MULTI-MODE SYSTEM FOR DISPENSING ADHESIVE-BACKED LABELS

A system for dispensing adhesive-backed labels includes a housing assembly defining a first dispensing outlet, a system for conveying a supply of label material along a feed path and operative to bi-directionally displace the label material along the feed path, and a peeler bar, positionable from a first position to a second position, to effect an abrupt directional change in the feed path thereof, and cause the face material to separate from the liner material. Separation of the face material from the liner material produces an application ready label. A processor is employed to control the bi-directional displacement of the conveyance system and position the peeler bar within the housing such that the label material is: (i) conveyed downstream of the peeler bar when the peeler bar is in the first position, and (ii) drawn back across the peeler bar to cause a trailing edge of the face material to separate form the liner material when the peeler bar is in the second position. Separation of the face material from the liner material produces an application ready label dispensed through the first dispensing outlet of the housing. In another operating mode, the label dispensing system produces a stream or stack of lined-labels which are dispensed through a second dispensing outlet for application at a subsequent time or at a remote location.