Abstract: A method for joining two or more items having surfaces of thermoplastic material includes the steps of depositing an electrically-conductive material upon the thermoplastic surface of at least one of the items, and then placing the other of the two items adjacent the one item so that the deposited material is in intimate contact with the surfaces of both the one and the other items. The deposited material and the thermoplastic surfaces contacted thereby are then exposed to microwave radiation so that the thermoplastic surfaces in contact with the deposited material melt, and then pressure is applied to the two items so that the melted thermoplastic surfaces fuse to one another. Upon discontinuance of the exposure to the microwave energy, and after permitting the thermoplastic surfaces to cool from the melted condition, the two items are joined together by the fused thermoplastic surfaces. The deposited material has a thickness which is preferably no greater than a skin depth, .delta..sub.

Abstract: A light-reflective decorative article is made by placing a foil sheet over a plurality of discrete, shaped particles of synthetic plastic material, thereupon fixing portions of the foil sheet on upper surfaces of the particles, and thereupon peeling the foil sheet off the particles but leaving behind the fixed foil sheet portions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laminating a protective overcoat carried on a web to an image carrying medium is particularly useful for covering an image carrying medium having a large area. A hot roller and an actively cooled cold roller form a nip through which the web and image carrying medium advance in a juxtaposed relationship. A temperature differential is created across the layers of the web and medium to promote adhesion between the surface of the protective overcoat and the image while preventing lamination artifacts such as curling and rippling. Postwrap and prewrap angles are used to enhance control of artifacts and assist in post lamination separation of the overcoated image carrying medium from residual web material.

Abstract: A dispersed dye sublimation imaging method of a substrate includes a pre-conditioning step, before the substrate is imaged, which uses controlled heat and humidity. The pre-conditioning step, by raising the surface energy levels of the substrate and thermally stabilizing the substrate before pressured contact in the imaging zone, allows for more precise control of dye sublimation during image. Pre-conditioning also allows: the use of higher temperature dyes; the use of higher temperatures and shorter dwell times in the imaging zone; and/or the use of lower imaging temperatures. The pre-conditioning also provides for greater migration and penetration of the dispersed dye into the surface of the substrate being imaged. The shorter dwell time and thermally stabilized pre-conditioned substrate also reduces movement between the substrate and dye carrier device, which provides for increased resolution of the imaged substrate.

Abstract: A rear surface emission type light emitting diode emits light beams produced at a narrow emanating region out of the rear surface of the substrate. Preferably a device chip should be directly equipped with a lens on the rear surface. A plurality of light emitting devices with a package are laid on an XY-stage which can move in an XY-plane. A camera, a dispenser and a vacuum collet can transfer in Z-direction. The distances and the directions among the camera, the dispenser and the collet are predetermined values. The chip is actually examined by letting it emit light beams from the emanating region. The light is observed by the camera to obtain light power distribution on individual pixels. From the light power, the center of the emanating region is determined. The XY-stage is displaced till the center of the emanating region coincides with the center of the camera. Then the XY-stage is moved by the predetermined distance to send the chip just beneath the dispenser.

Abstract: An image is permanently transferred to a substrate having a cotton component, or other component which is absorbent or porous, from a medium printed with the image by a computer driven printer. A polymer surface preparation material is printed by the computer driven printer onto the medium and over the image without printing the material substantially beyond the margins of the image and onto unprinted portions of the medium. The image is transferred from the medium to the substrate by applying sufficient heat and pressure to the medium to transfer the ink and the surface preparation material, with the surface preparation material bonding the ink to the substrate.

Abstract: A device for applying sealing labels to containers defined partially by two parallel faces and by a further face connecting the two parallel faces; the device including a conveying device for feeding containers to a labeling station, and a supply device for supplying labels and presenting at least one retaining device for retaining two opposite end portions of the label; the conveying device consisting of a conveyor for successively conveying the containers with the further face downstream in relation to the traveling direction of the conveyor; and an actuating device being provided for moving the retaining device between a position, assumed at least at the labeling station, of interference with the path of each container on the conveyor, and a position of noninterference with the aforementioned path.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 applies segments of adhesive tape 14 to workpieces 20. A supply station 24 provides the continuous strip of tape 14. An application station 28 forces the continuous strip of adhesive tape 14 against successive workpieces 20 as each workpiece 20 and the continuous strip of adhesive tape 14 are moved relative to the application station 28. Two stop mechanisms 120 and 166 are provided. A mover 102 moves first and second workpieces 20a and 20b which are interconnected by a portion of the continuous strip of tape 14 until and end of the second workpiece 20b engages the first stop mechanism 120. A first sever mechanism 124 severs the continuous strip of tape 14. A second mover 214 moves the first workpiece 20a until the end of the first workpiece 20a engages the second stop mechanism 166. A second sever mechanism 170 severs a segment of tape associated with the first workpiece 20a from a trailing segment of tape.

