WO2006030456A1

WO2006030456A1 - Apparatus for sticking on labels

Info

Publication number: WO2006030456A1
Application number: PCT/IT2004/000490
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano Nicolis
Original assignee: Pricer Ab
Priority date: 2004-09-13
Filing date: 2004-09-13
Publication date: 2006-03-23
Also published as: EP1789329A1

Abstract

Apparatus for sticking labels (1) sequentially arranged on a strip-shaped support (2) on items (6) to be labeled, comprising: an inlet section (3) and an outlet section (4) of the strip-shaped support (2), both comprising means (35, 36, 41, 45, 80, 81) for moving and controlling the position of the strip-shaped support (2), and tensioning means (5) apt to keep the strip-shaped support (2) tensioned. The tensioning means (5) comprises a movable bar (51), at which the strip-shaped support (2) has at least one reversal of the moving sense. The means for moving and controlling act onto the strip-shaped support (2) so as to sequentially operate a first and partial detaching of said label (1) from said strip-shaped support (2), the positioning of said label (1) at a respective item (6) to be labeled, and a final detaching of the label from said stripshaped support (2), with the entailed sticking on of said label (1) on said item (6).

Description

APPARATUS FOR STICKING ON LABELS

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for sticking on labels, suitable in particular for sticking labels on digital price tags, of the kind used in large-scale retail trade, e.g. those commonly known as ESLs (Electronic Shelf Label).

In the field of large-scale retail trade or in supermarkets and large-size shopping centers, to indicate the price on each single product digital tags may be used, to be placed near the shelves onto which the corresponding products are displayed.

Evidently, in the case of big sales outlets a high amount of products are displayed, even several thousands of them.

Therefore, the management and the arrangement of the digital tags are absolutely problematic, as in the first place it is necessary to univocally assign one or more tags to each single product, and then to arrange said tags in a correct position. hi order to carry out such an arrangement, on each digital tag a label is stuck containing product information, generally a description and a bar code, enabling to recognize each individual tag and, by means of a computerized product management, to assign the latter to the corresponding product and to the shelf thereof.

Due to evident logistic reasons, the sticking on of such labels cannot be carried out manually, as it would require excessively long times, especially at the system installation stage.

To carry out such an operation, automatic devices are used that stick labels, one by one, on the corresponding digital tag.

However, such devices entail several drawbacks. In particular, a first category of such devices make use of a pneumatic suction system to take the label from a support sheet, used to enable the printing thereof, shift it at the item on which it is to be stuck, and then end the suction, by concomitantly pressing the label against the item.

However, the labeling operation is not carried out effectively since such devices need a pneumatic circuit, requiring specific design contrivances, and use a compressor that is inevitably noisy and bulky. Moreover, other kinds of devices, with a wholly mechanic operation,, make use of a peeling system to remove the- label and stick it on the support. However, oft-times those are large-sized and particularly complex in their mechanism. Moreover, such devices comprise therein a dedicated printer, to print the label; therefore they prove scarcely adaptable to the various needs of a user.

Lastly, it is clear that such devices, being complex and large-sized, entail high purchase and maintenance costs, thereby becoming economically less than attractive. Hence, the technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide an apparatus enabling to stick labels on the digital tags used in large-scale retail trade, overcoming the drawbacks mentioned hereto with reference to the known art .

Such a problem is solved by an apparatus for sticking on labels according to claim 1, and by the method according to claim 19. The present invention provides several relevant advantages. The main advantage lies in that it enables an accurate and quick labeling via a mechanic device of very simple design that is concomitantly versatile and of limited bulkiness.

Other advantages, features and the modes of employ of the present invention will be made apparent in the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of a non-limiting example. Reference will be made to the figures of the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a partially sectional perspective view of the apparatus for sticking on labels according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a partial and sectional side view, illustrating an inlet section, an outlet section and tensioning means of the apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a partially sectional perspective view of tensioning means of the apparatus according to the present invention, details of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partially sectional perspective view, illustrating the inlet section and the outlet section of Figure 2; Figures 5 A to 5F are schematic side views illustrating the operation of the apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration showing a feeding section, a control section and a discharge section, used in conjunction with the apparatus according to the present invention; and Figure 7 is a partially sectional perspective view, illustrating a moving system and

— aTTOpticaT^wrtcTi of the apparatus according to the present invention. With initial reference to Figure 1, an apparatus for sticking labels 1, sequentially arranged on a strip-shaped support 2, on digital tags 6 or on other items, comprises an inlet section 3 of the strip-shaped support 2, which in the present embodiment is a label printer, an outlet section 4 of the support strip, and tensioning means 5 of the strip-shaped support 2. The strip-shaped support 2 comprises a continuous roll on which the labels 1, arranged in a row and slightly spaced thereamong, are stuck.

