Abstract: A labeling machine particularly adapted for use in applying address labels to envelopes and similar mailing pieces which is characterized by a magazine for accommodating an upright stack of envelopes, with a bottom shuttle plate for feeding successive bottommost envelopes to pinch rolls which deliver the envelopes to a transport system which includes a horizontally disposed, lug-type transport conveyor which advances the envelopes to a label applying head, the latter being operable to feed address labels from a supply source and to apply the same to the desired spot on each successive envelope, with provision for quickly converting the machine for handling envelopes of different length by varying the spacing between the lugs on the conveyor and changing the speed of operation of the shuttle plate and the label applying head.

Abstract: A signature feeding mechanism having a shuttle plate and an associated vacuum gripper for feeding the bottom signature from a stack in a supply magazine into the bite of pinch rolls which advance successive signature pieces to a transport system for advance to a label applicator, or the like, and having a guard plate for bridging exposed portions of the gap between the leading edge of the shuttle plate and the signature receiving end of the associated transport conveyor floor so as to prevent possible damage to, or interference with the operation of, the feeding mechanism, by the presence of a foreign object in the gap, and possible injury to an operator through careless insertion of the fingers in the same.