Abstract: Labels or other segments or sheet material are wrapped around containers or other articles and adhered thereto by adhesive at the ends of the label. At each end pressure is applied by a vacuum drum acting on the end of the label to adhere it to the container. In between the container is caused to spin end is moved about the axis of the vacuum drum by direct contact of the drum with the container.

Abstract: A labeling machine applies an adhesive to labels for attachment to containers and has a glue bar which engages a glue roller. A label drum receives and delivers labels into engagement with containers for wrap around labeling of the containers. An adhesive is delivered to the glue bar. The adhesive is a hot melt adhesive which can maintain its label bond while withstanding high heat such as from a pasteurization process. The hot melt adhesive has a viscosity which tends to increase if the adhesive is not kept in constant motion or is allowed to set. The shear of the adhesive is increased during adhesive transfer to ensure low viscosity transfer of the adhesive from the glue roller to a label positioned on the label drum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of labeling cylindrical articles feeds labels onto a label drum. The labels have a formed curl such that the leading edge tends to curl away from the surface of the label drum. The article is fed onto the label drum and wrapped by engaging the article with the leading edge of the label and then wrapping the article. An uncut label web can be fed over an edge to impart the desired curl to the label web. The label web is then cut into labels, which are fed onto the label drum. Also, the tension of the label over the edge can be varied so as to vary the amount of curl imparted to the label.

Abstract: A device and method of placing an information panel on the inside of a bottle capsule. The device comprises a capsule circumferentially surrounding the neck of a wine bottle. The inner side of the capsule has an information panel. The information panel contains a message or code to the user of the product. Additionally, a tear-away tab is located on the capsule for easy removal of the capsule from the bottle. The method begins by printing product information on an information panel. Next, the information panel is affixed to an inner side of a removable capsule. The removable capsule is placed circumferentially around a container. Next, the capsule is removed from the bottle by pulling on a tear-away tab located on the capsule.

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: 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 system for applying labels to objects includes an object supply for supplying objects substantially equally spaced and aligned in single file for labeling. The system also includes a label applicator for applying a label to an object from the object supply and a label supply for supplying the labels to the label applicator. Each of the labels are joined at an end to at least one other of the labels. The system also includes a labeling finisher to detach the end of each label from the at least one other label and to smooth the end of each label onto their respective object.

Abstract: A device for applying a label to a bottle or similar cylindrical object by rotating the same has a supply conveyor for moving the objects to at least one rotatable screw arranged horizontally over the supply conveyor for spacing and moving the objects at uniform speeds. A rotatable vacuum drum is positioned next to the supply conveyor, which drum is adapted to carry and apply labels to the objects. Conveyors are provided at both sides of the object adjacent and opposite the vacuum drum for rotating the objects before and during labelling. The downstream end of the screw is positioned at a predetermined distance from a plane perpendicular to the axis of the screw and the plane extends through the axis of the vacuum drum. The downstream end of the screw also extends into at least one of the conveyors. The conveyor situated adjacent the vacuum drum is coupled to the drum and extends and moves against the linear direction of movement of the objects.

Abstract: Machine and method for labeling cylindrical containers wherein a rotary vacuum drum transports the labels from a pick up station to a release station, containers are moved, in sequence, to said release station and into tangent contact with the leading end of a label on the vacuum drum, each container is held in contact with the label While the vacuum drum continues to rotate and meanwhile spinning the container oppositely to the rotation of the vacuum drum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high speed placement of labels onto containers by a continuous motion. The label stock is transferred to a rotary vacuum drum, carried by rotation of the vacuum drum to a glue application station and then to a label application station where the glue coated labels are wrapped onto containers. As the containers reach the labeling position they are already rotating so that their surfaces are moving at the same speed as the drum surface. The labeled containers are then discharged onto a conveyor where they are held against rotation and stabilized by a pair of parallel belt drives.Glue is imprinted onto each label by a roller with a patterned surface. The roller picks up glue as it rotates past a glue bar surface which emits glue from a tapered exit. The tapered configuration causes build up of suitable pressure so as to force the glue into the pattern on the glue roller. A downstream edge of the glue bar surface acts as a doctor to spread and wipe off excess glue.

Abstract: Either filled or empty cylindrical containers enter this labeling machine upright on a conveyor which slides beneath them as they are restrained and accumulate in a straight line against a gate for individual admission to a synchronization wheel and timed release between a series of moving parallel belts and stationary pads which laterally engage the container and propel it at various linear and rotational speeds during certain stages of the labeling operation so that the container achieves its greatest linear speeds before and after labeling, its slowest linear but greatest rotational speed during labeling, and moderate linear speeds to enter and exit the machine, thereby resulting in virtual label transfer within one container revolution while maintaining a constant and continuous high speed labeling operation therein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high speed placement of labels onto containers by a continuous motion. The label stock is transferred to a rotary vacuum drum, carried by rotation of the vacuum drum to a glue application station and then to a label application station where the glue coated labels are wrapped onto containers. As the containers reach the labeling position they are already rotating so that their surfaces are moving at the same speed as the drum surface. The labeled containers are then discharged onto a conveyor where they are held against rotation and stabilized by a pair of parallel belt drives.Glue is imprinted onto each label by a roller with a patterned surface. The roller picks up glue as it rotates past a glue bar surface which emits glue from a tapered exit. The tapered configuration causes build up of suitable pressure so as to force the glue into the pattern on the glue roller. A downstream edge of the glue bar surface acts as a doctor to spread and wipe off excess glue.

