Low pressure actuated labeling apparatus

摘要

A low pressure actuated labeling apparatus (10) for printing, cutting, and applying labels (L) to articles (A) such as envelopes, packages and parcels. A printing unit (12) prints predetermined information on a label, the label being on a roll (13) of continuous label stock. A cutting unit (14) cuts the label from an end of the roll of stock after the label is printed. The cut label is deposited on a tamper unit (16) which transports the label from a first position (P1) adjacent the cutting unit to a second position (P2) adjacent the article and affixes the label to the article. The tamper unit includes an air supply system (50) for supplying high volume, low pressure air. The system applies a vacuum to the tamper unit during transport of the label by the tamper unit and a forced air pressure on the tamper unit at the second position for moving the tamper unit to apply the label to the article. The air supply means includes a valve means (54) and a blower means (52). A flow diverter means (58) rotates within a valve body (56) of the valve means to control the application of the vacuum and the air pressure to the tamper unit.