Abstract: The present invention provides a non-round container labeling machine and corresponding method. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a labeling machine for applying a label to a non-round container or article where the non-round article has a series of corners located about its surface. The labeling machine according to the present invention includes a rotatable vacuum drum, the drum including engaging means for rotatably engaging the corners of the non-round articles. The labeling machine includes a label associated with the engaging means and a resilient roll on pad means. The labeling machine further includes means for rotating the non-round article between the drum and roll on pad means wherein the engaging means engages a first corner to rotate the article between the drum and the pad means such that the drum generates a torque which rotates the article as the drum rotates and which compresses the roll on pad means such that the pad means stores compressed torque energy.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying heat transfer labels, disposed on a web, to containers. In one embodiment, the apparatus is intended for round, non-tapered containers and comprises a continuously rotating turret, a container transport system for continuously delivering containers to and away from the turret and a web transport system for moving a web containing heat-transfer labels into position for label transferring. The turret includes a rotably driven shaft and a plurality of cup assemblies arranged in a circle around the shaft and coupled thereto. Each cup assembly includes a cup used to hold a container, the cup being rotably driven independently of the shaft and in a required direction. A nozzle assembly is associated with each cup assembly and is used to secure a container within its respective cup and, if necessary, to inflate the container to impart sufficient rigidity thereto for labelling. Each cup assembly and its associated nozzle assembly together define a container holding station.

Abstract: An apparatus which coacts with a fitment supply station to effect continuous motion transfer and application of fitments to carton blanks on a conveyor line. The apparatus includes a rotatable drum having at least one vacuum transfer station disposed in rotational alignment between the fitment supply station and a conveyor release station, and an adjustable backup roll disposed in alignment with the drum and the release station for application of the fitments to cartons. A variable speed drive train matches drum and conveyor line speeds to effect continuous motion fitment transfer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a labelling machine for bottles which includes a bottle feeding mechanism to feed the bottles to a revolving bottle support platform. The support platform directs bottles to a labelling mechanism and an application mechanism prior to their removal by a bottle withdrawing mechanism. The bottles are maintained against undesired rotation on the support platform by axial force on the top of each bottle to produce frictional contact between the bottom of each bottle and an elastic support plate for each bottle turntable on the revolving bottle support platform. The support plate includes an elastic body and several block-shaped friction bodies imbedded therein and distributed over its surface. The friction bodies have exposed contact surfaces, which lie in the plane of the exposed surface 13 of the elastic material. Such a support plate includes a long service life and capable of providing a high degree of friction between the micro-cracked bottom of a bottle and the friction bodies.

Abstract: An electronic parts processing machine for continuously performing processed like writing information to electronic parts concludes a carrying portion for transferring the electronic parts to be processed, a supplying portion which is disposed upstream to the carrying portion and connects a tray containing many electronic parts in line to the carrying portion and supports the tray, a processing portion which is disposed in the carrying portion and perform predetermined information processing for the electronic parts supplied from the tray, an indicating portion for making a predetermined indication for the electronic parts located downstream or upstream to the processing portion, a collecting portion which is disposed downstream to the carrying portion and connects a tray to the carrying portion and supports the tray to receive processed electronic parts.

Abstract: A dispenser for applying pressure sensitive tabs to an underlying article, such as a sheet of glass or mirror, includes a first tape reel for dispensing a roll of carrier tape therefrom and a second tape reel for winding up the spent carrier tape after the tabs have been removed. A plurality of guide rolls are mounted in the dispenser for maintaining a predetermined tension on the tape and a depositing mechanism, including a bracket for guiding the tape and a nip roll or plunger, is provided for removing the tabs from the tape and for applying the tabs to the article automatically and in a spaced, controlled manner. The dispenser is preferably held in a fixed position and the article moved thereunder to apply the tabs to the article automatically without the need of a workman.

Abstract: In the forming of an article by blow molding parisons into conformity with cavities wherein parisons in the form of tubes are extruded from an extruder into a plurality of neck molds on a head, the head is moved axially away from the extruder to define the parisons and then an array of mold sections are closed about the parisons and the parisons are blown outwardly, the apparatus for applying labels to the hollow blown plastic articles which comprises a vacuum slide mounted for indexing movement adjacent a source of labels for successively removing labels from a source to provide an array of labels on the slide and label pick up and delivery devices on the head for simultaneously removing the array of labels from the vacuum slide and delivering the array of labels to the array of cavities of the mold sections when the head is moved between the mold sections.

Abstract: There is disclosed a hand-held device for optionally printing and dispensing a web of tags or pressure sensitive labels, or printing on pressure sensitive labels and applying the printed labels to merchandise. Also disclosed are composite webs of pressure sensitive labels and method of using such webs.

