Device and method for labeling individual packages

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A device for labeling individual packages comprising: a feed device for transporting the 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, wherein the application device has a manipulator means 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 means in the dispensing direction, to a dispensing position, in which the manipulator means can apply the printed label to the package, via at least one transport position; wherein the manipulator means has an element, which can carry out a circulating movement along a circulating path, wherein the element has at least a first section for picking up a printed label and at least a second section for picking up a printed label, wherein the first section and the second section are arranged on the circulating path of the element, and wherein the element has a straight course and runs at right angles to the transport direction, in the area between the pick-up position and the dispensing position or in the area between the pick-up position and the transport position, which is located in the same vertical plane as the dispensing position.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first section and the second section can be brought into the pick-up position, into each transport position and into the dispensing position by moving at least one of the element and the manipulator means.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the manipulator means can be pivoted about an axis between a first position and a second position.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein, in the first position of the manipulator means, the element leads past the label dispensing unit and past the feed device relative to the feed device and the printing device in such a manner that, at the pick-up position, a printed label can be transferred from the label dispensing unit to the element in the dispensing direction and that a label, which was transferred to the element, can simultaneously be applied to the package at the dispensing position.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein, in the first position, the manipulator means is oriented to the feed device in such a manner that, at the dispensing position, the label can protrude into an area, through which the package passes during the transport.

6. The device according to claim 3, wherein, in the first position of the manipulator means, the element leads past the label dispensing unit and past the feed device relative to the feed device and the printing device in such a manner that, at the pick-up position, a printed label can be transferred from the label dispensing unit to the element in the dispensing direction and that a label, which was transferred to the element, can simultaneously be connected to the element at a transport position.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein, in the second position, the manipulator means is oriented to the feed device in such a manner that, at the dispensing position, the label can protrude into an area, through which the package passes during the transport.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the manipulator means is configured in such a manner that the label can adhere to the element.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the manipulator means has one of a means for generating an underpressure and a means for generating an electrostatic charge.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the element, which can carry out the circulating movement, is an endless belt.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the endless belt consists of one of at least two parallel aprons and at least two parallel apron sections.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein the manipulator means has one of a perforated plate and a slotted plate, which extends at least from the pick-up position, at which the respective label can be transferred to the manipulator means, to one of the dispensing position, at which the respective label can be applied to the package, and a transport position, which is located in the same vertical plane as the dispensing position, wherein the endless belt rests against the plate at least in a section.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the feed device has two conveyor belts, which can be moved in the transport direction and which are arranged to one another such that the respective package can move from the one conveyor belt to the other conveyor belt, wherein the conveyor belts are arranged so as to be aligned with one another, wherein provision is made between the conveyor belts for a gap, which runs at right angles to the transport direction and through which the manipulator means can apply the printed label to the package.

14. The device according to claim 12, wherein the plate has a straight course and runs in particular at right angles to the transport direction, in one of the area between the pick-up position and the dispensing position and the area between the pick-up position and the transport position, which is located in the same vertical plane as the dispensing position.

15. The device according to claim 3, wherein the axis runs at right angles to the transport direction and in a direction parallel to the plane, along which the package is transported.

16. The device according to claim 3, wherein the pivot angle between the first position and the second position is between 5 and 60.

17. The device according to claim 3, wherein, in the second position, the element has a larger distance from the feed device than in the first position.

18. The device according to claim 3, wherein, in the second position, a printed label, which has been transferred to the element, can be moved, without thereby protruding into the area, through which the package passes in response to the transport.

19. The device according to claim 3, wherein, in the first position, the element has a larger distance from the feed device than in the second position.

20. The device according to claim 3, wherein, in at least one of the first position and a position between the first and second position, a printed label, which is transferred to the element, can be moved without thereby protruding into the area, through which the package passes in response to the transport.

21. The device according to claim 1, wherein, in the position of the manipulator means, which is located closest to the feed device, the surface of the element, to which the label can adhere, runs at an angle to the plane, along which the package is transported.

22. The device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing direction runs parallel to the surface of the element in the first position.