The support 2 is made of a paper material, in particular of the kind enabling to stick on the labels 1 and to remove the latter without them being ruined. Such a material, known to any person skilled in the art, does not absorb the adhesive present on the labels, which accordingly can be removed and stuck on another different support.

According to the present embodiment, the strip-shaped support is inserted in the feed of the label printer 3, which in particular is of the kind enabling to impress text characters, graphics and a barcode. By means of said printer 3, there are impressed the data characterizing the label 1 that is to be placed on the digital tag 6, which will then be automatically matched to the corresponding product.

With reference to Figure 2, the strip-shaped support 2 is inserted in the printer 3 in the form of a roll 21 , wound about a free pin 31.

The printer 3 comprises means 35, 36 for moving and means 80 for controlling, a print area 32, in which the impressing of the characters or of the codebar on the label 1 takes place, and an outlet port 33.

In a position adjacent to the print area 32 there are two rolls 35, driven by respective electric motors 36, illustrated in Figure 1, constituting said means for moving. The rolls 35 and the motors 36 enable the advancing of the strip-shaped support 2 during the printing of the label 1, as well as blocking said support 2 during breaks. The outletting motion of the strip-shaped support 2 is set exclusively by the rolls 35, present inside of the printer 3, that during the printing of a label 1, enable the advancing of the former, so as to print the label 1 along its entire length and then, upon ending the printing, to bring the subsequent label at the print area 32.

The printing step, and therefore the advancing of the motors, may be adjusted by a personal computer (PC) 80, schematically illustrated in Figure 6, to which the printer is attached and that constitutes said means for controlling. Alternatively, dedicated digital control cards, e.g. a PLC₃ may be preset

With further reference to Figure 2, a portion of strip-shaped support is brought outside of the printer 3, via the outlet port 33, with a rate that may easily be adjusted by means of the time interval elapsing between the printings of two subsequent labels.

During breaks between printings, the strip-shaped support 2 is blocked by the rolls 35; pending this condition it cannot come out of the printer, and therefore it can be tensioned by traction.

Moreover, the printer 3 is positioned on slides 34, placed on a bearing plane 7, enabling to house different printers, and to adjust the position thereof.

Thus, the labeling machine (apparatus for sticking on labels) according to the present invention requires no dedicated printing devices, but can make use of various extant printers, as it suffices that the latter enable to move the strip-shaped support 2 with the abovedescribed modes.

Always with reference to Figure 2, at the outlet of the printer 3 there is placed the tensioning means 5 of the strip-shaped support 2.

The tensioning means is illustrated in figures 2 and 3, and it comprises a movable bar 51, about which the strip-shaped support 2 is wound so as to reverse its direction, and therefore its advancing sense. In order to direct the strip-shaped support there are also two idle shafts 56, a first one thereof enabling the strip-shaped support, once outletted from the printer 3, and having rotated about the bar 51, to take a direction opposite to that of outletting from the printer, whereas the second one thereof enables to direct the strip-shaped support toward the outlet section 4.

The movable bar 51 can slide along a guide 501, to which it is connected via means for adjusting the height 58 that enable, upon positioning the tensioning means 5 and the printer 3 on the same reference bearing plane 7, to place the movable bar 51 at the height of (level with) the outlet of the strip-shaped support 2 from the printer 3, so that the strip-shaped support 2 remains parallel to the bearing plane 7, from the outlet port 33 of the printer 3 to the movable bar 51.

Expediently, hereinafter the direction defined by the bearing plane 7 will be referred to as horizontal direction, whereas the direction perpendicular thereto will be referred to as vertical direction. According to the present embodiment, the movable bar 51 is parallelepiped-shaped and it extends between a pair of guides 501.

