Abstract: Method and apparatus for ion generation with enhanced performance through operation at elevation temperatures. A glow discharge ion generator is subjected to extrinsic heating, both preliminarily and during continued operation, thereby providing increased ion current outputs. Such thermal control additionally prolongs the life of the ion generator by reducing corrosion and contaminant buildup.

Abstract: Apparatus for turning bottles and the like during exposure to a jet of hot gas or other heat source. Bottles are individually passed by an air cylinder gate and travel to a drive wheel and a spring loaded idler, where they are trapped by a second air cylinder gate. The drive wheel turns the bottle over a predetermined revolution while the bottle face is exposed to heat. The bottle is then permitted to exit by retraction of the second air cylinder gate. A pneumatic assembly controls gate operation, along with mechanical actuation to prevent bottle entrapment in the heating area.

Abstract: An article-holding turret which is particularly suitable for rotatably conveying large objects. A friction brake is fixed to a pawl plate, and these axially mounted structures are oscillated by a rack and pinion assembly driven from a turret index shuttle. A ratchet and spindle assembly is coaxially mounted on the turret's central shaft, and caused to periodically index through desired angular intervals by a pawl carried on the pawl plate. The forward rotation of the ratchet and spindle assembly is accompanied by a commensurate rotation of the friction brake, thereby minimizing rotational drive forces required during this segment. An auxiliary pawl and bracket assembly prevents retrogression of the ratchet and spindle during the reverse oscillation of the friction brake assembly.

Abstract: File folders of the type having hooks to permit suspension for storage, and further including appendages to permit binding or compartmentalization of materials. The folder may contain loose-leaf binding rings, permanently or detachably mounted to the base. Alternatively, the folders are perforated at the base to hold a spiral binder for materials. The folders can be provided with telescoping side members to achieve an accordion-like effect. Such folders may additionally include permanent or removable divider panels.

Abstract: A retractable ink stamp having a handle and a stamp housing slidably positioned on one end of the handle with an ink absorbing stamp matrix located within the stamp housing. The matrix, preferably of polyethylene foam construction, functions as both an ink reservoir and ink stamp. The stamp matrix is durable, has increased ink absorbing capabilities, exhibits excellent capillary characteristics, but yet is easily manufactured at low cost.

Abstract: A decorative laminate and method of transferring designs onto articles. The laminate is formed of a transfer substrate affixed to a support member. The transfer substrate is composed of a protective layer, an ink layer and a resinous coating layer. Optionally, a barrier layer is provided beteen the resinous layer and the ink layer. In many applications the protective coating layer may be omitted. The laminate is applied to an article using a heated silicone rubber transfer pad to which the transfer substrate adheres during the transfer process.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for imprinting tickets and pinning them onto articles. The printing-pinning machine includes seven functional assemblies driven from a single shaft in a compact arrangement. A strip feed drive handles ticket stock with minimal drag and "pull back", and includes the features of a jogger, and profiled feed pawls. A feed/inking drive system includes mechanical amplification, a ball detent safety feature, and a floating guide rod assembly. Print and sever apparatus are lowered and raised in coordination, to act in sequence on the ticket strip.

Abstract: A label carrier web transport for use in heat transfer decorators and the like, in which labels are optically registered to control web transport. A timing assembly coordinates the rotation of a cam shaft with the actuation and deactuation of clutch and brake assemblies within a metering roll. An optical scanner trained on the web registers a predetermined contrast location to actuate the brake and deactuate the clutch, subject to the presence of an enabling signal from the timing assembly. The metering roll, in combination with a reciprocating label shuttle, provides intermittent web motion to achieve controlled label advance. An alternative label transport system incorporates a capstan web drive in lieu of the metering roll, with a microprocessor to control various machine functions including intermittent web transport.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the metallization of support members, such as paper sheeting and other cellulosic products. A metallic film is transferred to the paper support from a plastic sheet carrier and adhered to the paper by a thermoplastic material. The carrier, typically of stabilized plastic with an adhered film of metal and an overlay of thermoplastic adhesive with the paper support. Pressure and/or heat is applied to the composite which is subsequently cooled and the carrier stripped away to leave the desired metallic layer on the receiving surface of the paper support.This transfer procedure overcomes the objections associated with metal foil laminates and is particularly suitable for metallizing support members, like paper, which are difficult to metallize directly because they release significant amounts of vapor during conventional vacuum metallization.

