Abstract: A machine uses a method for producing a cup from an outer shell and inner cup. For this purpose, the machine includes first holding devices that are arranged on a first rotatably housed star- or wheel-like holding device carrier, and second holding devices arranged on a second rotatably housed star- or wheel-like holding device carrier. Further, a first working station arranged at least in the region of the first holding devices for carrying out first working steps and at least one second working station arranged in the region of the second holding devices for carrying out second working steps are provided. Finally, the machine includes a transfer station for transferring a finished outer shell from a first holding device to a second holding device.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for forming an insulated rotor conductor by bonding an insulating material onto a single side of a flat electrical conductor under controlled heat and mechanical pressure. The rotor conductor is suitable for assembly into the rotor assembly of a rotating electrical machine such as an alternating current generator. The apparatus includes modules to facilitate easy relocation within a manufacturing environment and to make efficient use of available manufacturing space. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention realizes an automated system which automatically performs all processes including an inputting process, a bonding process, and a punching process using a robot in manufacturing an integrated part of an MEA and GDLs. Accordingly, with the automated system, it is possible to improve productivity and ensure consistent product quality.

Abstract: An interface block (300) carries a removable electrical connection (310, 312) that can be quickly connected and removed from a high speed machine for picking and placing electronic components. The interface block is attached to a vacuum ported tool changer (200) which further couples to a heated end effector (100) to create a removable heated nozzle assembly (50). The entire assembly can be easily plugged into and removed from a high speed placement machine.

Abstract: A swivel mount is configured for use with a tamp pad for a label applicator of the type for receiving a label at a first retracted position and applying the label to an object at a second, extended position. The mount includes a mounting block for fastening to the tamp pad. The mounting block has a bore therein having an inner, open cross-sectional region and a retaining region. A knuckle fitting is received within the bore and is engageable with the retaining region. The knuckle fitting has a largest cross-sectional area that is larger than the open cross-sectional area of the retaining region such that a portion of the knuckle fitting is retained within the bore. A spring is positioned to provide a force against the knuckle fitting against the retaining region. The mount permits movement of the tamp pad from an orientation perpendicular to a direction of movement between the retracted and extended positions to an orientation inclined relative to the direction of movement.

Abstract: A replaceable heated end effector (100) can be quickly connected and disconnected to a vacuum ported tool changer (199) on a high speed machine for picking and placing electronic components. The modular end effector is made up of an adapter flange (110), a heater plate (120) and a heated tip (130). The heater plate contains one or more heating elements (410) to heat up the tip. The upper side (112) of the adapter flange mates with the vacuum ported tool changer so as to be easily removable. The adapted flange also has electrical contacts (142) to supply power to the heating elements on the heater plate. The heated tip has a vacuum pickup portion (132) that is designed to pick up the electronic components (198) and heat them while they are being transported to the placement location. There are holes or apertures (115, 125, 135) in the adapter flange, the heater plate and the heated tip that port the vacuum from the tool changer to the vacuum pickup tip.

Abstract: A method and unit for applying labels to packets of cigarettes, traveling in a given direction along a first path with a given spacing and arranged a given distance apart, provide for feeding a gripping head along a second path, and applying each label to a first face of a respective packet by inserting the gripping head between one packet and the adjacent following packet to roll the gripping head and apply the label along the first face, which is perpendicular to the given direction. (FIG.

