US3157555A

US3157555A - Labelling

Info

Publication number: US3157555A
Application number: US219230A
Authority: US
Inventors: Newman Robert John
Original assignee: Newman Labelling Machines Ltd
Current assignee: Newman Labelling Machines Ltd
Priority date: 1961-08-24
Filing date: 1962-08-24
Publication date: 1964-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 1981-11-17
Also published as: GB953569A

Description

Nov. 17, 1964 A R. J. NEWMAN 3,157,555

LABELLING A Filed Aug. 24, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ROBERT Jbl-m NEWMAN BY @wml ATTORNEY Nov. 17, 1964 3,157,555

R. J. NEWMAN LABELLING Filed Aug. 24, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INvENToR 4 l RoER-r JOHN NEWMAN BY :j/772mb ATTORNEY R. J. NEWMAN Nov. 17, 1964 LABELLING Filed Aug. 2 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent O 3,157,555 LBELING Robert .lohn Newman, Barnet, Engiand, assigner to Newman Labelling Machines Limited, Barnet, England, a British company Filed Aug. 24, 1962, Ser. No. 239,230 Claims priority, application Great iritain, Ang. 24, 196i, 3tl,S57/6i 6 liaims. (Ci. Et- 572) This invention relates to labelling machines in which labels coated with thermoplastic adhesive are picked one by one ofi a stack of labels, heated and applied to bottles or other articles,

In a known mechanism the articles are conveyed on an endless belt and labels are applied by means of a rotary drum having a series of suction label pick-up devices on the periphery thereof. A disadvantage of this known arrangement, however, is that when it is desired to label articles of a different size it is necessary to change each a of the pick-up devices. Furthermore, with the rotary method it has been found necessary to mount the label stack support on a pivot whereby the pick-up device picks up a label from the stack as the stack support performs a pivoting movement. Such pivoting of the stack support causes diihculty in the adjustment of the pick-up devices in relation to the stack support.

An object of the invention is to avoid these disadvantages of previous designs of machine. A further object of the invention is to enable the labels to be applied to articles at high speed with a high degree of accuracy as to position on the articles, smoothness and iirm application of the applied labels, and ability to deal with a wide range of sizes and shapes of articles.

According to the present invention a method of labelling articles comprises heating a label carrying a thermoplastic adhesive, presenting the label hat to a bottle or other articles, pressing the label against the article at a small area while the article is in transit across a labelling position, continuing this pressing while the bottle traverses a predetermined length of travel and while the `article and a pressing member are relatively stationary at the pressing position, and thereafter pressing the label on to the article.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a labelling machine adapted for eiiiciently carrying out the above described method.

The invention is particularly applicable to the machine described in the specication of British Patent No. 865,501, wherein a labelling machine comprises means for supporting a stack of labels, a vacuum type pick-ofi device, means to eect relative pick-oit movements between said supporting means and the pick-o device in the direction of the height of the stack, a vacuum type transfer device which has movements transversely to the pick-oli direction from a position between the labels and pick-nti device to a position where the labels are applied to the articles, means for heating the transfer device, means for effecting reduced pressure alternately in the said devices, and means for eecting relative movements between the transfer device and the pick-oit device at one end of the transverse movement of the transfer device and to eiect relative movement between the transfer device and the article at the opposite end of the transverse movement of the transfer device so that the transfer device receives a label from the pick-oliV device at one end of its transverse movement and applies the label to an article at the other end. f

AccordingV to the present invention there is provided an article labelling machine comprising a label stack support, a cold suction box movable to and away from said 3,157,555 iatented Nov. 17, i964 label stack support and adapted to pick-oil2 the labels in turn, a transfer device in the form of a heated suction box movable between a label appiying position and a position between the label stack support and said cold suction box when the latter is away from said label stack support, and conveyor means for conveying the articles through said label applying position, wherein said heated suction box receives a label from said cold suction box and carries it along the direction of movement of the conveyor means, means being provided to move the heated suction box towards the article to hold the label against the article while passing through the label applying position and to move the heated suction box away from the article after the label is applied.

The heated suction box may have a flat surface facing the articles and apertured so that air can be blown out to blow the label on to the article.

The articles may be fed by pushers on an endless chain between the guide member and a second guide membe which is parallel to the iirst, the second guide member, and the pushers and chain being carried by a base which is adjustable towards and from the heated suction box to accommodate diiterent sizes of articles (e.g., different diameters of bottles).

