels from the web; then    (b) transferring the individual labels to a buffer; and    (c) positioning the buffer to deliver the individual labels to the product.    
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the buffer comprises a rotatable vacuum drum, and wherein step (b) is practiced in part by generating a vacuum surface on the rotatable vacuum drum.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 12 , comprising the further step, prior to step (a), of (d) feeding the web of linerless labels to the separator.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the placer mechanism comprises a feeding assembly including a pair of web driving rolls that drive the web to a separator for the separating step, a label guide that guides the individual labels toward the buffer, and a pair of individual label driving rolls that receive the individual labels from the label guide and that drive the individual labels to the buffer, and wherein step (d) is practiced in part by rotating the individual label driving rolls faster than the pair of web driving rolls.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 15 , wherein said rotating step comprises rotating the individual label driving rolls about 5% faster than the pair of web driving rolls.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the buffer comprises a rotatable vacuum drum, the method further comprising rotating the rotatable vacuum drum faster than the individual label driving rolls.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein said vacuum drum rotating step comprises rotating the rotatable vacuum drum about 10% faster than the individual label driving rolls.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 15 , further comprising, during said separating step, pivoting the label guide to maintain a clear path for the individual labels.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 12 , comprising the further step, prior to step (a), of (e) sensing a cutting position of the web of linerless labels to activate said separating step.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to claim  20 , comprising the further step of sensing a location of the product to initiate step (e).