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: Crystalline silicon carbide wherein at least 90 weight percent of the silicon carbide is formed from a plurality of hexagonal crystal lattices wherein at least 80 weight percent of the crystals formed from the lattices contain at least a portion of opposing parallel base faces separated by a distance of from 0.5 to 20 microns. The crystals may be in the form of separate particles, e.g. separate platelets, or may comprise an intergrown structure. The crystalline silicon carbide of the invention is produced by heating a porous alpha silicon carbide precursor composition comprising silicon and carbon in intimate contact to a temperature of from 2100.degree. C. to 2500.degree. C. in a non-reactive atmosphere. The materials are high performance materials finding use in reinforcing, high temperature thermal insulating, improvement of thermal shock resistance, and modification of electrical properties.

Abstract: Labelling machine comprising a cylindrical vacuum drum, a feed screw located in relation to the vacuum drum to move cylindrical containers from a starting point to a release point past the vacuum drum with their cylinder axes parallel to the cylinder axis of the vacuum drum and in tangent contact with the vacuum drum, and a continuous drive belt located to contact the sides of containers opposite their sides in contact with the feed screw, said belt serving to spin the containers from the starting point to the release point.

Abstract: A compensated web transport for decorators, in which the motion of the web is matched with that of a container being decorated. Controlled motion of the web is used to reduce distortion in the transfer of labels to irregularly shaped containers.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying labels to containers including a label application station having a label dispensing magazine for holding a stack of labels and releasing the end label of the stack through an opening formed in the magazine to a container. Means are provided for rolling containers past the magazine so that when a leading edge of an end label on a stack is adhered to a side of a container the label is rolled onto the container and withdrawn from the magazine. A plurality of retaining fingers extend in front of the magazine opening to retain the stack of labels in the magazine. Control arms associated with the retaining fingers are adapted to retract the retaining fingers out of label retaining position in response to contact with a container rolling past the magazine.

Abstract: A tire retreading tube for use with a tire retreading rim formed from a pair of axially-adjacent rim sections, one of said sections having a cutout for the reception of the valve stem extending from the tube body and being formed with threads adjacent the tube. The tube has an extension of generally cylindrical form through which the stem extends, so that the extension surrounds the portion of the stem adjacent the tube, and functions as a spacer element and is effective to limit movement of the stem and the tube relatively to the rim section. Suitably, the spacer element threadedly engages the stem adjacent the tube, has a body which essentially fills the cutout circumferentially, and has end flanges to overlie the adjacent faces of the rim section with which it is to be associated.

Abstract: Apparatus for guiding bottles along the surface of a rotating vacuum drum which holds plastic shrink labels until an individual label is rolled about the circumference of the bottle to form an overlapped seam. The bottles are of the style that have tapering shoulder and rounded heel joined by a cylindrical side wall. The rotational orientation of the bottle and label is maintained during roll-on of the label from the drum by a primary roll-on pad and the bottle with the label thereon is passed to an generally linear, secondary roll-on pad with the sleeve label bearing bottle moved along the secondary pad by a horizontally driven, vertically oriented belt. The secondary pad at locations along its length is provided with resilient vertically extending, contoured pads which also extend outward beyond the surface of the secondary pads so as to contact the formed overlap seam of the label to press the seam against the underlying bottle.

Abstract: A method for preparing thin large-area single crystals of diacetylene monomer represented by the formula:R--CX.tbd.C--C.tbd.C--R'wherein R and R' are side groups selected such that the diacetylene monomer is polymerizable by a 1,4-addition solid state reaction upon exposure to actinic radiation, is provided. The method involves forming a liquid layer containing pure diacetylene monomer between two opposed surfaces; applying pressure to the liquid layer disposed between the two opposed surfaces; and crystallizing the liquid layer disposed between the two opposed surfaces while the liquid layer is kept under constant pressure to form thin large-area single crystals of pure diacetylene monomer.A method for preparing thin large-area single crystals of polydiacetylene is also provided. The method involves forming a liquid layer containing diacetylene monomer represented by the formula:R--C.tbd.C--C.tbd.

Abstract: A cylindrical vacuum drum for carrying a label held to its surface by vacuum past an adhesive applying roll to a position where the label will touch a container and the container will be rolled along the drum surface to thereby apply the label about the container. The drum is formed of metal and is mounted for rotation about its vertical axis. The drum has a rubberlike covering thereover with at least two raised areas in the cover, which underlie the leading and trailing edge of a label that is at a greater radius than the rest of the surface. These are the areas which serve to press the label against the adhesive roll or solvent applying gravure roll. These areas have very slightly depressed zones forming slight steps just in advance thereof with a row of vacuum ports extending through the cover at the base of said steps to effectively hold the leading edge of the label down and allow the trailing edge to bend upwardly away from the outer surface of the drum.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding plastic label stock, regardless of curling, to a label-wrapping station is disclosed. The apparatus and method include a first label guide means including a turning bar that directs the plastic label sheet from a supply roll towards a rotary vacuum drum in the label-wrapping station, knife means for cutting the label sheet into desired lengths to form labels, secondary guide means for guiding the label to the vacuum drum periphery, and final guide means to positively turn the label back into the drum periphery, especially during start-up, and regardless of curl.