A constructional form of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l shows a plan view of the labelling machine, and

FEGURE 2 is an elevation taken in the direction of arrows along the line ll-li in FIGURE l.

The labelling machine comprises essentially three portions, viz.: a main frame, an article conveying mechanism, adjacent the main frame, and a labelling mechanism arranged to be vertically adjustable in said main frame. The labelling mechanism is constructed substantially the same as the machine described in British patent specification No. 865,501 except that the presser is omitted and the machine is turned through 90 so that its main camshaft is vertical. The labelling mechanism to be described in this example is arranged to apply labels to a vertical face of the article. However, the same basic construction ot the labelling mechanism may be arranged so as to apply the labels in a horizontal position.

The main frame i0 carries an electric motor (not shown) which serves for the drive of both the labelling mechanism and the conveying mechanism. The main frame l@ has guideways 12 for the labelling mechanism which moves as a unit within the guideways. A screw device (not shown) is provided between said labelling mechanism and the frame l@ whereby the labelling mechanism can be vertically adjusted to accommodate articles of diiierent height or diiierent vertical disposition of the labels required.

The labelling mechanism comprises a framework (shown generally at 14) having

side members

15, 16 and cross-members i3, 17. The cross-member 17 carries a camshaft i supported vertically in bearings 9, which camshaft is driven by a sprocket 19 iixed to the camshaft and a chain 29 which in turn is driven by a sprocket 21. The sprocket 2i is slidably keyed to the shaft 22 which in turn is connected to tne electric motor and is axially movable on said shaft so as to permit vertical adjustment of the labelling mechanism.

A cold suction box 25 in the form of a tube having an axial slot in the wall thereof is attached to a push rod 26 which is slidable iu bearing blocks 27, 2S extending from the side member l5. The push rod 26 is reciprocated by means of a linkage system comprising a link Sti pivotally connected at one end to the push rod 26 between the

bearing blocks

27, 28 and at the other end to one end 1 ling device.

'of a lever 3l which is carried on a pivot post 32. The

A first guide rail 82 is iixed `to the'frame 14 of thek Y vertical spindles 85, S5 on which areY

sprockets

87, 88

on a bracket 41 which is reciprocable along a cylindrical n Y Y guide 42 carried atrits ends between the side members Y l5, 16. Therhot suction box is reciprocated by means of a link 43 pivotally connected at one end to said bracket 41 and at the other end to an arm 44. The arm V4A) is pivoted to the cross-member 13 and carries a cam follower 45 which engages the profile of a cam 46 fixed to the camshaft 1S under the force of aspring 47 connected between the arm 44 andthe side member 16. The hot suction box '4h is provided with an electrical heating elemcntvlS and a plurality of openings in the label receiving face thereof to which a vacuum is applied byV way of a pipe 49 in a manner to be described later.

In addition to the hot suction box being reciprocated itis also tilted at each end ofits Vstroke along the guide 42.' This tilting is effected by'means of a link'tl driven Vthrough. an arm 51 pivotally connected to the cross-memfber 37. The arm 5l carries a cam follower 52 which of the hot vacuum box. The link 51 isA connected to a rod 55 which isrsupported beneath the guide 42 by

support members

56, 57 carried by the guide42. An exten- `sion S8 of the bracket 41 slides on the rod 55 so that 1 the link'Stl may Vtilt the hot vacuum Vbox through the rod 55 and the extension 58. The hot vacuum box tilts ,towards the conveyor at or near one end of the stroke thereof and towards the cold' vacuum box at or near the other end of the stroke.

Al label stack holder-V60 is supported on the crossmember 17 in a position whereby the cold Vacuum box 25 can engage the end label of the stack.

Vacuum is applied at predetermined' intervals tothe hot and cold suction boxes bywayY of a valve 64 which Y is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown). The Vvalve 64 is operated through a link 65 which is pivotally connected to an arm 66. The arm 66 carries` a cam follower 67 whichis in engagement Vwith the profile of a cam 63 Y is provided which `is operated by a lever '7l which` extends into the path of the conveyed articles.V Should Vthereybe no passage of articles the lever 7l is not de- Vpressedand no, vacuum is applied to the Ysuction boxes; Consequently no label is picked olf the stack even though Vthe machine is still in operation. i

The conveyor mechanism comprises aV pairV of sprockets (not shown) on horizontal spindles that drive a link type of conveyor belt 75, the run of which is horizontal and f, runs acrossthe frontof the labelling device. ,The art'iclesV Si? .(bottlesin the present example) are fed ron to thisfconveyor belt and are carried by itracross'theY label- TheV conveyorvrnechanism also includes aspindle 76 '(drivren from the motor by means not shown) on'which is Vfixed a rotary plate V77 therupper surface of which is level with theconveyorbelt surface. This Y plate 77 'is Vlocated at the Vinlet end labout tangential with gthe rear Y. @ledge '78 ofthe conveyor belt and assists in accelerating ,the articles 8l! on tother'belt.

