Abstract: An applicator for applying elongated strip members to a moving member. The applicator is particularly adapted to apply handle assemblies to moving closure panels of containers such as cartons. Hot melt adhesive stripes are applied to the moving closure panel and thereafter a handle assembly is applied over the hot melt adhesive. The apparatus includes, in addition for moving containers at a uniform rate and spacing, a hopper overlying the path of movement, a picker device for periodically withdrawing a lowermost handle assembly from the hopper, and a combined guide and presser member for first receiving in guided relation an end of a withdrawn handle member remote from the picker device, and thereafter pressing the handle member against the adhesive strip beginning at the right end of the withdrawn handle assembly.