Abstract: A heat transfer decorating machine is disclosed. In particular, the disclosed heat transfer decorating machine provides mechanisms to allow the machine to be rapidly re-configured from applying labels to a particular article configuration to applying labels to a different article configuration by an operator without substantial use of tools. In addition, the disclosed heat transfer labeling machine features a distributed drive system which provides a motor for all major movable mechanical elements rather than use a centralized drive system with a distributed transmission. Further, the disclosed heat transfer decorating machine is capable of labeling filled and chilled articles by providing for removal of environmental contamination prior to application of the labels.

Abstract: A method for attaching an adhesive tape includes the steps of, disposing the adhesive tape having an adhesive surface on a support body with the adhesive surface down, rolling an attaching roller having adhesive strength on the other not-adhesive surface of the adhesive tape so that the adhesive tape is transferred onto the attaching roller and is come into tight contact therewith, and rolling the attaching roller on a surface of a member to be attached which is located in a predetermined position so that the adhesive tape adhered to the attaching roller is attached onto the surface of the member. Respective adhesive strengths A, B and C are set to have a relation of A<B<C, where A designates adhesive strength between the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape and the support body, B designates adhesive strength between the not-adhesive surface of the adhesive tape and the attaching roller, and C designates adhesive strength between the adhesive surface of the adhesive tape and the member to be attached.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a print media coating device that includes first and second web supplies, first and second web take-ups, and a fuser defining a media path therethrough. The first web supply and the first web take-up are positioned on one side of the media path and the second web supply and the second web take-up are positioned on the other side of the media path opposite the first web supply and the first web take-up. A first coating material web runs from the first web supply, along the media path through the fuser, to the first web take-up and a second coating material web runs from the second web supply, along the media path through the fuser, to the second web take-up. Another embodiment is directed to a method for coating print media that includes sandwiching the print media between two layers of coating material and then fusing the coating material to the print media.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of making a decorative sheet material is provided whereby complex multi-layer films are produced with enhanced efficiency and assurance of quality.

Abstract: A hot-stamping foil tape cassette comprises a hot-stamping foil tape transferred by pressure application together with a value-added medium to the value-added medium and a windup reel for winding up the hot-stamping foil tape. The reel on which the hot-stamping foil tape is wound is stored in a cassette case. A shutter is included which at the time of hot-stamping transfer is in a protective position that protects the hot-stamping foil tape. The shutter at the time of hot-stamping transfer withdraws to a withdrawal position that does not interfere with action of the hot-stamping transfer. After hot-stamping, by the shutter, the hot-stamping foil tape can be peeled from the value-added medium. A foil-peeling mechanism for a hot-stamping device, a peeling method for a hot-stamping foil and a control method for a hot-stamping foil tape cassette are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a dye sublimation image in a substrate with a dye carrier having an image formed thereon of a sublimatic dyestuff is provided. The image of the dye carrier is placed against a first surface of the substrate. The substrate and dye carrier are conveyed along a path with a first part and a second part. A continuous pressure is provided against the first surface of the substrate in the first part and second part of the path and therebetween. The dye carrier is heated to a sublimation temperature in the first part of the path. The dye carrier is then cooled to a depressure temperature in the second part of the path.

Abstract: The purpose is to simplify the heat transfer process and extend the performance range of the corresponding installations. The purpose is achieved by arranging for opposite movements of the conveyor (4) with the cylindrical packings (5) and those of the conveyor (7, 7′) with the decoration, rotating the objects (5) by means of the movement of the conveyor (7, 7′) and applying the necessary heat to the conveyor (7, 7′). Such processes and devices are used in the foodstuffs and beverages industry among others to decorate cylindrical packings of different materials.

Abstract: A transparent, protective undercoat for a printed medium achieved with a thermal transfer material on a carrier ribbon that is heated and pressed to transfer a segment of thermal transfer material from the carrierribbon onto the printable surface of a medium.

Abstract: A decorative sheet with good design properties and with superior moldability, without using a vinyl chloride resin, comprises a base material layer formed of a coloring resin material including an amorphous polyethylene terephthalate type resin as a main component; a print pattern layer formed on one surface of said base material layer and formed of a coloring ink comprising a binder including a copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate as a main component; a transparent layer laminated on said print pattern layer and formed of a resin material including a transparent amorphous polyethylene terephthalate type resin as a main component; and a surface protective layer laminated on said transparent layer, which is made of a hard and transparent acryl type resin. The surface protective layer is constituted of a transfer protective layer of a transfer foil.

