Abstract: A device supports first and second flaps on a box traveling on a conveyor, the conveyor traveling at a speed in a direction. The device includes a cam track having a selected profile. The device includes a drive mechanism, wherein at least a portion of the drive mechanism travels proximate the cam track in the direction at substantially the speed of the conveyor. First and second mounting blocks are pivotally attached to the drive mechanism, including first and second cam followers for engaging the cam track; first and second fingers; and first and second hooks attached to the first and second fingers and configured to engage and hold the first and second flaps on the box. Relative positions of the first and second fingers with respect to the box change as the drive mechanism travels along the cam track.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for processing at least one packaging container, in particular for stretching out at least one stretching element of the packaging container, comprising at least one pivoting-arm pair, which comprises a first pivoting arm and a second pivoting arm, which is arranged in a mirror-symmetric manner in relation to the first pivoting arm with respect to an axis of symmetry perpendicular to the at least one linear axis, wherein the first pivoting arm is supported in such a way that the first pivoting arm can be rotated about a first pivoting-arm axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis of symmetry in a first rotational motion and can be displaced in the direction of the at least one linear axis in a first displacement motion and the second pivoting arm is supported in such a way that the second pivoting arm can be rotated about a second pivoting-arm axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis of symmetry in a second rotational motion and can be displaced in the direction of the at

Abstract: A machine for applying tubular film to products includes a mandrel assembly about which tubular film is passed and a film cutter for cutting the tubular film into sleeves sized for application to containers. The mandrel assembly includes a sleeve section located below the film cutter and about which a sleeve length portion of the tubular film extends prior to each film cutting operation of the film cutter to produce a cut sleeve. A sleeve ejection arrangement includes a rotatable ejector wheel disposed along the sleeve section of the mandrel assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a sleeving device and a mandrel for arranging sleeves around products such as containers. Foil is opened on the mandrel and fed over the outer surface of the mandrel. The foil is cut at a first position to form individual sleeves of predetermined length. Sleeves are discharged in axial direction from the mandrel over the product. The sleeves are discharged by engaging the sleeves at a second position. The circumference of the outer surface of the mandrel near the second position is smaller than the circumference of the outer surface of the mandrel upstream from the first position.

Abstract: A device for spreading the tray sealing film in so-called tray sealers, in order to avoid the formation of folds in said film (F) which, with the trays, is inserted in a sealing and cutting station (S), between a pair of opposing bells (T1, T2) provided with a relative reciprocal approaching and distancing movement, where downstream of said station (S) means are provided to subject the off-cut of film which exits to a transversal stretching action which ensures correct spreading of said film between said bells, characterized by comprising means for braking the film upstream of said station (S) and comprising pincer means (P, P?) with a jaw (1, 1?) mounted on the side of the upper bell (T2) from which the film exits, turned downwards and vertically opposing a corresponding jaw (2, 2?) mounted on the lower bell (T1), all being envisaged to ensure that in the reciprocal approach and closure step of the two bells (T1, T2), before the film is gripped and blocked between them, longitudinal and lateral portions of t

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for arranging a sleeve-like foil envelope around an object, comprising supply means for supplying said sleeve-like foil envelope around at least one spreading element (190), as well as discharge means for discharging the sleeve-like foil envelope from the device and arranging it around the object. The object of the invention is to provide a device which on the one hand requires less installation space and which, in addition, is suitable for use as a multiple enveloping device, in which several envelopes can be arranged around objects simultaneously or in succession. In order to accomplish that object, the discharge means are disposed within said at least one spreading element. Not only does this lead to a significant reduction of the required installation space, but it also makes it possible to operate the device at a higher speed and as a multiple device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a can body (2) which is characterized in that a film piece (3c) is cut from a film web (3b), said film piece (3c) is wound up on a winding spindle (7) from its front edge to its rear edge and is maintained on the winding spindle (7) so that it somewhat overlaps. The film piece (3c) is transferred from the winding spindle (7) to a concave inner surface (11a) and the film areas of the front edge and the rear edge resting against each other are sealed with each other on the concave inner surface (11a) in the area of overlapping (14). According to the invention, a closed film piece (3d) can be transferred without complication onto a can body (2), thereby conferring on the can body (2) the function of the stable structure and on the film piece (3d) the function of the décor or the inner barrier in such a manner that both functions can be optimized in a substantially independent manner.