Abstract: An article feeding device is disclosed which comprises a straight scroll for feeding articles held between the scroll flights one by one along a straight path. A star wheel having peripheral pockets is arranged so that the wheel lies approximately tangentially to the scroll and rotates as the scroll turns. By this means, the articles are engaged in the star wheel pockets and are moved slightly away from the scroll at which point labels are applied thereto, and then the articles are returned to the scroll and released from the star wheel for continued feeding by the scroll.

Abstract: The invention provides that labels are applied to containers. The labels have a pressure sensitive side and they are applied by a machine so as to lie tangentially to the bottle necks. The bottles then move through the machine and as they so move, a camming means which moves with the bottle engages the label and wraps it round the bottle neck. The camming means comprises a pair of arms which operate scissor like but in sequence as the bottles move through the machine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying labels to articles which are particularly useful for articles which are relatively flimsy and dimensionally unstable, such as plastic carriers for a plurality of filled containers wherein the carrier has a top panel and a skirt extending downwardly therefrom with surface areas on the skirt for receiving labels. In the embodiment shown a series of articles are indexed through a label receiving position. Labels are transferred from a label supply and are pressed against the label receiving surface area on the skirt of the article. The opposite side of the skirt is supported against substantial movement while the label is being pressed against the skirt. An adhesive is applied to the label receiving area on the skirt as the article is being indexed into the label receiving position.

Abstract: A handling machine for deposit envelopes includes a delivery device for carrying inserted deposit envelopes along a delivery path, a printer for printing deposit information on one side of a succession of labels, the other sides of which contain an adhesive, a label feed device for supplying the printed labels at a given place along the delivery path, and members for sandwiching under pressure therebetween the labels fed to the delivery path and the carried deposit envelopes to stick the labels to the deposit envelopes.

Abstract: A tax stamping machine for applying heat activated tax decals to the bottom of packs of cigarettes in cartons utilizes an adjustable carton guide channel having an offset section and a heated stamp bar having a plurality of selectable patterns of heated platens. The cigarette carton guide channel is adjustable in both width and depth so that various sizes of cigarette packs in cartons can be handled. A carton stop bar and reset latch assembly are used to halt the travel of hand fed cartons along the guide channel while tax stamps or decals are applied to the packs within the cartons.

Abstract: In an apparatus for applying a label to packages filled with eggs or the like in a state without a cover in the packaging operation and moving one by one on a conveyor beneath the apparatus, a sucking disk for taking out the labels one by one from a label feeder is provided between the upper label feeder and a lower label-posture adjusting chamber in a way freely movable in the vertical direction. An air pipe, connected to the sucking disk, is opened and closed in accordance with the up-and-down motions of the sucking disk, which is controlled by a signal from a sensor for detecting the presence of a label inside the label-posture adjusting chamber. The bottom of the label-posture adjusting chamber is opened by detecting the approach of a package.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching tax stamps to the ends of packages of cigarettes in open cartons. The stamps are fed one at a time from a roll of stamps. The end stamp is cut from the strip and is immediately applied by a heater to the end of a package. The heater remains in contact with the stamp for a preset time. The cartons containing the packages are fed manually. The cutter means and the heater are actuated simultaneously by a switch means which may be operated either manually, or by a cam means which is moved by the carton as it advances past the stamp applying apparatus.

Abstract: A banding and labeling system for containers includes a central drum which is heated for activation of adhesive coating provided on bands and labels which are to be secured to containers. The drum is provided with carrying elements employing suction, referred to as mouthpieces, which include pockets for holding literature and support bands in appropriate positions for securing the literature to containers. Dispensers are mounted peripherally around the drum at successive work stations for transference of banding materials, labeling materials, and literature packets to the mouthpieces as the drum rotates. At a final work station, a conveyor transports the containers to the drum whereupon the banding and labeling materials are secured to the containers during rotation of the containers between the drum and pressure pads which engage the adhesive coatings to the outer surfaces of the containers.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a labeling machine wherein a label transport drum carries one or more pairs of vacuum pads to grip the leading and trailing edges of a label. A knife carried directly on the drum acts with a stationary blade to sever each label from a continuous web. The vacuum pads are retracted as they pass the stationary blade, but when they carry a label past a glue roller, the vacuum pads are extended to press the label against the roller. If desired, two glue rollers may be employed, with different glues being applied to the leading and trailing edges of each label. In that case, one pad is retracted and the other extended at each glue roller.

Abstract: A machine design is taught for automatically applying adhesive coated labels to folded cartons at a precisely adjusted location on a carton. Both labels and cartons are supplied singularly from bottom feed magazines. A cam oscillated vacuum picker curls one end of a label out of the magazine to be vacuum gripped to the peripheral surface of a rotating transfer drum. Continued rotation of the drum withdraws the remainder of the label from the magazine stack bottom and lays it to the drum periphery surface. A singular carton is slidably removed from the bottom of a respective magazine stack by a lugged conveyor belt and pushed into a timed nip proximity with the label carrying transfer drum. Between the label receiving and delivery positions, the label is carried past a fountain roll for surface coating of water or adhesive.

