WO2025224771A1

WO2025224771A1 - Apparatus and method for the automated application of a label

Info

Publication number: WO2025224771A1
Application number: PCT/IT2025/050093
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paolo Albertoni; Emanuele DANELLI
Original assignee: Phoenix Italia Srl
Current assignee: Phoenix Italia Srl
Priority date: 2024-04-22
Filing date: 2025-04-15
Publication date: 2025-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-22

Abstract

Apparatus (10) for the automated application of a label (50) on at least one item (100, 200) which is conveyed along a forward direction (FD); the apparatus (10) comprising at least one label feed station (11) provided with a label feed unit (12) and a suction unit (14), and at least one end portion (26) of an applicator member (25) which is mobile between a first position, wherein the end portion (26) receives the label from the label feed unit (12) to temporarily hold the label (50), and a second position, wherein the end portion (26) applies the received label (50) onto said item ( 100, 200); the end portion (26) of the applicator member (25) comprising at least a plurality of flexible elongated elements (30) having longitudinal portions extending along respective longitudinal directions (PD), arranged substantially parallel to each other, to allow said suction unit (14) to create the pressure drop through the flexible elongated elements (30), when the end portion (26) is at the first position.

Description

“APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATED APPLICATION OF

A LABEL”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns an apparatus and a method for automatically applying an identification label on a moving fed item. The present invention can find application, for example and without limiting the generality of the following, in the automated labeling of items such as boxes, envelopes or other containers, intended for the transport of articles, fed by a conveyor belt or suchlike.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the context of plants for packaging, and possibly shipping, articles arranged into boxes, envelopes or other containers, it is known to affix on such packages at least one label identifying the article contained and/or the manufacturer, as well as other technical and commercial information, for example useful for the shipment and delivery of the article contained.

Normally, since each purchase order can cover various articles of different shapes, weights and dimensions, the respective package has to also be chosen appropriately, depending on the volumes and articles it has to contain.

Various types of apparatuses are known that automatically apply the labels onto a certain external surface of the package. Among others, an apparatus is known provided with an application member, which is hinged to a fixed part of the apparatus in which, for example, a printer and a label feeder are provided.

In essence, this type of apparatus provides, upon arrival of the package, a coordinated rotary movement of the application member between a loading position, wherein it is close to the fixed part so as to temporarily support a label, and an application position, wherein it contacts the package to apply the label on its surface. In addition, this type of known apparatus provides that the application member has both through holes, to guarantee a temporary hold of the label at the loading position by depression, and also a desired structural flexibility, so that it elastically deforms at the application position.

One of the main disadvantages of known apparatuses is precisely the conformation of the application member which, although flexible and perforated, is made with a single body element, defining its own label loading and application surface, which is mainly flat, or in any case shaped in a predefined manner.

Other solutions known in the art are disclosed by the prior documents JP 2007 246134, EP 3120993, JP Hl 1208629 and US2022/289420, all relating to technically very complex and not very versatile solutions. JP 2007 246134, EP 3120993 and JP Hl 1208629 comprise brushes that intervene during the application of the label; however, the arrangement of the brushes does not allow them to adapt to different package formats. For example, in JP 2007 246134 and JP Hl 1208629 the brush has to cooperate with a blowing device and with a suction device, while in EP 3120993 the brush is conformed as a roller mounted on a mobile arm, therefore controlling its operation is complex and makes this solution unsuitable to be implemented in high productivity lines.

US2022/289420 also discloses a complex solution, which does not have brushes but is equipped with a plurality of spring-loaded snap pins, which intervene during the application of the labels by moving from retracted positions to extended positions. It is clear how this solution is also not very versatile and unsuitable to be implemented in high productivity lines.

Today, for example in the e-commerce sector, there is an ever-increasing need to manage and process several thousand different items a day that require a plurality of different packaging types in different formats, based on their capacity, dimensions, or types of articles contained, which can range from traditional polygonal cardboard boxes to flattened packaging, also made of cardboard, or to soft paper envelopes, whether padded or traditional.