Abstract: Device for sleeve-label labeling machines, with proposal that means are provided that render the label tube taut and/or spread the label tube during the cutting step.

Abstract: In order to fit a box lid to a box tray a pair of opposed plates are used. Each plate is pivotably mounted intermediately of its upper and lower edges such that upper edges of the opposed plates may pivot toward and away from each other. Each plate is biased to an inclined position whereat the upper edges of the opposed plates are more proximate than the lower edges of the plates. With this arrangement, a lid may be placed with respect to the pair of opposed plates such that opposed lower edges of the lid are positioned below the upper edges of said plates and at an outward side of said plates. A box tray may then be raised between the plates such that the box tray urges each of the plates away from its inclined position.

Abstract: The present practical new design is to provide a guide feeding device for thermal-shrinking film mechanism that mainly is related to the feed wheels which are mounted on the upper, middle and lower peripherals of the central guide rod and all connected by the connecting rod. The transmission gears are driven by a motor to let another meshed transmission gear adverse transmitted correspondingly and to stably transport the shrinking film downwards. By the opposed reverse threads at both ends of an axial rod, each feed wheel is mounted on the corresponding reverse thread and an adjusting wheel is mounted on the other end of the axial rod. And it only needs to rotate the adjusting wheel and move the two mutual opposed feed wheels along the axial rod in or out correspondingly to adapt the central guide rods with different sizes. The adjustment is very convenient and fast, and is able to upgrade the producing efficiency and the product quality.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a tubular member over an article includes means for feeding a continuous web of a flattened tubular material, means for cutting an individual tubular member from the web, a first belt conveyor unit for conveying the tubular member fed from the cutting means, a second belt conveyor unit for conveying the tubular member in such a manner as to open up at least a leading end of the tubular member as the tubular member is continuously conveyed, a mandrel for receiving the tubular member from the opened up leading end of the tubular member, and a means for sliding the tubular member along a peripheral surface of the mandrel so that the tubular member is entirely opened up. A distance between a point where the cutting means cuts the tubular member from the web of the tubular material and a point where the first belt conveyor unit starts to convey the tubular member is greater than the length of the individual tubular member.

Abstract: The machine includes groups of bushes (1) of dimensions suitable for the superposed and aligned containment of a base cover (14), of a tablet (52) and of a lid cover (14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing sleeves on bottles and other objects is disclosed. In particular, a high speed method and apparatus having a plurality of sleeving stations for placing sleeves on bottles is disclosed. Each sleeving station includes a circularly arranged set of relatively movable parallel pins which are operable to contract or expand. A label transporter deposits a sleeve on the pins when they are contracted. The pins expand to stretch the sleeve. A bottle and the pins are then moved relative to one another to place the bottle inside the stretched sleeve. A gas flow is provided between the bottle and the sleeve to reduce friction. The sleeved bottle is then stripped from the pins. The method occurs without starts and stops by the bottle or the sleeve and is thus capable of very high production rates.

Abstract: A tube material opening apparatus includes two pairs of rotatable wheels which are positioned at upstream and downstream locations within tube material. The peripheral edge of each rotatable wheel is rounded or tapered and contacts the inner surface of the tube material as the material travels in a longitudinal direction. The wheels are mounted to provide appropriate lateral tension to the tube material. The apparatus may include T-shaped bearing members or positioning rollers for maintaining the rotatable wheel positioning within the tube material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for placing sleeves on bottles and other objects is disclosed. In particular, a high speed method and apparatus having a plurality of sleeving stations for placing sleeves on bottles is disclosed. Each sleeving station includes a circularly arranged set of relatively movable parallel pins which are operable to contract or expand. A label transporter deposits a sleeve on the pins when they are contracted. The pins expand to stretch the sleeve. A bottle and the pins are then moved relative to one another to place the bottle inside the stretched sleeve. A gas flow is provided between the bottle and the sleeve to reduce friction. The sleeved bottle is then stripped from the pins. The method occurs without starts and stops by the bottle or the sleeve and is thus capable of very high production rates.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously disposing tubular labels on a plurality of bottles or other containers includes an assembly for advancing the bottles or other containers along an endless travel path. The apparatus also includes a plurality of tubular label applying stations each operable to individually apply a tubular label onto a bottle or other container as the bottle or other container is advanced along the travel path. The advancing assembly is preferably in the form of a rotating plate supporting the bottles or other containers thereon at uniform angular spacings from one another and the tubular label applying stations are preferably also supported on the rotating plate. A cam and cam follower arrangement is utilized for controlling each tubular label applying station to perform its label applying operation in coordination with the advancing movement of its associate bottle or other container.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for attaching tags (14) provided with closed loops (34), so-called tie-on tags, to the necks of containers (27, 27A).Tags (14) of this type are usually slipped on by hand over the containers (27, 27A) passing by on an assembly line, which requires high numbers of employees.The object of the invention to develop the method in such a way that the tags (14) can be automatically attached to the container necks is solved thereby that the tags (14) provided with loops (34) are aligned and placed in a row in a first procedural step, as well as fastened to at least one support band (16) and, in a second procedural step, a gripper (24) is inserted into each loop (34), each loop (34) is released from the support band (16), the gripper (24) with the loop (34) crosses over the neck of a container (27, 27A), that the loop (34) is released from the gripper (24) and the gripper (24) is moved away from the container (27, 27A).