In particular, expediently the guides 501 are of the bearing kind7toiimit 1he^~frictiDrr thereof. As mentioned hereto, and as illustrated in Figure 3, the movable bar is connected to support plates 57, which are connected, by means of screws 58 constituting said means for adjusting the height, to a block 502, slidable on the guide 501.

The guides 501 have a direction parallel to the bearing plane 7, thereby enabling the movable bar 51 to slide in the horizontal direction.

In practice, the horizontal motion of the movable bar 51 enables to draw near or to move away the position in which the strip-shaped support 2 reverses its direction with respect to the outlet port 33 of the printer 3.

This detail is important since, as it will be better illustrated during the description of the operation of the device, the detaching of the label 1 takes place just at the reversal of the direction of the strip-shaped support 2.

Moreover, according to a preferred embodiment, the guides 501 comprise a position sensor, e.g. a potentiometer or an LVDT, not shown in the figure.

The supports 57 are connected therebetween by means of a rod 59, stiffening the structure thereof, and said rod 59 is connected to the structure (and) to the guides 501 by elastic return means.

In the present embodiment, the elastic return means is a spring 53, having both ends thereof connected to the rod 59, wound about two pulleys 54. The pulleys 54 are free to pivot about respective pins, not shown in the figure, fixed to a plate 55. The plate 55, and therefore also the pulleys 54, is fixed to the guide 501, which in turn is connected to the bearing plane 7, by means of support elements 71. The support elements 71 can also provide the option of being adjustable in height and constitute, alternatively to the screws 58, said means for adjusting the height.

Therefore, it is evident that the spring 53 tends to return (force) the movable bar 51, together with the movable supporting structure, formed by the supports 57, the screws 58 and the rod 59, to a resting position, thereby constituting said elastic return means for the bar 51.

When the bar 51 is slid on the guides 501 in a direction opposite to the printer 3, in practice when moving away therefrom, the spring 53 generates a returning force opposing the motion of the bar 51.

The strip-shaped support 2 is wound on the movable bar 51 and therefore it is stretched by means of the spring 53.

Via a dimensioning of the elastic return means, the tension onto the strip-shaped support 2 can be set; as it will be made evident in the detailed description of the operation, a correct dimensioning facilitates the detaching of the label 1 from the strip-shaped support 2.

Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment, the pretensioning of the spring 53 may be adjusted; with reference to Figure 3, by moving away or drawing near therebetween the pulleys 54, the spring 53 stretches or shortens. Accordingly, the tension of the spring in the resting position varies.

Thus, it is possible to modify the tension acting on the strip-shaped support 2 and to adjust the tension for the detaching of the label. According to the present embodiment, the outlet section 4, illustrated in detail in Figure 4, further comprises means for moving and controlling the strip-shaped support 2.

In the present embodiment, the moving is entrusted to rolls 41, here present in a number equal to two, onto which the strip-shaped support 2 is wound. The rolls 41 are arranged in a horizontal position and side-by-side, so as to block the strip-shaped support 2, so that the latter may be dragged thereby, without however sliding onto their surface. In particular, in the present embodiment, two rolls are arranged facing each other, so as to enclose the strip-shaped support 2 therebetween.

Moreover, in order to improve the traction of the strip-shaped support one roll has horizontal knurls, whereas the other roll has rubber rings, to increase the adhesion onto the tape 2.

The motion of the rolls 41 is driven, e.g., by an electric motor 45 and their motion is adjusted by said means for controlling, which may consist of a control card 81, e.g. a PLC, illustrated in Figure 6. There may expediently be used also the same means for controlling used for the inlet section 3, and therefore the electric motors 36 may be controlled by a control card mounted on the PC 80.

Therefore, the strip-shaped support 2 moves as it is dragged by the rolls 41, and, it being unable to creep thereon, its position with respect to the outlet section 4 could be adjusted by the respective means for moving and controlling.

Also the inlet section 3 does not enable motions of the strip-shaped support 2 when those motions are uncontrolled by the printer and by the related means for moving 35, 36 and controlling 80, since in this case as well the strip-shaped support 2 cannot creep on the pin 31 and on the rolls 35.

