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 dispenser of banding material and an applicator of such material are mounted side by side for location alongside a packaging line during the dispensing and application of an adhesive band to the cover and neck of a container or across the flap and sides of a box-shaped package. A set of pulleys and belts is arranged in two parallel rows along the underside of the applicator for contacting the covers and upper portions of containers and other packages. The heights of the belts is adjusted to accommodate undulations in the exterior surface of the package so as to provide for adhesive securing of a band along these undulations. Such securing of the band insures a destruction of the band upon any opening or attempted opening of the container.

Abstract: The invention disclosed sets forth a machine for forming a sleeve of a shrinkable, cellular polymeric material from a predecorated web. The web is processed to provide (1) a partial-depth slit along the longitudinal dimension, and (2) cross-dimension pleats. Predecorated shrunken neck labels are formed from the web for overlying the neck and closure of the bottle and including a pilfer-proof feature. Such a label is formed from the processed web by cutting a blank having the cross pleats therein and winding the blank on a mandrel to overlap the ends and seam the overlap to make a sleeve. The sleeve is stripped onto the top neck end and over the closure of a bottle of room temperature to a label position and shrunken to a snug fit, the pleats absorbing wrinkles that occur in shrinking the material onto a "cold" bottle.