Abstract: An overcoat application apparatus is used to transfer an overcoat material from a donor to a printed media. The overcoat application apparatus in this case includes a donor supply reel, a donor guide bar, a heated fuser guide, a pressure guide, an overcoat application peel apparatus, and a donor take-up reel. The donor supply reel provides a continuous source of donor plus overcoat material. The donor guide bar guides printed media and the donor plus overcoat into a nip created by forcing the heated fuser guide and pressure guide together. The heated fuser guide is used to transport the printed media and laminate carrying donor through the nip and apply heat to the laminate carrying donor and printed media. The pressure guide is used to apply pressure to the fuser guide in order to produce the mechanical nip. The nip plus the heat causes the overcoat material on the donor to be transferred to the printed media.

Abstract: An automated method of decorating a face of a flat glass sheet is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: continuously feeding glass sheets and heat release decals on a decal carrier to a laminating station (40); applying heat to the decal carrier so as to simultaneously heat release the decal from the carrier and deposit the decal on an exposed surface of a respective sheet of glass continuously passing through the laminating station; continuously transferring decal-deposited glass sheets to a decal-securing oven (60); and slowly heating the glass sheets to a predetermined temperature so as to remove all binding agents from the decal and fix the decals to the glass sheets thereby decorating the glass sheets.

Abstract: A method of making the basic material and the facial skin of synthetic leather with one round of process includes two units of material injecting devices for respectively making a PU plastic foam layer and a face-skin layer at the same time. The PU plastic foam layer and the face-skin layer are tightly combined together when they are in a condition of half reaction and not fully becoming hardened to finish making the synthetic leather with one round of process, achieving effects of shortening a producing process, saving equipment, labor and electricity, lowering producing cost, and preventing air and water pollution.

Abstract: A method for tensioning unrolled donor substrate to facilitate transfer of organic material to form a layer on the unrolled donor substrate, comprising the steps of: delivering of a portion of the unrolled donor substrate from a roll to a frame disposed in an organic coating chamber, such frame defining an aperture; engaging the unrolled donor substrate and tensioning such material using a first clamp assembly associated with the frame; coating the tensioned donor substrate with an organic layer in the organic coating chamber; and cutting the unrolled tensioned portion of donor substrate into a sheet before or after it has been coated with organic material.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a coating film transfer tool which is made smaller to provide superior portability and which can implement the replacement of a used up coating film transfer tape with fewer operations. According to the invention, there is provided a coating film transfer tool which can facilitate the replacement of coating film transfer tapes markedly by constructing such that when the main body is divided to be opened for supply of the refill for replacement the head automatically rotates to the tape replacement position, whereas when the main body is closed after the replacement with the refill has been completed the tape is automatically taken up to be wrapped around the distal end portion of the head whereby transfer work becomes possible.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a print media coating device that includes first and second web supplies, first and second web take-ups, and a fuser defining a print media path therethrough. The first web supply and the first web take-up are positioned on one side of the media path and the second web supply and the second web take-up are positioned on the other side of the media path opposite the first web supply and the first web take-up. A first coating material web runs from the first web supply, along the media path through the fuser, to the first web take-up and a second coating material web runs from the second web supply, along the media path through the fuser, to the second web take-up. A first peel bar is positioned immediately adjacent to the print media path, downstream from the fuser on the first side of the media path. A second peel bar is positioned immediately adjacent to the print media path downstream from the fuser and downstream from the first peel bar.

Abstract: A lamination method, which is a method in which a dry resist film, formed by providing a color resist layer on a base film, is cut based upon the length of a substrate in the feeding direction, and press-bonded onto the substrate, and then the color resist layer is transferred onto the substrate by separating the base film, is provided with the following steps: in the cutting process, cutting the film so that the rear end of the dry resist film, after the press-bonding, extrudes from the rear end of the substrate by a predetermined width; and cutting the dry resist film again at a position inside the rear end of the substrate prior to separating the base film after the dry resist film has been press-bonded so as to eliminate the portion of the dry resist film extruding from the substrate.

