Abstract: A hot melt adhesive sensing system and method including detecting (410) multiple areas of a target, for example, a hot adhesive material, by sensing changes in temperature with a corresponding number of thermal sensors, summing (420) an output of the thermal sensors, and evaluating (430) the summed output by comparing the summed output with a reference, the results of which may be assessed relative to a specified tolerance.

Abstract: A material dispensing system for dispensing material onto a moving substrate (110), including a material dispensing nozzle (102), a material dispensing control signal controller (130) coupled to the material dispensing nozzle, a material dispensing control signal generator (120) coupled to the material dispenser control signal controller, the material dispensing control signal generator sending a material dispensing control signal to the material dispensing control signal controller, wherein the material dispensing control signal controller controls the material dispensing control signal from the material dispensing control signal generator based on the substrate speed input signal, and the material dispensing control signal controller sends the controlled material dispensing control signal to the material dispensing nozzle.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive sensing system and methods including detecting (410) multiple areas of a target, for example a hot adhesive material, by sensing changes in temperature with a corresponding number of thermal sensors, summing (420) an output of the thermal sensors, and evaluating (430) the summed output by comparing the summed output with a variable reference, the results of which may be assessed relative to a specified tolerance.

Abstract: Hot melt adhesive sensing systems and methods including detecting (410) multiple areas of a target, for example, a hot adhesive material, by sensing changes in temperature with a corresponding number of thermal sensors, summing (420) an output of the thermal sensors, and evaluating (430) the summed output by comparing the summed output with a reference, the results of which may be assessed relative to a specified tolerance.

Abstract: A hot melt adhesive sensing system and methods including detecting (410) multiple areas of a target, for example a hot adhesive material, by sensing changes in temperature with a corresponding number of thermal sensors, summing (420) an output of the thermal sensors, and evaluating (430) the summed output by comparing the summed output with a variable reference, the results of which may be assessed relative to a specified tolerance.

Abstract: A meltblowing apparatus for dispensing an adhesive through a plurality of first orifices of a die assembly fabricated from a plurality of laminated members to form a plurality of adhesive flows at a first velocity and dispensing air through a plurality of second orifices in the die assembly to form a plurality of air flows at a second velocity. The plurality of first and second orifices arranged in an alternating series so that each of the plurality of first orifices is flanked on substantially opposing sides by one of the plurality of second orifices, wherein the plurality of first and second orifices are oriented to direct non-convergently the plurality of adhesive flows and the plurality of air flows.

Abstract: Strand coating methods having an applicator head pivotally mounted adjacent a substrate, a coating material dispenser mounted on the applicator head, a strand guide mounted on the applicator head, wherein the strand guide and the coating material dispenser are adjustably positionable in unison relative to the substrate by pivoting the applicator head to vary the spacing of the strands relative to the substrate.

Abstract: An expansion anchor comprises a stud having threads including a root, a land, and a taper extending between the root and the land and a helical member having a leading edge threadingly engageable with the threads, wherein the helical member is movable between an unexpanded position and an expanded position, wherein in the expanded position the leading edge is forced radially outwardly by the land. In one embodiment, the helical member includes a finger extending in a leading direction. A method also is disclosed for anchoring the inventive stud within a hole in a substrate by expanding the helical member until the leading edge is wedged between the land and a wall of the hole.

Abstract: A resin based fluorescent marking stain is formulated from a resin present in a concentration of about 10 percent to about 20 percent of the marking stain, an active solvent for and compatible with the resin present in a concentration of about 65 percent to about 85 percent of the marking stain, a plasticizer present in a concentration of about 1.0 percent to about 5.0 percent of the marking stain, an optical brightener present in a concentration of about 0.5 percent to about 5.0 percent of the marking stain and a fluorescent dye present in a concentration of about 0.1 percent to about 5.0 percent of the marking stain.

Abstract: A label applicator of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator, which applicator includes a supply roll and a rewind roll configured to move the strip through the applicator, a tamp pad for applying the labels to the object, and an unwind sensor. The unwind sensor includes a supply disk positioned coaxially on the supply roll. The supply disk has a plurality of equally spaced openings therein. A sensor is configured for sensing the passing of the supply disk openings. A counter counts the openings passing the sensor. The applicator includes means for determining a level of labels remaining on the supply roll.