23. The device according to claim 1, wherein the element is connected to a clocked drive, which effects the circulating movement of the element, wherein the stroke length (interval length) of the movement corresponds to the horizontal distance between pick-up position and dispensing position.

24. The device according to claim 3, wherein the device has a control device, which is configured in such a manner that it can control the pivot movement of the manipulator means and the circulating movement of the element in such a manner that: the circulating movement of the element is stopped when the label is transferred from the label dispensing unit to the element; the manipulator means is pivoted from the first position into the second position after the label has been transferred to the element; in the second position of the manipulator means, the circulating movement of the element is carried out for the length of a stroke (interval), wherein the stroke length (interval length) of the movement corresponds to the horizontal distance between pick-up position and dispensing position; and the manipulator means is pivoted from the second position into the first position after the circulating movement has been stopped after carrying out the stroke (interval).

25. The device according to claim 3, wherein the device has a control device, which is configured in such a manner that it can control the pivot movement of the manipulator means and the circulating movement of the element in such a manner that: the circulating movement of the element is stopped when the label is transferred from the label dispensing unit to the element; the manipulator means is pivoted from the first position into the second position after the label has been transferred to the element; and the manipulator means is pivoted back into the first position after the second position has been reached; wherein the circulating movement of the element is carried out for the length of a stroke (interval), wherein the stroke length (interval length) of the movement corresponds to the horizontal distance between pick-up position and dispensing position.

26. A method for labeling individual packages comprising: transporting a package in a transport direction; printing a label that can be removed from a material strip; transferring the printed label to an element of a manipulator means at a pick-up position, wherein the element has at least a first section for picking up a printed label and at least a second section for picking up a printed label, wherein at the pick-up position the label is transferred to the second section of the element; moving, via the manipulator means, the label from the pick-up position into a transfer position via at least one transport position, wherein the element carries out a circulating movement along a circulating path, wherein the first section and the second section are arranged on the circulating path of the element; and applying, via the element of the manipulator means, the label to the package at the dispensing position, while a further printed label is simultaneously arranged on the manipulator means in one of the pick-up position and one of the transport positions; wherein the respective label is moved at right angles to the transport direction by the element, which has a straight course and runs at right angles to the transport direction in the area between the pick-up position and the dispensing position or in the area between the pick-up position and the transport position, which is located in the same vertical plane as the dispensing position.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the manipulator means is pivoted from a first position into a second position after the respective label has been transferred to the manipulator means at the pick-up position, the label is then moved across a distance, which corresponds to the horizontal distance between the pick-up position and the dispensing position, the manipulator means is then pivoted from the second position back into the first position and the label is then applied to the package.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein the manipulator means is pivoted from a first position into a second position after the respective label has been transferred to the manipulator means at the pick-up position, the label is then moved across a distance, which corresponds to the horizontal distance between the pick-up position and the dispensing position, wherein the manipulator means is then pivoted from the first position into the second position, and the label is then applied to the package.

Description

(1) There is now a number of options for designing and further developing the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention. With regard to this, reference is made on the one hand to the claims, which follow claim 1, and, on the other hand, to the description of exemplary embodiments in combination with the drawing. In the drawing:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the manipulator means is in the second position,

(3) FIG. 2a) shows a side view of the device from FIG. 1, wherein the manipulator means is in the first position and a package, which is to be labeled, is located above a gap between two conveyor belts,

(4) FIG. 2b) shows a side view of the device from FIG. 1, wherein the manipulator means is in the first position and the package, which is to be labelled, has not yet crossed the gap between the conveyor belts completely,

(5) FIG. 3 shows a view of a part of the device according to the invention from FIG. 1, wherein the viewing direction coincides with the transport direction,

(6) FIG. 4 shows a sectional view along the sectional line IV-IV in FIG. 3,

(7) FIG. 5a) shows a view, which corresponds to FIG. 3, of a part of the first alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the viewing direction coincides with the transport direction, and

(8) FIG. 5b) shows a view of a part of a second alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention, wherein the viewing direction coincides with the transport direction, and

(9) FIGS. 1 to 5a) show a first alternative embodiment of a device according to the invention. FIG. 5b) shows a second alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention, which differs therefrom. The two embodiments differ in the direction, in which a label 5 is dispensed after printing (dispensing direction S). In the case of the first embodiment, the printed label 5 is dispensed partially vertically from top to bottom, whereas, in the second embodiment, the printed label 5 is dispensed partially vertically from bottom to top; in the case of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 5a)), the position A, which will be explained in more detail below, is accordingly defined vertically above the position B, which will be explained in more detail below, whereas, in the case of the second embodiment (FIG. 5b)), the position identified with A is defined vertically below the position identified with B.

