Apparatus for applying labels to blow molded articles

An apparatus for making hollow plastic articles wherein a label is positioned in each of a plurality of spaced partible molds in a predetermined array, preforms are positioned in each set of partible molds and the molds are closed and the preforms are blown outwardly to the confines of the molds to apply the label to the resultant hollow plastic article, said apparatus including means for delivering the labels to the molds comprising:

• means for providing labels in a web of a roll of labels;
• an endless vacuum conveyor;
• a die cutting station;
• means for moving the web of the roll of labels past said die cutting station;
• a die cutting mechanism for successively die cutting the labels from the web of the roll of labels at said die cutting station;
• means for moving said die cutting mechanism at a right angle to said web to cut said labels and means for continuing said movement of said die cutting mechanism to simultaneously directly deliver said labels to said endless vacuum conveyor;
• means for indexing a remaining portion of the web which has a label die cut therefrom past the die cutting station after the label has been die cut and delivered directly to said endless vacuum conveyor;
• means for indexing said endless vacuum conveyor after each successive die cut to provide an array of labels on said conveyor which corresponds in spacing to the spacing of the array of molds;
• means for engaging the array of labels on said conveyor and removing them from said conveyor;
• and,
• means for depositing the array of labels in one section of the array of molds.