Device and method for applying elastic film sleeves to containers

A device for applying elastic film sleeves to containers, comprising:

• at least one label dispenser;
• a labeling carousel that rotates about an axis and has a plurality of sleeving stations that include means for receiving film sleeves from the label dispenser and applying them to containers;
• a plurality of removal units that are mounted on and rotate with the labeling carousel and have gripping units that remove sleeved containers from the sleeving station;
• and
• one or more actuators that move the gripping units between two positions at different radial distances from the axis of the labeling carousel:
• a) a gripping position in which the gripping units grip the sleeved containers and b) an avoidance position in which the radial distance between the gripping unit and the rotational axis of the labeling carousel is less than the radial distance between the gripping unit and the rotational axis of the labeling carousel when the gripping unit is in the gripping position.