Abstract: There is disclosed a control device for a sleeve label forming and applying machine of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,496, for labelling bottles, which controls the number of sleeves being fabricated to correspond with the number of bottles going through the machine. The control includes a pivoted switch arm across the bottle path at the outlet from a timing worm loading bottles into the machine. The arm when engaged by a bottle actuates its switch in the control circuit for engaging and disengaging the power drive means operating the supply of the label stock to the sleeve fabricating mechanism of the machine. The first bottle and every bottle into the machine is assured to receive a sleeve label, and the last bottle receives the last sleeve label fabricated.

Abstract: A compact machine for measuring, cutting and applying insulation blanket material onto sheet metal workpieces as they flow along a conveyorized lower line. The blanket material flows along an upper path. A flying shear mechanism, which travels a short distance along this path, is driven downstream when the trailing edge of a workpiece is sensed. Rack and sector mechanism brings the shear to an incisive stop at its downstream cutting position when the shear blade strikes its cutting block; hence the kinetic energy of the downstream movement is utilized for shearing. The shear remains in downstream position, to serve as a gage for starting the blanket material, until a sensor in the lower flow path senses the leading edge of the next sheet metal workpiece; this raises the shear blade and moves the shear mechanism to upstream position. A pneumatic system accurately times the cut-off mechanism to match the shearing of the blanket material to the length of the workpiece, leaving a margin if desired.

Abstract: The variable resist laminator receives a heated panel between two identical vacuum bails and the leading edge of a web of photoresist material is placed on opposite sides of the panel simultaneously prior to feeding the panel and attached webs between a pair of application rolls. Identical cutter mechanisms shear the webs into sheets of the desired length and the length may be varied for different length panels. Vacuum means are provided for maintaining control of the trailing edges of the cut sheets until they are applied to the panel to prevent the formation of wrinkles or other defects due to premature application. Vacuum means is also provided for removing flakes or debris as the webs are sheared. A gated conveyor system feeds the panels and the conveyor system has means for controlling the operation of the vacuum bails, the cutters, and the application rolls.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding and applying a length of an adhesive tape to a reusable envelope closure. Tape is fed from a supply roll by a draw roll which is in contact with the adhesive surface of the tape to frictionally advance the tape between a stationary knife blade and a rotary knife blade. The tape is cut to a desired length by the cooperating edges of the knife blades and delivered to a vacuum roll which transports the cut length of tape to the envelope and presses it onto the envelope to form a part of the reusable closure. A cooperating convex and concave roller forms the tape into a V prior to it being cut to rigidify it as it is cut. Means are also provided to vary the length of tape which is cut and to stop operation of the apparatus upon sensing the absence of an envelope beneath the apparatus.

Abstract: A split labeling apparatus and method for cutting and transferring pairs of individual labels from a double label web in preparation for separate, simultaneous application to product surfaces. The double label web is provided in roll form, is advanced through divider means for splitting the web into like longitudinal strips, and on to a cut-off means where a pair of individual labels are simultaneously removed, one from each strip. The cut-off means includes a cutting blade which prevents the strips from twisting. Each pair of cut labels is transferred from the cutting location by a pair of label separators which spread the labels apart during transfer. A second, simultaneously operating, anti-twist cutting blade is included to remove any periodically occurring scrap section from the web.