Abstract: A banding and labeling system for containers includes a central drum which is heated for activation of adhesive coating provided on bands and labels which are to be secured to containers. The drum is provided with carrying elements employing suction, referred to as mouthpieces, which include pockets for holding literature and support bands in appropriate positions for securing the literature to containers. Dispensers are mounted peripherally around the drum at successive work stations for transference of banding materials, labeling materials, and literature packets to the mouthpieces as the drum rotates. At a final work station, a conveyor transports the containers to the drum whereupon the banding and labeling materials are secured to the containers during rotation of the containers between the drum and pressure pads which engage the adhesive coatings to the outer surfaces of the containers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for a high speed production line in which a container is wrapped with a plastic label comprising a foam polystyrene layer, there being means to move a leading edge of the label to the periphery of a rotating vacuum drum, means to apply methylene chloride to the underside of the foam layer to form finite areas on the leading label edge and a finite area on the trailing edge. The finite areas have therein a rapidly solidifying tacky solution of the foam polymer in methylene chloride, the tacky viscous solutions rapidly solidifying to form an adhesive bond. The solvent-applied label is quickly moved to a label wrapping station where it is wrapped around a container, the finite areas on the leading edge tacking the label to the container, and the finite area on the trailing edge forming a cohesive bond on the seam formed by the overlapped label ends.

Abstract: Upwardly conically tapered containers having glue on their peripheries are conveyed horizontally in succession through a labeling station while being rotated on their vertical axes. A stack of curved labels having their longer edges arranged lowermost at the labeling station receive constant forward pressure applied to the rear of the stack while the forward end of the stack is being engaged and held by a system of top and bottom adjustable knives which establish a twisted configuration to the labels in the stack. The arrangement allows each leading label in the stack to be taken therefrom by a rotating tapered container and to be applied to the tapered periphery of the container with the leading and trailing ends of the label substantially perfectly aligned and registered. A range of container sizes having varying degrees of taper can be accommodated by the labeling apparatus.

Abstract: A form of adhesive label is disclosed which enables instructions, e.g. for the use of the contents of a container to which the label is to be attached, to be detachably secured, with the label, to the container. The label comprises a backing sheet with adhesive on one face protected by a siliconized paper release sheet, and an "instruction" strip glued to its other face. The strip has a first band of adhesive along one transverse edge of its rearward face, a tear line next to the band of adhesive, and a transverse fold line spaced from the tear line and about which the remainder of the strip is folded to lie between the front portion of the strip and the sheet. Adjacent the fold line is a second band of adhesive which with the first band secures the strip to the backing sheet. The remainder of the strip is folded concertina-fashion or otherwise about fold lines so as to lie entirely between the two bands of adhesive. The tear line and a second tear line enable the strip to be detached for study.

Abstract: A method of applying multiple labels to a label receiving surface of an article comprising conveying articles to be labeled to a label applying station, dispensing first and second labels onto a vacuum belt transport, transporting the first and second labels to the label applying station utilizing the vacuum belt transport and wrapping the first and second labels onto different locations on the label-receiving surface of a first of the articles.

Abstract: Fully automated method and apparatus are provided for labelling containers, including supplying and applying labels. A supply provides a web of preprinted labels which may be pre-perforated for easy separation. This web of labels is fed past a sensing device and an adhesive applicator. A clamp temporarily clamps the web in response to signals from the sensor during separation of the leading label from the web. The leading edge of each label is fed to a label-engaging station with the adhesive-coated surface facing the container to which it is to be applied. Conveyor means continually transport a sequence of individual containers to said station where the respective container contacts the adhesive-coated label end. Immediately, the container begins to be rolled in a labelling channel defined between a continuously revolving belt having a friction surface and an opposed stationary wall for wrapping the label firmly around the container rolling along this channel.

Abstract: This disclosure deals with a machine for transferring indicia (such as decalcomanias) from an elongated web or carrier strip to tapered articles, such as tumblers, at a high rate of speed. The articles are moved along a transport path and means is provided to turn the articles as the articles are moved through an indicia transferring portion of the path. The web and the articles are moved in the same direction and in a generally straight line, and the articles are rolled across the web and the indicium, thereby peeling the indicium from the web. Means is provided to tilt the axes of the tapered tumblers relative to the plane of the web in order to place the side of the tumbler, which engages the web, parallel to the web. Hold down means is provided to force the tumblers to move in a straight line while rolling. Decals formed with an initial compensating distortion are used in the machine, to compensate for the distortion of the decals that occurs as the decals are transferred to the tumblers.

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: A label applicator including a wrap around label applicator, a transport for transporting labels to the wrap around label applicator, and a label dispenser for sequentially supplying labels to the transport.