Abstract: An improved yo-yo, having a first yo having a first inwardly facing surface; a second yo having a second inwardly facing surface, the second yo arranged in spaced apart relation to the first yo, where the first and second inwardly facing surfaces face one another; an axle secured to and arranged between the first yo and the second yo, where the first and second yos are arranged for rotation about an imaginary axis coincident with the axle; and, a first fibrous pad secured to the first inwardly facing surface.

Abstract: Yo-Yo embodiments with extended spin time and reliable initiation for rewinding of the tether are disclosed. An axle bearing of low friction or "frictionless" type is used for extended spin time. Player control of tether tension causes elastic deformation of tether diameter, especially in a tether strand wrapped around the axle bearing. Tension constricts the cross-sectional diameter of the strand, holding it free of the Yo-Yo sides; loss of tension expands the strand, engaging it laterally in clutch-like surface contact with the Yo-Yo sides. Tension in the tether and its wrapped strand under conditions of common Yo-Yo weight and ordinary play produce small variations in strand diameter. Player control of strand engagement with and disengagement form the Yo-Yo sides is assured by infinitely fine adjustment of the gap between the sides and by secure seizing of the Yo-Yo parts to fix the desired gap.

Abstract: A system for automatically fixing information bearing labels to randomly delivered articles includes: a transport for the articles; a sensor for detecting the articles as they are moved by the transport; a label source for providing labels when articles are detected; and a label transfer wheel driven at a uniform rate for fixing labels from the source to the articles. The label transfer wheel has a cylindrical surface, a stationary chamber communicating with a vacuum source, and a plurality of holes on the surface which periodically communicate with the chamber to pneumatically hold labels as they are transferred from the label source to the articles.

Abstract: A labeling system for automatically fixing information bearing labels to articles includes: a conveyor belt; means for placing articles on the conveyor belt at a variable periodic rate; a source of labels providing labels at said periodic rate; and a label transfer wheel, coupled to the drive source, for fixing each of the labels from the source to a different one of the articles. The label transfer wheel has a cylindrical surface, a stationary chamber communicating with a vacuum source, and a plurality of holes on the surface which periodically communicate with the chamber to pneumatically hold labels as they are transferred from the label source to the articles.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a covered book comprises the steps of: (a) aligning a stack of sheets to provide an edge surface; (b) fixing a protective sheet to an area, adjacent said edge surface, on the first sheet of the stack; (c) fixing an adhesive binding strip to the sheets along said edge surface, to the protective sheet, and to the last sheet of the stack; (d) wrapping the protective sheet around the edge of the stack opposite said edge surface and around the outside of the binding strip; and (e) fixing the protective sheet onto itself.

Abstract: A label transfer wheel includes a cylindrical structure having an annular cavity extending into a side thereof; an axially extending hole engageable by a rotary drive; and two circular series of holes, each hole extending radially from the cylindrical surface of the structure to a cylindrical surface bounding the cavity. A plate rotatably coupled to the structure generally covers the cavity and includes a port adapted for connection to a vacuum source. The plate is coupled to a pair of devices located within the cavity, each of the devices having a polyurethane foam seal which is in abutment with the bottom boundary of the cavity and a section of the cylindrical surface bounding the cavity to provide, in combination with the plate, a fluid tight chamber coupling the port to arcuate sets of holes of the series of holes. The devices are movable with respect to each other to permit varying the size of the chamber and the number of holes communicating therewith.

Abstract: Improved article labeling apparatus is provided in accordance with the teachings of the present invention wherein individual labels are derived from an array of printed labels and affixed to articles transported to a label applying station. The array of printed labels includes a label field and a label identifying field. The label field comprises a plurality of rows and at least one column of printed labels. The label identifying field comprises indicia associated with corresponding rows of labels, the indicia associated with a row serving to identify the information borne by a predetermined label in the associated row. The array of printed labels is adapted to be advanced to the label applying station and, concurrent with the advance of said array, the label identifying field is scanned to generate representations of the indicia.