One of the main disadvantages of known solutions is that, having to process different types of packages in sequence with the same application member, problems can arise with the correct application of the label, for example when labelling paper envelopes, which notoriously have an irregular external surface, normally deformed by the content. In these operating conditions, by acting with an application member with a predefined conformation, in addition to a non-optimal application, the application member itself may run the risk of damaging or tearing the envelope, even to the point of damaging its contents.

For these reasons, known apparatuses of this type find application only in labelling that is limited to traditional cardboard boxes. In addition, even in this limited application, depending on the degree of flexibility of the application member, the cardboard can be damaged superficially after the label has been applied.

It is clear that, in the event of accidental damage or breakage of the package or its contents, extraordinary machine downtime and maintenance steps are necessary, with consequent increases in costs and decreases in plant productivity, as well as possible delivery delays, at least for the damaged items.

There is therefore the need to perfect an apparatus for the automated application of a label that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

To do this, it is necessary to resolve the technical problem of applying a label on a package in a precise and effective manner, regardless of the shape and dimensions of the package itself.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and perfect a method for an effective and correct automated application of a label on items fed in sequence, regardless of either their dimensions or type, such as cardboard box-shaped packages and paper envelopes for example.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and perfect a method that allow to limit the possibility of accidentally ruining, or tearing, the package, or ruining its contents, to a minimum.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and perfect a method that allow for highly efficient labeling that leads to optimizing processing times in order to achieve high productivity.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes and to resolve the technical problem described above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, some embodiments described here concern an apparatus for the automated application of an adhesive label on an item, such as a container for example, be this a box or an envelope of even very different dimensions and shapes. In particular, the item is fed, preferably continuously, along a forward direction, for example by means of a typical belt, roller or similar feed system.

The apparatus according to the present invention comprises a label feed station comprising a label feed unit configured to feed labels, and at least one member for applying the labels on the item.

In some embodiments, the label feed station is provided with a label feed unit, wherein the labels, traditionally supported by a paper strip, are wound on a reel and, once printed with the desired identification data, are progressively and mechanically separated from the paper strip and prepared, in cooperation with the applicator member, in a condition whereby they can be applied to the container.

The applicator member comprises an end portion which is selectively mobile between a first position, wherein the end portion receives the label from the label feed unit to temporarily hold the label, and a second position, wherein the end portion applies the received label onto the item.

The apparatus according to the present invention also comprises a suction unit configured to be operatively associated with the end portion to create a pressure drop across the end portion.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the end portion comprises a plurality of flexible elongated elements, such as for example bristles, filaments or other, having longitudinal portions extending along respective longitudinal directions and arranged substantially parallel to each other so as to allow the suction unit to create the pressure drop through the flexible elongated elements, when the end portion is at the first position.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the longitudinal portions of the flexible elongated elements define a label carrying surface dimensioned to receive the label thereon. The label carrying surface is configured to lay planar when the end portion is in the first position, and to bend when the end portion pushes the label into contact with the item in the second position.

In other words, the end portion is substantially composed as a brush, or a paintbrush, wherein a plurality of flexible elongated elements defines a physical assembly deformable in multiple directions, even simultaneously, partly permeable, at least to allow the passage of air between the elements, and sufficiently compact to hold an item, in this specific case a label.

The end portion thus allows for both an effective cooperation with the suction unit and a correct label support, when the applicator member is at the first position, and also a correct application of the label on the item when the applicator member is at the second position.

Therefore, with the solution according to the present invention, in addition to not modifying the effective functionalities of feed and temporary hold by depression of the label, thanks to the deformability in multiple directions of the carrying surface defined by the plurality of flexible elongated elements, it is possible to indifferently apply the label substantially on any surface of the item whatsoever, whether rigid and regular like cardboard, or soft and irregular like an envelope, even fed in sequence. In fact, the brush-like conformation of this carrying surface allows it to adapt perfectly, and on each occasion, to the surface shape of the item, applying in any case a desired elastic pressure on the label to guarantee it adheres on this surface effectively.

