Product labelling machine

Claim 1

A labelling assembly for applying pressure-sensitive labels to the longitudinal surfaces of cylindrical articles comprising; label dispensing means for carrying labels to a labelling station and for dispensing the labels, one at a time, at the labelling station; means for advancing said articles to said labelling station; means for supporting a first article at the labelling station so that the article is free to rotate about its longitudinal axis; a cylindrical roller means disposed in a two position parallel arrangement with said first article wherein, in one position, said roller is spaced from said one article, and, in the second position, is in physical contact, along a longitudinal contact line, with said first article; means for moving said cylindrical roller from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position; means for rotating the roller about the longitudinal axis of the roller; said label dispensing means being adapted to dispense a label adjacent to said contact when said roller is in said second position; whereby, when said roller is in said second position, it will cause said article to rotate about its longitudinal axis, and the label dispensed by said dispensing means will be rolled around the longitudinal surface of the first article and will be caused to adhere to said longitudinal surface by the pressure of said roller against said first article; first switch means adapted to be activated by said roller means when said roller means is in its second position; and second switch means adapted to be activated by an article when said roller is in its second position and in physical contact with said article; said first and second switch means being serially connected to advance said label dispensing means only when both said switch means are activated; whereby a label will be activated only when said roller means is in its second position and when an article is disposed in a position for labelling.