Therefore, the length of the portion of strip-shaped support 2 comprised between the inlet section 3, in this case consisting in the printer, and the outlet section 4, is adjusted via the respective means for moving and controlling, in particular via the motors 36 and 45, the PC 80 and the control card 81.

The length of this portion may be increased by setting the strip-shaped support 2 outside of the inlet section 3, as well as by returning the support 2 from the outlet section. Remarkably, by increasing the length of the support portion 2 comprised between the inlet 3 and outlet 4 sections, the movable bar 51, about which the strip- shaped support is wound, tends to go to a position farther from the inlet section 3, moving in the horizontal direction.

The strip-shaped support remains anyhow stretched owing to the action of the spring 53 exerting a force on the bar 51.

Vice versa, the portion of strip-shaped support 2 comprised between the inlet 3 and outlet 4 sections may be decreased in length by acting on the rolls 41, and by settig the support 2 outside of the outlet section. In fact, with such a motion, the printer 3 holds the strip-shaped support 2 still, blocked by the rolls 35, and the length of the portion between the inlet 3 and the outlet 4 sections decreases.

Moreover, the position of the movable bar 51 is adjusted via the length of the portion of strip-shaped support comprised between the sections 3 and 4, since, as illustrated hereto, with the increasing of the length of the portion, the movable bar 51 moves on the guides 501, moving away from the inlet section 1.

The operation of the apparatus and the related method for detaching labels implemented by the apparatus is schematically illustrated in Figures 5 A to 5F. With initial reference to Figure 5 A, the sticking on of the label 1 starts by positioning the digital tag 6 on the bearing plane 7, at the movable bar 51. Moreover, the bar is placed in a horizontal position adjacent to the digital tag 6. As described above, the positioning of the bar 51 occurs depending on the length of the portion of strip- shaped support 2 comprised between the inlet 3 and outlet 4 sections, portion that is adjustable via the means for controlling 80, 81, which act on the means for moving 35, 36 and 41, 45.

RemarkλHy, the mπyqblp: bar 51 is plar.p.H at a height snch as tn freely slide above the digital tag 6.

Then, by means of the rolls 41, the strip-shaped support 2 is advanced toward the outside of the outlet section 4. During the advancing, the printer 3 keeps the strip- shaped support 2 blocked and therefore the length of the portion comprised between the printer 3 and the outlet section 4 decreases and the movable bar 51 moves toward the printer 3, as described in Figure 5B, letting the strip-shaped support 2 slide on its surface.

By virtue of the presence of the spring 53, the strip-shaped support 2 remains wound about the movable bar 51; however, in this position also the label, were it to remain adhering to the support 2, should be wound about the bar 51.

Instead, the support 2 being stretched, the label exhibiting a mechanical strength higher than that of the material of the strip-shaped support 2, and lastly, the movable bar having sufficiently protruding corners, so that the strip-shaped support has it also a pointed vertex, at said corners, the label rises from the support 2, and, as illustrated in Figure 5B, begins to detach therefrom.

Basically, this first step implements a partial detaching of the label 1 from the strip- shaped support 2, by raising an edge of the label from the support.

To optimize the detaching of the label, three factors ought to be analyzed: the tension of the strip-shaped support 2, the presence of sufficiently protruding corners in the bar 51 and the different material used for the support 2 and the label 1.

Assuming constant features of the materials of the support 2 and of the label 1, the tension on the strip-shaped support 2 ought to be correctly set, via the dimensioning of the spring 53; likewise, also the dimensioning of the movable bar 51, including the surface features thereof, is important.

More precisely, the detaching of the label 1 is hindered both by an insufficient tension on the strip-shaped support 2, as the former would it also wind up about the bar 51, and by an excessive tension, as the motor of the printer 3 would be subjected to an excessive effort.

The movable bar 51 expediently exhibits specific features enabling the detaching of the label 1 : the corners are neither too protruding, as they would make the sliding of the strip-shaped support 2 particularly difficult, nor excessively blunt, as the support 2 would not be bent sharply enough to cause the detaching of the label.