Furthermore, with the solution of the apparatus according to the present invention it is possible to limit to a minimum, if not eliminate, the risk of accidentally ruining, or tearing, the item, or ruining its contents.

Advantageously, the flexible elongated elements can be made of polymeric, silicone, but also plant, animal or metallic material, and can comprise a cross section with a substantially circular, ovoid, or polygonal shape, such as a parallelepiped shape for example, or others, depending on the desired mechanical characteristics required.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, which defines an embodiment thereof, the flexible elongated elements comprise bristles having a substantially circular shaped cross section.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the applicator member further comprises a support portion, arranged adjacent to the end portion in which the plurality of flexible elongated elements is mounted.

This improves the label support condition, in particular at the first position and in the transition phases between this position and the second position, wherein the label is applied to the item. In fact, the label is arranged by the label feed unit in such a way as to cooperate partly with the end portion and partly with the support portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a mobile body to which the end portion is attached. The mobile body is configured to move the end portion between the first position and the second position, along an application direction that is inclined, advantageously orthogonal, with respect to the forward direction.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the label carrying surface lies oblique with respect to the forward direction, when the end portion is in the first position.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the end portion has an extension dimension, measured along the positioning direction, proportionate to a corresponding extension dimension of the support portion.

This proportion allows, on the one hand, to guarantee an effective temporary holding action, by suction, of the label at the first feed position and, on the other hand, to carry out an effective support of the label both at the first feed position and also in the phases of movement toward the second application position. Furthermore, the proportion between the end portion and the support portion is such as to allow an effective adhesion of the label on the item.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the apparatus comprises at least one management unit configured to detect the item along the forward direction and to control the mobile body in a coordinated manner, so as to actuate the selective movement of the applicator member between the first position and the second position, according to the detected position of the item.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the label feed unit is positioned and configured to feed the labels on the label carrying surface along a direction parallel to the respective longitudinal directions of the flexible elongated elements, when the end portion is at the first position.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the suction unit comprises a fan which is configured to create the pressure drop.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for the automated application of a label on an item moved along a forward direction, comprising the steps of:

- placing a mobile end portion of an applicator member in a first position; - feeding a label on the end portion of the applicator member placed in the first position by means of a label feed unit;

- creating a pressure drop across the end portion by means of a suction unit, so as to temporarily hold the label fed by the label feed unit on the end portion;

- applying the label on the item by moving the end portion from the first position to the second position.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the step of creating a pressure drop comprises creating a pressure drop through the flexible elongated elements when the end portion is at the first position.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the longitudinal portions of the flexible elongated elements define a label carrying surface laying planar and receiving the label thereon, when the end portion is at the first position, while the flexible elongated elements bend when the end portion applies the label by pushing the label into contact with the item in the second position.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, during the step of applying the label on the item, the end portion of the applicator member is moved away from the suction unit, so that the label is affected by the pressure drop generated by the suction unit only when the flexible elongated elements are in the first position.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, during the step of creating the pressure drop, the plurality of flexible elongated elements are arranged between the suction unit and the label, the suction unit creating a pressure drop through the flexible elongated elements, so as to hold the label once the label is fed by the label feed unit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the feeding step comprises feeding the label along a direction parallel to the respective longitudinal directions of the flexible elongated elements.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the flexible elongated elements are elastically bendable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein: - fig. 1 is a schematic, partly sectioned lateral view of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention for the automated application of a label;

- fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a detail of the apparatus of fig. 1;

- fig. 3 is a schematic three-dimensional view of a detail of fig. 2;

- fig. 3a is an enlarged detail of fig. 3;

- fig. 4 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the detail of fig. 3, in a first condition of application of the label; and

- fig. 5 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the detail of fig. 3, in a second condition of application of the label;

- fig. 6 is a schematic, partly sectioned lateral view of a second embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention for the automated application of a label.

