Sticker applicator

Claim 1

An applicator for applying a sticker or other material having an adhesive on at least one surface releasably mounted to a continuous backing strip to an object comprising: support means; guide means mounted to said support means for directing said strip from a source of supply along a first path past said object, said guide means causing said sticker to separate from said strip and travel a second path by abruptly changing the first path of said strip at said object, said object moving along a third path and said sticker in said second path intersects said object in said third path; a take-up means mounted to said support means for reeling said backing strip after said stickers have been detached; a stationary clamp means mounted to said support means between said abrupt change in said first path and said take-up means; a mobile clamp means slidably mounted to said support means between said abrupt change in said first path and said take-up means for intermittently engaging said backing strip and drawing said backing strip past said abrupt change by reciprocal movement relative to said support means; and control means connected to said stationary and mobile clamp means for closing and advancing said mobile clamp means during the advance segment of said reciprocal movement and for closing said stationary clamp means during the return segment of said reciprocal movement to prevent said take-up means from drawing said backing strip.