Abstract: Application of heat transfer labels to articles. A roller having a smooth elastomeric coating turns against a moving web. The web carries heated labels which are transferred to the roller. The roller, with a transferred label thereon, turns against a moving article, and transfers the label to same. The elastomeric coating conforms to the article surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying heat shrinkable film to containers and other articles having a vertical body position, e.g., the cylindrical body of a container, and one or two re-entrant portions, e.g., a shoulder on a bottle. A segment of film is applied to the vertical surface without heat shrinking and with one or two end portions overlapping the re-entrant part of the article. Heat is applied to the overlap or overlaps to shrink them onto the article.

Abstract: A universal hot air nozzle and seal bar with adjustable cam for use on an apparatus for forming and assembling tubular thermoplastic sleeves. The apparatus has a circumferentially movable turret with a plurality of mandrels forming work stations thereon. At the work stations each mandrel has a nozzle and seal bar and the sleeve is wrapped around the coacting mandrel with the vertical edges of the sleeve being disposed in overlapping relation with heat being applied by a stationary heat nozzle to the overlapped edges in coaction with a stationary seal bar being subsequently advanced to the heated overlapped edges with preselected pressure to heat-seal such edges together. The improvement includes cam-actuated telescoping mounting means in the form of a slidable telescoping shaft within a slidable telescoping shaft upon which the seal bar is mounted enabling the seal bar to selectively contact the sleeve with preselected pressure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for heat shrinking projecting edges of heat shrinkable (but unshrunken) film onto articles such as cylindrical containers. The film is tightly wrapped around the bodies of the articles and the overlapping ends are held together by glue. The projecting edges of the articles are then heat shrunk onto the shoulders and/or curved lower ends of the bodies as the containers are transported and are caused to spin while being transported. In so doing the hot air is blown in a direction such that it does not blow directly onto the glue at the side seams. This may be accomplished by using a circular, turret type transport and by having blowers which blow hot air obliquely, rather than radially at the articles. Where the articles are closely packed, each article acts to shield the next article when its side seam is parallel to the flow of hot air.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatus for forming tubular sleeves of heat-shrinkable cellular polymeric material from a predecorated web or roll. Predecorated body labels having precisely presized dimensions are formed from a web or roll on a turret type machine by serially winding rectangular thin sheet blanks of such material on cylindrical mandrels and overlapping the ends of each blank prior to seaming the same to make a presized tubular sleeve. The sleeve seam is formed by thermal fusion using an improved heated sealing bar which is heated during its retraction into contact with an improved annular metallic support ring having a series of internal cartridge type heaters therein. The ring is adapted to rapidly heat up and accurately control the heating of the sealing bars to a precise uniform temperature for improved sleeve making. The sleeves are then applied serially to either glass or plastic containers.

Abstract: A machine and method for applying heat shrink labels or the like to articles such as containers having cylindrical body portions and an end portion or portions adjoining the body portion and sloping inwardly therefrom. The label has a length such that its leading end overlaps the trailing end and a seam is formed at the overlap. The label is secured to the article by adhesive between the leading end and the container and by adhesive between the overlapping leading end and trailing end. The label is of a width such that it projects beyond the junction or junctions of the end portion or portions with the body portion, resulting in free standing edge or edges which are then heat shrunk onto the container by heat from an external source. A tongue is interposed between the heat source and the seam at each free standing edges or edges. This tongue serves as a heat shield to moderate application of heat to the seam.

Abstract: A machine and method for applying heat shrink labels or the like to articles such as containers having cylindrical body portions and an end portion or portions adjoining the body portion and sloping inwardly therefrom. The label has a length such that its leading end overlaps the trailing end and a seam is formed at the overlap. The label is secured to the article by adhesive between the leading end and the container and by adhesive between the overlapping leading end and trailing end. The label is of a width such that it projects beyond the junction or junctions of the end portion or portions with the body portion, resulting in free standing edge or edges which are then heat shrunk onto the container. To provide pressure in forming the seam of the free standing edge or edges, a tongue or tongues are interposed between the article and the intended seam which provide a continuation of the body of the article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing adhesive-backed foil having a protective covering in contact with the adhesive surface. A spool is mounted on a frame to provide a continuous strip of foil to a guide roller having a circumferential groove for receiving and guiding the strip of foil, the groove being approximately the same width as the width of the foil strip. A peel blade incorporates a peel edge contacting the foil between the pressure-sensitive adhesive surface and the protective covering to force the protective covering out of contact with the adhesive surface; the peel blade is mounted to place the peel edge in contact with the foil strip at the guide roller surface. A workpiece, such as a flat decorative glass configuration, is placed with its edge in contact with the adhesive surface of the foil on the guide roller. A workpiece guide is mounted adjacent the guide roller for contacting the workpiece to maintain the edges of the workpiece centered in the circumferential groove of the guide roller.

Abstract: A decoration is transferred to a cylindrical body by employing a surface so configured as to maintain continuous contact with that body throughout the time of transfer; the body is supported for rotation during and as an incident to transfer but it may be positively driven at a greater speed, particularly in the instance where the decoration is a thin film label, which needs to be tensioned.

Abstract: The longitudinal support members for the endless helical band are circularly disposed about and adjustable radially of the mandrel axis. Each support member is mounted on a plurality of parallel arms of equal length spaced longitudinally of the mandrel axis. The outer end portions of the arms for each support member are pivotally connected thereto. At each of various locations along the mandrel axis, the inner end portions of the arms at that location for all of the support members are pivotally connected to a ring which is adjustable along the mandrel axis to effect radial adjustment of the support members, and a support ring, also adjustable along the mandrel axis, is provided to support the arms radially when the longitudinal support members are in an inner portion of their adjustment range.