Apparatus and method for transferring labels from a label magazine for in-mold labeling prior to blow molding

US6644647B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Plastipak Packaging, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Richard L. Dunlap · Lima, US
• Edward L. Sanford · Lima, US
• David Amirault · Corona, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 9, 2001
• Grant date: Nov 11, 2003
• Expiry date: Jul 9, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65H2701/192
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Label transfer apparatus (160) and a method for transferring labels (54) from a label stack (164) for in-mold labeling prior to blow molding utilize a transfer head (168) that is movable on a rotary table (186) with additional transfer heads (168), adjacent a label magazine (162) with an exposed end (172) from which the labels are sequentially dispensed. The transfer head includes a pair of vacuum openings (174) to which a vacuum is supplied and an actuator (176) moves the transfer head with a rolling motion to engage the one vacuum opening with the label to initially pull an extremity (180) of the label, to subsequently pull an intermediate portion (182), and to finally engage the other vacuum opening with the label to pull an opposite extremity (184) of the label away from the label stack in a manner that permits high speed labeling.