Abstract: A label applicator for applying labels to articles which are moved along an article path comprising a conveyor having first and second conveyor sections on opposite sides of the article path and a label dispenser for dispensing labels onto the conveyor. The conveyor conveys the labels to a label retaining station at which the label spans the space between the first and second conveyor sections. An article to be labeled is moved along the article path between the first and second conveyor sections so the article contacts a central region of the label as it passes through the label retaining station. This adheres a central region of the label to the article. The end portions of the label are pressed against the article downstream of the label retaining station.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for the bonding together of two similarly shaped articles of similar thermoplastic material utilizing oscillatory motion between the two articles to generate frictional heat therein sufficient to form an hermetic seal therebetween.

Abstract: A labelling station of a labelling machine has a label transfer assembly which is rotatably mounted about a first axis for receiving labels from a label supply station and transferring the same to a label gripper cylinder rotatably mounted about a second axis parallel to the first. The drive for the labelling station is operated in synchronism with the main drive of the labelling machine and includes a planetary gear which is rotatably mounted about the first axis and a first gear mounted on the planetary gear for rotation about a third axis parallel to the first axis. In addition, there are second and third gears which mesh with the first gear and rotate about the first axis. First adjustment means is coupled to the third gear for changing the angular orientation of the label transfer assembly relative to the planetary gear and second adjustment means is operable for moving the transfer assembly and gripper cylinder toward and away from the labelling machine to accommodate different sized containers.

Abstract: Fixed jaw means for receiving, holding, rotating and maintaining containers in a vertical alignment while traveling around a rotatable turret periphery is shown. The jaw means nests the container in the center of a pair of peripheral rollers and a pair of idler rollers.

Abstract: An infeed or discharge star for transporting containers to a labeling or filling machine includes a rotating carrousel having a plurality of setting devices mounted in spaced apart relation adjacent its outer periphery. Each setting device comprises a member having rotatably mounted on the carrousel and having a plurality of arcuate surfaces formed in its outer margin. Each surface has a different radias of curvature for engaging containers of different sizes and means for locking the bodies with one of the surfaces selectively facing outwardly relative to the carrousel.

Abstract: An apparatus for grouping unitary dose containers which have polygonal collars receives such containers from a supply magazine and directs them by a first transfer device onto mandrels on plates carried by a rotating drum. The containers are carried by the drum to a second station where heads of a joining device join adjacent edges of collars of selected containers. Subsequently, the drum is further rotated for carrying the joined containers to another station where a second transfer device transfers the joined containers onto a receiving device.

Abstract: A bottle table for a labeling machine is ring-shaped and has an annular surface for receiving bottles and transporting the same in sequence between the stations of a labeling apparatus. The bottle table is supported for rotation by means of a ring bearing and a ring gear is disposed on the table and is engaged by a pinion for rotating the table about a vertical axis. A centering head is mounted on vertically adjustable supports extending upwardly from the table and is rotatably supported by means of a ring bearing on a stationary support. An undercarriage which supports the ring bearings occupies less than the basal plane of a support table and the ring bearing is supported over a radial range of less than 180.degree. between the table and the undercarriage with the remaining portions of the table being self-supporting.

Abstract: In a labeling machine comprising a machine frame (1), a turret (2) in said frame, a concentrically disposed gear (12) carried by said turret for rotation of said turret, a plurality of turntables (3) carried by said turret, a drive (8,9) mounted in the machine frame, a pinion (10) driven by said drive and driving said concentrically disposed gear and turret, an infeed starwheel (4) and an outfeed starwheel (7) each meshing (13,14) with the concentrically disposed gear, and a labeling station (6) driven by a pinion (15) meshing with the turret gear, the improvement which comprises providing each gear (13,14) of the infeed and outfeed starwheels (4,7), of each pinion (10,15) of the drive (8,9) and of the labeling station (6), and any further pinions (18,20) meshing with the gear (12) of the turret (2) and driving, in synchronism with the turret (2), other mechanisms mounted in the machine frame, with a hub (42) a toothed ring (43) and a damping element (41,47-52) between each hub and toothed ring so as to isola

