Satellite-observed SCA in a runoff model

A liquid applicator, particularly for applying a moistening agent or a glue to a label comprises, a housing made up of two parts, namely, a lower housing part forming a reservoir for the liquid material and an upper housing part having a sloping wall forming a label feeding channel and a mounting for a hand feed roll which is located over the channel. The lower housing part is characterized by a reservoir formation having end walls which are shaped in the form of a pouring spout to facilitate the outpouring of the liquid within the reservoir when the device is not to be used. The construction includes an open mounting for rotatably supporting each end of a grooved reservoir roller, an upper transfer roller which together with the lower reservoir roller forms the reservoir applicator means which are supported in open bearings formed by an end of the housing and by a hook-shaped closing element which is advantageously made up of a plastic material, such as Teflon. The construction permits the pressure engagement of the two rollers and the lower reservoir roller is advantageously provided with a spiral groove to provide a smooth application of the liquid from the reservoir to the upper roller. The two rollers are driven from a gear which is carried on a shaft for the main hand feed roller carried on the upper cover portion. This gear meshes with the upper roller gear and drives the two rollers at a speed which is slightly greater than the speed of feed of the label material in order to provide a wipening action of the liquid on the label as it is advanced between the applicator roller means and the feed roller. The cover also forms a mounting for open top receiving shells which are also advantageously made of a plastic material and which resiliently engage a rod member carrying spaced fingers which tangentially engage against the surface of the upper applicator roller to ensure that the label which is fed is lifted off its surface.