Abstract: A labelling apparatus comprises a label applying means for applying a label to an article, conveyor means, label magazine, means for transferring a label from the magazine to the label applying means. The label applying means has a support structure on which a label carrier means is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis and pivot control means for controlling the position of the label carrier means. The pivot control means is timed to pivot the label carrier means about the horizontal axis in a direction towards and away from a position at which the label carrier means contacts and applies a label to an article as the article is conveyed past the label applying means.

Abstract: A drum continuously rotating on a vertical axis carries at least two pairs of label transfer members spaced circumferentially around its axis and rotatably connected to the drum on vertical axes. One of the transfer members in each pair is a pick-up member and the other a delivery member, with the pick-up members alternating with the delivery members. The pick-up members are continuously rotated on their axes in one direction while the delivery members are rotated in the opposite direction at the same speed. Each of the transfer members has a label-contact surface provided with a vertical row of air inlets, the contact surface of each pick-up member facing away from the axis of the drum when that member is in pick-up position at the label magazine, at which time suction is applied to the air inlets to withdraw a label from the magazine.