A label application system includes an item conveyor along which an item moves in a conveyance direction, the item having an item movement path. A plurality of label applying fingers are provided, each label applying finger having a retained end and a free end. Each retained end is positioned outside the item movement path so as to avoid contact with the item. At least part of each finger between the retained end and the free end is positioned within the item movement path in order to contact the item for pressing a label against the item. A label applier for wiping labels onto moving items includes a plurality of label applying fingers, each label applying finger having a retained end and a free end, each label applying finger is of thin plate configuration such that each label applying finger is capable of flexing independently of each other label applying finger.

This invention relates to a labelling apparatus (1) and method for labelling different shapes, sizes and material types of packaging (3, 36) such as cardboard or plastics material boxes, plastics or other material bottles and sachets all containing medicaments being dispensed. The labelling apparatus (1) includes a conveyor means (4) having a receiving end for receiving an article (3, 36) to be labelled from a chute (2) and a discharge end for discharging the article (3, 36) once labelled to a receiving container (9), a label applicator (15) for attaching a label (29) to the article and a label securing means (25) for securely forcing the label (29) onto the article.

The present invention relates to a labelling machine (1) for applying labels (2) to receptacles (3) comprising a web (11) having a succession of decorative patterns (15); a cutting unit (12) configured to cut said web (11) so as to obtain individual labels (2); a conveying means (14) configured to advance the individual labels (2); a control unit (17) configured to control a positioning of the web (11) in relation to a reference station (18); a determination device (19) configured to determine and/or detect a relative positioning of the decorative patterns (15) in relation to the reference station (18); and a removal device (20) configured to remove incorrect labels (2) that are determined and/or detected as a function of the relative positioning of the decorative patterns (15) in relation to the reference station (18). Also included is a method for applying labels (2).

An apparatus for handling, transporting and inspecting containers along a predetermined transport path, having a first sensor device configured for detecting at least one value characteristic of the transported containers, having a first actuator device arranged along the transport path downstream of the first sensor device and configured for acting upon a transported container and a control device that is spaced apart from the sensor and the actuator device is configured for controlling the first actuator device, wherein at least one output by the first sensor device, as a function of the characteristic value, wherein the first sensor device and actuator are in communication with the control device via a cable using a real-time-capable fieldbus, the first sensor device is configured for outputting data, and the communication between the first sensor device, the control device and/or the control device and the first actuator device is in real time.

A system moves items, like containers and/or pallets, through a label printing station. The station has a label printer that prints adhesive labels; and a robot arm terminating at a movable end with a suction pad or vacuum device and sensors. The station has sensors configured to measure a height of the item; and a processor coupled to receive the height of the item, to control the robot arm and label printer, and to receive label information from a server. The processor has a memory containing code that computes desired label positions based on height of the container/pallet. A method of labeling an item includes printing an adhesive label with the label information obtained from a server; receiving the adhesive label on a suction pad or vacuum device attached to a movable end of a robot arm, and determining a first labeling position from measured height of the container/pallet.

An automatic labeling production line for solid state disk includes a production conveyor belt, a fixture disposed on the production conveyor belt and provided with a fixture code, and a loading mechanism provided with a product scanning mechanism detecting the memory and marking out a first defective memory, a first fixture scanning mechanism, a first and a second recycling mechanism recycling a defective memory, an automatic labeling mechanism, a visual inspection mechanism, a second fixture scanning mechanism identifying the fixture code, and an unloading mechanism unloading the memory which are arranged along the production conveyor belt in turn. The first fixture scanning mechanism scans the fixture code and records the original code and the corresponding fixture code. The visual inspection mechanism detects the memory and marks out a second defective memory. Thus, the production line is simplified, automatic labeling for memory is achieved, and the label process is more flexible.

A system, method, and apparatus for inspecting a label for proper application thereof. The system includes a label application apparatus and an inspection apparatus associated with said label application apparatus. The method includes inspecting a spent carrier web for the presence of labels, or portions thereof, that did not transfer to articles being labeled.

A force applicator for reinforcing a label against a package includes a housing that defines an interior pneumatic chamber, an inlet that is in fluid communication with the pneumatic chamber and is connectable to a pressurized fluid supply, and at least one outlet in fluid communication with the pneumatic chamber. The at least one outlet faces an outlet direction. Additionally, the at least one outlet extends along a distribution direction and is arranged to distribute pressurized gas along the distribution direction. The at least one outlet is configured to expel the pressurized gas at sufficient force to press unadhered portions of a label against an underlying package.

Described herein is a method for operating a vision system for controlling an operating process of a manufacturing machine operating on articles, wherein the vision system includes: at least one camera; at least one lighting device; and at least one image-processing unit; and wherein the method includes an automatic procedure for setting the vision system.

A machine for carrying out at least one operation onto a first article and a second article is disclosed. The machine comprises feeding means for advancing a succession of the first article and the second article along a path and with a first speed; a first operative group, which comprises a first tool configured for carrying out operation onto the first article and which can be operated with a second speed associated to the first speed; gap creating means selectively controllable to create a first gap, which is arranged inside succession and is bounded between the first article and the second article; and a second operative group, which comprises a second tool configured for carrying out operation onto the second article and which can be operated at the second speed.