Abstract: Method or applying heat shrinkable segments of material (16) (e.g., labels or ornamental bands) to articles (25) (e.g., containers or ornaments) which have convex surfaces. The segment (16) is attached at both ends by adhesive to the convex surface (46) (or the trailing end of the segment (16) may be lapped over and adhesively attached to the leading end of the segment (16). The adhesive attachments are confined to a narrow sector, e.g., the sector of widest diameter, or a circumference of a sphere, leaving major portions of the segment (16) on either side of such narrow sector unattached. These major portions are then heat shrunk onto the convex surfaces (46).

Abstract: A computer controlled labeling apparatus having a label applying mechanism for applying labels to containers. The labeling apparatus has a motor for driving a container transport and a sensor for providing transport status information to a controlling computer. The apparatus contains at least one labeling station. Each labeling station also has a motor and a sensor, the motor drives the labeling station and the sensor provides labeling station status information to the controlling computer. The computer is programmed to process status information in conjunction with prestored information relating to the characteristics of the labeling apparatus, containers, and desired labeling and generated suitable control signals for labeling apparatus operation. Computer control for the application of stretch type label material from a continuous web of material is described.

Abstract: The process for applying labels to articles by first adhering a limited portion of the label to the article and subsequently rendering additional portions of the label adhesive so that they will adhere to the article after the label is affixed to the article. The leading and trailing edges of the label may be bonded to the article or each other to affix the label to a container or other such article. The portions of the label between the leading and trailing edges may be either provided with an adhesive agent that is in a non-adhesive state or be formed from a label material which is not normally adhesive but can be rendered adhesive through an additional process step. For example, coated polyethylene film can be applied to a container by means of a hot melt adhesive and then subsequently heated to a temperature at which the polyethylene material becomes adhesive causing it to stick to the container.

Abstract: Method of applying elastic material or the like to containers or the like wherein the labels are in stretched condition as they are applied to a container, the container being caused to move and/or to spin to wrap the label around it. Also articles so labeled.

Abstract: Method of applying elastic label material or the like to containers or the like wherein the labels are in stretched condition as they are applied to a container, the container being caused to move and/or to spin to wrap the label around it. Also articles so labeled.

Abstract: A lightweight vacuum drum for use in labeling and similar applications having components constructed of castable, non-metal materials. The vacuum drum includes a main drum core having a flexible cylindrical wall casting, investment casting or extrusion of polymeric material coupled to a polymeric bottom ring. A support flange is formed from either aluminum or a polymeric material and is fastened to the cylindrical wall and bottom ring castings. The cylindrical wall includes air passages in fluid communication with radially extending vacuum ports formed in the outer surface of the side wall to provide a vacuum conduit to the outer surface of the cylindrical wall.

Abstract: A computer controlled labeling apparatus having a label applying mechanism for applying labels to containers. The labeling apparatus has a motor for driving a container transport and a sensor for providing transport status information to a controlling computer. The apparatus contains at least one labeling station. Each labeling station also has a motor and a sensor, the motor drives the labeling station and the sensor provides labeling station status information to the controlling computer. The computer is programmed to process status information in conjunction with prestored information relating to the characteristics of the labeling apparatus, containers, and desired labeling and generated suitable control signals for labeling apparatus operation. Computer control for the application of stretch type label material from a continuous web of material is described.

Abstract: A method for applying to articles such as containers, segments of sheet material, such as labels, which are elastic. Each segment has a leading end and a tailing end which are not connected to one another to form a sleeve except by adhesive. Such segment is applied to articles in stretched condition such that it will shrink to conform to the surface of the article when, for example, the article shrinks.

Abstract: The process for applying labels to articles by first adhering a limited portion of the label to the article and subsequently rendering additional portions of the label adhesive so that they will adhere to the article after the label is affixed to the article. The leading and trailing edges of the label may be bonded to the article or each other to affix the label to a container or other such article. The portions of the label between the leading and trailing edges may be either provided with an adhesive agent that is in a non-adhesive state or be formed from a label material which is not normally adhesive but can be rendered adhesive through an additional process step. For example, coated polyethylene film can be applied to a container by means of a hot melt adhesive and then subsequently heated to a temperature at which the polyethylene material becomes adhesive causing it to stick to the container.