Abstract: A modeling apparatus for producing a model by lamination of sheet material including a support platform which can be raised and lowered, a sheet feed mechanism for feeding sheet material over the platform, a superstructure mounted over the platform, a cutting mechanism for cutting the sheet material to form shaped portions, an adhesive applicator for applying adhesive to the shaped portions, and a control mechanism.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is capable of securely removing air from a space between the cover glass and a slide glass and securely locating a damaged part of a specimen outside of a visual field of a microscope. One end of the cover glass is held by a sucking pad, which is provided to an arm capable of rotating and vertically moving. Then, cover glass is obliquely held in a state. The one end of the cover glass is located on the upper side with respect to the other end thereof. A position of a rotational axis of the arm is moved to a position under the slide glass, and the arm is rotaed to make the other end of the cover glass contact the slide glass and curve the cover glass, and the one end of the cover glass is gradually moved toward the slide glass.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a cutter includes a cutter cylinder that has a cutter blade on a peripheral surface thereof. The cutter blade extends in a longitudinal direction. A rotary die cutter has a receiving cylinder on a peripheral surface thereof to receive the cutter blade. A sheet conveying device is provided for feeding a nonmetallic sheet between the cutter cylinder and the receiving cylinder of the rotary die cutter at a speed synchronous with that of the cutter blade. An inverting device is also provided for pulling back the sheet after the tip portion thereof is severed by action of the cutter cylinder and the rotary die cutter.

Abstract: Apparatus for delivering successive lowermost strip- or sheet-shaped commodities, such as labels, from a stack of commodities to a conveyor employs a rotary and reciprocable transfer member which pneumatically removes successive lowermost commodities from the stack, pneumatically attracts the commodities during transfer from the stack, and ceases to attract the commodities upon arrival at a station where the commodities are taken over by the pneumatically operated conveyor, such as an indexible or continuously driven rotary drum-shaped conveyor. The transfer member is reciprocated between the magazine and the conveyor by a reciprocable carriage which further serves to reciprocate a fluid flow regulating member acting as a valve to establish and interrupt the flow of air from one or more inlets of the transfer member to a suction generating device. The movements of various mobile constituents of the apparatus are synchronized, and such constituents can receive motion from a common prime mover.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for sticking a sheet material on a screen of a picture tube without scratching the surface of the sheet material. In this apparatus for sticking a sheet material on the screen of a picture tube with an adhesive, the picture tube is conveyed while a sheet material (2), to which an adhesive is applied on one face, being pressed on the screen of the picture tube by a pressure roller (80), and the sheet material is gradually transferred from a sheet material transferring member (12) to the screen of the picture tube. The sheet material transferring member (12) comprises a box member (32) in which one face is opened and a sucking mouth is formed, and a sucking belt (38) which is arranged to block the whole open face of the box member, provided with a large number of through holes for sucking the sheet material, and is supported in such a manner as to be movable along a conveying direction of the picture tube in the box member.

Abstract: A device that continuously applies self-adhesive handles to moving articles using a pivotable paddle that can rotate approximately 180 degrees from a vertical stopped position. The rotation of the paddle is synchronized with the movement of the articles so that an adhesive tape can be applied to a moving article by placing a first end of the tape on a downstream face of the article, and a second end of the tape is applied to an upstream face of the article, thereby forming a handle on the article. Clamps are used to temporarily connect the paddle to the tape as well as pull the tape while a knife is used for cutting the tape.

Abstract: An automated apparatus and method for sealing an edge region of a planar material ply includes a central controller and at least one platform. The automated apparatus and method further employs a mechanism for picking a single planar material ply in addition to a mechanism for moving the single planar material ply to the platform. The automated apparatus and method includes a sealing device which seals the edge region of the planar material ply where the sealing device provides a fluid to a predetermined focused region within the edge region. The fluid substantially shrinks and melts strands in the focused region of the planar material ply.

Abstract: An improved labeler includes a housing and a bellows drive gear and cassette drive sprocket spaced apart and each rotatably supported in the housing. A stepper motor is mounted in the housing and has an output shaft. A first drive gear is affixed to the shaft and engages the bellows drive gear. A second drive gear is affixed to the shaft. A drive train is interposed between and engages the second gear and the cassette drive sprocket. The stepper motor is positioned between the bellows drive sprocket and the cassette drive sprocket whereby the footprint of the labeler is minimized. Each individual bellows has a marker. A position sensor detects each of the markers. A first sensor detects a fruit. The stepper motor is responsive to the fruit sensor to advance the bellows wheel in response to detection of a fruit.