Abstract: From a supply reel which is set in position at an ACF (Anisotropic Concuctive Film) feeding station, an ACF tape having an ACF laminated on one side of a liner tape is drawn out by an ACF bonding means. At least two reel mount members are provided on a reel stand at the ACF feeding station to mount two ACF tape supply reels concurrently thereon. The reel stand is connected to a switch means thereby to switch the two reel mount members either to an operating or tape supplying position or a standby position. As soon as an ACF tape from a supply reel in the operating position is consumed completely, a fresh supply reel in the standby position is switched into the operating position to continue the supply of the ACF tape.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing a solid polymer film with a catalyst sufficiently deposited thereon preheats a solid polymer film and then hot presses this solid polymer film together with a catalyst carrier film. Hot pressing the solid polymer film while it is soft from preheating increases the bond strength between the solid polymer film and the catalyst such that separation of the catalyst from the solid polymer film during film separation can be prevented. Moreover, keeping the catalyst carrier film cool prior to hot pressing and making the temperature on the catalyst carrier film side slightly lower that than on the solid polymer film side during hot pressing inhibits an increase in binding strength between the film and the catalyst, and thereby improves separation of the film.

Abstract: A method and device for applying a graphic from a carrier sheet to a receiving substrate. A press roll, mateingly aligned to a support surface, is made to traverse the support surface in a reciprocating manner while applying controlled pressure. A flexible web is attached and held stationary at one end of the support surface, wrapped around the press roll, and fixed to a tensioning device that allows movement of the web under tension. The web is adhesively coated on the side opposite the press roll. When pulled across the work surface by the press roll, the adhesive face of the web comes in contact with the graphic and is removed from the carrier sheet. The web is reversed and the graphic is peeled away from the work surface and the carrier sheet by the tensioning device. The carrier sheet is removed, replaced by the receiving substrate, and the cycle is repeated applying the graphic to the receiving substrate.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a print media coating device that includes a web supply, a web take-up, a fuser, and a web cooler downstream in the media path from the fuser. A coating material web runs from the web supply, along the media path through the fuser and the cooler, to the web take-up.

Abstract: A die bonding sheet sticking apparatus and a method of sticking a die bonding sheet which, in the production of small electronic components, for example, semiconductor chips, effect sticking to a back surface of wafer a die bonding sheet capable of functioning not only as a protective tape at the time of dicing but also as an adhesive for die bonding at the time of die bonding of semiconductor chips after dicing onto a lead frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process comprising the steps of (a) applying less than about 0.1 grams per square meter (gsm) of a release agent to a transfer surface, wherein the release agent is selected such that a test sample of the release agent having a concentration at or above its critical surface tension concentration, has a surface tension of less than about 50 dyne/cm or forms a contact angle with the material of the transfer surface of less than about 120°; (b) applying an adhesive to the transfer surface; and (c) transferring the adhesive from the transfer surface to a material web.

Abstract: An automotive quality paint coat (44) is laminated to the exterior surface of a molded plastic car body member or panel (118). In one embodiment, the paint coat (44) includes an exterior clear coat (45) above a color coat (46). During processing, the clear coat (45) and color coat (46) are each coated on a temporary flexible casting sheet (42) and dried. A high gloss surface is transferred to the clear coat (45) from the casting sheet (42). The paint coat (44) is then transferred from the casting sheet (42) to a thin, semi-flexible thermoformable plastic backing sheet (72) by dry paint transfer-laminating techniques. The resulting laminate (70) is thermoformed into a complex three-dimensional shape of the car body member or panel. The preformed laminate (116) is then bonded to an underlying plastic substrate material, by injection-cladding techniques, for example, to form the finished article.

Abstract: In a device for applying spatially limited, flexible elements (26) to a continuous web (14), in particular for applying holograms, the speed of the continuous web (14) is reduced In the application zone and the flexible element is applied at this time.

Abstract: A stand and powered actuator for supporting and operating an adhesive segment applicator apparatus for use with carrier release tape having pressure-sensitive adhesive segments attached thereto is disclosed which has a mechanism which interacts with an indexing instrumentality on the carrier release tape to facilitate the dispensing of individual adhesive segments. The indexing mechanism consists of a plurality of patterned scores, cuts, or indentations located in the surface of the carrier release tape, thereby allowing for a power actuated advancement mechanism in the adhesive segment applicator apparatus to engage and advance the carrier release tape.