Abstract: A label applicator of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator, includes a tamp pad for receiving the label at a first position and contacting the label to the object to apply the label to the object when the tamp pad is at a second position. The tamp pad operably connected to a tamp pad cylinder having a compressed gas inlet for extending the cylinder and a compressed gas inlet for retracting the cylinder. A pressure transducer is in communication with the compressed gas inlet for extending the cylinder and measures pressure in the cylinder. A controller controls movement of the cylinder between a retracted position for receiving the label and an extended position for applying the label to the object. The controller receives input signals from the pressure transducer for returning the tamp pad from the extended position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly for a strapping machine of the type having a frame supporting a feed assembly, a chute and a strap supply provides ready accessibility and ease of loading or reloading a coil of strap material in the machine. A strapping machine includes a strapping head disposed between the feed assembly and the chute. The machine is configured to receive first and second courses of associated strap material, position, tension and seal the strap material around a load. The strap material is provided on a coil having a axis of rotation about which the coil rotates to dispense the strap material. The dispenser assembly includes a support panel hingedly mounted to the frame that is pivotable between an open position and a closed position. The support panel includes a central hub defining an axis for carrying the coil of strap material.

Abstract: A coil handling device for engaging a coil having a depth and an interior surface defining a diameter and defining a longitudinal axis, is configured to engage the coil with the longitudinal axis oriented vertically and reorient the coil to position the longitudinal axis horizontally. The handling device includes a transport assembly, a lift assembly and a manipulating assembly. The manipulating assembly is mounted to the lift assembly and includes a pair of spaced apart support arms and a pivoting carriage carried by the support arms. The carriage includes a locking arm for engaging the interior surface of the coil along the depth of the coil and a thrust lever including a bearing arm and a lever arm disposed at an obtuse angle to one another opposite the locking arm.

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 heat treated steel strap usable in a strapping machine has a tensile strength of at least about 170 KSI, and an elongation of at least about 6.5 percent. The steel strap is fabricated from a coiled steel reduced by cold rolling. The strap has a composition of 0.30 to 0.36 percent carbon, 0.90 to 1.25 percent manganese, and 0.75 to 1.10 percent silicon. The strap is heated to a temperature of about 815° C. to about 900° C. and quenched to a temperature of about 370° C. to about 510° C. The strap has a seal joint break strength of about 4350 pounds when the strap has a width of about one inch and a thickness of 0.030 inches. A method for forming the strap is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a fastener driving tool, a carrier for holding a plurality of fasteners comprises a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve holding an associated fastener. Each sleeve has a body with an axis and a bore, the bore extending axially through the body and the bore being for receiving the associated fastener. A set of compressible ribs is also included within the bore of the sleeve for gripping a shank of the associated fastener so that the associated fastener is positioned substantially in the axial direction of the sleeve when the fastener is driven. Each rib has a curved portion that is concave with respect to the bore.

Abstract: A label applicator is of the type for separating labels from a continuous carrier strip and applying the labels to an object positioned at the applicator. The applicator includes a frame, a supply roll operably mounted to the frame for supplying the carrier strip having the labels thereon and a separator for removing the labels from the carrier strip. The applicator includes a rewind roll operably mounted to the frame for rewinding the carrier strip after the labels have been removed therefrom. The supply and rewind rolls are configured to move the carrier strip through the applicator. A rewind assembly has a motor, a pivoting arm and a sensing assembly cooperating with the pivoting arm. The sensing assembly is adapted to sense the presence or absence of a sensed element mounted on the pivoting arm as the arm moves from a first home position to a position other than the home position.

Abstract: A tool has an improved nosepiece and shear block assembly that drives a fastener supplied from a plurality of fasteners. The assembly includes a nosepiece that is configured for attachment to the tool and defines a portion of a barrel and a shear block configured to be secured to the nosepiece to complete the barrel. There is an opening in barrel has for receiving a fastener. The assembly also includes a biased fastener-size adjustment device, which exerts a biasing force against fasteners adjacent the opening.

Abstract: A swab for cleaning electronic and electro-mechanical components includes a handle and a pull-truded fiber cleaning head. The handle is elongated and has a cleaning head end and a grasping end. The cleaning head end defines a securing region for securing the cleaning head to the handle. The cleaning head is formed from a plurality of fibers that are pulled through a die to compress the fibers into a substantially rigid, elongated cleaning head. The swab includes a tether to secure the swab and prevent inadvertent misplacement.

Abstract: A combustion power framing tool the invention has a nosepiece for driving fasteners, a housing and a combustion chamber that produces primary power held within the housing. A fastener supply, such as a magazine, is attached to the housing to supply the fasteners. The tool has detects a condition and produces a signal based on that condition, then causes the primary power to vary in relation to the signal, returning the primary power to full power following driving of the fastener.