Abstract: A stretch film sleeve label applicator for separating a stretchable sleeve label from a web of such labels and applying the label to an item, such as a container, is disclosed. The applicator is particularly useful for applying high stretch labels to highly contoured containers. The applicator is configured to receive a series of labels in an elongated, continuous web of flat, 2-ply sleeve labels, open the continuous sleeve of labels, separate an individual label from a next successive label, stretch the label to permit its application to an item to be labeled, such as a container, and apply the label in an accurate and precise location on the container. The applicator comprises three primary components: a label feeding assembly, a label separating assembly and a label stretching assembly. Various embodiments of the label feeding assembly, label separating assembly and label stretching assembly are disclosed.

Abstract: A stretch film sleeve label applicator for separating a stretchable sleeve label from a web of such labels and applying the label to an item, such as a container, is disclosed. The applicator is particularly useful for applying high stretch labels to highly contoured containers. The applicator is configured to receive a series of labels in an elongated, continuous web of flat, 2-ply sleeve labels, open the continuous sleeve of labels, separate an individual label from a next successive label, stretch the label to permit its application to an item to be labeled, such as a container, and apply the label in an accurate and precise location on the container. The applicator comprises three primary components: a label feeding assembly, a label separating assembly and a label stretching assembly. Various embodiments of the label feeding assembly, label separating assembly and label stretching assembly are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing film sleeves from objects quickly and easily. The apparatus includes a housing and frame structure adapted to be shifted from a vessel pick-up station to a vessel processing station. A plurality of transfer heads carried by the frame structure are provided. Each head is positioned to grasp an associated one of a set of vessels disposed in a transport case positioned at the pick-up station. A transfer head actuating structure is adapted to cause the heads respectively associated with vessels at the pick-up station to substantially concurrently grasp the associated vessels. The frame structure is then shifted to shift the vessels to the processing station as the frame structure is shifted to the processing station. The actuating structure is further adapted to cause the heads to release associated vessels once they are transferred to the processing station.