Abstract: Labelling equipment is provided for applying heat shrinkable wrap-around labels to contoured surfaces of containers. The equipment includes a label carrier having a wheel rotatable about its axis, a vacuum system coupled to the wheel to retain labels on the wheel, a feeder for directing containers individually to the wheel adjacent the periphery of the wheel to receive a label, and a drive system for receiving containers from the bottle feeder and for rolling the containers upon receiving the label from the label carrier.The container is supported on a platten having a diameter corresponding to the greatest diameter of the container so that the label depends in a skirt from the container. The container is subsequently transferred to a smaller platten and passed over a heated plenum to shrink the skirt to the contours of the container.

Abstract: A tapered article labelling machine and method providing the capability for automated high-speed accurate register continuous application of generally crescent shaped labels to curved and tapered articles, including auxiliary sub-assembly machine stations for accomplishing continuous tapered article infeed, adhesive application and label feed and application respectively to the sidewall surface thereof, label compression after adhesive application to accomplish label conformation to the tapered article exterior sidewall supporting surface during adhesive set, and thereafter automatic delivery of labeled articles from the machine to inspection and cartoning stations or the like.

Abstract: A lead saddle assembly is disclosed which includes a plurality of insulated wire leads maintained in a spaced, side-by-side array. The assembly includes a lead saddle comprising first and second tape strips disposed on opposite sides of the array. The tape strips include heat-activatable adhesive so that during fabrication the application of heat to a pre-assembly of the wire leads and tape strips adhere the tape strip to each other and to the wire leads as the leads are held in their array. An apparatus and method for forming lead saddle assemblies as described are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous application of base cups to rounded bottom bottles including continuous feed of bottle and base cups and continuous removal of completed bottles. Further, a novel system is shown for applying glue or adhesive to the bottoms of the bottles for application of the base cup thereto.

Abstract: A method of securing a bottom plate made of a plastic material to one end of an open-ended, hollow cylinder made of a plastic material to produce a plastic cylindrical container, wherein the bottom plate is held in a horizontal position and the open-ended, hollow cylinder having an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the bottom plate is positioned in enclosing relation to the bottom plate in such a manner that a portion of the cylinder projects upwardly a predetermined distance from the bottom plate. The upwardly projecting portion is heated and softened and bent radially inwardly into contact with an outer marginal portion of the bottom plate. The bent portion of the cylinder maintained in contact with the outer marginal portion of the bottom plate is pressed and heated, so as to join them by the fusion thereof.

Abstract: A machine for applying flat-bottomed base cups to round-bottomed plastic bottles. The machine comprises an orbiting conveyor having means for carrying a plurality of bottles and base cups along a predetermined path during which time the base cups are applied to the bottom of the bottles. A bottle loader mechanism is provided for receiving a plurality of bottles directly from a blow-molding machine and transferring the same directly and simultaneously to the conveyor. Means are provided for delivering base cups single file to the conveyor and for removing the bottles from the conveyor after the base cups have been applied.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus and a method for the foil-capping of bottles with a patch of metal foil having a point and an adhesive back, comprising(a) adhering each patch to the neck of a bottle by its central area with the upper area of the foil projecting above the bottle neck,(b) applying the laterally projecting patch ends so that they overlap one another,(c) folding down the area of each patch projecting above the bottle neck to the bottle side away from the patch point, and(d) simultaneously pressing down and smoothing the folded down patch area onto the top side and all about the circumferential margin adjacent thereto.A neater tear-free arrangement of the foil about the top and sides of the neck of the bottle results.

