Apparatus and method for applying labels onto small cylindrical articles

Abstract

An apparatus for applying a label onto a small, cylindrical article, such as a dry cell battery, is disclosed. A rotatable label transport drum has a central, horizontal axis. A label is fed to the drum surface, retained thereto as the drum rotates, and moved with the rotating drum into an article wrapping position defined at the upper area of the drum. An article delivery system, such as a star transfer wheel, delivers the articles sequentially onto the drum surface. The delivery system is spaced outward from the drum surface to clear the trailing edge of the label which is outwardly positioned from the drum surface. An attractive force is imparted on the article in a direction so as to aid smooth delivery of the article onto the drum surface and the label moving therewith. In one aspect of the invention, when the articles are magnetically attractive drycell batteries, at least one magnet retains the drycells against an article engaging surface of a pressure plate which defines an article entrance portion that is disposed downward to the drum surface so that the drycells are smoothly and tangentially transferred onto the drum surface. In another aspect of the invention, a web feed and cutting mechanism is disclosed. In still another aspect of the invention, an adhesive delivery system using a gravure roller is disclosed.