Abstract: A label applicator for labeling an article comprising a supporting structure, a label receiver mounted on the supporting structure for movement along a path between a label dispensing station and a label applying station and for rotational movement about an axis to control the angular orientation of the label, and a label dispenser for moving a label onto the label receiver at the label dispensing station. The label is releasably retained on the label receiver, and the label receiver is moved along the path between the stations. The label receiver is rotated about the axis so that the angular orientation of the label relative to the article can be controlled.

Abstract: A label applicator for labeling articles moving along a path which includes a label retaining device for retaining labels at a label retaining station, a label dispenser for dispensing labels onto the label retaining device, a rotatable wheel for use in orienting articles at the label retaining station, a label transfer device for blowing a leading portion of the label on the label retaining means onto an article at the label retaining station while allowing a trailing portion of the label to remain on the label retaining device so that movement of the article past the label retaining station pulls the trailing portion of the label from the label retaining device, and a label wrap device downstream of the label retaining station for applying the trailing portion of the label to the article.

Abstract: A method of labeling articles, including moving articles in a row through a labeling station, dispensing the label onto a labeling head and advancing the labeling head into the path of movement of the articles at the labeling station. The label is transferred from the labeling head to the forward face of the article at the labeling station while the labeling head is in the path of movement of the articles. The labeling head is then retracted from the path of movement of the articles.

Abstract: A label applicator for applying labels to articles which are moved along an article path comprising a conveyor having first and second conveyor sections on opposite sides of the article path and a label dispenser for dispensing labels onto the conveyor. The conveyor conveys the labels to a label retaining station at which the label spans the space between the first and second conveyor sections. An article to be labeled is moved along the article path between the first and second conveyor sections so the article contacts a central region of the label as it passes through the label retaining station. This adheres a central region of the label to the article. The end portions of the label are pressed against the article downstream of the label retaining station.

Abstract: A method of labeling articles, including moving articles in a row through a labeling station, dispensing the label onto a labeling head and advancing the labeling head into the path of movement of the articles at the labeling station. The label is transferred from the labeling head to the forward face of the article at the labeling station while the labeling head is in the path of movement of the articles. The labeling head is then retracted from the path of movement of the articles.

Abstract: An apparatus which grips an article on the opposite sides of the article to hold the article in a predetermined orientation. One or more work operations are performed on 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: A label applicator comprising a supporting structure, a label receiver mounted on the supporting structure for oscillatory movement about a pivot axis between a retracted position and an extended position, and a label dispenser for supplying labels to the label receiver when the label receiver is in the retracted position. The label receiver releasably retains the labels supplied to the label receiver in the retracted position. The label receiver is moved in one direction about the pivot axis to the extended position and in that position, applies the label to an article. The label receiver is then pivoted about the pivot axis in the other direction to return it to the retracted position.

Abstract: A method of applying multiple labels to a label receiving surface of an article comprising conveying articles to be labeled to a label applying station, dispensing first and second labels onto a vacuum belt transport, transporting the first and second labels to the label applying station utilizing the vacuum belt transport and wrapping the first and second labels onto different locations on the label-receiving surface of a first of the articles.

Abstract: A label applicator comprising a supporting structure and a label receiver mounted on the supporting structure for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. A label dispenser supplies a label to the label receiver when the label receiver is in the retracted position. The label is releasably retained on the label receiver. The label receiver is then moved to the extended position where the label is transferred by an air blast from the label receiver to an article.

Abstract: The label applicator disclosed herein is adapted for use with labels which are provided in a plurality of rows extending longitudinally on the backing strip. The label applicator comprises a label dispenser for peeling the labels from the backing strip with the labels moving in a first direction off of the backing strip to provide at least first and second labels at a label dispensing station. A label separator receives the first and second labels and separates them in a direction generally transverse to the first direction to increase the distance between the first and second labels. The separated labels are then transferred to at least one article.

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: A label applicator including a wrap around label applicator, a transport for transporting labels to the wrap around label applicator, and a label dispenser for sequentially supplying labels to the transport.

Abstract: The velocity compensator disclosed herein measures the velocity of an article being moved toward an apparatus which is to perform a work operation on the article. The velocity compensator then provides an actuation signal to the apparatus at an appropriate instant so that the actuator will have sufficient time to perform the work operation on the article as it is moved along.

Abstract: Elements are supplied to a work station with the elements being arranged in a row. The elements are releasably retained at the work station. The articles to which the elements are to be transferred are moved through the work station with the row of elements at the work station extending in the same direction as the direction of article movement. Each of the elements is transferred to an associated article as the articles are moved through the work station. The elements are sequentially transferred with the most downstream element always being the next element to be transferred.

Abstract: A movable conveyor belt having first and second belt surfaces and an opening extending between the belt surfaces, a mechanism for depositing a label on the first belt surface at a first station, and a pressure source for blowing air under pressure through the opening to transfer the label from the belt at a second station to at least one object.

Abstract: Elements are supplied to a work station with the elements being arranged in a row. The elements are releasably retained at the work station. The articles to which the elements are to be transferred are moved through the work station with the row of elements at the work station extending in the same direction as the direction of article movement. Each of the elements is transferred to an associated article as the articles are moved through the work station. The elements are sequentially transferred with the most downstream element always being the next element to be transferred.