Machine and method for applying labels to packets

A machine for applying labels (2) to containers (3) in the tobacco industry, machine (1) comprising:

• a conveying device (10) for feeding a container (3) in a traveling direction (A) along a given path (P1) through an application station (11);
• and
• a feed assembly (19) for feeding one label (2) at a time along a feed path (P2) from a transfer station (23;
• 27) to the application station (11), and which comprises at least one gripping assembly (36) for retaining the label (2) and applying the label (2) to a given portion of the container (3) at the application station (11),
• the feed assembly (19) being movable crosswise to the traveling direction (A) to adjust the given portion of the container (3) to which the label (2) is applied,
• the feed assembly (19) comprising a store (20) of labels (2), and an application unit (30) for applying the label (2) to the container (3);
• the application unit (30) and the store (20) being movable with respect to each other crosswise to said traveling direction (A) and to said feed path (P2).