Abstract: A neck booklet machine is described which places an elastic band having a booklet connected to the band around a neck of a container. The booklets are vertically stacked in a curved magazine and pulled by a vacuum cup from the curved magazine, which matches the natural curvature of a stack of booklets having an elastic band on one side. The bottom of the curved magazine is open to allow the elastic bands to hang free. The neck booklet is picked up by a carrier pad and held against and transported along a slide plate. A low vacuum nozzle pulls the loose elastic band downwardly to enable a loop of the elastic band to be picked up by a needle point and held precisely below the booklet on the slide plate. The elastic band is pulled down and around an opening horn extending from the needle point as the neck booklet moves along the slide plate by the carrier pad. The opening horn is carried on supports on the bottom and side with a top opening to allow the elastic band to pass over the opening horn.

Abstract: The present invention entails a conveyor system for use in conjunction with a band application machine that applies tamper-evident bands to containers being conveyed by the conveyor system. The conveyor includes a conveyor with an upper run and a lower run. Connected to the conveyor and moving with the conveyor is a series of band support plates that each define an individual container opening. A container support plate extends beneath the conveyor's upper run and below the band support plates being conveyed along the conveyor's upper run. Each container is inserted into an individual container opening such that the container is vertically supported by the container support plate and such that the band support plate extends around the container. The band support plates are positionable at a selected vertical position about the containers by varying the relative height of the container support plate beneath the band support plates.

Abstract: A machine is provided for placing labelling sleeves on bottles or the like which includes a device (1) for presenting labelling sleeves in a discontinuous manner, a device (4) for the continuous running-through of the bottles to be labelled, a transfer assembly (2) for the sleeves comprising a plurality of independent carriages which are movable on an endless guiding path (10), a flexible and endless drive belt (18) developing, on guide means (17.sub.1, 17.sub.7), in the vicinity of the guiding path (10), means (19, 20) connecting the flexible belt and the carriages, this flexible belt (18) having locally at least one area which develops in a perpendicular manner with respect to the belt, in the form of a loop.

Abstract: A band guiding and forming assembly for a banding machine includes an inner, free floating guide member for locating in the travel path of banding material through the machine and for positioning within the banding material to open it out, and outer opposed guide members on opposite sides of the travel path for supporting the inner guide member. At least one pair of opposed inner pinch rollers are rotatably mounted on opposite sides of the inner guide member for rotatably engaging opposed inner surface portions of the banding material, and a pair of opposed outer pinch rollers are rotatably mounted on the respective outer guide members for engaging and supporting the respective inner pinch rollers. Opposite surface portions of the banding material are rotatably engaged between the respective opposed inner and outer pinch rollers so that any crease lines between them are flattened out at least temporarily.

Abstract: Installation for applying labelling sleeves to articles such as cans (3), which installation is characterized in that it comprises a rectilinear transporter (2) for the cans in which is inserted a lifting table (4) capable, each time it is actuated, of bringing a can into the raised position for the application of a sleeve by means of stretching pincers (7), at least one barrier being provided below the lifting table to maintain the aligned cans (3), arranged on the transporter, in position while the table (4) is in the raised position and, when the table is lowered, to allow the can provided with a sleeve to be reintroduced into the rectilinear alignment of the cans.