Abstract: An adhesive coated thin film label and a method for applying a thin film label to a substrate. The thin film label has a thickness less than 1.0 mil and is die cut to define a label shape. The label includes visible indicia and adhesive is applied to one side of the label film for bonding to the substrate. The label may further be provided in roll form mounted on a release liner.

Abstract: A multi-purpose laminating and adhesive transfer apparatus having a frame supporting rotatably engaging nip rollers. A replaceable cartridge is insertable into the frame and has upper and lower feed rolls which may be a laminate, film or paper, or an adhesively coated film or a film having an affinity for adhesive. The upper and lower feed rolls containing the webs of laminating or adhesive transfer material have tensioning caps which can be adjusted to provide the proper tensioning to prevent the rollers from overrunning as they rotate. Tensioning caps and the cartridges are pre-set and provided to the user. A cutter blade is positioned at the discharge side of the nip rollers and may be actuated to sever the master at any desired location. The apparatus may be operated to apply lamination to either top or bottom surfaces of a substrate or an adhesive to the top or bottom surface of the substrate or to both surfaces.

Abstract: The present application discloses a film comprising a first layer formed from a first extruded and solidified material and a second layer formed from a second extruded and solidified material. The first material has a lower coefficient of friction when solidified than the second material.

Abstract: A label applicating system includes a label transport wheel and an air-pressure system connected to an opening in the label transport wheel. The air-pressure system applies a positive pressure at the opening to eject a label from the wheel onto a surface of an article. One aspect includes means for applying an upward force to the bottom surface of the article approximately simultaneously with ejecting the label from the label-holding sector. One aspect provides a controller which receives a signal from a sensor indicating a location of the article and in response to the signal, sends a first signal to a motor which rotates the wheel so that the label-holding sector is facing a top surface of the article.

Abstract: Provide is a process for forming images comprising the steps of forming images on a recording medium provided with an ink-receiving layer containing inorganic particles using an ink-jet recording method, and laminating a coat layer onto said ink-receiving layer with images formed thereon, wherein said ink-receiving layer is calendered either before forming images on said ink-receiving layer or before laminating said coat layer after forming images on said ink-receiving layer.

Abstract: A method of producing a water slide transfer, whereby a design is formed on a backing paper with a soluble release layer thereon, a covercoat is formed on a release paper, one combination is caused by placing the two papers on top of each other with the covercoat adjacent the design, with heat and/or pressure being applied such that the covercoat locates onto the design and can be freed from the release paper.

Abstract: An automotive quality paint coat (44) is laminated to the exterior surface of a molded plastic car body member or panel (118). In one embodiment, the paint coat (44) includes an exterior clear coat (45) above a color coat (46). During processing, the clear coat (45) and color coat (46) are each coated on a temporary flexible casting sheet (42) and dried. A high gloss surface is transferred to the clear coat (45) from the casting sheet (42). The paint coat (44) is then transferred from the casting sheet (42) to a thin, semi-flexible thermoformable plastic backing sheet (72) by dry paint transfer-laminating techniques. The resulting laminate (70) is thermoformed into a complex three-dimensional shape of the car body member or panel. The preformed laminate (116) is then bonded to an underlying plastic substrate material, by injection-clading techniques, for example, to form the finished article.

Abstract: The tape dispenser has a handle (1) for storing a supply of tape (18). The tape (18) consists of a backing ribbon carrying a coating composition, and backing ribbon from which the coating composition has been removed. An applicator (12) having en edge (10) around which the tape (18) passes is arranged for pressing the tape (18) against a surface to transfer the coating composition from the backing ribbon to said surface.

Abstract: An assembly of rib structures sandwiched between a dielectric glass layer and a glass substrate for use in a flat panel display, such as plasma addressed liquid crystal (PALC) displays, is formed by a number of methods. One method includes molding thermoplastic glass frit containing paste into rib structures, transferring the rib structures to a thin transparent layer of a thermoplastic dielectric glass frit containing composition on a drum, and transferring the rib structures with the thin transparent dielectric glass layer to a glass substrate having metallic electrodes already formed thereon.