We must clarify that the phraseology and terminology used in the present description, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also in relation as to how described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their purpose being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings, ft is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

With reference to fig. 1, a first embodiment of an apparatus 10 for applying adhesive labels 50 on an item, be it a rigid box 100 or a flexible envelope 200, containing one or more articles, is described, the item being fed continuously along a forward direction FD by means of a conveyor belt 300 (only partly schematized in the drawing).

The apparatus 10 can be for example used in the context of automated packaging plants used by e-commerce companies, but also in other areas of application.

The apparatus 10 comprises a label feed station 11, which comprises a label feed unit 12 and a suction unit 14.

Briefly, the label feed unit 12 comprises a pair of feed 15 and collection 16 reels, respectively, in this specific case assisted by corresponding tensioners 17 that regulate the unwinding and winding times of a supporting paper strip 18 on which the adhesive labels 50 are arranged stepwise. A mechanical separator 19 (fig. 2) is also part of the label feed unit 12, in this specific case one with rollers, which determines a mechanical separation of the adhesive label 50 from the paper strip 18. It is not excluded that this mechanical separator 19 can be of another type, for example with blades, wedges, or other solutions, chosen on each occasion in the design phase.

The suction unit 14 is arranged downstream of the label feed unit 12 and provides a box-shaped container 21 open on a side that faces the conveyor belt 300, and inside which a fan 22 and a presence sensor 23 are arranged. In particular, the fan 22 is suitable to create an air suction toward the inside of the box-shaped container 21 in order to create a pressure drop, while the presence sensor is configured to detect the presence or absence of elements that partly block the aperture of the box-shaped container 21.

The apparatus 10 according to the present invention comprises a printing unit 13, of a substantially known type and provided with a programmable printer head 20 configured to print on each adhesive label 50 the product and/or shipment identification data relating to the box 100 or envelope 200 for which the adhesive label 50 is intended.

The apparatus 10 according to the present invention further comprises an applicator member 25 comprising an end portion 26 selectively mobile between a first position, or feed position (fig. 1), wherein it cooperates with the suction unit 14 and temporarily supports the adhesive label 50 which is fed, in turn, by the label feed unit 12; and a second position, or application position (dotted line in fig. 1), wherein it is located in proximity to the box 100 or envelope 200, and applies the adhesive label on an external surface of one, or the other, of the latter.

The applicator member 25 further comprises a support portion 27, arranged adjacent to the end portion 26.

In particular, the end portion 26 and the support portion 27 are substantially coplanar with each other and define a specific attachment angle a with respect to the mobile body 28. This angle a is advantageously comprised in a range between about 100° and about 150°, so as to mainly put the end portion 26 into contact with the box 100 or envelope 200 when the end portion 26 assumes its application position, during the steps of applying the adhesive label 50.

Operationally, at the feed position the end portion 26 is in cooperation with the fan 22, while at the application position the end portion 26 flexes elastically on the surface of the box 100 or envelope 200. The support portion 27, on the other hand, guarantees the correct angled attachment to the mobile body 28, in both operating positions of the end portion 26. Solutions of the present invention in which the end portion 26 is directly attached to the mobile body 28 at an angle are not excluded.

The end portion 26 consists of a plurality of flexible elongated elements, or bristles 30, mounted directly on the support portion 27, so as to be substantially parallel to each other and elastically bendable. The bristles 30 advantageously extend along respective longitudinal directions PD (figs. 2 and 3), substantially parallel to the forward direction FD, arranged on one or more layers and side by side to each other, so as to define both corresponding air passage spaces 31 and also an adhesive label 50 carrying surface A.

In this way, the end portion 26 is substantially composed as a brush, or a paintbrush, in which the bristles 30 are mutually and independently mobile, and define the carrying surface A, which is physically deformable in several directions, even simultaneously, as can be seen in the comparison of the operating conditions schematized in figs. 4 and 5.

Advantageously, the bristles 30 can be made of polymeric, silicone, but also plant, animal or metallic material, and can comprise a cross section with a substantially circular shape (as shown in fig. 3a), or an ovoid or parallelepiped shape, or other shapes not shown, depending on the desired mechanical characteristics required.