Abstract: An improved labeler includes a housing and a bellows drive gear and cassette drive sprocket spaced apart and each rotatably supported in the housing. A stepper motor is mounted in the housing and has an output shaft. A first drive gear is affixed to the shaft and engages the bellows drive gear. A second drive gear is affixed to the shaft. A drive train is interposed between and engages the second gear and the cassette drive sprocket. The stepper motor is positioned between the bellows drive sprocket and the cassette drive sprocket whereby the footprint of the labeler is minimized.

Abstract: A method for reorienting labels prior to their application, comprises moving containers through a packaging process, picking up labels with vacuum applicator heads, moving the labels by a translator mechanism to the containers at the same speed as that of the moving containers and simultaneously rotating applicator heads 90.degree. by means of a rack and pinion gear drive and stationary cam, entering the container where the labels are blown off the vacuum grid on the applicator heads and onto the inside of the containers and returning to the first position and continuously repeating the process.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically attaching cover slips (27) to microscope slides (26) having specimens for microscopic examination, including a first magazine (1) receiving a plurality of slides (26), a means (10) for feeding one slide (26) at a time from the magazine (1) to a station (32) for application of adhesive, and a means (34) for placing a cover slip on a slide provided with adhesive.

Abstract: A method for assembling windshield assemblies for vehicles includes a conveyor for delivering at least two plys of glass to an assembly station, a first robot for lifting one of the two plys from the conveyor, a second robot for gripping and removing at least one adhesive sheet from a stack of adhesive sheets and placing the removed adhesive sheet adjacent the other one of the two plys, whereby the first robot places the one of the two plys adjacent the removed adhesive sheet to assemble the windshield assembly. The step of removing a top adhesive sheet from the stack of adhesive sheets includes moving a knife along an edge of the top adhesive sheet to separate the edge of the top sheet from the next lower sheet in the stack. Alternatively, a blade is moved along a longitudinal length of the top sheet to separate it from the next lower sheet in the stack.

Abstract: A windshield assembly system for assembling windshield assemblies for vehicles includes a conveyor for delivering at least two plys of glass to an assembly station, a first robot for lifting one of the two plays from the conveyor, a second robot for gripping and removing at least one adhesive sheet from a stack of adhesive sheets and placing the removed adhesive sheet adjacent the other one of the two plys, whereby the first robot places the one of the two plys adjacent the removed adhesive sheet to assemble the windshield assembly. The apparatus includes a sheet edge separator such as a knife or blade movable along a longitudinal edge of the top sheet for separating at least a portion of the top sheet from the stack of adhesive sheets.

Abstract: A continuous motion apparatus for installing handles onto cartons includes a handle dispenser and a handle conveyor. The handle conveyor comprises a track associated with an overhead belt in a pronged pick-up arm. The pick-up arm inserts through a handle and carries a handle to a surface of the carton, where a pair of rollers in a curved plow engage the handle and force it from the pick-up arm. The arm rotates in time sequence with the belt.

Abstract: A die paste transfer system wherein a first layer of bonding paste is transfer to a surface of the die as the die moves through the paste station in a controlled manner. The control for the transport controls orientation which the die passes through the paste station and the orientation of the die at the bonding site. The height of the die is varied as it passes through a second layer of paste. The speed at which the die and the second layer of bonding paste move well to each other is also adjusted to produce the desired thickness of the first layer on the die. Shear is produced in the second layer to affect transfer of the bonding paste from the reservoir to the die. For larger dies, the die may enter and leave the paste more than once to produce individual plateaus spaced from the edge of the die.

