Label applicators

Apparatus for printing and dispensing labels from a label web including a release agent coated backing strip and a series of rectangular, pressure-sensitive adhesive coated labels on one face thereof, said apparatus comprising

• a frame,
• an elongate actuating member slidable relatively to the frame and having
• actuating means spaced along its length,
• web-carrying reel means mounted on the frame,
• take-up reel carrying means mounted on the frame for receiving spent backing strip, and in sequence along the web path from the web-carrying reel means to the take-up reel carrying means,
• a web brake,
• a triangular prism label registration device having operative areas corresponding in size to that of an individual label,
• a printing mechanism,
• a printing platen which also forms a dispense edge, said platen serving to support a said label during printing thereof, and means for guiding the spent backing strip to the take-up reel,
• said apparatus being arranged to carry out all necessary operations to print and dispense a label in a forward stroke of the elongate actuating member and to return parts of the apparatus to their respective rest positions during the return stroke of the apparatus.

A registration device for individual labels of a web of tickets or labels having transverse weak zones extending into the depth of the web between adjacent labels, said device comprising

• a step-wise rotatable member incorporating
• means defining at least three areas corresponding in number to the number of steps in one revolution of the member, the areas being arranged around the axis of rotation of the member and including transverse edges defining in part, the areas,
• a pivotal guide and brake member disposed upstream in the web path of the rotatable member and
• means which serve to bias the web on to the rotatable member whereby to ensure engagement of the weak zones of the web on to transverse edges irrespective of the manner of operation of the registration device.