The dimensions of the bar 51, though less important, are them also relevant to the

positioning of the label 1 less than accurate, whereas an overly thin one hinders the motions of the strip-shaped support 2. Once the first detaching of the label 1 has occurred, the device thereafter lying in the configuration illustrated in Figure 5B, the strip-shaped support 2 is retreated, by means of the rotation of the rolls 41, so as to return into the outlet section 4. Thus, the support 2 portion comprised between the inlet 3 and the outlet 4 sections extends, and, according to the sequence already described several times hereto, the bar moves, away from the printer 3 and arriving basically above the digital tag 6. In particular, the bar 51 is moved until taking its place at the center of the tag 6.

At this stage, the label 1 remains still, in the same position as above. Yet, the portion thereof that had previously been detached remains raised from the support 2. Then, with reference to Figure 5D, the printer 3, by executing the printing on a new label 1, advances the strip-shaped support 2 until, concomitantly to the end of the printing, the movable bar 51 moves away from the printer 3 of a quantity such as to position the label 1 perfectly above the digital tag 6. hi this second positioning stage as well, the label 1 remains raised, it being in no way pressed against the support 2.

Then, as depicted in Figure 5E, the strip-shaped support 2 is advanced by means of the rolls 41, exiting the outlet section 4, keeping the printer 3 blocked. As in the foregoing, the movable bar 51 gets closer to the printer 3, and, at least in a first stage, the label 1 further detaches, it being already partially raised from the strip-shaped support 2.

Remarkably, now the label 1 is positioned at the digital tag 6, with the edge thereof, that had previously been raised, resting on a surface of the latter.

However, thereafter the label 1 tends, pushed also by its own weight, to descend downward and to wind about the movable bar 51. Nevertheless, while descending the former rests on the digital tag, and sticks thereto, lying down thereon owing to the motion of the bar 51 that gets closer to the printer 3.

In figure 5F it is evident that when the movable bar 51 returns to its initial position, i.e. the one described in Figure 5A, the label is completely detached from the strip- shaped support, resting, and therefore sticking, on the digital tag 6. With further reference to Figure 1, the labeling machine (apparatus) further comprises a pad 9 pressing the label 1 against the digital tag 6, so as to facilitate the adhesion thereof and to attain a complete sticking on thereof. In particular, according to the kind of label or tag used, the pad 9 may be used, whose motion is it also adjusted by the control device 80, in each of the various stages of the sticking on of the label.

All stages are controlled also by the position sensor present inside of the guide 501, so as to check whether the positioning takes place correctly, and optionally intervening in case errors occur. The labeling operation may be automated via the use of feeding, control and discharge sections, along with a system for moving the digital tags.

With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the bearing plane 7 comprises a system for moving 72, in the given embodiment a conveyor belt, connecting a feeding section 82, which enables to house, and therefore to strip off one by one, the digital tags 6. Via the conveyor belt 72, the digital tag 6 carries on toward an optional startup section 83, which recognizes the presence of the tag and prepares the printer 3 for the printing.

Then the tag carries on to the labeling machine, onto which it stops in order to receive the label 1 with the abovedescribed modes. Since it is extremely important that a correct positioning of the tag 6 be kept, the bearing plane 7 further has an optical switch 73, which, as illustrated in Figure 7, as soon as it is covered blocks the motion of the tag 6, so as to ensure a perfect positioning thereof.

Said pad 9 may also be used to accurately block the digital tag 6, at the zone onto which the sticking on of the label will take place. This feature is desirable in case stepping motors, having a less-than-fluid advancing, are used, and the use of the pad lowering onto the label pressing it enables to accurately block the latter and to accurately align the digital tag 6 onto the labeling position. hi order to allow such a functionality to the pad 9, it suffices that it be actuated to lower at the instant when the optical switch is covered by a digital tag 6, to then rise again once the strip 72 is still.

Having been subjected to the labeling operation, the tag advances onto the conveyor belt, until reaching a control section 84, in which it is verified that the label 1 has been printed and then correctly stuck on and matched to the related product. The control section 84 may also forward the tags 6, once they have been controlled, to one or more discharge sections 85.

Clearly, the labeling machine may be associated also to other automation systems, and in particular, just due to its versatility it may adapt to different demands, that could e.g. comprise more complex control systems or systems for distributing tags downstream of the control section.

