Abstract: An apparatus for selectively feeding tape having label patterns printed on it at one of two different speeds to maintain alignment of the label patterns with a downstream device such as a cutter for severing the tape between label patterns. Marks on the tape associated with the individual label patterns are monitored by a sensor to detect misalignment of the tape. The tape is fed between a driven feed drum and a spring biased pressure drum. The feed drum is mounted on a main shaft. A drive shaft extends parallel to the main shaft. A pair of gears are mounted on each of the shafts and each gear meshes with one of the gears on the other shaft to form two separate power transmission paths. The sizes of the gears are selected so that the gear ratios of the two power transmission paths are different. The gears on the main shaft are selectively fixed to the main shaft for rotation with it by electromagnetic clutches controlled by the sensor.

Abstract: A strip of tape is cut into precise lengths of cut tape. The cut lengths of tape are transferred by a drum to a pair of drums rotating side by side. One of the rotating drums carries a die and the other a punch movable into and out of the die. The cut lengths of tape are held on the periphery of the die drum with two groups of vacuum pressure holes respectively provided inside and outside the perimeter of the die for selective release of a punched label and surrounding waste material.

Abstract: A strip of tape is cut at intervals into precise cut lengths equal in length to that of a desired label of non-rectangular shape. The cut lengths of tape are positioned in exact alignment with a punch of a punch cutting assembly for punching out the label and the punched label is separated from waste about the rim of the label for delivery free of the waste. The cut lengths are transferred to a transfer drum periphery and held momentarily under vacuum pressure which vacuum pressure is released to allow the cut lengths to shift circumferentially about the periphery of the transfer drum against a stop to accurately locate the cut lengths prior to further transfer to the punch cutting assembly.