Abstract: An adhesive applicator for applying a strip of double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive to a surface of a cutting tape, the applicator includes a housing having a rotatable supply roll having layers of spaced strips with exposed face sides and unexposed back sides, each side having a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon, and the back side being adhered to a release liner, a stationary nose member mounted to the housing and having a rounded tip and disposed above the supply roll, a press member or roll positioned above the rounded tip and being movable downwardly to force a lower surface of incoming cutting tape into contact with the exposed face side to cause the exposed face side to adhere to the lower surface and separate from the release liner when the release liner is pulled laterally around the tip, a rotatable nip roll positioned beneath the supply roll for pressing a spent release liner onto the supply roll to keep the spent release liner under tension all the time, and a doctor knife edge adjacent the

Abstract: A method of applying a decorative color to a thermoplastic strip suited for use to produce slats for blinds is characterized by the use of a heat sensitive printing paper of the type normally used to color the fabric material from which valances are generally made. By using that type of color transferring medium to color the thermoplastic slats it becomes possible, for instance, to manufacture blind slats having the same color as the fabric valance to be hung decoratively from the window for which the blind is to be installed. There is also disclosed a blind structure for attenuating the flapping noise produced when the slats enter in contact with each other.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for simulating the appearance of an article having surface texture comprising the step of applying a textured skin having a surface texture to a prototype to produce a textured prototype, thereby to simulate the appearance of the article having surface texture.

Abstract: A pattern-transferring film having a print pattern provided on an upper surface thereof is floated on a liquid surface within a transferring bath and an objective body is immersed into a liquid within the transferring bath together with the pattern transferring film under a liquid pressure so as to transfer the print pattern onto the objective body. The print pattern is obtained by being printed by using an optional printing ink or inks of blue, yellow, red black and white inks or an ink or inks prepared by blending the printing inks. The liquid pressure pattern-transferring ink or inks comprise at least a resin ingredient and a color pigment. The resin ingredient of each of the color inks is composed of a fluoropolymer resin and the color pigment of each of the color inks is an inorganic pigment.

Abstract: An electronic circuit is made by printing a Parmod® composition on a temporary substrate and curing it to produce a pattern of metal conductors. The conductors are laminated to a substrate under heat and pressure to produce a laminate with the metal prepatterned into the desired circuit configuration. The conductor can also be coated with a polymer and cured to form a prepatterned substrate. Single and double-sided circuits or multilayers can be made this way.

Abstract: A method of securing semiconductor chips comprises the steps of: sticking semiconductor chips at their backs to a transfer tape having an adhesive superimposed thereon at spaced intervals; peeling the semiconductor chips from the transfer tape such that the adhesive is transferred onto the backs of the semiconductor chips; and securing the semiconductor chips by way of the adhesive onto a substrate. The method also includes variations such as sticking the transfer tape to a substrate at predetermined sites for securing semiconductor chips and then peeling the base material of the transfer tape to transfer the adhesive to the predetermined sites on the substrate, followed by securing the semiconductor chips thereto.

Abstract: Disclosed is a finger tape for aiding bowling. The thumb, the middle finger and the ring finger are inserted into holes formed in a bowling ball. Upon bowling, a player grips the ball by inserting the thumb, the middle finger and the ring finger into the holes formed in the ball. For releasing and rolling the ball, the thumb is instantly slipped out of the hole, followed by the middle finger and the ring finger while spinning the ball. Accordingly, an elasticized cotton tape with gravure printed acryl resin adhesive having different effects depending on actions of the fingers is attached to the thumb, the middle finger and the ring finger to obtain effective bowling results, wherein the thumb tape slides easily and the finger tape provides better grip, based on differing amounts of hardener in the adhesive.

Abstract: Described is a process for the region-wise transfer of a decorative layer of a transfer foil, which includes an activatable adhesive layer from a carrier film onto a substrate, wherein the adhesive layer of the transfer foil is partially activated before the actual stamping operation, more specifically in such a way that the adhesive layer experiences activation only in the surface regions in which the decorative layer is to be transferred onto the substrate. A transfer foil which is particularly suitable for that process has an absorption layer in the surface regions of the decorative layer, which are to be transferred onto the substrate, which absorption layer absorbs the radiation energy causing activation of the adhesive layer and activates the adhesive layer under the action of the absorbed radiation energy.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed for decorating cylindrical and non-cylindrical containers by a continuous process. The containers (1) are decollated and rotated on a transport path (5) as well as stopped and secured using a marking (30) on the container (1). The containers (1) are set in rotation at the transfer location (11) and brought into contact with a pressure head (6, 6′). A contact line is formed between the carrier conveyor (10) for the decors and the rotating container (1) which moves with the container (1) over a predetermined path. The apparatus provides a novel positioning device (13) for the containers (1) and to two embodiments of a pressure head (6, 6′).