Yin the forward end position.

' that carry an endless chain 89 which is also engaged by a jockey wheel Si) to provide a straight run of the chain parallel to the guide railsrand in front of them. The chain $9 carries ilat plate fingers or pushers 91 at intervals of say nine inches which project through a gap 95 in the guide rail 83 so that the lingers lmove successively along the gap to propel the bottles in upright disposition along between the guide rails'assisted by the conveyor belt.

The sprocket S7 at the inlet end, carries a pinV 92 which operates a slide bar 93 'by way of a connecting rod 94, which bar serves as a gate to admity one bottle only to earch finger. VThe spindle 86 of the sprocketS is driven byY chain 97 and

sprockets

98, 99 Vfrom a spindle loll carried bythe/conveyor mechanism and. these spindles are linked by an arm lill which holds the spiri-` dles Se, lili) always at a predetermined distance apartwhen the carrier plate 84 with the second guide rail `83L are adjusted towards or away from the first guide rail`r82.

On the outlet side of the conveyor'` mechanism is aV Vhas a front straight run forminga continuation of the first guide rail 82.` The second guide rail 83 and the con- Y veyor belt extend over the length of the rubber band lltl so that the bottles after receiving labels roll along the rubber belt so that the labels are rolled on to the bottles.

YIn Voperation the following Vaction takes place:`

The electric motor is started to set the conveyor mechanism and the Vlabelling mechanismV in motion. Articles S0 are vsupplied to theconveyor belt 75 and are vfed at predetermined intervals regulated by the arm 93, tow'ards the labelling mechanism, The article is registered. with the operation of the labelling mechanism by means of the lingers 9i. f v q An article released by the arm-93 is accelerated along ,the conveyor belt 7S by the rotating plate 77 and is engaged by a fingerrQ moving at a slightly faster speed` than the conveyor belt 75.' The'chain drives ofthe con` veyorV mechanism and the labellingmechanism #and the spacing of the lingers are so arranged that the articlesy are brought toV the.label.applyingposition in synchronism 1 .with thehot suction box itt A 'K As the camshaftlrotates the rod 26 is reciprocated..

0n the backward stroke of theV rod the cold suction box 2S engages the end labelrof thejstack in the support 60,.

The camshaft l alsodrives the valve 6d which is arranged to apply a vacuum to the cold suction box at the end of the backward stroke thereof as it engages the label' until the cold suction box has remained Vmomentarily LBy means of the box 25, la label is picked-olf the stack and moved to the forward end position. When the box 25 is in its end position theireciprocati'ng hot suction box 4t) arrivesrat an end positiony thereof between theY box Z5 and the stac t the label applying position and during this movement the label is heated making the ltherrnopla,stirol adhesive tacky.

The cam 53 isrso shaped Vwith a rst Y operating flat that the hot suction'box dit is caused to tilt forwards over an angleof 3tokl5 degreestore'ceiveH the label from the cold suction Vbox 25. At this moment too the valve 6d has been actuated to causea vacuum toi be applied to the box 4h andremoved vfrom Vbox .25.

V"lhe'fbox dllV travels `to the other end' of its strokeat another label. The valve 64 is actuated to remove the vacuum from the box 4) at the moment of application of the label to the article, and apply it once again to the box 25.

A second operating dat of the cam 53 causes the box 40 to be tilted over an angle of say 3 to l5 degrees at the label applying position whereby the label is transferred from the box 40 to the article. The label is applied to the article and, if the latter is circular, the label is attached along a marginal portion thereof.

The box 4b travels towards the label applying position parallel to the conveyor and at the same speed as the latter. The box 4i? is tilted forwards while it is travelling along the label applying position.

After the label has been attached along its marginal portion to the article the latter continues on the conveyor to a position where the article is rolled by the belt 1l to firmly apply the remainder of the label. If the articles have a flat surface the label is simply pressed by the belt, the articles remaining stationary with respect to the belt.

If desired a reciprocating pressing device may be substituted for the belt 110.