Abstract: A sheet separating device for removing an uppermost sheet of an adhesive pad containing a plurality of such sheets includes a housing; a support plate for holding the pad, resiliently biased in an upward direction. A sheet separator mechanism is movable in forward and reward directions, includes a frame, a pick wheel mounted for rotation within the frame, and a knife blade having a closed periphery opening therein defined in part by at least one entry projection, wherein the pick wheel is located ahead of the at least one entry projection of the knife blade in the forward direction such that, in use, the pick wheel lifts an edge of the uppermost sheet extending transverse to the forward direction, and the at least one entry projection of the knife blade then moves between the uppermost sheet and a next underlying sheet as the uppermost sheet passes through the closed periphery opening.

Abstract: An in-mold labelling system for automatically applying labels to the interior of blow mold halves prior to the placement of preforms within such blow mold halves; the preforms are blown to form containers with a label attached thereto. The labelling system is mounted on a rotating drum having a plurality of blow mold sets. A label magazine is also mounted on the drum and preferably carries two stacks of labels. Associated with each label stack is a support shaft having at one end a transverse arm which, in turn, carries a suction cup for pick-up and deposit of the label. The other end of the support shaft extends through a drive mechanism for rotating the support shaft so as to swing the transverse arm to a first position for label pick-up from the magazine and then to a second position for label deposit in the blow mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for laminating sheet material having a width together with at least one laminate web material having an adhesive coating on one side thereof. The laminating machine has upper and lower laminating rolls for producing therebetween a continuous laminated web comprising the sheet material and the web material fed between the laminating rolls. A laminate web material supply supplies material to the laminating rolls. Die cutting apparatus separates the continuous laminated web from the laminating rolls into individual laminated sheets, and an output area stacks the individual laminated sheets after they are separated. Apparatus is provided for pressing substantially the entire width of a marginal portion of a piece of sheet material to be laminated to the adhesive coating on the laminate web material.

Abstract: Label applier of an automatically operated label applying system is selectively controlled by a machine operator to rotate self-adhesive labels to any of a variety of different angular orientations in response to interception of a driving bevel gear at a predetermined position. A driven pinion gear which carries a vacuum wand with a vacuum gripper on an end thereof rotates the wand and label to any one of 90, 180 or 270 degrees, depending on which of three intercepting pins is activated under selective control of an operator. In the event no intercepting pin is activated, the drive gear rotates through the same angle as its supporting shaft and effectively avoids rotation of the driven gear and turning of the label. The label applier is remotely controlled by automatic means, thereby avoiding the necessity to make manual changes to the applier each time a new angular orientation becomes necessary.

Abstract: The container labeler (2) includes broadly a container conveyor (8) and one or more label applying assemblies (4,6). The label applying assembly includes a label supply hopper (10) which stores a stack of labels (16), a transfer assembly (24) which removes labels one-at-a-time from the label supply hopper, a drive assembly (50) which drives the label from the transfer assembly to an adhesive application assembly (62), and a label pressing member (76) which presses against a container (12) on the container conveyor (78) to form a nip (74). The adhesive application assembly applies adhesive to the back of the label and delivers the label to the nip. The container conveyor includes rotating pedestals (96) upon which the containers rest so that the label from the adhesive applying assembly is applied to the container by the movement of the label into the nip and the rotation of the container.

Abstract: In an improved machine for applying self-adhesive labels to bottles, of the type in which a set of rotating segments (1) carried on vertical shafts (7) are cycled between a magazine and a transfer station by a revolving platform (8), the design of the segment features a surface (6) with a matrix of finely pointed projections (3) by which labels are picked up from their gummed side and supported temporarily with a minimum of surface contact, such that the adhesive properties of the label remain essentially unaffected by handling.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for applying a part, e.g., a guide plate, onto a cartridge. A plurality of two-sided adhesive pieces are provided on a tape and, while each piece is intermittently positioned, a part is attached thereon. The part having an adhesive piece attached to it is then attached to a cartridge. The cartridge is held in a support which is capable of rotating the cartridge upside down to allow a second part to be attached to the other side of the cartridge.