Abstract: A device and method of constructing articles of fresh cut parts of plants and artificial decorative embodiments. The packaging is characterized by enveloping such articles with an inflated balloon. The article being placed in an open container, a balloon is then inflated and receives the article and container and is then securely attached to the container, thereby enclosing the article. A device for constructing the packaged article employs a rigid conduit which is received in the balloon to facilitate reception of the article and container. The gas used to inflate the balloons can be air or nitrogen. If cut flowers are used, the container is provided with some water and plant food.

Abstract: A container sealing machine for placing an elastomeric lid with a transverse wall and a depending sidewall upon the open upper end of the container has a frame providing a cavity adapted to receive therein the upper portion of the container. A multiplicity of stretching fingers are movably mounted on the frame and extend inwardly of the cavity. The fingers have upstanding lips at their inner ends adapted to engage the inside surface of the sidewall of the lid and are movable relative to the cavity. Initially, this movement stretches the lid and thereafter it causes the sidewall of the lid to be moved off the lips, and the sidewall of the lid then contracts against the sidewall of the container to effect its sealing. Generally, the finger moving means includes a base plate on which the fingers are slidably seated, a base plate on which the fingers are slidably seated, and a rotatable cam ring above the fingers which cooperate to produce the movement of the fingers.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying tubular labels to empty or filled product containers at a labeling station including a reciprocally moveable labeling assembly and a container advancing mechanism including a pair of confronting, rotatable star wheels. The star wheels include arms for engaging and holding a container to be labeled at a label applying position. The star wheels operate to stabilize the container until the labeling applying assembly engages the container. The star wheels then move out of the labeling station to provide clearance for the label applying assembly. A cam drive system is utilized to both reciprocate the label applying assembly and the star wheel mechanism. Sensors monitor torque in the star wheels and terminate operation should excessive torque be encountered. An additional star wheel and associated guide are used to advance a container from either an inline or side conveyor to a container presenting position.

Abstract: A banding machine provides for a controlled intermittent flow of a tubular web or sleeve of thin plastic material from a storage reel, over a tensioning arm and guiding rollers onto a group of machine elements which first open the tube somewhat, stop the flow of material, slice the tube transversely, and pass the cut segment of web over a floating mandrel to form it into the shape of a container positioned below it, while continuing the flow of tubing from the reel down onto the same group of elements to form the next band. The open segment of band is now placed over the container automatically to complete the banding operation.

Abstract: A folded tube is paid out downward through the rotation of opposing feed rollers, and fitted on a mandrel member. The tube is then fitted on the mandrel and cut to a predetermined length by a cutting device disposed between the feed rollers and the mandrel. Subsequently the tube cut to the predetermined length is drawn downward along the mandrel by the rotating members and the tube is unfolded. Finally, the sufficient unfolded tube is dropped down from the mandrel and fitted on a cap portion of a bottle or container to be sealed.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically and successively applying thermoshrinkable tubular labels, cap seals or the like to the outer circumferential surfaces of bottles and other containers.A thermoshrinkable web 1in a flat condition is fed by feed rollers 11, 11 intermittently a predetermined length, and after the pleats 3, 3 at the opposite lateral edges of the web have been smoothed out and spaces 4, 4 have been formed in the web along the lateral edges, the web is fed onto the wedge-shaped upper portion 15 of an insertion guide 14 and cut by cutting means into a required length. The cut tubular label 1 is intermittently fed by feed belts 21, 21 from the wedge-shaped portion 15 of the insertion guide 14 onto the lower portion thereof having substantially the same shape in transverse section as a container 20, and after having been reformed into substantially the same shape in transverse section as the container 20, the tubular label is applied to the container 20.

Abstract: A flexible adjustable wedge of tetrahedronal structure is provided wherein four swivel-jointed arms are attached at their respective ends by pin connections. Flexible adjusting arms provide dimensional stability by interconnecting either opposing corners or opposing arms of the tetrahedronal wedge. The adjusting arms are provided with some degree of flexibility in order to allow the wedge to automatically conform its size to minor variations in the flat width of the film passing thereover. Where changes in overall size of the wedge are desired, the adjusting arms can be easily lengthened or shortened.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying a strong elastic sleeve on an article. Especially if the elastic sleeve is very strong and the article is somewhat fragile. It is intended for the container industry, but may have other uses.