I claim:

l. In a labelling machine for applying a label to an article while the article is being moved uninterruptedly by a conveyor along a predetermined linear path, the provision of (n) a framework;

(b) a label stack support mounted on said framework;

(c) a cold suction box mounted on said framework and movable in a linear path at right angles to said predetermined linear path to and away from said label stack support and adapted to pick oif the labels in turn;

(d) a shaft supported horizontally by said framework and arranged in parallel relationship to said predetermined path;

(e) a transfer device in the form of a heated suction box pivotally mounted on said shaft and arranged to reciprocate linearly along said shaft between a iirst position Where the heated suction box comes between the cold suction box and the stack when the cold suction box is away from said label stack support and a second position where the label is applied to the article; and

(f) means for partially rotating said heated suction box, when in its rst position, in one direction about the shaft towards the cold suction box to receive a label and lrotating the heated suction box in the opposite direction to its original angular position in relation to the shaft, and for partially rotating said heated suction box, when in the second position, in one direction about the shaft towards the article whilst said heated suction box is moving together with the article along said path for a predetermined distance and rotating the heated suction box in the opposite direction back to its original angular position `in relation to the shaft at the end of said predetermined distance.

2. In a labeling machine for spplying a label to an article while the article is being moved uninterruptedly by a conveyor along a predetermined linear path, the provision of: f

(a) aframework;

(b) a label stack support mounted on said framework;

(c)a cold suction box mounted on said framework and movable in a linear path at right angles to said predetermined linear path to-and away from said label stack support and adapted to pick oif the labels in turn;

(d) a shaft supported horizontally by said framework and'arranged in parallel relationship to said predetermined path:

(e) a transfer device in the form of a heated suction box pivotally mounted on said shaft and arranged to reciprocate linearly alongsaid shaft between a first position where the heated suction box comes between the cold suction box and the stack when the cold suction box is away from said label stack support and a second position where the label is applied to the article;

(f) means for partially rotating said heated suction box, when in its first position, in one direction about the shaft towards the cold suction box to receive a label and rotating the heated suction box in the opposite direction to its original angular position in relation to the shaft, and `for partially rotating said heated suction box, when in the second position, in one direction about the shaft towards the article whilst said heated suction box is moving together with the article along said path for a predetermined distance and rotating the heated suction box in the opposite direction back to its original angular position in relation to the shaft at the end of said predetermined distance;

(g) an endless chain having a plurality of lingers arranged thereon, each finger being capable of locating an article on the conveyor adjacent the heated suction box when the latter is travelling along said predetermined distance in said second position; and

(h) means for driving said endless chain at a slightly greater speed than said conveyor.

3. 1n a labelling machine for applying a label to an article while the article is being moved uninterruptedly by a conveyor along a predetermined linear path, the provision of z Y (a) a framework;

(b) a label stack support mounted on said framework;

(c) a rod arranged at right angles to said predetermined path and slidable in bearings carried on said framework;

(d) a cold suction box mounted on said rod so as to be movable in a linear path at right angles to said predetermined linear path to and away from said label stack support and adapted to pick off the labels in turn (e) a iirst linkage system connected to said rod for reciprocating the latter;

(f) a motor driven cam shaft mounted on the framework;

(g) a iirst cam on said camshaft for actuating said first linkage system;

(h) a shaft supported horizontally by said framework and arranged in parallel relationship to said predetermined path;

() a transfer device in the form of a heated suction box pivotally mounted on said shaft and arranged to reciprocate linearly along said shaft between a first position where the heated suction box comes between the cold suction box and the stack when the cold suction box is away from said label stack support and a second position where the label is applied to the article;

(j) a second linkage system connected to said heated suction box for reciprocating the latter along the shaft;

(k) a second cam on said camshaft for actuating ysaid second linkage system; Y

(l) a third linkage system for partially rotating said heated suction box, when inY its first position, in one direction about the shaft towards the cold suction box to receive a label and rotating the heated suction box in the oppositeV direction to its original angular position in relation to the shaft, :and for partially rotating said heated suction box, when in the second position, in one direction about the shaft towards the article whilst said heated suction box is moving together with the article along said path for a predetermined distance and rotating the heated .suction box in the opposite direction back to its original angular position in relation to the shaft at the end of said predetermined distance; and

4. In a labelling machine for applyingv a label toan article while the article is being moved uninterruptedly by a conveyor along a predetermined linear path, the

