High speed labeling machine

Abstract

A high speed labeling machine for dispensing labels from a continuous web of backing material having labels affixed thereto and applying the labels to a plurality of articles is provided. The labeling machine includes a supply station positioned adjacent a conveyor and a dispensing device and applicator assembly mounted on a support carriage mounted on a support arm and capable of high speed transverse movement across the conveyor for labeling articles positioned in a side by side arrangement. The continuous web of material is fed to the movable support carriage via a follower carriage mounted on the support arm which moves relative to the support carriage so as to maintain tension in the web traveling to and from the support carriage and associated dispensing and applicator devices. As a result, the dispensing device and applicator device can be moved relative to the supply station at high speed without dispensing labels, while at the same time maintaining tension in the web. The supply station is also movably mounted and may be automatically controlled to move longitudinally along the conveyor simultaneous with the transverse movement of the support carriage, thereby allowing the dispensing device and applicator to move through a variety of paths above the articles to permit a multitude of articles in a variety of arrangements to be quickly and effectively labeled. The labeling machine may also include a take-up device for accumulating the waste backing material including a pivotable link biased to apply controlled tension to the web of material.