Abstract: A right parallelepiped object is located on an upwardly inclined moving conveyor having a low coefficient of friction and spaced apart cleats. A dimension to be oriented of the object is in one of three known orientations: along the conveyor, across the conveyor, or normal to the conveyor. Depending on the initial orientation and the desired orientation, the object is in one case rotated on the conveyor by a pivotally movable arm an amount in excess of 45.degree. and then oriented to complete a full 90.degree. rotation by one of the cleats advanced by the conveyor. Alternately, the object is moved off the conveyor onto a platform which is thereafter tilted such that the object falls to a given one of its other sides, thereafter being in its desired orientation.

Abstract: Vacuum controlled apparatus for automatically applying a label to an item which may not lie desirably along a given plane. A label head consists of two separate elements forming a chamber to which a source of vacuum is connected. One of the elements contains openings extending between a label holding surface and the chamber. When the label head is moved to the item to be labeled, overtravel is provided, causing the two elements to separate, which reduces the vacuum and allows the element holding the label to align the label holding surface with the surface of the item to be labeled. Also disclosed is a device for enhancing the stripping of a label from a label carrier.