' (e) a first linkage system Y (f) a motor driven camshaft mounted on (the ovisionof: (a) aframework; v Y (b) a label stack support mounted on said framework; (c) a rod arranged at right angles to said predetermined path and slidable in bearings carried on said framework; 't (d) a cold suction box Vmounted on said rod so as to be movable in a linear path at right angles to said predetermined linear path to and away. from said label stack support and adapted to pick olf the labels in turn; Y Y Y l connected' to said rod for reciprocating the latter; Y

frame- (g) a first cam on said camshaft foractuating said first linkage system;

(h) Va shaftl supported horizontally `byvsaid framework and arranged /inpar-allel relationship to said pre-V determined path; v

V() a transfer device in the form of a heated suction (j) a second linkage system connected to said heatedY suction box for reciprocating the .latter along the shaft; Y

(k) a second cam on said 'camshaft for actuating second linkage system;

(l) af-third linkage system for partially rotating said' heated suction box, when -in its first-position, in

one direction about the shaft towards the cold `suc-r original angular position in relation to the shaft at,

the end of said predetermined distance;

Y (m) a third cam on said camshaft for actuating said third linkage system;

f (n) a .valve for applying suction alternately -toi'said (o) Ya fourth linkage system connected-to said valve heated and cold suction boxes;

' to actuate the latter; and Y V(p) a fourth cam :on said camshaft foractuating said fourth'linkage system, said fourth cam being pro- 'A "filed so that ysuction is'applied tothe cold suction box when the latterarrives at the Vlabel stack and in Yits stroke away from the Vstack and suction is'V applied Y to the heated suction vbox-when'the latter receives a label as Vit is rotated by said4 third linkage system Vand along the stroke of the'heated suction box as Vit travels to theV first position. Y

5. InV alabelling machineforapplyingu alabelto an article j whiler the article is being moved 'uninteruptedly by a conveyor along a predetermined linear (path, the prof'vision of w (bla label stack support mountedron said'frameworkv;

(c) a coldrsuction box mounted onV saidframeworkY saidV 'Y predetermined linear path to and away from said label stack support and adapted to pick olf the labels inturn; Y

(d) a shaft supportedrhorizontally by said framework and arranged in parallel 4relationship to said predetermined path; Y

(e) a transfer device in the form of a heated suction box pivotaliy mounted non said shaft and arranged to reciprocate linearly along said shaft between a rst position where theiheated suction box'comes between the cold suction box and the stack when the cold'suction box is away from said label stacksup-y port and a second, position where the label is applied to the article; Y

(f) means for partially rotating said heated suction box, when in its first position, in one Vdirection about the shaft towards the cold suction box to receive a Y label and rotating the heated .suction box in the opposite direction to its `original 'angular position in relation to the shaft, :and for partially rotatingsaid heated suction box, when in the second position, in

whilst said heated suction box is 'moving together with the article along said path for a predetermined Y ing an article on the conveyor adjacent the heated suction box when the latter is travelling along said predetermined distance in said second position;

(h) means for driving said endless chain at a slightly greater speed than said conveyor; Y

(i) a reciprocable arm, drivenby said endless chain, extending across the predetermined linear path and permitting movement of the articles in turn at predetermined intervals; and Y (j) a rotatable disc provided by the siderof'the conveyor in order to accelerate the articles as they are released bythe arm. j Y

6. In a labelling machine for applying a label toV an article while the article yis being moved uninterruptedly 'by a conveyor along apredetermined linear path, the

provision of: L

(a) vertically disposed guide members; K Y r (b) a framework slidable in said guide members and adapted to be held in a desired vertical position; t

(c) a label stack support mounted on said framework;

(d) a rod arranged at right angles to said predetermined path and'slidable in bearings carried on said i framework;

.Y be movable in a linear path at righty angles to said label stack support and adapted to pick'off the labels Y in turn; Y fl (f) Va'irst linkagesystem connected'to said rod'for j Y reciprocating the latter; t f (g) a camshaft ,mounted on the framework;

f (h) :an electric motor for driving said .camshaft and -iixed inrelation to said 'guide members;Y

Y first linkage system; l Y i Y (j) a shaft supportedy horizontally by said, framework Y and arranged inparallel krelationsln'p to said predeport anda second Aposition plied to the article;VY

one direction about the shaft towards the article' of said pre-Y ranged thereon, each linger beingtcapable of locra'tfV .predetermined linear path to and away from said 1(1') a iirst cam on said camshaft for actuating said (l) a second linkage system connected to said heated suction box for reciprocating the latter along the shaft;

