Apparatus for applying multicolor surface decoration

Claim 1

In an apparatus for applying a multicolor design in a metallic foil to a web passing through said apparatus and having a release coating on one side thereof for transferring said design to an article, independent means respectively located at a plurality of stations in said apparatus for applying colored foils on the release coating of said web, said means comprising a base, a mandrel mounted on said base, means for receiving said web and for moving it through said base and over said mandrel, with the side of said web opposed to said release coating engaging said mandrel, said receiving means including a first roller having a surface thereon which grips the web between the roller and the mandrel, and a second roller having a surface thereon which grips the web between the roller and the mandrel with said rollers being located on diametrically opposite sides of said mandrel, supply means on said base for storing and receiving a tape having a releasable color foil on one side thereof and for moving said tape continuously over said mandrel, and means opposite said mandrel engaging said tape on the side thereof opposite said foil for applying pressure to said mandrel and urging said foil into engagement with said web for transferring said foil to said web, said pressure applying means including a rotary die having a shaft mounted on the base, a yoke on the base in which the rotary die is reciprocally mounted and spring means mounted on the yoke for applying pressure to the rotary die and means for compressing the spring.