Abstract: An apparatus for applying a tubular member over an article includes a supply of individual tubular members. A pair of opposed gripping members that are movable towards and away from each other are disposed on a rotatable pick-up and deposit wheel. As the wheel rotates, the gripping members come together to mechanically grip a tubular member from the supply. A vacuum is connected to the gripping members after they have mechanically gripped the tubular member, and the gripping members are moved apart as the wheel rotates them towards the application station so as to open the tubular member. The article is conveyed to the application station at a speed greater than that of the tubular member such that at the application station, the article meets the tubular member, is threaded therein, and pulls it fully open and around the article by a camming action. The vacuum is then disconnected so that the tubular member rests loosely around the container for further processing such as heat shrinking.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying labels and/or leaflets to containers in a continuous single run operation includes a product entry station, a conveyor for transporting the containers in a horizontal position through the apparatus, applicators for applying in succession leaflets and labels to the underside and upper surface, respectively of the containers, and a product discharge station where properly processed containers are exited for further processing and improperly processed containers are rejected.

Abstract: When wrappers are applied to cigar bunches by rolling the bunches over the wrappers while laid on a supporting surface, the tail portion of each wrapper will not properly wrap itself around a shaped head of the bunch. A mechanism to overcome this problem involves a specially designed header block which presses the initial part of the wrapper tail against the shaped head of the rolling bunch, retracts from this pressing operation while the final part or extremity of the tail is being lifted from the supporting surface by the rolling bunch and then presses the lifted extremity of the wrapper tail against the shaped head of the rolling bunch.

Abstract: An adjustable apparatus can cut V-shaped segments of different dimensions from continuous sheets so that the V-shaped segments of different dimensions are suitable for application as wrappers to double cigar bunches of different dimensions. The apparatus can also cut the two tails of each V-shaped segment into flag-shaped configurations which will permit the smooth application of the two tails to the opposite ends of double cigar bunches having rounded ends.