(m) a second cam on said camshaft for actuating said second linkage system;

(n) a third linkage system for partially rotating said heated suction box, when in its lirst position, in one direction about the shaft towards the cold suction box to receive :a label and rotating the heated suction box in the opposite direction to its original angular position in relation to the shaft, and for partially rotating said heated suction box, When in the second position, in one direction about the shaft towards the article Whilst said heated suction box is moving together with the article along said path for a predetermined distance and rotating the heated suction box in the opposite direction back to its original angular position in relation to the shaft at the end of said predetermined distance;

(o) a third cam on said camshaft for actuating said third linkage system;

(p) a valve for applying suction alternately to said eated and cold suction boxes;

(q) a fourth linkage system connected to said valve to actuate the latter;

(r) a fourth cam on said camshaft for actuating said fourth linkage system, said fourth cam being proled so that suction is applied to the cold suction 'iii box when the latter arrives at the label stack and in its stroke away from the stack and suction is applied to the heated suction box When the latter receives a label as it is rotated by said third linkage system and along the stroke of the heated suction box as it travels to the rst position;

(s) a iirst sprocket xed to the camshaft;

(t) a second sprocket rotatably mounted in the framework and keyed on the shaft of the electric motor and slidable thereon; and

(u) a driving chain carried on said sprockets, said framework carrying the linkage systems and the heated and cold suction boxes being adjustable vertically in relation to the conveyor means so that the machine can accommodate articles or" dierent height or ditierent required disposition of the labels.

Reierenes Cited by the Examiner UNlTED STATES PATENTS 20 Re. 23,512 6/52 Von Hofe 156-320 1,263,565 4/l8 Knopp et al. 156-485 1,622,381 3/27 Holm et al. 156-475 X 2,070,3SG 2/37 Biggs 156-475 2,6l3,087 lil/52 Von Hofe 156-320 X 25 2,676,726 4/54 Von Hofe 156-320 2,983,398 5/61 Carter 156-566 X EARL M. BERGERT, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. IN A LABELLING MACHINE FOR APPLYING A LABEL TO AN ARTICLE WHILE THE ARTICLE IS BEING MOVED UNINTERRUPTEDLY BY A CONVEYOR ALONG A PREDETERMIJED LINAEAR PATH, THE PROVISION OF (A) A FRAMEWORK; (B) A LABEL STACK SUPPORT MOUNTED ON SAID FRAMEWORK; (C) A COLD SUCTION BOX MOUNTED ON SAID FRAMEWORK AND MOVABLE IN A LINEAR PATH AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID PREDETERMINED LINEAR PATH TO AND AWAY FROM SAID LABEL STACK SUPPORT AND ADAPTED TO PICK OFF THE LABELS IN TURN; (D) A SHAFT SUPPORTED HORIZONTALLY BY SAID FRAMEWORK AND ARRANGED IN PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP TO SAID PREDETERMINED PATH; (E) A TRANSFER DEVICE IN THE FORM OF A HEATED SUCTION BOX PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFT AND ARRANGED TO RECIPROCATE LINEARLY ALONG SAID SHAFT BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION WHERE THE HEATED SUCTION BOX COMES BETWEEN THE COLD SUCTION BOX AND THE STACK WHEN THE COLD SUCTION BOX IS AWAY FROM SAID LABEL STACK SUPPORT AND A SECOND POSITION WHERE THE LABEL IS APPLIED TO THE ARTICLE; AND (F) MEANS FOR PARTIALLY ROTATING SAID HEATED SUCTION BOX, WHEN IN ITS FIRST POSITION, IN ONE DIRECTION ABOUT THE SHAFT TOWARDS THE COLD SUCTION BOX TO RECEIVE A LABEL AND ROTATING THE HEATED SUCTION BOX IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO ITS ORIGINAL ANGULAR POSITION IN RELATION TO THE SHAFT, AND FOR PARTIALLY ROTATING SAID HEATED SUCTION BOX, WHEN IN THE SECOND POSITION, IN ONE DIRECTION ABOUT THE SHAFT TOWARDS THE ARTICLE WHILST SAID HEATED SUCTION BOX IS MOVING TOGETHER WITH THE ARTICLE ALONG SAID PATH FOR A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE AND ROTATING THE HEATED SUCTION BOX IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION BACK TO ITS ORIGINAL ANGULAR POSITION IN RELATION TO THE SHAFT AT THE END OF SAID PREDETERMINED DISTANCE.