Abstract: A mandrel for opening a tube of flexible banding material wherein the tube is delivered in flat ribbon-like form with creased side edges is disclosed. The mandrel is in the form of a tetrahedron with two sets of surfaces which are in the form of isosceles triangles with each set of faces inclining towards one another to form a common base. A pair of relatively yieldable, sharp-edged wedging elements are disposed on each common base. Biasing means bias the wedging elements outwardly to limit positions at the ends of the common bases. Use of the mandrel to open a tube of flexible, heat-shrinkable banding material and creasing the material at points displaced 90.degree. from the initial creases is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for formation of a spirally-wound, heat-shrinkable tube from which a great multiplicity of tamper-evident bands can be cut for subsequent heat-shrinkable application to containers. A strip of strinkable material oriented primarily in the direction of its length is spirally-wound to form the tube from which the bands are severed, with heat-shrinkability of the tube and bands being primarily in a radial direction. The radial heat-shrinkability of the tube and bands assures proper heat-shrink fitment of the bands to associated containers for tamper indication, with the spirally-wound formation of the tube facilitating very economical fabrication of the tamper-evident bands.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for field packing of broccoli and other cut product includes a mobile frame and a rotatable sorting table. Individual broccoli stalk cut by workers walking along with the mobile packer and placed on conveyors on the packer and are discharged onto the rotatable sorting table. A plurality of banding frames are attached to the periphery of the rotatable table and include mechanisms for holding an expanded elastic band. Workers standing around the table may gather the broccoli from the table, form bunches of individual stalks, and place the bunches into the expanded band. Further mechanisms are provided for automatically ejecting the banded broccoli onto a discharge conveyor, and replacing a new elastic band onto the banding frame. The bunched broccoli may then be packed into cartons by other personnel on the mobile packer.

Abstract: The apparatus for placing decorative or protective sleeves of heat-shrinkable plastic over objects which do not easily stand upright. The machine comprises a device to place sleeves vertically over intermediate pins, of suitable diameter, fastened to an endless chain. The pins are brought into horizontal position during the returning of the chain around a wheel inclined at 45.degree., to circulate in alignment with objects received individually in housings provided on a second endless chain driven at the same linear speed as the first. A cam mechanism is then started to transfer the sleeves of the pins to the objects with which they are aligned.

Abstract: A banding machine is made capable of dependable, high-speed operation by being provided with a rotatably mounted, driven, "C" shaped arm which holds each opened band in a tilted position for being picked up by the article to be banded as it is conveyed past the banding station.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying tubular labels to a product container at a labeling station including a reciprocally movable labeling assembly. The assembly is adjustably secured to carriage that is mounted for reciprocating movement at the labeling station. A drive system including a drive cam defining an asymetrical profile is operatively coupled to the carriage by a lever arrangement including a cam follower driven by the drive cam. The profile of the drive cam is configured to have a steep rise and a gradual drop so that the average speed at which the labeling assembly is driven through a label applying strobe is substantially less than the speed at which the assembly is driven through a return stroke thus reducing the stress applied to the label as it is installed. A fluid pressure operated actuator pressurized to a first predetermined pressure exerts a biasing force on the lever to urge the cam follower into contact with the drive cam.

Abstract: Banding apparatus is made capable of using thin plastic shrink tubing by being provided with a plurality of mechanical fingers that hold each band as it is cut from the tubing and thereafter shape the band into a polygonal or a circular configuration before the band is pushed off the fingers and over the article to be banded.

Abstract: A bottle-sealing machine for placing capsules of thermoshrinkable plastic material on the necks of bottles. The capsules are automatically cut from a continuous coil of a plastic tube, the capsules are placed over the necks of the bottles and the capsules are subsequently subjected to a heat treatment which causes the plastic material to adapt to the irregularities of the necks of the bottles.

Abstract: A semi-automatic, poly-sleeve labeler has a banding station to which containers are conveyed, there being a roll supply of flat, tubular, poly-sleeve labels above the station. A fixed, upstanding, flat, holder and an inclined, spring-biased, pivoted, flat, holder are mounted at a predetermined distance above the level of the conveyor path to support an open band. The operator tears off a band, places it over the holders, presses a pedal which causes a piston head to lift the container at the station, up through the holders for frictional engagement within the band. The banded container is removed and the parts return for the next cycle. A gear rack and pinion mechanism advances the bands individually and successively over a spreader to a tear-off location at about eye level. The spreader includes oppositely disposed concave recesses in each of which one of the oppositely disposed feed rolls is seated.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying tubular labels to containers comprised of structure defining a labeling station, a container directing unit for directing a succession of containers to the labeling station, a label feeding unit for positioning individual labels at a predetermined position with respect to the labeling station, label applying mechanism including a label engaging device cyclically movable along a path of travel for removing a label from the feeding unit and assembling the label about a container at the labeling station, and a drive unit for imparting harmonic motion to the label engaging device.