Abstract: Coverings are applied to a surface by means of a member capable of temporarily holding the covering and urging it against the surface with adhesive interposed between the covering and the surface. The covering may be held by the member by means of suction and be urged against the surface by air pressure. The member may be mounted on a first articulated arm whose movement can be controlled by an operator who may be situated on a working platform mounted on a second articulated arm. The covering may be an acoustic tile for application to the surface of a submarine hull.

Abstract: Device for placing films with a specific format in a machine for moulding an object, said films designed to at least partly coat the lateral surface and one extremity face of said object. This device includes:a first magazine (7) containing a plurality of first films (8) each intended to coat one extremity face of said object,a second magazine (9) containing a plurality of second films (10) each intended to coat the lateral surface of said object,a member (14) having an external shape corresponding to that of the object to be coated and able to take from said first (7) and second (9) magazines first (8) and second (10) films,first (24,35) and second (21,36) means to apply and keep in place said first (8) and second (10) films against said member (14), andmeans (27,28) to convey said taking member (14) from the matrix (6) of said machine.

Abstract: A wafer mounting device for automatically adhering wafers individually on a polishing plate surface for polishing the surface of the wafers. The wafers are stacked in a wafer cassette and are taken out from the wafer cassette one-by-one, and transferred to an adhesive coating section of the device by a wafer carrying means. The surface of each of the wafers is coated with an adhesive wax in a coating section. Afterward the adhesive coated wafers are carried out from the coating section by the carrying means. The wafers are taken out from the carrying means and the surfaces thereof are reversed by a reverse chuck means. The polishing plate is disposed in a position automatically where the reversed wafers arrive, and the wafers are automatically adhered onto the surface of the polishing plate.

Abstract: The invention is an automatic skin taping machine for use in applying a protective coating to sheets of material, especially aluminum. The machine comprises a main frame, a transfer car movable within the main frame, an applicator that uniformly applies the coating to the sheet of material by moving over the surface of the sheet, a retainer that immobilizes the sheet of material while the applicator is applying the coating, and a vacuum lift system for transferring the sheet of material from an application position to a storage position. In a preferred embodiment, the application includes a floating roller and a squeegee device.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a labelling mechanism for a weigh/price labelling apparatus comprising a device (10) which supplies printed self-adhesive labels on a backing strip (11) around a stripper block (12) to feed labels onto a temporary holder (13) on which a label is held by vacuum ports in the holder. A label transfer device (16) comprises a carrier (17) mounted for rotary movement on an eccentric drive mechanism (18). Rotation of the drive mechanism moves the carrier (17) from a label receiving position adjacent the holder (13) to a label delivery position for delivering a label to an article. The carrier includes a pad (42) having ports (47) to which vacuum or air pressure can be supplied to hold a label to or discharge a label from the pad.

Abstract: Die attach pickup tools for relocating a flexible die attach. The pickup tools comprise a head portion connected to an end portion. The head portions have a face for contacting a die attach and at least one hole in the face. Passage means extend from the hole(s) through the tool for connection to a vacuum source.

Abstract: A system for applying folded outserts to conveyed products utilizing a pressure sensitive tape for transportation from the magazine type hopper to the products. The tape with a pressure sensitive adhesive is routed in front of the outfeed of the outsert hopper. A reciprocating tape tamping device and vacuum manifold mounted on an air cylinder are used to first bump the adhesive-coated tape in contact with the outsert and then withdraw the outsert from the hopper. The withdrawal occurs after the initial precise placement of the outsert to the tape. The method of withdrawal requires further forward movement of a pair of bellow style cups which contact the outsert after adhesion. The initiation of vacuum on contact and termination on withdrawal permit the outsert to be retained individually on the tape. The outsert is then indexed forward where it is transferred to a conveyed product.