Abstract: A device transferring method and a device arraying method are provided for readily transferring a number of devices from a first substrate to a second substrate such that the devices are enlargedly spaced from each other with a pitch larger than an array pitch of the devices arrayed on the first substrate.

Abstract: A coating composition for fabrics includes wetted microspheres containing a phase change material dispersed throughout a polymer binder, a surfactant, a dispersant, an antifoam agent and a thickener. Preferred phase change materials include paraffinic hydrocarbons. The microspheres may be microencapsulated. To prepare the coating composition, microspheres containing phase change material are wetted and dispersed in a dispersion in a water solution containing a surfactant, a dispersant, an antifoam agent and a polymer mixture. The coating is then applied to a fabric. In an alternative embodiment, an extensible fabric is coated with an extensible binder containing microencapsulated phase change material to form an extensible, coated fabric. The coated fabric is optionally flocked. The coated fabrics are manufactured using transfer techniques.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus includes a frame, first and second supply rolls and a substrate processing assembly including a resiliently deformable structure configured to apply pressure to the first and second supply rolls to perform a substrate processing operation. A method for processing a substrate includes providing first and second supply rolls rotatably mounted to the substrate processing apparatus, wherein at least one of the first and second supply rolls has pressure-sensitive adhesive provided thereon. The selected substrate is enabled to be fed in a substrate receiving opening with the first and the second substrates positioned on opposing sides thereof. The first and second substrates are advanced through the substrate receiving opening. A resiliently deformable structure deforms to apply pressure to the selected substrate and the first and second substrates as they are advanced through the substrate receiving opening, thereby bonding the adhesive to the selected substrate.

Abstract: A lamination device for performing a lamination method for a dry film resist as a transfer layer, comprising a substrate transport part (15), a substrate preheating part (8), a lamination part (9) and, (10), an inter-substrate film processing part (3), a film feed part (2), a film accumulation part (4), a base film continuous peeling part (12, 13), and a cover film continuous peeling part (5), wherein a lamination is carried out by a pair of lamination rolls (9) and (10), part (15) being transport rolls, a base film is peeled off from a substrate after lamination, a guide roll (12) for peeling off the base film is located forward of the lamination rolls in the transport direction of the substrate, and the guide roll is free to move vertically or laterally, whereby an angle between a substrate surface and the base film being wound up, i.e., the peeling angle of the base film can be changed to any angle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laminating media sheets to remove trailing edge coating debris as the carrier is removed from the laminated sheet involves imparting a transverse force to the laminated sheet to cause the sheet to abruptly straighten as the trailing edge of the sheet passes by a corner of a carrier separation bar at which the carrier is removed. The transverse force may be imparted by guides such as rollers defining a serpentine path through which the laminated sheet must travel.

Abstract: A process for making a protective and decorative surfacing film comprises extrusion coating a solid polymeric material to form an optically clear first layer (10) on a smooth surface of a carrier sheet (12). The extrusion coated first layer is immediately cooled, followed by applying a pigmented second material (22) in thin film form. The composite paint coat is then transferred to a supportive backing, after which the carrier sheet is removed to expose the high gloss outer surface of the first layer. The second layer may be solvent cast, extrusion coated, or coextruded with the first layer.

Abstract: A label applicator for dispensing and applying labels to articles includes a label leading edge indicating sensor and an adjustable peel bar held at a pickup position. A label support may be used with larger labels that have been partially peeled from a backing strip and remain at the pickup position. Printed labels to be applied to an article have a portion of the surface area of an adhesive side removed from the backing strip before the label is taken by a label pick-up-and-applicating device. A print head may be included in the label applicator between the indicating sensor and the adjustable peel bar. A number of labels may be picked-up simultaneously from the backing strip by a number of pick-up heads to be applied to a number of separate articles.