Abstract: A tape dispensing apparatus comprising a frame, a feeding mechanism, and a wetting system. The frame has a storage area for storing tape therein. The frame also has an exit area through which tape is dispensed. The feeding mechanism is connected to the frame. The feeding mechanism feeds the tape from the storage area to the exit area. The wetting system is connected to the frame for wetting a side of the tape, and activating a moisture activated adhesive on the side of the tape. The wetting system comprises a wetting head mounted to the frame. The wetting head has a moisture releasing portion. The wetting head wets the moisture activated adhesive on the side of the tape without contact between the side of the tape and the moisture releasing portion of the wetting head.

Abstract: A system for easy opening of sealed packages. The system comprises a tape dispensing apparatus, and a tape. The tape dispensing apparatus has a cutter therein. The tape is used for sealing a seam of a package. The tape is sized and shaped for being dispensed from the tape dispensing apparatus. The tape dispensed from the dispensing apparatus has a predetermined length cut by the cutter. The predetermined length of tape has a first side with a self-adhesive section for attaching the predetermined length of tape to the package. The predetermined length of tape also includes a non-adhesive section, and a ribbon disposed on the first side of the tape section. The predetermined length of tape has a tear strip defined by the ribbon, and non-adhesive section of the first side together. The tear strip extends longitudinally along the predetermined length of tape. The tear strip ends in a pull tab for pulling the tear strip open and opening the predetermined length of tape attached to the package.

Abstract: A system for easy opening of sealed packages. The system comprises a tape dispensing apparatus, and a tape. The tape dispensing apparatus has a cutter therein. The tape is used for sealing a seam of a package. The tape is sized and shaped for being dispensed from the tape dispensing apparatus. The tape dispensed from the dispensing apparatus has a predetermined length cut by the cutter. The predetermined length of tape has a first side with a self-adhesive section for attaching the predetermined length of tape to the package. The predetermined length of tape also includes a non-adhesive section, and a ribbon disposed on the first side of the tape section. The predetermined length of tape has a tear strip defined by the ribbon, and non-adhesive section of the first side together. The tear strip extends longitudinally along the predetermined length of tape. The tear strip ends in a pull tab for pulling the tear strip open and opening the predetermined length of tape attached to the package.

Abstract: In one preferred embodiment, an automatic measuring and material length control device, including: apparatus for measuring length of an article to which a material is to applied, the apparatus for measuring being able to measure the length without contacting the article; and apparatus for receiving from the apparatus for measuring a signal representative of the length and determining a length of the material to be dispensed and providing a control signal to a dispenser of the material to dispense the length of the material.

Abstract: Supplies used with the machine include sheets with holes at intervals, first plastic strips having flexible studs at the same intervals and second strips having holes at the same intervals. The outside surface of said second strip is formed with grooves to receive the bent excess lengths of the studs. The machine has a platen supporting the sheets and a bridge supporting the second strip. The first strip is installed with the studs through the holes in the sheets and second strip. A rotating cam shaft first pulls a pressure bar against the top of the first strip to compress the sheets between the strips with a pre-determined pressure. Mounted on the cam shaft is a drum cam having a pair of grooves which receive cam followers extending from horizontally reciprocating carriages. Each carriage has a pair of bending rollers which have a path of movement immediately below the bottom surface of the second strip.

Abstract: Apparatus for retrieving data from a volatile memory in a data processing system in the event of a power supply failure. Means are provided for transferring the data to an external device. Power sensing means detects a power failure; an independent power supply is provided for maintaining the data in the memory when the power sensing means detects a power failure; timing means detects a lapse of time from the power failure; and output means transfers the data from the volatile memory to the external device when the timing means indicates that a predetermined time interval has lapsed.

Abstract: There is provided for use with a conveyor, an unloading apparatus for automatically removing a stack of sheets from a succession of shelves or bins, as in a collator, and conveying it to a desired location. The unloading apparatus includes a gripper which is adapted to advance to grip the sheets as presented on a shelf and then retract to insert the stack of sheets onto a conveyor, e.g. a tape conveyor. The gripper includes a four-bar linkage whereby the upper one of its jaws is elevated from a position beneath the plane of travel of the stack of sheets into gripping relation with the stack by a spring biased over-center action. The gripper with the stack is moved linearly onto the conveyor which takes over from the gripper to continue the movement of the stack of sheets. At the delivery end of the gripper stroke, the four-bar linkage is actuated in an opposite direction, the stack released, and the upper jaw retracted out of the path of the stack.