Abstract: An applicator for use in an apparatus for assembling containers into cup-shaped bases is disclosed. The applicator coats a contact surface of each base with a bonding agent preparatorily to placement of a corresponding container therein. The applicator includes a support fixed adjacent a supply of cup-shaped bases, and a pivot rotationally supported by the support in alignment with the open end of one of the cup-shaped bases. A nozzle is fixed to the pivot and is rotatable therewith for ejecting a bonding agent into the cup-shaped bases. A piston in a cylinder connected to the base connects to a crank on the pivot for rotating the nozzle with respect to the cup-shaped base. A control is connected to the nozzle and to the piston for causing the nozzle to rotate and eject a bonding agent simultaneously.