Abstract: A novel process for packaging goods within stretch-type plastic films. The process comprises the steps of preforming the package elements so that on-line sealing and long cooling cycles are not necessary during rapid packaging procedures when the film is extended under high stress. The required extension is achieved by the use of film-band spreading means which have low friction surfaces thereby minimizing any local stress on the expanding package material.

Abstract: A banding apparatus for automatically selecting successive bands from a source of bands and placing them on individual containers on an adjacent conveyor includes a finger gripping apparatus having a plurality of fingers moveable radially inwardly for insertion into the band and moveable radially outwardly for expanding into gripping engagement with the band and includes a chain drive for the gripping apparatus to a position for placing the band on the container carried on an adjacent conveyer.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for multipackaging bottle-like containers as they are continuously moved through the apparatus. Continuously moving jaw stations incorporating opposing pairs of upstanding shell-like stretching members coact to continuously highly stretch a tube of thermoplastic material and release the stretching force after the plurality of bottles to be packaged are placed within the perimeter of the stretched tube.

Abstract: A semi-automatic machine for applying sleeve labels to the exterior of flexible walled containers in which individual labels are manually loaded into gripper means which hold and maintain the label in open condition while an unlabeled container is inserted into the label. Throughout the labeling operation the container and the label are at all times positively controlled and held by container clamps and/or the label grippers to insure consistent label application.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying and affixing sleeves of dielectric plastic material to galvanic cells. The apparatus includes a carrousel having a cell receiving station, a sleeving station and a discharge station with a tester for testing and rejecting cells between the receiving and sleeving stations. The apparatus further includes feeding means for feeding sleeve length units from a spool supply, gripping means for gripping each fed length, while such length is cut and for opening the cut length, pusher means for pushing the cut length from the gripper onto the cell and heater means for heating and shrinking the cut length on the cell into gripping contact with such cell.

Abstract: A package including a container protector which is made of an elastic film tube, the circumference of which is smaller than that of the part of a container over which it is fitted. A method and machine for fitting the protector are also described.

Abstract: A straight line transport, positively controlled banding apparatus and method. According to the method of the present invention, transport of a band is in a straight line from a starting position adjacent a mandrel, onto the mandrel band receiving end, along the mandrel to the mandrel delivery end, and directly off of the mandrel onto an article to be banded, and is positively controlled throughout the entire transport step of the process. According to a preferred embodiment of the banding apparatus, the apparatus comprises a tube opener, drive rollers for feeding and creasing a tube of banding material, a mandrel having a receiving end tapered to a knife-like edge, fingers for transporting a band along the mandrel, and means operable in synchronism with the fingers for holding the mandrel. In operation, the tube opener is inserted into the end of a tube and the tube end fed through the drive rollers which results in a partially open tube creased at ninety degree intervals around the tube.

Abstract: A machine for applying tubing over any desired area of an object, including a supply of flat, flexible tubing having sharp creases on either side of the tubing, apparatus for reducing slightly the creases to open partially the tubing, a knife for cutting the partially opened tubing to provide a predetermined length of cut tubing, a mechanism to hold externally at the reduced creases the tubing which is being cut and to shape the cut tubing into any desired shape corresponding to the shape of the object which is to receive the cut tubing, and apparatus for moving the cut and shaped tubing around the object. In one embodiment, the holding and shaping mechanism is moved together with the cut tubing over the object, the mechanism then releasing the cut tubing around the object and returning to an initial position to hold and shape additional cut tubing. In another embodiment, the mechanism is held away from the object, but the cut tubing is caused to slide out of the mechanism and over the object.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying preprinted tubular labels or bands about the exterior of non-rigid walled containers is disclosed; the labels being made of flexible plastic and supplied from an elongated tube in a collapsed or flattened state stored in a roll supply thereof. The apparatus includes means for automatically positioning individual unlabeled containers at a labeling station and for removing labeled containers therefrom. First gripper means are provided for advancing one end of the label supply over a guide horn for opening a leading label to the general transverse configuration of the container, and for cooperation with second gripper means in detaching individual opened labels from the supply roll while advancing the opened label over the container's exterior and releasing the same at a desired location thereabout.

Abstract: The invention disclosed sets forth a method and 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 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.