Abstract: A system for applying labels, disposed on a web, to articles, comprising web transfer means for moving the web along a web path, said web path having a label transfer portion, a transfer platen, having a transfer surface, said surface being adjacent the label transfer portion, a plurality of label transfer elements, mounted to the platen and adapted to contact the web and to cause a label to transfer from the web to an article, and a plurality of article presentation means, a plurality of which are adapted to present an article to a the web and a transfer element. A system for applying decorative labels to articles, the system including unwind reel, a wind reel, a web, a web path which transfers the web from the unwind reel to the wind reel, a transfer point on the web path at which a label is transferred from the web to the article.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying heat transfer labels, disposed on a web, to containers. In one embodiment, the apparatus is intended for round, non-tapered containers and comprises a continuously rotating turret, a container transport system for continuously delivering containers to and away from the turret and a web transport system for moving a web containing heat-transfer labels into position for label transferring. The turret includes a rotably driven shaft and a plurality of cup assemblies arranged in a circle around the shaft and coupled thereto. Each cup assembly includes a cup used to hold a container, the cup being rotably driven independently of the shaft and in a required direction. A nozzle assembly is associated with each cup assembly and is used to secure a container within its respective cup and, if necessary, to inflate the container to impart sufficient rigidity thereto for labelling. Each cup assembly and its associated nozzle assembly together define a container holding station.

Abstract: A decorator controlled by a signal processor for applying heat transfer labels and the like to articles. Servo circuits accept processor commands and direct operation of label feed and transfer elements. A transfer roller moves in a continuously variable manner to follow the contour of the article surface. A position roller precisely matches web movement to article movement, or enables controlled stretching or shrinking of the labels as they are applied to articles. A turret loads, indexes, and unloads articles for label application at two decorating sites. Indexing of the articles takes place as the turret is rotated.