Abstract: A hanger rod transfer assembly for transferring hanger rods from a magazine to the edge of a file folder blank, the transfer assembly including a pair of transfer wheels for each edge of the blank, each transfer wheel having a plurality of corresponding grooves for supporting hanger rods, and guide plates covering a portion of the peripheral surface of each of said transfer wheels to retain the hanger rods in the grooves in the transfer wheels and a pad positioned below each edge of the blank to move the edge of the blank into a position to receive a hanger rod as the hanger rod is released from the guide plates.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fabricating and seaming two-piece containers such as frustoconical cups and the like are provided which include a two-piece mandrel having retractable tip or nose piece which is coaxial in its relation to the main body of the mandrel in its extended position and retracts to an offset position. The retraction/extension path is configured to constrain the surface of the tip or nose piece to impart a progressive sealing pressure to a portion of the container side seam against the reaction surface of a seam clamp. The tip also has vacuum porting for holding a bottom blank during the container forming process and acts to seal the bottom blank in the container bottom curl and in the case of effecting heat sealed seams in the container, to position the bottom blank so as to preclude heat damage to the bottom wet line area of the container.

Abstract: An article-holding turret which is particularly suitable for rotatably conveying large objects. A friction brake is fixed to a pawl plate, and these axially mounted structures are oscillated by a rack and pinion assembly driven from a turret index shuttle. A ratchet and spindle assembly is coaxially mounted on the turret's central shaft, and caused to periodically index through desired angular intervals by a pawl carried on the pawl plate. The forward rotation of the ratchet and spindle assembly is accompanied by a commensurate rotation of the friction brake, thereby minimizing rotational drive forces required during this segment. An auxiliary pawl and bracket assembly prevents retrogression of the ratchet and spindle during the reverse oscillation of the friction brake assembly.

Abstract: Aluminum laminae are heat-sealed onto the inside of flat-bottomed plastic bags so that, by bending the lamina double after the bag has been cut open to remove part of its contents, the bag can be reclosed. The apparatus for sealing the laminae on can be incorporated in an existing bag-filling installation. An aluminum strip is supplied to a punching device from a supply roll. A punched-out aluminum lamina is placed upon the upper part of a conveyor lever. The lever is rotated through 180.degree. so that the aluminum lamina to be sealed on comes to be positioned between two layers of a web of plastic material fed by rollers. The ends of the lever are preheated by heating elements in order to accelerate the sealing-on operation. The aluminum lamina is heat-sealed onto the inside of the folded web in such a way that the longer edges of the lamina form an angle of about 45.degree. with the flat bottom of the bag.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying plastic base cups to plastic containers, such plastic containers being blow-molded, having round bottoms and being unable to stand erect, such base cups providing a flat, stable base for the container. Cups are supplied automatically to holders or sockets at a cup receiving station; they are then indexed to an adhesive applying station where a circular line of adhesive is applied to the bottom of the cup by spinning the cup; the cup is then indexed to a container delivery station, where a container is deposited in the cup, and air under pressure is applied to the interior of the container to apply pressure to the glue line, such pressure also acting to smooth out irregularities in the container. Each container-cup assembly is removed at a removal station. Detector means may be employed at or ahead of the adhesive applying station to determine whether a cup is present in a holder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling hollow balls from molded hemispheres which are fed to the apparatus. The hemispheres fed to the apparatus are received in a plurality of slots located about the circumference of a wheel. While the hemispheres are in the slots, an applicator disc applies a solvent to the hemispheres and pressure cams force the hemispheres together, thereby forming complete balls. The balls are then discharged from the apparatus.The same apparatus may be used to assemble hollow balls from hemispheres which are adapted to be snapped together. In that case, no solvent is applied by the applicator disc and the pressure applied by the pressure cams is used to snap the hemispheres together into hollow balls.

