Abstract: A method for the high speed application of printing code indicia. The articles to be imprinted are carried by a conveyor consecutively past an imprinting zone wherein printing heads on an imprinting wheel intercept the article at an imprinting location. The articles are spaced uniformly a predetermined distance, the lateral movement of the articles is restricted through the imprinting zone, a positive force is applied to the tops of the articles to immobilize the articles at the same time the imprint is applied and the speed of the circumferential rotation of the imprinting wheel is correlated with the speed of the conveyor and the number of printing heads carried by the imprinting wheel.

Abstract: A high speed machine for imprinting code indicia consecutively upon individual articles moving in a line along the upper reach of a conveyor to an imprinting zone arranged along the conveyor path. The imprinting is performed by plural printing heads carried by an imprinting wheel. The speed of rotation of the imprinting wheel being correlated with the speed of the conveyor and the number of printing heads carried by the imprinting wheel. The articles are spaced uniformly one from the other a predetermined distance with their lateral movement being restricted during passage of the articles through the imprinting zone, a positive force being directed downward upon the top of each article at least at the time the imprint is applied thereto.