Device for applying a prepared handle to a pack

Device making it possible to apply to a pack, moved along a conveyor, a handle n of nominal length L situated at the end of a tape comprising a succession of handles n+i, each handle comprising two adhesive ends and a central part, the device comprising means for feeding the tape as far as a rotary application arm having a length which is equal to the nominal length L, this arm being able to deposit one adhesive end of the handle n on one face of the pack and then the second end of the handle n on a second face of the pack during a 180° rotation of the arm which is synchronous with the advancing movement of the pack on the conveyor, characterized in that the device comprises:

• means for detecting an offset in the position of a handle n+i, which is awaiting application and is situated upstream of a handle n, with respect to the theoretical position of the handle n+i corresponding to a multiple of the nominal length, this offset being due to an elongation of the handle n beyond the nominal length of a handle, and
• means for elongating the length of the rotary arm beyond the nominal length L, making it possible during a rotation of this arm to draw a portion of tape having a length greater than the nominal length,
• a control unit which is connected, on the one hand, to the detection means and can receive a signal therefrom if an offset in the position of a handle n+i with respect to the theoretical position of the handle n+i is detected and which is connected, on the other hand, to the elongation means so as to control the elongation thereof if an offset is detected.