Abstract: In a machine and method for producing plastic bottles by periodically applying a bonding agent to a cup of a series of cups adapted for successive bonding operations of each cup to respective round-bottomed hollow bodies of plastic material, and including an applicator station for applying the bonding agent to a surface of a cup, a conveyor movable in a transport direction for receiving and moving the cups, an arresting device for temporarily arresting the cup movement near the applicator station, a rotatable transporter provided with seats for the cups and with holders for the bottles above the seats, and an extraction device for removing successive bottles from the transporter, the combination of, or retrofit kit, including a drive arranged to be intermittently coupled to the arrested cup for imparting a rotating movement to the cup, and a coupler for coupling and uncoupling the drive to the arrested cup, wherein the applicator station is arranged to apply the bonding agent to the surface of the rotating cu

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting chip type circuit elements on a printed circuit board include a supply unit for supplying chip type circuit elements, a plurality of pallets adapted to be connected intermittently in a longitudinal direction, a sequence head adapted to shift the circuit elements onto the pallets, an X-Y table adapted to receive and support a printed circuit board, a mounting mechanism having mounting heads adapted to mount the chip type circuit elements on the printed circuit board carried by the X-Y table, and a shifting head for shifting the chip type circuit elements from the pallets to the mounting head of the mounting mechanism. The mounting mechanism constitutes a rotatably indexing disc on which a plurality of mounting heads are radially situated, the sequence heads, shifting head and mounting heads each utilizing suction pins to which the chip type circuit elements are fixed during their movement from the supply unit to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A turntable is rotatably provided on the main body of a label sticking apparatus, and a plurality of container support tables are provided along the periphery of the turntable. Containers such as bottles and cans are transported along a predetermined path as riding on the container support tables. A label application device for applying labels to these containers is formed as a unit block which may be detachably mounted on the main body. When mounted, the label application device receives driving force from the driving source for rotating the turntable. The label application device is provided with a lock mechanism, which enables to carry out mounting and dismounting operations with ease and security.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying labels and/or leaflets to containers in a continuous single run operation includes a product entry station, a conveyor for transporting the containers in a horizontal position through the apparatus, applicators for applying in succession leaflets and labels to the underside and upper surface, respectively of the containers, and a product discharge station where properly processed containers are exited for further processing and improperly processed containers are rejected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for properly positioning multi-faced containers to facilitate the proper application of labels. This invention, used in conjunction with labeling machines having star-wheel feed mechanisms, facilitates the proper indexing of multi-faced containers to insure that labels are applied consistently in the proper position. This invention may be used with multi-faced containers having any number of flat sides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the labeling of soft-surfaced disposable cups--particularly those having a tapered or frustum shape--with a thin paper label (32) which provides decoration and structural rigidity to the cup. The label is cut between a die roller (30) and anvil roller (31) from a web (28) of paper having a coating of heat activable adhesive on one side, and the cut label (32) is laid on the rotating surface (37) of a vacuum drum (36). Vacuum ports (113) in the anvil roller (31) and ports (157) in the vacuum drum hold the label on the surfaces of the roller and drum during rotation. The label is heated while on the rotating vacuum drum (36) to activate the adhesive, and an indexer plate (42), having a plurality of cup holding mandrels (41), indexes a mandrel (41) holding a cup (46) into a position in which the rotated cup contacts the heated label and draws it off of the surface of the vacuum drum.

Abstract: A band of foil is continuously pulled off a roll of the band and fed at a constant rate downwardly toward a station. The band is periodically deflected laterally from its path between the roll and the station so that the free end of the band in the station periodically stops completely. At the same time a succession of bottles is displaced transversely through the station, with one bottle being in the station each time the free end of the band stops. The free end of the band is pressed against the bottle in the station and is severed from the rest of the band each time the band stops in the station. Spots of adhesive are printed on the band on one face thereof upstream of the station and the deflector and advance rollers that engage this face downstream of the printing location only engage this face between the adhesive spots.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of brushes having a bristle collecting station, a melting station, a welding station and at least one bristle bunch holder. The bristle bunch holder consists of a plate having hollow bristle holding sleeves thereon and comprising movement devices, with which the bristle bunch holder is successively aligned with the stations. A discharge station is provided in which ejector means are, during advancement of the bristle bunch holder, pushed through the bristle holding sleeves.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for making a resin caulker 10 begins with continuous extrusion of a resin cylinder 15. A multimandrel indexing machine 20 has a receiving station 22 positioned to align an empty mandrel 21 with extruded cylinder 15 so a leading end 18 of extruded cylinder 15 advances onto empty mandrel 21. A cut off device 19 cuts cylinder 15 at a predetermined length to form a resin caulker barrel 11 supported on mandrel 21. Indexing machine 20 then moves cut off barrel 11 to an assembly station 23 and brings another empty mandrel 21 to receiving station 22. An end closure 12 is joined to cut off barrel 11 at assembly station 23; and successive stations 24-29 of the indexing machine finish, print, and dry the assembled caulkers while supported on mandrels 21.

