Patent ID: 8100253

Claim:
An apparatus for transferring one or more articles from a first carrier moving at a first speed to a second carrier moving at a second speed that is different than the first speed, the apparatus comprising: a support member comprising a vacuum manifold, and an endless track defining an arcuate perimeter; a carrier member movably engaged with the support member and movable with respect to the endless track, the carrier member comprising an outer surface configured to receive the one or more articles from the first carrier in a receiving zone and configured to deposit the one or more articles onto the second carrier in an application zone, an aperture in the outer surface, and a channel in fluid communication with the aperture and configured to be in fluid communication with the vacuum manifold; and a linear motor positioned at least on the support member, wherein the linear motor is operably engaged with the carrier member and is configured to move the carrier member relative to the endless track, wherein the linear motor is configured to move the outer surface of the carrier member at a third speed through the receiving zone and at a fourth speed through the application zone, and wherein the third speed is different than the fourth speed.