Method and apparatus for applying a label to a spool or reel

1. An apparatus for applying a label to a spool or reel containing wire and a wire tail extending from a flange of the spool or reel, the apparatus comprising:

a spooling machine, wherein the spooling machine winds wire on to the spool or reel;

a conveyor system in contact with the spool or reel, the conveyor system in contact with a first or second flange of the spool or reel;

a label application system downstream from the spooling machine, wherein the spool or reel is transported from the spooling machine to the label application system by the conveyor; and

a wire tail sensor connected to the label application system, wherein the wire tail sensor detects the presence of a wire tail on the reel or spool and wherein an applied label does not contact the wire tail.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a wire tail is passed through a first flange of the spool or reel.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a wire tail is passed through the first flange of the spool or reel at the beginning of the winding of the wire.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a wire tail is passed through the first flange of the spool or reel at the end of the winding of the wire.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a lifting device, wherein the lifting device transports the spool or reel from the spooling machine to the conveyor system.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the lifting device places a second flange of the spool or reel in flat contact with the conveyor system.

7. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the lifting device places first flange of the spool or reel in flat contact with the conveyor system.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the conveyor system comprises a belt-type conveyor.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the conveyor system comprises a roller conveyor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising the following:

a control system coupled to the label application system; and

a proximity sensor coupled to the control system.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the proximity sensor is triggered by the transportation of the spool or reel by the conveyor system.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the proximity sensor signals the control system of the arrival of the spool or reel.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the proximity sensor comprises an optical sensor.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the control system manages the automated functions of the apparatus.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the control system manages the manual input of operational parameters from a human operator, manages the wire tail sensor input from the wire tail sensor, and controls the operation and function of the apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a gripping mechanism coupled to the label application system, the gripping mechanism placing and rotating the spool or reel for label application.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the gripping mechanism rotates the spool or reel on either the first or second flange.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the gripping mechanism comprises a roller.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a sliding assembly coupled to the gripping mechanism.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the label application mechanism comprises a pneumatically actuated presser foot to affix the label to the spool or reel.