Abstract: A bottle labeling method and machine has a bottle conveyor which transports bottles past two labeling stations and which rotationally controls the bottles to place them into different positions appropriate to the affixing and pressing on of labels. In the first labeling station in the direction of bottle travel, the simultaneous transfer of a bottle-neck foil and of a back label is effected and in the second labeling station the simultaneous transfer of one of at least one partial neck label and a neck ring label and of a belly label is effected.

Abstract: A device for labeling flat objects, such as compact cassettes, video cassettes or the like with a supply stacker for the transfer of label holder-arranged labels. The label holders are provided with vacuum impingeable suction bores for label transfers and with object recess-and label perforation-and border-matching beveled projections, plus a device for effective label adhesion. The device includes a radially-mobile arrangement of label holders on at least one step-by-step revolving rotary-run head. The holders move from the head to stationary functional stages, namely, a transfer stage, where the label is made to stick, and an applicator stage for applying labels to objects. A conveyor chain is provided for continually passing by the rotary-run head with object sliding cams. The applicator stage is equipped with a platform for lifting objects from the continuous-run conveyor chain above the level of the cams.

Abstract: Objects to be labelled with, for example, heat transfer labels, are initially stabilized by being positioned on freely movable platforms and conveyed to a station where the platforms are stabilized and the objects labelled.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying plastic base cups to plastic containers, such plastic containers being blow-molded, having round bottoms and being unable to stand erect, such base cups providing a flat, stable base for the container. Cups are supplied automatically to holders or sockets at a cup receiving station; they are then indexed to an adhesive applying station where a circular line of adhesive is applied to the bottom of the cup by spinning the cup; the cup is then indexed to a container delivery station, where a container is deposited in the cup, and air under pressure is applied to the interior of the container to apply pressure to the glue line, such pressure also acting to smooth out irregularities in the container. Each container-cup assembly is removed at a removal station. Detector means may be employed at or ahead of the adhesive applying station to determine whether a cup is present in a holder.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for clamping and rotating containers which includes a rotatably supported table for supporting and rotating a container about an axis, drive means connected to the table for rotating the table about the axis of rotation, a plurality of jaws movably mounted on the table for alternately engaging and releasing a container to be rotated, jaw-positioning means engageable with the plurality of jaws for moving the jaws into and out of engagement with a container, and actuator means for actuating the jaw-positioning means. A method of applying sealant to the inside of a container at the juncture between the inner surfaces of the bottom closure member and the sidewall thereof is also disclosed.

Abstract: A case labeler for moving a label from a holding magazine in a path to sweep over a glue applying applicator and continue into a position where the glue side of the label is presented to a case moving on a conveyor and acting to trip control switches which cause the glue applicator to move into the sweep path of the label and cause a label carrier head to pick a label off the magazine by negative pressure and begin a sweeping motion in a well defined path. The motion of the carrier head in its sweep path is to rotate the label from a first position at the magazine through a partial amount of rotation to pass the label surface over the applicator and through the remainder of the rotation to present the glue side of the label to the path of case movement.