Abstract: In equipment that is intended for applying a blank of foil to bottles and that includes a turntable, at least one labeling station, a rotating transport star that has accommodations for the bottles and is positioned downstream of the turntable, and a rotating transfer-and-application device consisting of several similar units distributed around its circumference with elements that fold and press down the ends of the blank extending beyond the head of each bottle, the pressure-application elements and if necessary the folding elements are, as they revolve, kept outside the circumference of the elements on the turntable that accommodate the bottle. This avoids collisions at this point. The axis of rotation of the pressure-application elements and the axis of rotation of the output star are accordingly mutually eccentric in such a way that the orbits of the accommodations and of the pressure-application elements coincide along one segment.

Abstract: A bell-shaped vacuum foot subtends from a vertically extending tube to receive a printed label in a first orientation from the label dispenser which is located to one side of and at a higher elevation than a conveyor which is transporting articles to be labeled. The label carrying vacuum foot is moved laterally away from the dispenser through a downwardly smoothly curving diagonal path devoid of any abrupt directional changes. If required, the tube is simultaneously operated to rotate the label into a preselected second orientation as it is being lowered upon the article to be labeled. The vacuum foot thus moves through shorter distances and is better enabled to maintain the label in the intended placement orientation. The apparatus of the invention employs a lesser number of parts and performs the intended function in substantially lesser time compared to the mechanisms of the prior art.

Abstract: Labeling apparatus for applying labels to bottles at different levels to areas of different radius of curvature at the two different levels, for example, the body and neck of a bottle, comprising applicators supported for movement in unison about a common axis relative to a conveyor on which are bottles to which labels are to be applied for movement along a predetermined rectilinear path at a predetermined speed wherein one of the applicators is supported at a fixed radial distance from the common axis of rotation of the applicators about said common axis such that at its place of engagement with the body of the bottle, it moves at a speed corresponding to the speed of the bottle, wherein the other is supported for radial movement relative to the common axis of rotation of the applicators for rotation about said common axis at a radial distance from the common axis to have engagement with the neck of the bottle, wherein the latter applicator is rotatable relative to the common axis of rotation of the applicat

Abstract: Labelling equipment is provided for applying wrap-around labels to cylindrical containers. The equipment includes a label carrier having a wheel rotatable about its axis, a vacuum system coupled to the wheel to retain labels on the wheel, a feeder for directing containers individually to the wheel adjacent the periphery of the wheel to receive a label, and a drive system for receiving containers from the bottle feeder and for rolling the containers upon receiving the label from the label carrier. The drive system includes at least one belt engaged about the wheel in slipping relationship therewith to permit the belt to move faster than the periphery of the wheel and including a portion for moving in contact with the container immediately after the container leaves the feeder to both carry the label off the wheel and to engage it on the container. A cutter arrangement is provided with a lobe which removes tension from the label as it is severed from the strip of labels.

Abstract: A labelling station of a labelling machine has a label transfer assembly which is rotatably mounted about a first axis for receiving labels from a label supply station and transferring the same to a label gripper cylinder rotatably mounted about a second axis parallel to the first. The drive for the labelling station is operated in synchronism with the main drive of the labelling machine and includes a planetary gear which is rotatably mounted about the first axis and a first gear mounted on the planetary gear for rotation about a third axis parallel to the first axis. In addition, there are second and third gears which mesh with the first gear and rotate about the first axis. First adjustment means is coupled to the third gear for changing the angular orientation of the label transfer assembly relative to the planetary gear and second adjustment means is operable for moving the transfer assembly and gripper cylinder toward and away from the labelling machine to accommodate different sized containers.

Abstract: A bottle table for a labeling machine is ring-shaped and has an annular surface for receiving bottles and transporting the same in sequence between the stations of a labeling apparatus. The bottle table is supported for rotation by means of a ring bearing and a ring gear is disposed on the table and is engaged by a pinion for rotating the table about a vertical axis. A centering head is mounted on vertically adjustable supports extending upwardly from the table and is rotatably supported by means of a ring bearing on a stationary support. An undercarriage which supports the ring bearings occupies less than the basal plane of a support table and the ring bearing is supported over a radial range of less than 180.degree. between the table and the undercarriage with the remaining portions of the table being self-supporting.

