The invention relates to a device for labeling individual packages including a feed device for transporting a respective package in a transport direction, a printing device for printing a label, which can be removed from a material strip, wherein the printing device has a label dispensing unit for dispensing the printed label in a dispensing direction, and an application device for applying the printed label to the respective package. The application device has a manipulator for moving the printed label from a pick-up position, in which the printed label can be transferred from the label dispensing unit to the manipulator in the dispensing direction, to a dispensing position, in which the manipulator can apply the printed label to the package, via at least one transport position. The invention also pertains to a corresponding method for labelling individual packages.

A label applicator system is described comprising one or more, and preferably two, assemblies of rollers and belts. The assemblies are arranged relative to one another such that at least a portion of the belts of each assembly are aligned with one another to define an article receiving lane. The assemblies are arranged and configured such that the lane extends in a zig- zag path, a relatively straight path, and/or an arcuate path. Selection of the lane geometry along with appropriate control of belt velocities enable high rates of applying labels to articles and particularly containers having compound curves.

A label applicator system is described comprising one or more, and preferably two, assemblies of rollers and belts. The assemblies are arranged relative to one another such that at least a portion of the belts of each assembly are aligned with one another to define an article receiving lane. The assemblies are arranged and configured such that the lane extends in a zig- zag path, a relatively straight path, and/or an arcuate path. Selection of the lane geometry along with appropriate control of belt velocities enable high rates of applying labels to articles and particularly containers having compound curves.

A label can be applied to an object having an asymmetric cross section that is held on a moving shuttle of a linear motor conveyor. The label is first flagged to the object by affixing a first portion of the label to the object. The label is wrapped on to the object by an applicator by rotating the object by a motor on the shuttle. The applicator moves along with the shuttle, at least in an application zone and approximately matches the speed of the shuttle, or the speed of the shuttle and the tangential surface speed of the rotating object.

A label can be applied to an object having an asymmetric cross section that is held on a moving shuttle of a linear motor conveyor. The label is first flagged to the object by affixing a first portion of the label to the object. The label is wrapped on to the object by an applicator by rotating the object by a motor on the shuttle. The applicator moves along with the shuttle, at least in an application zone and approximately matches the speed of the shuttle, or the speed of the shuttle and the tangential surface speed of the rotating object.