Abstract: Method for applying heat shrinkable segments of material (16) (e.g., labels or ornamental bands) to articles (25) (e.g., containers or ornaments) which have convex surfaces. The segment (16) is attached at both ends by adhesive to the convex surface (46) (or the trailing end of the segment (16) may be lapped over and adhesively attached to the leading end of the segment (16)). The adhesive attachments are confined to a narrow sector, e.g., the sector of widest diameter, or a circumference of a sphere, leaving major portions of the segment (16) on either side of such narrow sector unattached. These major portions are then heat shrunk onto the convex surface (46).

Abstract: A computer controlled labeling apparatus having a label applying mechanism for applying labels to containers. The labeling apparatus has a motor for driving a container transport and a sensor for providing transport status information to a controlling computer. The apparatus contains at least one labeling station. Each labeling station also has a motor and a sensor, the motor drives the labeling station and the sensor provides labeling station status information to the controlling computer. The computer is programmed to process status information in conjunction with prestored information relating to the characteristics of the labeling apparatus, containers, and desired labeling and generate suitable control signals for labeling apparatus operation. Computer control for the application of stretch type label material from a continuous web of material is described.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying tactilely sensible indicia on articles is disclosed. Articles may be marked with glue droplets from a glue spit gun. Alternatively, labels may be embossed or marked with glue droplets and then applied to articles. The labels may come from a continuous roll of stock and then cut into discrete labels while the labels are concurrently be marked with the tactilely sensible indicia.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying tactilely sensible indicia on articles is disclosed. Articles may be marked with glue droplets from a glue spit gun. Alternatively, labels may be embossed or marked with glue droplets and then applied to articles. The labels may come from a continuous roll of stock and then cut into discrete labels while the labels are concurrently be marked with the tactilely sensible indicia.

Abstract: A computer controlled turret type labeling apparatus having a label applying mechanism for applying labels to containers. The labeling apparatus has a turret having a motor for driving the turret and a sensor for providing turret status information to a controlling computer. The turret apparatus contains at least one labeling station. Each labeling station also has a motor and a sensor, the motor drives the labeling station and the sensor provides labeling station status information to the controlling computer. The computer is programmed to process status information in conjunction with prestored information relating to the characteristics of the labeling apparatus, containers, and desired labeling and generate suitable control signals for labeling apparatus operation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for applying heat shrinkable segments of sheet material to articles having a convex sector, e.g., for applying labels to containers. Each segment is attached at its leading end to the area of maximum diameter of the convex sector, preferably flattening such area and adhesively attaching the leading end of the segment to the flattened area, then spinning the article and wrapping the segment about it and attaching the trailing end to the container or to the leading end, then causing the so wrapped article to pass through a heating and shrinking station, spinning it while so doing and applying jets of hot air to the segment above and below the area of maximum diameter to shrink the segment onto the convex sector. Apparatus suitable for carrying out this procedure is also described.

Abstract: A labeling machine employing a turrent with pairs of axially aligned chucks which are rotatable about their common axis, means to move each pair of chucks farther apart for entry and exit of containers; such machine also having a vacuum drum rotatable about an axis parallel to the turret axis and a roll on pad spaced from and concentric to the vacuum drum to confine each container released by the turret and to roll each container on the cylinder surface of the vacuum drum. The roll on pad may have a rearward (downstream) extension to contact the container and rotate them.

Abstract: Labeling machine of the stack fed type in which the labels are precut and arranged vertically in a horizontal stack. Pressure is applied to the rear of the stack to move the stack forwardly as the labels are dispensed to a label transfer mechanism such as a vacuum drum. Air is blown into the stack from the bottom at the forward end of the stack to separate the foremost label, which is picked up from the stack by a rotating vacuum wheel.