(10) FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device for labelling individual packages 1, wherein the device has a feed device 2 for transporting the package 1 in a transport direction X, a printing device 3 for printing a label 5, which can be removed from a material strip 4, here for example a label 5, which is removably applied to a carrier strip 4, and an application device 6 for applying the printed label 5 to the package 1. For the sake of clarity, the printing device 3 is not illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2a) and 2b).

(11) The feed device 2 consists of two conveyor belts 2.1 and 2.2, which are embodied as endless belts and which are arranged so as to be aligned with one another in transport direction X. The two conveyor belts 2.1 and 2.2 are arranged at a distance from one another, so that a gap 7 is embodied between them. In the illustration in FIG. 1, a package 1 is transported on the right conveyor belt 2.1 in the direction of the gap 7, wherein the package 1 has not yet reached the gap. During its transport, the package 1 is stored or guided, respectively, on the upper side of the conveyor belt 2.1 is located and of the conveyor belt 2.2, wherein the two upper sides of the conveyor belts are located in a common plane here. In terms of the invention, the plane, in which the upper side of the second conveyor belt 2.2 in transport direction, is defined as the plane, along which the package 1 is transported (transport plane).

(12) The printing device 3 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 3 to 5a) (first embodiment) or in FIG. 5b) (second embodiment), respectively. The printing device 3 prints the labels 5 at one point in time, because the labels 5 have not yet been removed (severed) from the material strip 4 or are still applied to the carrier strip 4, respectively. After printing, the labels 5 are dispensed in a dispensing direction S by a label dispensing unit 3.1, as shown in FIG. 4, wherein the dispensing direction S has at least one direction component opposite the transport direction X of the package 1 in the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5a) (in the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5b), the dispensing direction S has at least one direction component in transport direction X of the package 1). Preferably, the dispensing direction S also has a direction component in vertical direction, either from top to bottom (first embodiment, FIG. 1-5a)) or from bottom to top (second embodiment, FIG. 5b)), that is parallel to the direction of the force of gravity.

(13) In particular in the case that the labels 5 are removably applied (adhered) to a carrier strip 4, the label dispensing unit 3.1. has a label dispensing edge 3.11, at which the carrier strip 4 is diverted to such an extent that the relatively stiff label 5 detaches from the carrier strip 4 at that location and is moved further in the dispensing direction S, while the carrier strip 4 is diverted/moved in a different direction, in FIG. 4 for example upwards in vertical direction (opposite the direction of the force of gravity).

(14) As stated, the case that the labels 5 are not applied to a carrier strip 4, but are obtained by severing a partial section, which forms the respective label 5, from a material strip 4, is also possible. For this purpose, the label dispensing unit 3.1 can have a severing device (not illustrated), comprising severing means, in particular comprising a cutting wire, a blade or a knife, by means of which said partial section is severed from the other material strip so as to form the label.

(15) After dispensing or already during dispensing from the label dispensing unit 3.1, respectively, the printed label 5 is transferred to a manipulator means 6.1 of the application device 6 or comes in contact therewith, respectively, which will be explained in more detail below.

(16) The application device 6 has a manipulator means 6.1 for moving the printed label 5 from a pick-up position I (inside the device), in which the printed label is transferred from the label dispensing unit 3.1 to the manipulator means 6.1 in the dispensing direction S, to a dispensing position II (inside the device), in which the manipulator means 6.1 can apply the printed label 5 to the package 1. For the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pick-up position I can be seen in the right half of the picture and the dispensing position II can be seen in the left half of the picture in FIG. 3. These positions I and II are defined as areas or locations, respectively, inside the device, at which the label transfer to the element 6.11 (pick-up position) takes place in one case and at which the label transfer to the package 1 (dispensing position) takes place in the other case.