Abstract: A label carrier web transport for use in heat transfer decorators and the like, in which labels are optically registered to control web transport. A timing assembly coordinates the rotation of a cam shaft with the actuation and deactuation of clutch and brake assemblies within a metering roll. An optical scanner trained on the web registers a predetermined contrast location to actuate the brake and deactuate the clutch, subject to the presence of an enabling signal from the timing assembly. The metering roll, in combination with a reciprocating label shuttle, provides intermittent web motion to achieve controlled label advance.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for fabricating laminations of mica and conductive foils for generation of ions in air. A layer of mica is laminated to sheets of metallic foil using pressure sensitive adhesive as the bonding material. The foil is etched in order to form electrodes in a desired pattern. The mica-foil laminate may include an encapsulating layer or tape of pressure sensitive adhesive around the edges.

Abstract: A corona charging device including a dielectric-coated elongate conductor contacting or closely spaced from a grid electrode, mounted against an insulating support. A high voltage varying potential between the elongate conductor and grid electrode induces a glow discharge in the vicinity of the dielectric-coated electrode. The grid electrode may act as a ground plane to provide a corona discharge device with respect to a proximate member. Alternatively, the grid electrode may be maintained at a desired potential to provide a charging device with an automatically limited voltage.

Abstract: Electrostatic transfer printing in which a latent electrostatic image is formed on a cylindrical dielectrical member by means of a glow discharge ion source. The image is then toned and pressure-transferred to a receptor, such as a sheet of paper, which is passed between the cylindrical dielectric member and a transfer roller. Scraper blades may be included to remove residual toner from the cylindrical dielectric member and the transfer roller. Means may also be included to erase any latent residual electrostatic image on the cylindrical dielectric member.

Abstract: A picture frame for photographic snapshots having a rotatable easel of thin, lightweight construction mounted to the back side of the picture frame. The easel has a substantially trapezoidal shape when folded and has rectangular front and back panels having a common top edge and collapsible, triangular side panels interconnecting the front and back panels. The side panels may be folded, collapsing the easel into a flat structure for easy packaging and shipment. The side panels when unfolded form an easel for holding the picture frame in a stable, secure, upright position on a tabletop. The easel design of the invention produces an unusually stable structure for its weight. It does not collapse upon moving the picture frame in any direction on the table surface. The easel may be rotated to permit display of snapshots in either a horizontal or vertical orientation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is disclosed for driving the take up and supply spools of a web transport system. The apparatus includes a pair of direct current motors, one for each spool, and a circuit for regulating the current in the two motors. The circuit senses the counter EMF across the takeup motor, and accordingly controls the current in the supply motor, in order to apply a proper dragging torque to the supply spool. In the event of a loss of power to the web transport, the two spools are brought to a stop in a controlled manner by electronic means.

Abstract: Electrosensitive recording using a composite structure formed by a base support for a resinous contrast layer containing silicon dioxide, with an overlying metallic surface provided by vapor deposition. The electrosensitive structure provides improved print quality for information recorded by electrically actuated stylii, with reduced debris accumulation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the decoration of bottles and the like at high speeds. Bottles are delivered by an input conveyor to a star wheel, which deposits them sequentially into a continuously rotating turret. The turret carries the bottles past a labelling site, where a label carrier strip is pressed into contact with a bottle surface and a label thereby transferred. The shape of the bottle is maintained during labelling by means of inflation of the bottles through an inserted nozzle. The raising and lowering of the inflating nozzle and the flow of inflating air is controlled by special valving apparatus. The motion of the label carrier strip past the labelling site is regulated by the use of rolls on a shuttle slide, which in turn is reciprocated by a second slide driven by a conjugate cam. This results in an increase of the local velocity of the carrier strip during most of the cycle, and a slowing of the strip during the balance.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for decorating the sides of bottles and similar articles having a variety of cross-sections, of the type in which a label is pressed onto the article from a carrier web while both the web and article are in motion. The apparatus includes a cam and cam follower mechanism wherein the cam is profiled in the cross-section of the article. The cam and cam follower are driven by a cable moving at the linear velocity of the carrier web in order to coordinate web advance with article rotation. The article is housed on a laterally movable swing arm during labelling to provide a variable axial location.

Abstract: Charge transfer imaging method and apparatus using a photoreceptor assembly. The assembly, which is formed by the interposition of a semiconducting substrate between a photoreceptor and a conducting base member, is used to transfer an image to a dielectric member with reduced image degradation.

Abstract: A method of simulating variable rate printing in an ink jet printing system employing a fixed frequency vibrating reed. By varying several printing parameters, a range of quantized values is derived for character size and the rate of character generation.