Abstract: In the forming of an article by blow molding parisons into conformity with cavities wherein parisons in the form of tubes are extruded from an extruder into a plurality of neck molds on a head, the head is moved axially away from the extruder to define the parisons and then an array of mold sections are closed about the parisons and the parisons are blown outwardly, the apparatus for applying labels to the hollow blown plastic articles which comprises a vacuum slide mounted for indexing movement adjacent a source of labels for successively removing labels from a source to provide an array of labels on the slide and label pick up and delivery devices on the head for simultaneously removing the array of labels from the vacuum slide and delivering the array of labels to the array of cavities of the mold sections when the head is moved between the mold sections.

Abstract: A label transferring apparatus useable for in-mold label application. In a first embodiment, a transfer device is mounted on a linear actuator having a piston rod extending out a first end and carrying the label transfer device and extending out the other end whereat it is supported on a track means. A stack of labels is supplied by corresponding two pairs of magazines located at a first radial position. In a second embodiment the linear actuator is mounted so as to be cantilevered back over the forward end of the piston and cylinder which comprises the linear actuator. In this embodiment the piston and cylinder may be shortened by excluding that portion of the piston rod extending out the other end of the cylinder.

Abstract: A labeling robot system comprises a suction plate which uses vacuum action to pick up an adhesive label by its printed surface. Air cylinders operated by compressed air orient and move the suction plate to the object to be labeled to stick the label thereon, and limit switches linked to a sequence controller define the limit of the strokes and the degree of turning involved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the laminating of glass is described. Glass sheets are transported by a gantry which places the sheet on a workstation. The glass sheet is allowed to dish and a second sheet is placed over the first sheet after depositing a resin on the first sheet. The trolley and the workstation from a press to complete the lamination process.

Abstract: This relates to a label separator which is operative to separate a foremost label from a stack of labels in advance of such label being picked by a picker so as to assure that only one label is picked at a time and that the other labels in a stack of labels will not be disturbed. One end or edge portion of a foremost label is displaced relative to the remainder of the stack and after a gap has been formed between the displaced label and the next adjacent label in the stack, a blade enters in between these two labels so as to separate completely the foremost label from the remaining labels in the stack. The apparatus which effects the initial displacement has associated therewith a label support whereby the displaced label remains supported in its original alignment for reception by the picker.

Abstract: A tape splicing mechanism is disclosed which is particularly adapted for splicing leader tape to the magnetic tape of a video cassette. The tape splicing mechanism includes a holder for a reel of adhesive tape which is drawn off and fed past a splice transfer block (13) and a fixed block (8) to a splice transfer pad (11) at the end of an arm (15) on a carriage (16); the two blocks (8,13) and the pad (11) have faces with apertures acting as suction faces which act to hold a length of tape secured by a cutter in position during transfer; the carriage reciprocates parallel to the arm between a retracted position and an application position, at which latter the arm is pressed transverse its length by an applicator actuator (9) to press the length of adhesive tape, held on the pad (11) by the vacuum, against the tape to be spliced.

Abstract: A tag assembling machine feeds tag bodies and tag ties from opposite directions along a lineal path into a centralized work station in predetermined alignment for assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the work station includes a welding apparatus for bonding the tag tie to the tag body.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a succession of lithographically-printed self-adhesive labels on a length of release backing material. A plurality of sheets carrying a desired image are lithographically produced. Each of the lithographically-printed sheets is successively adhered to a support web comprising a self-adhesive backed material carried on a release material. The printed sheets are adhered to the upper surface of the adhesive backed material. A cutter cuts through the adhered lithographic sheets and through the adhesive-backed material as far as the release material to form the required labels. A removal device removes the unwanted portions of the printed sheets and the adhesive-backed material adhered thereto from the release material.