Abstract: A device and method for applying a semi-liquid adhesive material in a preselected pattern upon a surface such as the inner surface of a container cap such that a liner may be adhesively connected thereto. The device and its manner of operation are particularly suited for the application of hot melt adhesive to container caps of the type having a central recess surrounded by an annular ledge. A member having a longitudinal bore in which a shaft having one or more external helical grooves is rotationally disposed, cooperates to form the applicating device. One end of the member is operationally associated with a supply of semi-liquid adhesive such that rotation of the shaft with respect to the member will force adhesive along the separate helical paths and on to the receiving surface of the cap in the desired configuration.

Abstract: A device for the pressing of gummed labels or foils against objects which are moved along a straight or curved path, comprises one or more pressing elements disposed one behind the other and movably advanced in synchronism with the objects along a path that is convexly curved with respect to the first path. Each pressing element has a pliable pressure pad disposed at the level of the area which is to be provided with the foil and situated at varying distances from the pressing element. The pressure pad comprises a plurality of elements disposed side by side, which independently of one another exert a point or line pressure during the pressing action.

Abstract: A machine which forms openings in can ends and seals the openings with manually removable lengths of tape. The machine comprises a wheel and a plurality of plates having through passageways across which the can ends are supported. The plates are slidably mounted around the periphery of the wheel and are slid relative to the wheel between a first position at which punches carried by the wheel punch openings in the can ends when the wheel moves the plates along a first portion of the path, and a second position at which taping means mounted on a frame of the machine applies lengths of tape over the openings as the wheel moves the plates along a second portion of the path.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of brushes having at least one brush head mounting structure for brush heads. The mounting structure is pivotal about two axes and furthermore is longitudinally movable. The machine comprises a bristle bunch holder for holding bristle bunches and movement devices for guiding the bristle bunch to a brush head. Between the bunch holder and the brush head there is arranged at least two heating elements with contact heating surfaces thereon. The heating elements are provided on a movable heating-element carrier which can be moved between an engaging position, in which one heating surface is adjacent to the brush head and the other adjacent to the bunch holder, and a rest position, which lies outside of the range of movement of the bristle bunch holder.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the decoration of bottles and the like at high speeds. Bottles are delivered by an input conveyor to a star wheel, which deposits them sequentially into a continuously rotating turret. The turret carries the bottles past a labelling site, where a label carrier strip is pressed into contact with a bottle surface and a label thereby transferred. The shape of the bottle is maintained during labelling by means of inflation of the bottles through an inserted nozzle. The raising and lowering of the inflating nozzle and the flow of inflating air is controlled by special valving apparatus. The motion of the label carrier strip past the labelling site is regulated by the use of rolls on a shuttle slide, which in turn is reciprocated by a second slide driven by a conjugate cam. This results in an increase of the local velocity of the carrier strip during most of the cycle, and a slowing of the strip during the balance.

Abstract: This invention provides a machine for assembling cup shaped base members onto the bottom portions of bottle shaped containers. The assembly machine comprises a continuously rotating base transport table receiving successive bases in pockets on its periphery from a supply source of bases. A plurality of vacuum chucks are positioned above the base pockets and successively engage the side walls of containers supplied in timed sequence to such pockets. A plurality of vertically shiftable plungers are mounted above the position of the containers and actuated by a peripheral stationary cam to depress such plungers into engagement with the neck portion of the containers and to push the containers into engagement with the cup shaped bases disposed below the containers.

Abstract: The apparatus produces heat-shrinkable plastic caps having a metal containing top, and is comprised of:(a) at least one mandrel having a flat end-face,(b) means for placing a metal containing disc coated with heat sensitive adhesive on the end-face of said mandrel,(c) means for placing a band of preselected length of heat-shrinkable plastic over said mandrel,(d) heating means for pre-shrinking said plastic band to conform to the shape of said mandrel and to overlay the edge of said disc, said heat-shrinking means imparting insufficient energy to activate the adhesive on said disc, and(e) electric induction heating means for rapidly heat-sealing said disc to the portion of said band overlaying the disc by activating the heat-sensitive adhesive on said metal containing disc by the heat generated by induction in said metal.