(17) As shown in FIG. 1, the manipulator means 6.1 has an element 6.11, which can carry out a circulating movement, wherein, in the case at hand, the element 6.11 is embodied as endless belt 6.11 in the form of a plurality of parallel aprons, which are spaced apart from one another (strictly speaking, provision is made in the case of the exemplary embodiment at hand for six such aprons, which, together, form the endless belt or element 6.11, respectively). In a first position A of the manipulator means 6.1, the endless belt 6.11 leads past the label dispensing unit 3.1 and past the feed device 2 relative to the feed device 2 and printing device 3, which is illustrated in FIGS. 2a), 2b), 3, 4, 5a) and 5b).

(18) According to the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 5a)), the endless belt 6.11 thereby leads past the feed device 2 and label dispensing unit 3.1 so closely and/or is oriented to the feed device 2 and the label dispensing unit 3.1 in such a manner that the printed label 5 can be transferred from the label dispensing unit 3.1 to the endless belt 6.11 in the dispensing direction S at the pick-up position I and a further label 5, which was already transferred to the endless belt 6.11 beforehand, can simultaneously be applied to the package 1 at the dispensing position II. FIGS. 2) and 2b) show two alternatives for applying the respective label 5 to the package 1 in the first position A of the manipulator means 6.1, wherein in FIG. 2a), the label 5 is only applied to the package 1, when the package 1 is already located above the entire gap 7, whereas, according to FIG. 2b), the label 5 to be applied protrudes upwards through the gap 7 beyond the transport plane, while the package 1 has crossed the gap 7 at least only partially at that point in time.

(19) According to the first embodiment of the device according to the invention, as is shown by FIGS. 2a) and 2b), in the first position A the manipulator means 6.1 is oriented to the feed device 2 in such a manner that, at the transfer position II, the label 5 can protrude into an area, through which the package 1 passes in response to the transportthe label 5 thus protrudes vertically beyond the transport plane from the location, at which it adheres to the element or endless belt 6.11, respectively. As is shown in FIG. 1, the manipulator means 6.1, however, can also be pivoted into a second position, in which the label 5, which adheres to the element or endless belt 6.11, respectively, does not protrude beyond said plane. The label 5 then does not protrude into the area, through which the package 1 passes in response to the transport.

(20) As can be seen when comparing FIG. 1 to one of FIGS. 2a) and 2b), the manipulator means 6.1 can be pivoted about an axis 6.2 between the first position A (FIGS. 2a) and 2b)) and the second position B (FIG. 1), namely for example about a pivot angle of 15 (on principle, smaller pivot angles, for example of 5, are also possible), which ensures that a label 5, which adheres to the element or endless belt 6.11, respectively, cannot already come into contact with the package 1, when the latter is not yet in the position above the gap 7, which is provided for labelling (this applies for the first as well as the second embodiment of the device). In the case of the first embodiment, the pivoting from the first position A into the second position B also ensures that the label 5 does not come into contact with parts of the labelling device, in particular the feed device, when being transported from the pick-up position I to the dispensing position II. As can be seen clearly, in the second position B, the area of the manipulator means 6.1 or of the element 6.11, respectively, to which the printed label 5 adheres, has a larger distance from the feed device, in particular from the gap 7, than in the first position A in the case of the first embodiment; in the case of the second embodiment, this is reversed, that is, in the first position A, the area of the manipulator means 6.1 or of the element 6.11, respectively, to which the printed label 5 adheres, has a larger distance from the feed device, in particular from the gap 7, than in the second position B.

(21) As already suggested above, the manipulator means 6.1 is configured in such a manner that the label 5 can adhere to the element or endless belt 6.11, respectively. For this purpose, the manipulator means 6.1 has a means, which is not illustrated in detail here, for generating a underpressure, for example a suction device, which suctions the label 5 and thus presses it against the element or endless belt 6.11, respectivelythe label 5 adheres automatically.