Abstract: In a labeling machine comprising a machine frame (1), a turret (2) in said frame, a concentrically disposed gear (12) carried by said turret for rotation of said turret, a plurality of turntables (3) carried by said turret, a drive (8,9) mounted in the machine frame, a pinion (10) driven by said drive and driving said concentrically disposed gear and turret, an infeed starwheel (4) and an outfeed starwheel (7) each meshing (13,14) with the concentrically disposed gear, and a labeling station (6) driven by a pinion (15) meshing with the turret gear, the improvement which comprises providing each gear (13,14) of the infeed and outfeed starwheels (4,7), of each pinion (10,15) of the drive (8,9) and of the labeling station (6), and any further pinions (18,20) meshing with the gear (12) of the turret (2) and driving, in synchronism with the turret (2), other mechanisms mounted in the machine frame, with a hub (42) a toothed ring (43) and a damping element (41,47-52) between each hub and toothed ring so as to isola

Abstract: In a labelling machine including label pickup means, for delivering to the machine articles to be labelled and for removing from the machine labelled articles, at least two boxes for labels disposed alongside one another, one of said boxes being in active position, means permitting retracting and advancing in label stacking direction of that label box which is in active position, and guide means for the boxes to permit them to move transversely to the direction in which labels are stacked in the boxes so as to take said one box out of active position and to put another box in active position, the improvement wherein said guide means comprises a common support for said boxes, and means mounting said support for rotation about an axis so that said support can be rotated to place any of said boxes or none of said boxes into active labelling position. The support preferably comprises a circular disk rotatable about its center, the label boxes being arranged radially thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for properly positioning multi-faced containers to facilitate the proper application of labels. This invention, used in conjunction with labeling machines having star-wheel feed mechanisms, facilitates the proper indexing of multi-faced containers to insure that labels are applied consistently in the proper position. This invention may be used with multi-faced containers having any number of flat sides.

Abstract: Objects to be labelled with, for example, heat transfer labels, are initially stabilized by being positioned on freely movable platforms and conveyed to a station where the platforms are stabilized and the objects labelled.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying labels, coupons or the like to articles transported serially along a predetermined path of movement comprising storage means for the labels, delivery means for removing individual labels from the storage means and bringing the labels into contact with the articles, and applicator means for positively engaging the labels to hold them on the articles after delivery.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a machine for applying indicia, preferably decalcomanias (decals), to felts that form part of tennis balls. A stack of the felts is placed in the machine, and a destacking mechanism separates each felt from the stack and places them on a conveyor which moves the felts to a decal applicating machine. After a decal is applied to each felt, the conveyor moves the felts to a restacking mechanism which lifts the felts off the conveyor and restacks them. The machine is preferably equipped to handle the felts in pairs in order to double the speed of operation.

Abstract: Container conveying apparatus comprises a conveyor for conveying evenly spaced-apart containers and means for individually engaging containers and shifting containers laterally of the conveyor. Such container conveying apparatus may be used in association with container labelling apparatus where lateral movement of container on conveyor is desired preparatory to the next labelling step.

Abstract: The present invention consists of labeling apparatus which includes a rotatable turnstile and an oscillating label magazine. The turnstile includes vacuum means which withdraws the label from the magazine and urges it onto an object by pneumatic means.

Abstract: A label applicator which grips the article to be labeled on the opposite sides of the article to hold the article in a predetermined orientation. One or more labels are applied to the article while it is held in the predetermined orientation. The article is gripped between a movable resilient member and a guide which holds the article against the movable resilient member.

Abstract: The invention disclosed sets forth a machine for forming a sleeve of a shrinkable, cellular polymeric material from a predecorated web. The web is processed to provide (1) a partial-depth slit along the longitudinal dimension, and (2) cross-dimension pleats. Predecorated shrunken neck labels are formed from the web for overlying the neck and closure of the bottle and including a pilfer-proof feature. Such a label is formed from the processed web by cutting a blank having the cross pleats therein and winding the blank on a mandrel to overlap the ends and seam the overlap to make a sleeve. The sleeve is stripped onto the top neck end and over the closure of a bottle at room temperature to a label position and shrunken to a snug fit, the pleats absorbing wrinkles that occur in shrinking the material onto a "cold" bottle.The disclosure includes a novel machine for making the sleeve from a plastic web and placing it on the bottle.

Abstract: A method of consecutively applying pieces of sheet material to a moving sheet material length preferably for securing reinforcing sheet pieces to the handle hole areas of a sheet length for the production of carrier bags, comprising advancing the sheet material length past an application station in which a strip of sheet material is successively fed to a number of movable carrier plates, cutting the sheet strip between consecutive carrier plates so as to leave a sheet piece on the leading plate or plates, moving the carrier plates successively into a working position adjacent the surface of said sheet length and pressing the carrier plate in this position with said sheet piece temporarily held thereon against said surface so as to transfer the sheet piece to the sheet length, retracting the carrier plate and moving the next carrier plate into said working position while advancing the sheet length further, characterised by feeding the sheet strip to carrier plate facets on a rotary carrier body and effecting t