The present invention has hereto been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is understood that other embodiments may exist, all afferent to the same inventive kernel and all falling within the protective scope of the claims hereinafter.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sticking labels (1) sequentially arranged on a strip-shaped 5 support (2) on items (6) to be labeled, comprising:

• an inlet section (3) and an outlet section (4) of said strip-shaped support (2);

• means (35, 36, 41, 45, 80, 81) for moving and controlling said strip- shaped support (2); and

10 • tensioning means (5) suitable for keeping said strip-shaped support (2) tensioned between said inlet section (3) and said outlet section (4), wherein, for each label, said means (35, 36, 41, 45, 80, 81) for moving and controlling acts on said strip-shaped support (2) so as to sequentially operate: a first and partial detaching of said label (1) from said strip-shaped support

15 (2), a positioning of said label (1) at a respective item to be labeled (6), and a final detaching of the label from said strip-shaped support (2), with the entailed sticking of said label (1) on said item (6).

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tensioning means (5) comprises a movable bar (51) about which said strip-shaped support (2) is

20 wound, attaining a reversal of the advancing sense of said strip-shaped support (2) at said movable bar (51).

3. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein said movable bar (51) slidably rests on guides (501) connected to a bearing plane (7).

4. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising 25 means (58) for adjusting the height of said movable bar (51).

5. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein said means for adjusting the height is screws (58) connected to a block (502) slidable on said guides (501).

6. The apparatus according to one or more of the claims 2 to 5, wherein said 3.0 tensioning means (5) comprises elastic return means (53. 54) of said movable bar (51) apt to force said bar (51) toward a resting position, placed near said inlet section (3).

7. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein said elastic return means comprises a spring (53), having both ends thereof connected to said movable bar (51).

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said elastic return means (53, 54) is adjustable.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said elastic return means comprises one or more pulleys (54) apt to guide said spring (53), the position of said pulleys (54) being adjustable, in order to enable the adjusting of the tension of said spring (53).

10. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a pad (9) apt to press the label (1) against the item (6) to which it is to be stuck on and/or to perfectly align the item (6) in the labeling position.

11. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said inlet section comprises a label printer (3).

12. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said means for moving and controlling said strip-shaped support comprises rolls (35, 41) for dragging said strip-shaped support (2), said rolls being driven by respective electric motors (36, 45).

13. The apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein said motors (36, 45) are controlled by means of a PC (80) and a control card (81).

14. The apparatus according to one or more of the claims 3 to 13, wherein said bearing plane (7) comprises a conveyor belt (72) suitable for the moving of said items (6).

15. The apparatus according to one or more of the claims 3 to 14, wherein said bearing plane (7) comprises a movable slide (34), suitable for receiving in bearing said inlet section (3).

16. The apparatus according to one or more of the claims 3 to 15, wherein said bearing plane (7) comprises an optical switch (73) suitable for the positioning ofsaid items (ό).

17. The apparatus according to one or more of the claims 12 to 16, wherein at least one first roll (41) has knurls arranged along the directrices thereof, and at least one second roll (41), into contact with said first roll, has rubber rings arranged perpendicularly to said knurls, so as to avoid the slipping of said strip-shaped support (2).

18. The apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising one or more idle shafts (56) apt to guide said strip-shaped support (2) from said inlet section (3) to said outlet section (4).

19. A method for sticking labels (1) sequentially arranged on a strip-shaped support (2) on items (6) to be labeled, comprising the steps of:

• implementing a partial detaching of said label (1) from said strip-shaped support (2), by raising an edge of said label from said strip-shaped support;

. positioning said label (1) at a respective item to be labeled (6), resting said edge on a surface of said item (6); and

. finally detaching the label from said strip-shaped support (2), attaining a complete sticking on of said label (1) on said item (6).

20. The method for sticking on labels (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said step of implementing a partial detaching of said label (1) comprises the steps of:

- winding said strip-shaped support (2) on a movable bar (51), attaining a reversal of the direction of said strip-shaped support (2); and

- sliding said support (2) on said movable bar (51), attaining said partial detaching of the label.

21. The method for sticking on labels (1) according to claim 19 or 20, further comprising a step of pressing said label (6) against said item (2) to attain the complete sticking on thereof.