(22) As is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plate 6.12, which can either be perforated (provided with bores 6.121) or slotted (provided with sots 6.122), as shown in detail x in FIG. 3, is arranged below the area of the element or endless belt 6.11, respectively, which extends from the pick-up position I to the dispensing position II (including the pick-up position I and the dispensing position II). The detail x shows an example of the perforated alternative in the illustration on the left and an example of the slotted alternative in the illustration on the right. It can be seen clearly that the endless belt 6.11, which can rest against the plate 6.12, at least in the entire area from the pick-up position I to the dispensing position II (including the pick-up position I and the dispensing position II), is arranged relative to the plate 6.12 in such a manner that the bores 6.121 or slots 6.122, respectively, end in the space between the individual aprons of the endless belt 6.11, whereby an optimal suction effect is attained, when suctioning occurs from the rear side of the plate 6.12, which faces away from the endless belt 6.11.

(23) As is furthermore shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the endless belt 6.11 as well as the plate 6.12 has a straight, that is, a flat course, at least in the area, which, in the case of the first embodiment, extends from the pick-up position I to the dispensing position II (including the pick-up position I and the dispensing position II). Said area of the endless belt 6.11 or of the plate 6.12, respectively, thereby runs at right angles to the transport direction X in each case and in a direction parallel to the transport plane. Said area of the endless belt 6.11 and of the plate 6.12 also runs in a direction parallel to the gap 7, which is provided between the conveyor belts 2.1 and 2.2. Here (in the case of the first embodiment in position A, in the case of the second embodiment in position B), the surface of the endless belt 6.11, to which the label 5 can adhere, runs at an angle of 45, for example (on principle, smaller values are also possible for this angle, for example 20, or larger values, for example 60), to the transport plane. In the case of the first embodiment, the printed label 5, is also dispensed from the label dispensing unit 3.1, as shown in FIG. 4; the dispensing direction S thus also runs parallel to the surface of the endless belt 6.11 in the first position A.

(24) The element or endless belt 6.11, respectively, is connected to a clocked drive, which is not illustrated in detail here, which effects the circulating movement of the element 6.11. The stroke length (interval length), which the drive provides, corresponds to the horizontal distance between the pick-up position I and the dispensing position II. When the endless belt 6.11 is stopped, the printed label 5 can thus be dispensed from the label dispensing unit 3.1, whereby is adheres to the endless belt 6.11 in the pick-up position I. In the case of the first embodiment, the manipulator means 6.1 can subsequently be pivoted into the second position B, which is illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein a movement stroke (interval) is already carried out during the pivoting and/or after the pivoting, so that the printed label 5 is brought into a position, which corresponds to the dispensing position II in the first position A. In other words, the manipulator means 6.1 is pivoted from the second position B back into the first position A after completing the stroke (interval), the printed label 5 reaches the dispensing position II, in which the label 5 either comes into direct contact with the package 1 (FIG. 2a)) or protrudes into the area, which the package 1 passes in transport direction X (FIG. 2b)), in the case of the first embodiment.

(25) To be able to carry out the motion sequences, which are described above and which are illustrated in FIG. 5a), the device, in the case of the first embodiment, has a control device, which is not illustrated in detail here, which controls the pivot movement of the manipulator means 6.1 and the circulating movement of the element or endless belt 6.11, respectively, in such a manner that the circulating movement of the element 6.11 is stopped (the label 5 is located in the pick-up position I or is dispensed into the pick-up position, respectively; the manipulator means 6.1 is located in position A), so as to transfer the label 5 from the label dispensing unit 3.1 to the element 6.11, the manipulator means 6.1 is pivoted from the first position A into the second position B (the label 5 is then located in the first transport position T), after the label 5 has been transferred to the element 6.11, the circulating movement of the element 6.11 is carried out for the duration of a stroke (interval), wherein the stroke length (interval length) of the movement corresponds to the horizontal distance between pick-up position I and dispensing position II (the label 5 is now located in the second transport position T), in the second position B of the manipulator means 6.11, and the manipulator means 6.1 is pivoted from the second position B into the first position A (the label 5 is now located in the dispensing position II), after the circulating movement has been stopped after carrying out the stroke (interval).