Abstract: An integrally formed ratchet (90) and star wheel (95) is disclosed which rotates in unison with a tape applicator wheel (85). Eccentrically formed fingers (96a-d) cooperate with a downwardly facing wall to align and position applicator wheel (85) into correct position after each reciprocation of the splicer (30). Correct alignment is essential because a cutter blade 127 cuts the tape on the applicator wheel into pre-determined lengths by passing through a notch (104) in applicator wheel (85). Misalignment of the applicator wheel (85) may cause blade (127) to impact the applicator wheel (85) itself, damaging or destroying it.

Abstract: Components such as lids (9) and electronic chip carriers (10) are assembled by registering respective mating faces of each component. An array of assembly stations (75) are formed on an upwardly extending edge (67) of a base (66) having a special inclination. For example, a lid (9) is supported with its mating face upturned and a carrier (10) is supported with its mating face downturned upon the upturned face of the lid (9) on the base (66). The inclination causes the components to slide relative to each other and the base in a given direction within each station (75). A plate (92) overlies a plate (72), supported on and inclined with the base (66). Plate (72) has an opening (74) and plate (92) has an overlying opening (94) to each station (75). The openings (74) and (94) have respective reference edges for stopping sliding of, and thereby positioning an upturned lid (9) and a downturned carrier ( 10) thereupon with a desired registration.

Abstract: This invention provides a multi-outlet adapter for conversion of at least one source of pressure or vacuum to a multiplicity of outlets of the source(s). The adapter comprises at least two abutting blocks. The pressure and/or vacuum sources are connected to aperture(s) in a surface of the first of the blocks. These aperture(s) terminate in first depression(s) in the opposite face of the first block. The depression(s) in the first block communicate directly with a multiplicity of apertures in the abutting face of the second block which apertures in turn terminate on the opposing face of the second block in a multiplicity of second depressions which constitute the pressure or vacuum outlets.The adapter has particular application in self-adhesive label applicators in which a third block preferably abuts the second block and comprises a grid formed from a multiplicity of apertures which each communicate with the second depression(s). The grid of apertures thus resolves the outlets into greater detail.

Abstract: This relates to a pneumatic feed system for moving a labeler head of a labeling apparatus for depositing labels in mold halves of a blow molding apparatus. The relatively heavy labeler head must be rapidly accelerated and then rapidly decelerated and at the same time moved sufficiently so as to provide for a large number of back and forth cycles per minute. There is provided in association with compressible shock absorbers a pneumatic system including a high pressure supply and a low pressure supply together with throttle valves such that the gas in the unpressurized end of the cylinder is rapidly compressed near the end of the stroke to function as a shock absorber and further, the cylinder is of a much larger diameter than that required for moving the labeler head so as to permit for the rapid acceleration as well as the rapid deceleration.

Abstract: An integrally formed ratchet (90) and star wheel (95) is disclosed which rotates in unison with a tape applicator wheel (85). Eccentrically formed fingers (96a-d) cooperate with a downwardly facing wall to align and position applicator wheel (85) into correct position after each reciprocation of the splicer (30). Correct alignment is essential because a cutter blade 127 cuts the tape on the applicator wheel into pre-determined lengths by passing through a notch (104) in applicator wheel (85). Misalignment of the applicator wheel (85) may cause blade (127) to impact the applicator wheel (85) itself, damaging or destroying it.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically laminating photoresist dry film onto each of a plurality of panels stacked upright in a panel feed unit with a 10.degree. slant counterclockwise from the vertical, the film being characterized by being easily contaminated, limp and tacky although peelable thereby enabling the use of a polyethylene protective coating, includes a film feed bar for pulling the film from a roll into a laminating station on a 10.degree. upward slant, the polyethylene coating being wound on a take-up roll, and further includes a film hold bar, a film hold cutoff bar and a film cutoff knife for cutting the film precisely to the length required for folding the film over the panel on both sides with no overlap. A panel pick-up unit picks up each of the panels in succession and moves it down into engagement with a transverse center line on the film, through a laminating nip and between heated laminating rolls, delivery belts and cooperating lugs moving the laminated panel to a delivery stack.