In addition, it is possible to choose a desired thickening of the bristles 30, given by a dimensional proportion between spaces 31 and the overall dimensions of the bristles 30 themselves, within the adhesive label 50 carrying surface A, so as to regulate both a desired elastic pressure of application of the label 50 itself, and also the volume of suction air passing through in the unit of time.

The support portion 27 is made of a more rigid material than the bristles 30, so that it can act at least partly as a contrast during the steps of deformation thereof, during the operations of applying the adhesive label 50. Advantageously, the end portion 26 has an extension dimension DI (fig. 2), measured along the positioning direction PD, comprised between one and ten times a corresponding extension dimension D2 of the support portion 27.

This dimensional proportion between the end portion 26 and the support portion 27, together with the angle a, guarantees both a correct support of the label 50 by depression when the applicator member 25 is at the feed position, and also an effective action of application of the label 50 onto the box 100 or envelope 200 when the applicator member 25 is at the application position.

In the solution shown in figs, from 1 to 5, relating to the first embodiment of the apparatus 10, the mobile body 28 is schematically represented as a quadrangular beam, to one end of which the support portion 27 is angularly attached and which is associated with a drive mean (of a substantially known type and not shown in detail) configured to actuate a selective movement of the end portion 26 (and with it of the entire applicator member 25) along an application direction MD substantially orthogonal to the forward direction FD.

The apparatus 10 according to the present invention further comprises a management unit 32, comprising a detection unit 33 and a control unit 34 (fig. 1).

In the solution shown, the detection unit 33 is arranged in cooperation with the conveyor belt 300, upstream of the action zone of the applicator member 25 with respect to the forward direction FD, and it is configured to detect the passage and the dimension of the box 100 or envelope 200 to be labelled.

The control unit 34 is electronically connected both to the detection unit 33 and also to other electronic components of the apparatus 10, which can be control and/or command components, such as for example the fan 22, the presence sensor 23 or the drive means of the mobile body 28, and others. In this way, the control unit 34 can control the mobile body 28 in a coordinated manner, depending on the passage and dimensions of the box 100 or envelope 200 to be labelled, as well as provide to feed the label 50 through the label feed unit 12 only with the applicator member 25 at its feed position, or selectively activate the fan 22 only with an active signal of the presence sensor 23, and others, to optimize the operating sequences of the automated labeling steps.

Fig. 6 shows a second embodiment of the apparatus 10 in which, unlike what has been disclosed heretofore, instead of the mobile body 28, the support portion 27 is mounted on a rotating drum 35, in turn associated with the box-shaped container 21, and electronically connected to the control unit 34. In this way, the control unit 34 controls the movement of the rotating drum 35 to selectively bring the applicator member 25 between the feed position and the application position, by means of a rotary movement. All those elements common to the two embodiments are indicated with the same reference numbers, and for all common parts please refer to the detailed description above with reference to the first embodiment.

Also in this second embodiment, the bristles 30 are advantageously oriented along a positioning direction PD substantially concordant with the forward direction FD which, in this specific case, is inverted with respect to the solution of fig- I-

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts or steps may be made to the apparatus 10 and to the method as described heretofore, without thereby departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art will be able to achieve other equivalent forms of apparatuses and methods for the automated application of a label, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the claims’ field of protection.

Claims

1. Apparatus (10) for the automated application of a label (50) on an item (100, 200) which is conveyed along a forward direction (FD), said apparatus (10) comprising a label feed station (11) comprising a label feed unit (12) configured to feed labels (50), and an applicator member (25) comprising an end portion (26) selectively mobile between a first position, wherein the end portion (26) receives the label from the label feed unit (12) to temporarily hold said label (50), and a second position, wherein the end portion (26) applies the received label (50) onto said item (100, 200), and a suction unit (14) configured to be operatively associated with said end portion (26) to create a pressure drop across the end portion (26), characterized in that said end portion (26) of said applicator member (25) comprises a plurality of flexible elongated elements (30) having longitudinal portions extending along respective longitudinal directions (PD), arranged substantially parallel to each other, to allow said suction unit (14) to create the pressure drop through the flexible elongated elements (30), when the end portion (26) is at said first position, and in that the longitudinal portions of said flexible elongated elements (30) define a label carrying surface (A) dimensioned to receive the label (50) thereon, said label carrying surface (A) being configured to lay planar, when the end portion (26) is in said first position, and to bend, when the end portion (26) pushes the label into contact with the item (100, 200) in said second position.

2. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said applicator member (25) further comprises a support portion (27) arranged adjacent to said end portion (26) and on which said plurality of flexible elongated elements (30) is mounted.

3. The apparatus (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that said end portion (26) has a length (DI), parallel to said flexible elongated elements (30), comprised between one and ten times a length (D2), parallel to said flexible elongated elements (30), of said support portion (27).

4. The apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by further comprising a mobile body (28) configured to move said end portion (26) along an application direction (MD), substantially orthogonal to said forward direction (FD), between said first position and said second position.

5. The apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the label carrying surface (A) lies oblique with respect to said forward direction (FD), when the end portion (26) is in said first position.

6. The apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flexible elongated elements (30) are configured to be operatively associated with the suction unit (14) only in said first position, the end portion (26) of the applicator member (25) being far away from the suction unit (14) when the end portion (26) is at said second position.

7. The apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flexible elongated elements (30) are arranged mutually adjacent on one layer or more layers.

8. The apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flexible elongated elements (30) comprise bristles having a substantially circular cross section.

9. The apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by further comprising at least one management unit (32) configured to detect the position of said item (100, 200) along said forward direction (FD) and to selectively control the movement of said applicator member (25) between said first and said second position according to the detected position of the item (100, 200).

10. The apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, said label feed unit (12) is positioned and configured to feed the labels (50) on said label carrying surface (A) along a direction parallel to the respective longitudinal directions of the flexible elongated elements (30), when the end portion (26) is in said first position.

11. The apparatus (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that, said suction unit (14) comprises a fan (22) which is configured to create the pressure drop.

12. Method for the automated application of a label (50) on an item (100, 200) moved along a forward direction (FD), said method comprising the steps of:

- placing a mobile end portion (26) of an applicator member (25) in a first position;

- feeding a label (50) on the end portion (26) of the applicator member (25) placed in said first position by means of a label feed unit (12);

- creating a pressure drop across the end portion (26) by means of a suction unit (14), so as to temporarily hold the label (50) fed by the label feed unit (12) on the end portion (26);

- applying the label (50) on said item (100, 200) by moving said end portion (26) from the first position to the second position; said method being characterized in that said end portion (26) of said applicator member (25) comprises a plurality of flexible elongated elements (30) having longitudinal portions extending along respective longitudinal directions (PD), arranged substantially parallel to each other, said step of creating a pressure drop comprises creating a pressure drop across the flexible elongated elements (30), when the end portion (26) is at said first position, and in that the longitudinal portions of said flexible elongated elements (30) define a label carrying surface (A) laying planar and receiving the label (50) thereon, when the end portion (26) is in said first position, while said flexible elongated elements (30) bend when the end portion (26) applies the label (50) by pushing the label into contact with the item (100, 200) in said second position.

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that during the step of applying the label (50) on said item (100, 200), said end portion (26) of the applicator member (25) is moved away from the suction unit (14), so that said label (50) is affected by the pressure drop generated by the suction unit (14) only when the flexible elongated elements (30) are in said first position.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that during the step of creating the pressure drop, said plurality of flexible elongated elements (30) are arranged between the suction unit (14) and the label (50), the suction unit (14) creating a pressure drop through the flexible elongated elements (30), so as to hold the label (50) once the label (50) is fed by the label feed unit (12).

15. Method according to any of the claims 12 - 14, characterized in that the feeding step comprises feeding the label (50) along a direction parallel to the respective longitudinal directions of the flexible elongated elements (30).

16. Method according to any of the claims 12 - 14, characterized in that said flexible elongated elements (30) are elastically bendable.