(26) As mentioned above, an alternative second embodiment is also possible in addition to the above-described first embodiment of the device according to the invention, which is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5a), in the case of which each label carries out a movement, which differs as compared to the first embodiment, between the pick-up position I and the dispensing position II, or is moved along a different path (FIG. 5b)), respectively.

(27) In the case of this alternative second embodiment, the device has a control device, which is not illustrated in detail here, which controls the pivot movement of the manipulator means 6.2 and the circulating movement of the element or endless belt 6.11, respectively, in such a manner that the circulating movement of the element 6.11 is stopped (the label 5 is located in the pick-up position I; the manipulator means 6.1 is located in position A), when the element 5 is transferred from the label dispensing unit 3.1 to the element 6.11, the manipulator means 6.1 is pivoted from the first position A into the second position B (the label 5 is then located in the first transport position T), after the label 5 has been transferred to the element 6.11, the manipulator means 6.1 is pivoted back into the first position A after the second position B has been reached, wherein the circulating movement of the element 6.11 is carried out for the duration of a stroke (interval), wherein the stroke length (interval length) of the movement corresponds to the horizontal distance between pick-up position I and dispensing position II (the label 5 is then located in the second transport position T), and the manipulator means 6.1 is then moved from the first position A into the second position B (the label 5 is now in the dispensing position II).

(28) As can be seen when comparing FIGS. 5a) and 5b), the first position A of the manipulator means 6.1 is always defined as the position, which is located closest to the printing device 3 or the label dispensing unit 3.1, respectively. In the case of the embodiments in FIGS. 5a) and 5b), the first position A and the second position B are in each case exchanged in vertical direction, that is, in the case of the embodiment in FIG. 5a), the first position A is that position, which is located closest to the feed device 2, whereas the second position B in FIG. 5b) is the position, which is located closest to the feed device 2.

(29) A method for labeling individual packages 1 can be carried out by means of the device described above by means of FIGS. 1 to 5b), in which a package 1 is transported in a transport direction X, in which a label 5, which can be removed from a material strip 4 and which is in particular movably attached to a carrier strip 4, is printed, in which the printed label 5 is transferred to a manipulator means 6.1 at a pick-up position I, in which the manipulator means 6.1 moves the label 5 from the pick-up position I into a transfer position II via at least one transport position T and T and in which the manipulator means 6.1 applies the label 5 to the package 1 at the dispensing position II,

(30) wherein the manipulator means 6.1 applies the label 5 to the package 1 at the dispensing position II, while a further printed label 5 is simultaneously arranged on the manipulator means 6.1 in the pick-up position I or in one of the transport positions T.

(31) As stated, the manipulator means 6.1 is pivoted from a first position A into a second position after the respective label 5 has been transferred to the manipulator means 6.1 and in particular to the endless belt 6.11 at the pick-up position I, the label 5 is then moved across a distance, which corresponds to the horizontal distance between the pick-up position I and the dispensing position II, the manipulator means 6.1 is then pivoted from the second position B back into the first position A and the label 5 is finally applied to the package 1. In this case, provision is made for a further label 5 to be transferred to the manipulator means 6.1 at the pick-up position I after the manipulator means 6.1 has been pivoted from the second position B back into the first position A.

(32) In the case of FIG. 5b), provision is made as an alternative for the manipulator means 6.1 to be pivoted from a first position A into a second position B after the respective label 5 has been transferred to the manipulator means 6.1 at the pick-up position I, for the label 5 to be moved across a distance, which corresponds to the horizontal distance between the pick-up position I and the dispensing position II, wherein the movement of the label 5 is carried out prior to, during and/or after pivoting the manipulator means 6.1 back from the second position B into the first position A, for the manipulator means 6.1 to then be pivoted from the first position A into the second position B and for the label 5 to then be applied to the package, wherein provision is made in particular for a further label 5 to be transferred to the manipulator means 6.1 at the pick-up position I after pivoting the manipulator means 6.1 from the second position B back into the first position A.