Abstract: A labelling machine which includes a plurality of label suction drums rotatably mounted on a bed plate and a plurality of label holders for supplying labels one-by-one to a corresponding label suction drum. A label applicator drum is positioned adjacent to the label suction drums for receiving labels carried by the label suction drums, and thereafter applying the labels to an object which may have either an arcuate or a planar surface. Each label suction drum is provided with a plurality of arcuately spaced projections and vacuum suction outlets between the projections. The labels are retained on a peripheral surface of each label suction drum between the projections by a vacuum applied through the vacuum suction outlets. An upper stop element is positioned adjacent the periphery of each label suction drum and the label applicator drum.

Abstract: A bottle carrier for a labeling machine has a plurality of bottle plates which are rotated about their own axes by a drive as the bottle carrier rotates. The drive is controlled by a control arm guided in a fixed cam. Each bottle plate has a drive shaft connected thereto and about which the bottom plate rocks. A socket in the bottle carrier is provided for each drive shaft and a friction wheel drive is disposed between each drive shaft and the corresponding socket. The friction wheel drive includes a cage to which the control arm directly transmits the rocking movements prescribed by the cam.

Abstract: An improved labeling device of the type including a rotatable transfer drum for transferring containers onto which labels are to be affixed; an adhesive coating drum for applying an adhesive coating; and a label supply drum for first holding and then releasing labels. The improvement comprises arranging the components such that the containers carried by the rotatable container transfer drum first contact the adhesive coating drum and subsequently the adhesive coated containers while still carried by the container transfer drum are brought into contact with labels carried by the label supply drum, thereby making it possible to apply labels to containers at high-speeds and to use strong adhesives.

Abstract: A label applicator which grips the article to be labeled on the opposite sides of the article to hold the article in a predetermined orientation. One or more labels are applied to the article while it is held in the predetermined orientation. The article is gripped between a movable resilient member and a guide which holds the article against the movable resilient member.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus for producing a composite container having a neck label or tubular sleeve mounted temporarily thereon adapted to be shrunken into final surface covering position. The tubular sleeve is preformed of relatively-stiff material and flat-folded until ready for use when it is partially opened and conveyed into axial registry with a container therebeneath. The sleeve preform of heat-shrinkable plastic material is telescopically assembled onto the container while the latter is firmly retained at an upper region. The retention device for the container serves to both fully open the sleeve preform and align the preform and container into axial arrangement. A reciprocatable head contacts the preform while so retained and telescopes the preform at least partially over the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying indicia to the surface of generally cylindrical articles. The machine utilizes a rotary article transport assembly or turret mechanism which has a plurality of gripper hands mounted thereon for holding the cylindrical articles to be decorated. At least one article orienting station is provided to orient the article so that the indicia is applied over the proper portion of the surface of the article. After orienting, the article is rotated in a holding assembly and the indicia carrying tape or foil is pressed against the appropriate portion of the outer surface of the article by a heated die carried on a cylindrical drum mounted immediately adjacent to the article being decorated. Means are provided for rotating the article being decorated and the die carrying drum at the same peripheral surface speed. Also, means are provided for positively feeding the decorating tape between the bottle and the transfer die.

Abstract: A labelling machine has each of a number of article supporting plates mounted in a rotary table for movement within a recess in a guide plate when a clamp presses an article against a spring urging the supporting plate to a position flush with the guide plate, and the supporting plate has a plurality of peripheral notches making a sliding fit with projections on the guide plate extending into the recess and having surfaces converging towards each other in the direction away from the clamp, whereby each article coming into contact with the converging surfaces of the projections as the clamp pressing the article causes the supporting plate to move into the recess in the guide plate against the spring urge results in the article being moved into a definite position on the supporting plate in relation to its cross-sectional shape.