A label applicator for applying a label to a cylindrical portion of an object may comprise a roller and a label handler, with the roller rotating the object to which the label is being applied and the label handler separating a label from its backer and extending the label towards the object being rotated by the roller. The distance between the label handler and the object rotated by the roller is less than a length of the label. The label applicator may further comprise a printer, such as a thermal transfer printer, which may be configured to print labels for a plurality of objects to which different labels are applied consecutively.

A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of the label stock; a movable element which defines a portion of a web path between the supply spool and the take-up spool support; a sensor configured to produce a sensor signal indicative of the position of the movable element; a controller configured to receive the sensor signal and output a brake assembly control signal based upon the sensor signal; and a brake assembly configured to apply a braking force to one of said spool supports based upon the brake assembly control signal, the braking force resisting rotation of said one of said spool supports. The controller is configured to control the brake assembly based upon the sensor signal so as to cause the moveable element to move towards a desired position.

An apparatus for applying self-adhesive labels includes a supporting base for at least one reel of a ribbon that supports self-adhesive labels, elements of feeding the ribbon to a head for applying the self-adhesive labels, and a device for taking up the ribbon. The application head can move on command about an orientation axis in order to vary its own direction of extension with respect to the unwinding direction of the ribbon from the reel. The feeder elements include at least one redirection roller, the rotation axis of which can rotate on command, with respect to the reel, about an adjustment axis that is substantially parallel to the orientation axis in order to bring the direction of extension of the ribbon at the application head.

A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock comprising a web and a plurality of labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web; a motive means configured to propel the web along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support. A sensor has a transmitter portion and a receiver portion, the receiver portion comprising a plurality of receivers, the transmitter portion and receiver portion are configured to receive a portion of the label stock therebetween, and the plurality of receivers are each configured to produce a respective sensor signal which is a function of a property of a portion of label stock at a plurality of positions spaced from one another in a direction non-parallel to the web path. In addition, a controller is configured to monitor each of the sensor signals produced by the receivers and to select one of the sensor signals produced by the receivers based on said monitoring of each of the sensor signals produced by the receivers.

An apparatus for applying self-adhesive labels includes a supporting base for at least one reel of a ribbon that supports self-adhesive labels, elements of feeding the ribbon to a head for applying the self-adhesive labels, and a device for taking up the ribbon. The application head can move on command about an orientation axis in order to vary its own direction of extension with respect to the unwinding direction of the ribbon from the reel. The feeder elements include at least one redirection roller, the rotation axis of which can rotate on command, with respect to the reel, about an adjustment axis that is substantially parallel to the orientation axis in order to bring the direction of extension of the ribbon at the application head.

A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock comprising a web and a plurality of labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web; a motive means configured to propel the web along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support. A sensor has a transmitter portion and a receiver portion, the receiver portion comprising a plurality of receivers, the transmitter portion and receiver portion are configured to receive a portion of the label stock therebetween, and the plurality of receivers are each configured to produce a respective sensor signal which is a function of a property of a portion of label stock at a plurality of positions spaced from one another in a direction non-parallel to the web path. In addition, a controller is configured to monitor each of the sensor signals produced by the receivers and to select one of the sensor signals produced by the receivers based on said monitoring of each of the sensor signals produced by the receivers.

A self-strip media module in a printer is provided. The self-strip media module includes a peel bar having a length at least as great as the length of a platen roller and being rotatably engaged at the ends of the platen roller. The media includes a series of labels adhered to a liner. The media is fed over the peel bar and between the platen roller and a mid-chassis. The peel bar may be rotated towards the discharge side of the platen roller, pulling the media over the platen roller and over itself. A thermal print head is lowered onto the media over the platen roller and to print on the labels. The printer advances the media over the peel bar. The labels are stripped from the liner when the media advances around the peel bar.

A self-strip media module in a printer is provided. The self-strip media module includes a peel bar having a length at least as great as the length of a platen roller and being rotatably engaged at the ends of the platen roller. The media includes a series of labels adhered to a liner. The media is fed over the peel bar and between the platen roller and a mid-chassis. The peel bar may be rotated towards the discharge side of the platen roller, pulling the media over the platen roller and over itself. A thermal print head is lowered onto the media over the platen roller and to print on the labels. The printer advances the media over the peel bar. The labels are stripped from the liner when the media advances around the peel bar.

A labelling machine comprises a supply spool support for supporting a supply spool comprising label stock comprising a web and a plurality of labels attached to the web and which are separable from the web; a take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of web; a first motive means configured to propel the web along a web path from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support, the first motive means comprising a first motor including a first stator and a first rotor; a labelling peel beak located along the web path and configured to peel the labels from label web as the label stock passes the labelling peel beak; and a printer for printing on the labels. The printer includes a ribbon supply spool support for supporting a ribbon supply spool comprising printer ribbon for the printer; a ribbon take-up spool support adapted to take up a portion of the printer ribbon; and a second motive means configured to propel the printer ribbon from the supply spool support towards the take up spool support, the second motive means comprising a second motor including a second stator and a second rotor. The labelling machine further comprises a base plate. The following components are mounted to the base plate such that the majority of each component is located on one side of a first surface of the base plate: supply spool support, take-up spool support, first stator, labelling peel beak, ribbon supply spool support, ribbon take-up spool support and second stator.

A labeling station in labeling machines for pre-adhesive labels, including a feeding assembly with unwinding rollers of a respective spool of backing tape with adhesive labels applied thereto and at least one assembly for applying the labels which has a peeling device located proximate to the containers to be labeled and adapted to separate the individual labels from the backing tape for application, and at least two mutually composable parts, respectively a first part, which includes a first support which forms a first worktable, on which the application assembly is mounted, and a second part, which includes a second support, on which at least the feeding assembly is mounted. The feeding assembly further includes a splicing system for joining the backing tapes which are unwound from the unwinding rollers and a group of dandy rolls, while at least one first redirection roller is mounted on the first worktable.