Abstract: An adhesive for a printed circuit board which consists essentially of a dispersion of a resin which is soluble in an alkaline oxidizing agent after curing in a resin matrix which is sparingly soluble in an alkaline oxidizing agent after curing, and a process for producing a printed circuit board using the above adhesive.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for decorating articles having at least a generally conical surface portion with a decoration on a stamping foil, the foil passes around a guide roller as it is fed towards the stamping roller for applying a decoration on the foil to the surface portion of the article. The guide roller is displaced by a drive means along an arcuate guide means into a position adapted to the respective rotary angular position of the article to be decorated. The drive means for driving the stamping roller is inoperable to drive same during the stamping operation so that the stamping roller is only driven by frictional engagement during the stamping operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for the processing and segmenting of a cover-forming laminate web or sheeting structure which is adapted to interconnect a plurality of containers, such as the base members of blister packages each of which is designed to contain a hydrophilic contact lens in a sterile aqueous solution. More specifically disclosed is an apparatus for the imprinting, perforating, slitting and cutting the laminated web structure such that the severed laminate segments constitute printed covering label for an array of such containers, and whereby the laminated web or sheeting segment may be severed along weakening or perforation lines so as to provide a separable packaging arrangement for individual of the containers which are subsequently adhered thereto.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive coating for reducing seal is applied to an exposed surface of a pressure-activated adhesive. The coating is preferably deposited on the exposed surface of the adhesive by decomposition of a decomposable precursor in the presence of plasma. The employed decomposable precursor may include a hydrocarbon gas whereby an amorphous layer of interconnected carbon atoms is deposited on the surface of the adhesive, or a silicone-containing compound whereby the deposited coating is an amorphous layer of interconnected silicone and oxygen atoms.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) applies adhesive tape to workpieces. A nest plate (52) receives a workpiece (20). A clamp plate (53) holds the workpiece (20) relative to said nest plate (52). A stage (73) holds a leading portion of a continuous tape (12). A first mover (58) moves the nest plate (52) and the workpiece (20) relative to the stage (73) and the tape (12) to engage the workpiece (20) with the leading portion of the tape (12) and affix the leading portion of the tape (12) to the workpiece (20). A second mover (45) moves said nest plate (52), the workpiece (20) and the affixed portion of the tape (12) relative to the stage (73). A sever mechanism (62) severs the affixed portion of the tape from a remaining portion of the tape (12). The clamp plate (52) releases the workpiece (20). A third mover (87) moves the workpiece (20) and the affixed portion of the tape (12) relative to said nest plate (52) to remove the workpiece (20) from said nest plate (52).

Abstract: Paperboard packaging for non-refrigerated liquid products and for dry products contains a buried polyvinyl alcohol copolymer (PVOH) barrier layer which has a low oxygen permeability particularly at low relative humidity, and outer heat-sealable surfaces which provide good resistance to moisture penetration and a means for fabricating the packaging.

Abstract: As a method for producing a tile carpet having a a lining layer, there is provided a means for obtaining a tile carpet superior in the uniformity of thickness and adhesion of the lining layer and also superior in all of standing stability, shape and dimensional stability and durability, in high applicability of a sealing material in carpet cloth and a lining material and that in high production efficiency. The method of the present invention for producing such tile carpet comprises applying a heat-melted, amorphous olefin polymer composition (11) onto a travelling endless belt (3), then laminating onto this coating surface a carpet cloth (1) which has been sealed beforehand with an amorphous olefin polymer composition (7), to obtain an integral laminate, thereafter cooling the laminate forcibly using a cooling plate (14), separating the laminate from the endless belt (3) and cutting it into a tile shape.

Abstract: A laminating apparatus is disclosed which is particularly suited to mount holograms on plastic cards. The apparatus comprises a planar support supporting the work pieces to be laminated. A press stamp has a shape of a sector of a circular cylinder wall and is driven by means of a special gear to perform a hobbing motion along the to-be-laminated area.

Abstract: Tools for finishing joints at flat surfaces or corners of wallboard walls after adhesive and tape have been applied are attached to the applicator tool by a rotatable yoke connection near the roller of the applicator so that the finishing tool will follow the applicator tool. The finishing tool includes a roller rotatable about an axle for embedding tape into the adhesive. Frame structure rotatably supported on the roller axle is provided with trowel means having a working surface moving parallel to the wallboard surface and placed close to the roller, at least on the sides, to spread adhesive pressed from under the tape back over the tape. Finishing means attached to the frame structure to follow the trowel collects the excess adhesive and distributes it in a smooth surface generally in the plane of the wallboard, filling in any voids left by trowel action. A cylindrical roller is used for joints in flat wallboard.

Abstract: A surface or a surface portion of an article of manufacture is covered with paint or lacquer by applying a prefabricated lacquer or paint carrier to the surface or surface portion. The paint or lacquer carrier has a substrate, for example, in the form of a flexible polyester film which is preferably provided with an adhesion enhancer on one surface prior to the application of the lacquer or paint to the one surface. The so prepared carrier is then arranged on and bonded to the surface or surface portion, for example, by an adhesive bonding. Various articles of manufacture can be painted or lacquered in the manner including entire vehicle body parts.

Abstract: A plurality of glass plates 10 are stacked in a block form without forming gaps between adjacent glass plates while the stacked glass plates are separable; the stacked glass plates are cut off in a circular shape or a doughnut-like shape in a block; and then, the processed glass plates are separated. According to this method, tipping which may result when glass plates are processed individually can be prevented whereby processing is easy, and productivity is improved.

Abstract: An automotive door trim panel includes a carpet face panel that is electromagnetically welded to the lower portion of a thermoplastic substrate. The thermoplastic substrate is prepared by depositing metal particles on a bond surface of the thermoplastic substrate. Direct current is applied to the coil of an electromagnet disposed beneath the substrate to hold the metal particles on the bond surface. A molded-to-shape carpet face panel is then pressed against the mold surface while alternating current is applied to the coil of the electromagnet to electromagnetically weld the carpet face panel to the thermoplastic substrate.